> > The monorail stops smoothly at a small station. Jac takes Mira's > > arm and escorts her from the train. > > > > The first thing Mira notices is that the air here is much cooler, > > thinner, drier. The train pulls away from the station continuing > > it's northerly route, allowing Mira to see beyond the monorail. The > > scene is breathtaking...a high waterfall shining in the sunlight > > falling into the foam of a pool below. The waterfall appears to be > > about 1 kilometer away across a valley from the station. A small > > village is clustered around the river below the waterfall. What > > looks like a chain of silver beads appear to be following a their > > thread from the village below to the top of the falls, and then > > sliding back down. > > > > Jac says, "We can take a cab down to the village and then the grav > > way up to Crystal Falls." > > She looks up at him, "Wow." > > She doesn't seem to think any further commentary is necessary and her > gaze drags away to the view and she drinks it in as he leads her to > the cab. "Yes, 'wow!' does describe it doesn't it." Jac smiles and shifts his gaze from Mira's face back to the scenery in the distance. > "This was what I meant, exactly. I'd never have discovered this. Thank you." "You are most welcome, Mira." he says shifting into a less formal address as he helps her into a waiting cab. The cab ride is a short one, as it leaves the station, going under the raised monorail, then down into the river valley. Next to the river they leave the cab and board one of several gondolas that are riding a cable up from the valley floor to the top of the high cliff from which the water fall is crashing down. The small gondolas can carry no more than six passengers each, Jac and Mira's is empty except for themselves, and move silently up the cable using gravitic lift, rather than the traction that lower tech alternatives might. The gondolas have large windows all around, and through them Mira can observe more and more of the countryside as the gondola ascends toward the clouds of spray near the top of the falls. She sees a picture postcard rural town with multicolored tile roofs and narrow winding streets unfolding below. In the center of the town an old, it looks very old, stone bridge arcs high over the river. Beyond the bridge the town ends almost abrubtly with a high stone wall that rings it from river edge to river edge, broken only by a single large gate. Past the gate a road winds its way through open countryside. As the gondola get higher Mira can see what look like small farms with, mostly grazing fields, surrounding them scattered across the hills beyond the river. When she looks back toward the monorail line she can see now that a small town is clustered around the station and beyond it the countryside is a mixture of forest and open grazing land with scattered farmhouses distinguished by their brightly colored roofs. Looking back down at the town spanning the river, Mira sees a large river craft begin to move away from the docks heading down river. Another can be seen coming up river toward the town. Jac leans over to Mira and points at the boats, "We will take one of the excursion boats back down the river to Nandolini where we will catch the monorail." He smiles, "We'll pass through the Bondo gorge and then out into the Leni Valley before we reach Nandolini...I think you'll enjoy that. Look at the rainbow!" Looking up when the windows begin to be sprayed with mist, Mira sees that the gondola is starting to pass through a permanate cloud of water vaper thrown off by the falls as they crash over the rocky ledge and plunge toward the river below. As the gondola starts to pass through the mist she sees a rainbow rising up from the hidden river below arcing up toward the top of the falls. As the rainbow is obscured by the enveloping mists, it doesn't disappear, instead it seems to have been broken into a million pieces and scattered throughout the air around the cable car...it is like they are passing through the rainbow itself. The rainbow effect fades away as the mists begin to clear, and the gondola stops at the top of the falls allowing Mira and Jac to exit. Opening the doors, Mira hears the roar of the falls in the background, but the foreground is filled with the sounds of classical music. Looking around she sees that a small village here. There is live orchastra is playing in what looks like a natural amphitheater of stone carved into the side of the rocky cliffs that continue to rise on this side of the river. There is a shining metal bridge that arcs over the river to the other side, and most people...and there are dozens up here...are crossing the metal bridge to the other side. "There is an amusment park and such across the bridge." Jac says smiling and steering Mira away from the crowds toward the orchastra, "I have something else in mind for us, though." There are a few other people, mostly couples, also moving in this direction. Before quite reaching the amphitheater, Jac turns to the left toward one of buildings near the edge of the cliffs. There is a sign on the building that says, "Aspesiao's Under the Falls." "Here we are!" Jac says, "Aspesiao's has find food and its ambiance is unbeaten on all of Mark." Inside, Jac and Mira are greeted and after Jac gives his name are escorted to a small room where there is a booth. This is a particular room...the door looks more like a hatch than a regular door and the booth looks more like it is docked here than anything else. The booth itself has high clear plexiglass walls that surround it and there is a sliding door that looks like it can close completely enclosing the booth. After your orders are taken and delivered, your waiter presses a button and says, "Enjoy!" The glass door to the booth slides shut and the booth begins to descend through the floor of the restuerant! After a passing through the floor you find yourself floating in the mists of the falls, and the booth moves slowly and smoothly right into the rainbow zone leaving you to dine surrounded by prisms of light. Jac leans over and says, "This is just the first course." Eris AKU
>Jac leans over to Mira and points at the boats, "We will take one of the >excursion boats back down the river to Nandolini where we will catch the >monorail." "Oh, that will be lovely, Jac!" She exclaims. >He smiles, "We'll pass through the Bondo gorge and then out into the >Leni Valley before we reach Nandolini...I think you'll enjoy that. Look >at the rainbow!" She follows his direction. >Looking up when the windows begin to be sprayed with mist, Mira sees >that the gondola is starting to pass through a permanate cloud of water >vaper thrown off by the falls as they crash over the rocky ledge and >plunge toward the river below. As the gondola starts to pass through the >mist she sees a rainbow rising up from the hidden river below arcing up >toward the top of the falls. As the rainbow is obscured by the >enveloping mists, it doesn't disappear, instead it seems to have been >broken into a million pieces and scattered throughout the air around the >cable car...it is like they are passing through the rainbow itself. Mira gasps, "This is incredible!" >The rainbow effect fades away as the mists begin to clear, and the >gondola stops at the top of the falls allowing Mira and Jac to exit. >Opening the doors, Mira hears the roar of the falls in the background, >but the foreground is filled with the sounds of classical music. Looking >around she sees that a small village here. There is live orchastra is >playing in what looks like a natural amphitheater of stone carved into >the side of the rocky cliffs that continue to rise on this side of the >river. There is a shining metal bridge that arcs over the river to the >other side, and most people...and there are dozens up here...are >crossing the metal bridge to the other side. > >"There is an amusment park and such across the bridge." Jac says smiling >and steering Mira away from the crowds toward the orchastra, "I have >something else in mind for us, though." Mira looks towards the bridge and admits, "That could be fun on another visit. Do they have any good coasters?" >There are a few other people, mostly couples, also moving in this >direction. Before quite reaching the amphitheater, Jac turns to the left >toward one of buildings near the edge of the cliffs. There is a sign on >the building that says, "Aspesiao's Under the Falls." > >"Here we are!" Jac says, "Aspesiao's has find food and its ambiance is >unbeaten on all of Mark." > >Inside, Jac and Mira are greeted and after Jac gives his name are >escorted to a small room where there is a booth. This is a particular >room...the door looks more like a hatch than a regular door and the >booth looks more like it is docked here than anything else. The booth >itself has high clear plexiglass walls that surround it and there is a >sliding door that looks like it can close completely enclosing the booth. > >After your orders are taken and delivered, your waiter presses a button >and says, "Enjoy!" The glass door to the booth slides shut and the booth >begins to descend through the floor of the restuerant! Mira's eyes widen and she looks at Jac, the question in her eyes. >After a passing through the floor you find yourself floating in the >mists of the falls, and the booth moves slowly and smoothly right into >the rainbow zone leaving you to dine surrounded by prisms of light. > >Jac leans over and says, "This is just the first course." "Wow," She says again, her gaze meeting his eyes and adds in a soft voice, filled with warmth, "A fairy-tale setting replete with prince charming." She smiles, perhaps a bit flustered by her own words and says, "Can the food possibly live up to the rest?" Mira
Mira Hasta-Rur wrote: > Mira's eyes widen and she looks at Jac, the question in her eyes. > > > After a passing through the floor you find yourself floating in the > > mists of the falls, and the booth moves slowly and smoothly right > > into the rainbow zone leaving you to dine surrounded by prisms of > > light. > > > > Jac leans over and says, "This is just the first course." > > "Wow," She says again, her gaze meeting his eyes and adds in a soft > voice, filled with warmth, "A fairy-tale setting replete with prince > charming." > > She smiles, perhaps a bit flustered by her own words and says, "Can > the food possibly live up to the rest?" Jac laughs as he lifts a fork, "To be honest, I'm never noticed. In the evening, there are lights mounted on the side of the cliff that keep the rainbow effect going." "I remember once coming here while at university with a physics major. She spent the entire time speculating on prismatic effects and angles of refraction, and all I wanted to do was seduce her." he laughs, "She's a Full Professor at MIT now. I think her specialty is photonic crystals." The table floats through the waterfall, eventually returning to the reentering the the restaurant from which it left, and the waiter reappears to take away the appetizer and replace it with the main course. The bubble then leaves the restaurant and travels through the rainbow mists again. "Boring isn't it." Jac says as he takes a bite of his food, "But the food *is* remarkably good." Eris AKU
> > She smiles, perhaps a bit flustered by her own words and says, "Can > > the food possibly live up to the rest?" > >Jac laughs as he lifts a fork, "To be honest, I'm never noticed. In the >evening, there are lights mounted on the side of the cliff that keep the >rainbow effect going." > >"I remember once coming here while at university with a physics major. >She spent the entire time speculating on prismatic effects and angles of >refraction, and all I wanted to do was seduce her." he laughs, "She's a >Full Professor at MIT now. I think her specialty is photonic crystals." Mira smiles, "I rather think that under most circumstances this would be a rather excellent choice of places to dine to seduce someone, Jac, but it rather sounds like the cards were stacked against you with that one. It would probably be like trying to seduce me in a hydroponics garden since I've gotten hooked on the ship's facilities." >The table floats through the waterfall, eventually returning to the >reentering the the restaurant from which it left, and the waiter >reappears to take away the appetizer and replace it with the main >course. The bubble then leaves the restaurant and travels through the >rainbow mists again. > >"Boring isn't it." Jac says as he takes a bite of his food, "But the >food *is* remarkably good." Mira raises an eyebrow, "Boring? No, I wouldn't say that. Like any setting, it sets a tone and a mood. Unlike your MIT professor, I can see seduction being right near the top. Or merely 'wow-ing' someone who asked you to show her something she wouldn't stumble across on her own." Mira takes another bite of her food and gets one of those 'oh, this is heavenly' expressions on her face as she savors it, "And the food alone would be well worth the visit. What a delightful excursion so far." Mira
Mira Hasta-Rur wrote: > >> She smiles, perhaps a bit flustered by her own words and says, > >> "Can the food possibly live up to the rest?" > > > > Jac laughs as he lifts a fork, "To be honest, I'm never noticed. > > In the evening, there are lights mounted on the side of the cliff > > that keep the rainbow effect going." > > > > "I remember once coming here while at university with a physics > > major. She spent the entire time speculating on prismatic effects > > and angles of refraction, and all I wanted to do was seduce her." > > he laughs, "She's a Full Professor at MIT now. I think her > > specialty is photonic crystals." > > > Mira smiles, "I rather think that under most circumstances this would > be a rather excellent choice of places to dine to seduce someone, > Jac, but it rather sounds like the cards were stacked against you > with that one. It would probably be like trying to seduce me in a > hydroponics garden since I've gotten hooked on the ship's > facilities." > > > The table floats through the waterfall, eventually returning to the > > reentering the the restaurant from which it left, and the waiter > > reappears to take away the appetizer and replace it with the main > > course. The bubble then leaves the restaurant and travels through > > the rainbow mists again. > > > > "Boring isn't it." Jac says as he takes a bite of his food, "But > > the food *is* remarkably good." > > > Mira raises an eyebrow, "Boring? No, I wouldn't say that. Like any > setting, it sets a tone and a mood. Unlike your MIT professor, I can > see seduction being right near the top. Or merely 'wow-ing' someone > who asked you to show her something she wouldn't stumble across on > her own." "Good!" he nods with a smile, "That was precisely my intended effect." > Mira takes another bite of her food and gets one of those 'oh, this > is heavenly' expressions on her face as she savors it, "And the food > alone would be well worth the visit. What a delightful excursion so > far." The luncheon continues for another three trips through the waterfall and back to the restaurant before the diners make all the way through a light dessert of strawberries and cream. "Now, before we get *too* relaxed here, I think we should proceed to our next venue." Jac says as he stands and holds out his arm to Mira. The pair take the skyway back down to the village below the falls and stroll through it downhill toward the river. As they walk, Mira's attention is caught by a shop window displaying clocks. Some appear to be the old mechanical sort in ornate wood and metal houses. Others are more modern looking, some even appear to have holographic effects...yes they do project the time into the air. Eris AKU
> > Mira raises an eyebrow, "Boring? No, I wouldn't say that. Like any > > setting, it sets a tone and a mood. Unlike your MIT professor, I can > > see seduction being right near the top. Or merely 'wow-ing' someone > > who asked you to show her something she wouldn't stumble across on > > her own." > >"Good!" he nods with a smile, "That was precisely my intended effect." Mira raises one eyebrow, but foregoes a response in favor of.... > > Mira takes another bite of her food and gets one of those 'oh, this > > is heavenly' expressions on her face as she savors it, "And the food > > alone would be well worth the visit. What a delightful excursion so > > far." > >The luncheon continues for another three trips through the waterfall and >back to the restaurant before the diners make all the way through a >light dessert of strawberries and cream. > >"Now, before we get *too* relaxed here, I think we should proceed to our >next venue." Jac says as he stands and holds out his arm to Mira. > >The pair take the skyway back down to the village below the falls and >stroll through it downhill toward the river. As they walk, Mira's >attention is caught by a shop window displaying clocks. Some appear to >be the old mechanical sort in ornate wood and metal houses. Others are >more modern looking, some even appear to have holographic effects...yes >they do project the time into the air. "What an intriguing shop," She says, "Would you mind terribly?" Mira
Mira Hasta-Rur wrote: > >> Mira raises an eyebrow, "Boring? No, I wouldn't say that. Like > >> any setting, it sets a tone and a mood. Unlike your MIT > >> professor, I can see seduction being right near the top. Or > >> merely 'wow-ing' someone who asked you to show her something she > >> wouldn't stumble across on her own." > > > > "Good!" he nods with a smile, "That was precisely my intended > > effect." > > > Mira raises one eyebrow, but foregoes a response in favor of.... > > >> Mira takes another bite of her food and gets one of those 'oh, > >> this is heavenly' expressions on her face as she savors it, "And > >> the food alone would be well worth the visit. What a delightful > >> excursion so far." > > > > The luncheon continues for another three trips through the > > waterfall and back to the restaurant before the diners make all the > > way through a light dessert of strawberries and cream. > > > > "Now, before we get *too* relaxed here, I think we should proceed > > to our next venue." Jac says as he stands and holds out his arm to > > Mira. > > > > The pair take the skyway back down to the village below the falls > > and stroll through it downhill toward the river. As they walk, > > Mira's attention is caught by a shop window displaying clocks. Some > > appear to be the old mechanical sort in ornate wood and metal > > houses. Others are more modern looking, some even appear to have > > holographic effects...yes they do project the time into the air. > > "What an intriguing shop," She says, "Would you mind terribly?" "No, don't mind a bit." Jac says, "Today your wish is my command." He escorts her into the dark shop. Inside it smells of old wood and oils. There are clocks and other small things on display in here. Mira is attracted to a table displaying small crystal globes. Inside the globes are images of the falls with a perfect little rainbow arcing from the top of the cliffs to the tiny village below. Looking closely she see that this is a holographic projection and the details are perfect. The water is flowing, the rainbow is shimmering and there are even tiny little birds flying around inside the globe. "May I help the Sianna and the Si?" asks an elderly woman as she comes out from behind a wooden counter. Eris AKUS
>"No, don't mind a bit." Jac says, "Today your wish is my command." Oh, he was good. >He escorts her into the dark shop. Inside it smells of old wood and >oils. There are clocks and other small things on display in here. Mira >is attracted to a table displaying small crystal globes. Inside the >globes are images of the falls with a perfect little rainbow arcing from >the top of the cliffs to the tiny village below. Looking closely she see >that this is a holographic projection and the details are perfect. The >water is flowing, the rainbow is shimmering and there are even tiny >little birds flying around inside the globe. > >"May I help the Sianna and the Si?" asks an elderly woman as she comes >out from behind a wooden counter. "These crystal globes have incredible detail," Mira says, "But I'm really captivated by your display of clocks. You carry such a broad range of styles. I think I'd like to see something that will remind me of how this shop smells; old wood hand rubbed with oil. Intrigue me." Mira
Mira Hasta-Rur wrote: > > He escorts her into the dark shop. Inside it smells of old wood and > > oils. There are clocks and other small things on display in here. > > Mira is attracted to a table displaying small crystal globes. > > Inside the globes are images of the falls with a perfect little > > rainbow arcing from the top of the cliffs to the tiny village > > below. Looking closely she see that this is a holographic > > projection and the details are perfect. The water is flowing, the > > rainbow is shimmering and there are even tiny little birds flying > > around inside the globe. > > > > "May I help the Sianna and the Si?" asks an elderly woman as she > > comes out from behind a wooden counter. > > "These crystal globes have incredible detail," Mira says, "But I'm > really captivated by your display of clocks. You carry such a broad > range of styles. I think I'd like to see something that will remind > me of how this shop smells; old wood hand rubbed with oil. Intrigue > me." The old woman returns to her wooden counter and stoops down removing something from a shelf there. She sets an object on the counter top. The object is covered with what appears to be a gray cloth, but when she turns on a lamp and directs the light toward it, Mira sees that the cloth is some sort of shiny gray plastic material. With a smile the woman lifts the plastic material saying, "We keep this covered for its protection, you know." As she removes the covering you see a rectangular box, about 30 cm high and half that wide and deep. The box is made of a dark wood with a pronounced grain that forms a swirling pattern. The pattern in the grain seems to sparkle and flow under the light of the lamp, almost like the swirls of a fast flowing stream as it passes over a rocky bottom. The wood of the box has been carved to enhance the effect, bringing it out here, and restricting it there to enhance the feeling that the wood itself is a river of yellow and light brown water flowing through a dark brown stream bed. "This is wood from the Povem tree. Its wood grain reacts like this to light. Isn't it lovely?" Near the top of the box in a circular inset an analog clock has been set. The clock's hands are silver, and gleam in the light and the numbers around the outside rim are red LED's. A small oval platinum relief is inset just below the clock, "Press here, and the door opens giving you access to the controls." the old woman demonstrates, "You can adjust the time, or set the clock to any planet's time system here, and also set it to play any of the several tunes that are stored inside." She lifts the clock and shows you the bottom, "The mechanism can be accessed here. The wooden casing removed so the clock's hardware can be repaired or serviced. Although, that shouldn't be necessary for many, many years. We guarantee this piece to work flawlessly for 40 years." Eris AKU
>With a smile the woman lifts the plastic material saying, "We keep this >covered for its protection, you know." Mira looks up and smiles and nods. She watches the woman remove the covering. >As she removes the covering you see a rectangular box, about 30 cm high >and half that wide and deep. The box is made of a dark wood with a >pronounced grain that forms a swirling pattern. The pattern in the grain >seems to sparkle and flow under the light of the lamp, almost like the >swirls of a fast flowing stream as it passes over a rocky bottom. The >wood of the box has been carved to enhance the effect, bringing it out >here, and restricting it there to enhance the feeling that the wood >itself is a river of yellow and light brown water flowing through a dark >brown stream bed. Mira sighs softly, a sound of deep appreciation. >"This is wood from the Povem tree. Its wood grain reacts like this to >light. Isn't it lovely?" "I'm speechless." >Near the top of the box in a circular inset an analog clock has been >set. The clock's hands are silver, and gleam in the light and the >numbers around the outside rim are red LED's. ooc: red led's? about small red gems that glow as if backlit by some light source.>A small oval platinum relief is inset just below the clock, "Press here, >and the door opens giving you access to the controls." the old woman >demonstrates, "You can adjust the time, or set the clock to any planet's >time system here, and also set it to play any of the several tunes that >are stored inside." > >She lifts the clock and shows you the bottom, "The mechanism can be >accessed here. The wooden casing removed so the clock's hardware can be >repaired or serviced. Although, that shouldn't be necessary for many, >many years. We guarantee this piece to work flawlessly for 40 years." "Its perfect." Mira says and reaches to lift her bag to the counter, "Now for the fun part for you..." Mira
Mira wrote: > > With a smile the woman lifts the plastic material saying, "We keep > > this covered for its protection, you know." > > > Mira looks up and smiles and nods. She watches the woman remove the > covering. > > > As she removes the covering you see a rectangular box, about 30 cm > > high and half that wide and deep. The box is made of a dark wood > > with a pronounced grain that forms a swirling pattern. The pattern > > in the grain seems to sparkle and flow under the light of the lamp, > > almost like the swirls of a fast flowing stream as it passes over a > > rocky bottom. The wood of the box has been carved to enhance the > > effect, bringing it out here, and restricting it there to enhance > > the feeling that the wood itself is a river of yellow and light > > brown water flowing through a dark brown stream bed. > > > Mira sighs softly, a sound of deep appreciation. > > > "This is wood from the Povem tree. Its wood grain reacts like this > > to light. Isn't it lovely?" > > > "I'm speechless." > > > Near the top of the box in a circular inset an analog clock has > > been set. The clock's hands are silver, and gleam in the light and > > the numbers around the outside rim are red LED's. > > ooc: red led's? about small red gems that glow as if backlit by some > light source.OOC: Yes, but they have to be electronic lights so they can be reprogrammed for changes in planetary time systems. > > A small oval platinum relief is inset just below the clock, "Press > > here, and the door opens giving you access to the controls." the > > old woman demonstrates, "You can adjust the time, or set the clock > > to any planet's time system here, and also set it to play any of > > the several tunes that are stored inside." > > > > She lifts the clock and shows you the bottom, "The mechanism can be > > accessed here. The wooden casing removed so the clock's hardware > > can be repaired or serviced. Although, that shouldn't be necessary > > for many, many years. We guarantee this piece to work flawlessly > > for 40 years." > > "Its perfect." Mira says and reaches to lift her bag to the counter, > "Now for the fun part for you..." After some bargaining you get to a final price of 325 marks. It is expensive, but for a work of art like this... Eris Akus
>OOC: Yes, but they have to be electronic lights so they can be >reprogrammed for changes in planetary time systems. Makes sense. > > > A small oval platinum relief is inset just below the clock, "Press > > > here, and the door opens giving you access to the controls." the > > > old woman demonstrates, "You can adjust the time, or set the clock > > > to any planet's time system here, and also set it to play any of > > > the several tunes that are stored inside." > > > > > > She lifts the clock and shows you the bottom, "The mechanism can be > > > accessed here. The wooden casing removed so the clock's hardware > > > can be repaired or serviced. Although, that shouldn't be necessary > > > for many, many years. We guarantee this piece to work flawlessly > > > for 40 years." > > > > "Its perfect." Mira says and reaches to lift her bag to the counter, > > "Now for the fun part for you..." > >After some bargaining you get to a final price of 325 marks. It is >expensive, but for a work of art like this... Mira reaches into her bag for her wallet, "Can that be sent along to my ship? I'd hate to damage it." Mira
Mira wrote: > > After some bargaining you get to a final price of 325 marks. It is > > expensive, but for a work of art like this... > > Mira reaches into her bag for her wallet, "Can that be sent along to > my ship? I'd hate to damage it." "Let me get that." Jac says handing the old woman a small piece object, "Sian, my card." As she looks at it, Mira sees that is is a small rectangular card made from a thick paper stock. The old woman's expression changes from friendly, but shrewd, to almost reverence, "Oh, Lord JaCarter! It will be my pleasure to have the item shipped to your friend's ship." Bowing she backs away taking the clock and starting to wrap it, "Yes, my lord. I'll see to it immediately." Eris AKUS
>"Let me get that." Jac says handing the old woman a small piece object, >"Sian, my card." Mira starts to shake her head and open her mouth to object... >As she looks at it, Mira sees that is is a small rectangular card made >from a thick paper stock. > >The old woman's expression changes from friendly, but shrewd, to almost >reverence, "Oh, Lord JaCarter! It will be my pleasure to have the item >shipped to your friend's ship." > >Bowing she backs away taking the clock and starting to wrap it, "Yes, my >lord. I'll see to it immediately." "Jac!" Mira says, "Haven't you spoiled me enough already?" Her mind is sort of reeling on the other hand. She might be used to the sorts of shops he'd take her to, courtesy of her mother, but that sort of reaction, the reality of being with nobility sort of sunk in for the first time. She shuddered subconsciously at the though of the fits of ecstasy her mother would go into if she could somehow watch her through this day. Her mother instilled just enough savvy that she pulls herself into an air of 'I belong here', remaining relaxed and poised. She'd marvel at how later. Mira
Mira wrote: >> The old woman's expression changes from friendly, but >> shrewd, to almost reverence, "Oh, Lord JaCarter! It will be >> my pleasure to have the item shipped to your friend's ship." >> >> Bowing she backs away taking the clock and starting to wrap >> it, "Yes, my lord. I'll see to it immediately." > > > "Jac!" Mira says, "Haven't you spoiled me enough already?" "Certainly not!" Jac smiles and gives her a short bow, "Besides it is my pleasure to make you this gift." > Her mind is sort of reeling on the other hand. She might be > used to the sorts of shops he'd take her to, courtesy of her > mother, but that sort of reaction, the reality of being with > nobility sort of sunk in for the first time. She shuddered > subconsciously at the though of the fits of ecstasy her mother > would go into if she could somehow watch her through this day. > Her mother instilled just enough savvy that she pulls herself > into an air of 'I belong here', remaining relaxed and poised. > She'd marvel at how later. After giving the woman the address of the ship, Jac says, "And I would like one of your crystal globes as well as a gift for my auntie. This one here, if you please." "Please, wrap it as a gift and we will take it with us." he says, then says to Mira with a chuckle, "I know Aunt Mazie will be pleased to see *you*, but I think I had better have a nice little gift for her otherwise she might not let me in the door." Taking the gift wrapped box and pocketing his bank card, Jac offers his arm to Mira and says, "I think now we must hurry if we are to make the excursion boat for the downriver trip." Eris AKU GM
> >> Bowing she backs away taking the clock and starting to wrap > >> it, "Yes, my lord. I'll see to it immediately." > > > > "Jac!" Mira says, "Haven't you spoiled me enough already?" > >"Certainly not!" Jac smiles and gives her a short bow, "Besides >it is my pleasure to make you this gift." > > > Her mind is sort of reeling on the other hand. She might be > > used to the sorts of shops he'd take her to, courtesy of her > > mother, but that sort of reaction, the reality of being with > > nobility sort of sunk in for the first time. She shuddered > > subconsciously at the though of the fits of ecstasy her mother > > would go into if she could somehow watch her through this day. > > Her mother instilled just enough savvy that she pulls herself > > into an air of 'I belong here', remaining relaxed and poised. > > She'd marvel at how later. She isn't really certain how to respond, exactly, but gives a quick curtsey with a pleased smile, "Jac, your pleasure is exceeded only by my own at receiving such a divine gift. Thank you." >After giving the woman the address of the ship, Jac says, "And I >would like one of your crystal globes as well as a gift for my >auntie. This one here, if you please." > >"Please, wrap it as a gift and we will take it with us." he says, >then says to Mira with a chuckle, "I know Aunt Mazie will be >pleased to see *you*, but I think I had better have a nice little >gift for her otherwise she might not let me in the door." Mira chuckles, "What did you do this time?" >Taking the gift wrapped box and pocketing his bank card, Jac >offers his arm to Mira and says, "I think now we must hurry if we >are to make the excursion boat for the downriver trip." Mira takes his arm, and replies with an impish grin up at him, "Of course. Just remember, short legs only carry one so quickly without appearing to be frantically trying to keep pace." Mira
Mira wrote: > > "Please, wrap it as a gift and we will take it with us." he says, > > then says to Mira with a chuckle, "I know Aunt Mazie will be > > pleased to see *you*, but I think I had better have a nice little > > gift for her otherwise she might not let me in the door." > > Mira chuckles, "What did you do this time?" Jac chuckles, "I don't have to *do* anything, just being my normal self seems to do the trick." > > Taking the gift wrapped box and pocketing his bank card, Jac offers > > his arm to Mira and says, "I think now we must hurry if we are to > > make the excursion boat for the downriver trip." > > Mira takes his arm, and replies with an impish grin up at him, "Of > course. Just remember, short legs only carry one so quickly without > appearing to be frantically trying to keep pace." "I'll try to remember that." he says as he walks with Mira at a fast, but not *too* fast pace toward the waterfront. A large excursion boat is docked alongside the stone quay. There are already a number of people aboard and Jac leads Mira up the ramp onto the boat, then hands his card to the uniformed crewman who makes a transaction and hands the card back. Jac and Mira walk over to bow of the boat and he says, "These are good seats. We will be able to see both sides of the river as we go. I'm really looking forward to you seeing Mirror Gorge." Eris AKU GM
>A large excursion boat is docked alongside the stone quay. There are >already a number of people aboard and Jac leads Mira up the ramp onto >the boat, then hands his card to the uniformed crewman who makes a >transaction and hands the card back. > >Jac and Mira walk over to bow of the boat and he says, "These are good >seats. We will be able to see both sides of the river as we go. I'm >really looking forward to you seeing Mirror Gorge." Mira's eyes light at the description, "It sounds heavenly!" As she takes the seat he offers her, she says, "You know, some of the cousins and I on one of our little excursions, one of our first, in fact, on Gorath, if I reccall correctly, found this island where you could sail in through some cliffs into an old volcano tube. When you hit the water it made musical notes. Cory played the water for us until we were rather rudely interrupted by some loud, boisterous children being their loud boisterous selves. It wasn't visually stunning like the rainbows, but it was amazing listening to him make beautiful music from nothing more than water and island rocks." She smiles up at Jac, "Now there is something I could show you, but we'd have to bring Cory. I couldn't make it sing like that." Mira
Mira wrote: > > A large excursion boat is docked alongside the stone quay. There > > are already a number of people aboard and Jac leads Mira up the > > ramp onto the boat, then hands his card to the uniformed crewman > > who makes a transaction and hands the card back. > > > > Jac and Mira walk over to bow of the boat and he says, "These are > > good seats. We will be able to see both sides of the river as we > > go. I'm really looking forward to you seeing Mirror Gorge." > > > Mira's eyes light at the description, "It sounds heavenly!" > > As she takes the seat he offers her, she says, "You know, some of the > cousins and I on one of our little excursions, one of our first, in > fact, on Gorath, if I reccall correctly, found this island where you > could sail in through some cliffs into an old volcano tube. When you > hit the water it made musical notes. Cory played the water for us > until we were rather rudely interrupted by some loud, boisterous > children being their loud boisterous selves. It wasn't visually > stunning like the rainbows, but it was amazing listening to him make > beautiful music from nothing more than water and island rocks." "That sounds wonderful." Jac says, "Gorath, you say. I haven't been there. It's down near Argent isn't it?" > She smiles up at Jac, "Now there is something I could show you, but > we'd have to bring Cory. I couldn't make it sing like that." Jac smiles and says, "I think I'd pass on having Cory along and take my chances with us being able to make it sing by ourselves. Cory is a crowd all by himself." "Ah! We're starting." Jac says as the boat lurches, and starts to move away from the dock. Down the river goes the boat. The first few miles are though hilly countryside with a mix of forest small farms and pastures. The crowd aboard the boat chat and laugh, it is a friendly crowd. There is a woman giving a narration about the countryside as you travel. She points out the various villages, and stone ruins of ancient castles and keeps along the river as you travel. Then you come to a place where the river forks. The main branch continues straight, but a smaller branch angles off to the left into a gorge. The boat takes the left fork. "This is the way to Mirror Gorge." Jac says leaning over to Mira, "You'll like this." Eris AKU
>Then you come to a place where the river forks. The main branch >continues straight, but a smaller branch angles off to the left into a >gorge. The boat takes the left fork. > >"This is the way to Mirror Gorge." Jac says leaning over to Mira, >"You'll like this." Mira smiles up at him, "I'm looking forward to it." She turns her face to enjoy the view, realizing she's entirely too aware of his leaning closer. The non-answer to her statement about the restaurant being perfect for seduction or wow'ing someone who'd asked to see something she wouldn't otherwise floated through her head and she pushes it away saying silently to herself, 'go away, Mother'. But she knows its not her mother's influence. She looks at him sideways considering that he hadn't answered about the rollercoasters. She'd have to find out about that. Mira
Mira wrote: > > Then you come to a place where the river forks. The main branch > > continues straight, but a smaller branch angles off to the left > > into a gorge. The boat takes the left fork. > > > > "This is the way to Mirror Gorge." Jac says leaning over to Mira, > > "You'll like this." > > > Mira smiles up at him, "I'm looking forward to it." > > She turns her face to enjoy the view, realizing she's entirely too > aware of his leaning closer. The non-answer to her statement about > the restaurant being perfect for seduction or wow'ing someone who'd > asked to see something she wouldn't otherwise floated through her > head and she pushes it away saying silently to herself, 'go away, > Mother'. But she knows its not her mother's influence. She looks at > him sideways considering that he hadn't answered about the > rollercoasters. She'd have to find out about that. As the boat enters the narrow gorge, there is almost a hush from the crowd on the boat followed by "Ooo's and ahhh's!" as everyone starts to see the glittering walls rising up on both sides of the river. The gorge is...well, gorgeous! The river is about 200 meters wide and it runs almost straight though a rocky gorge with walls of solid black rock rising straight up at least 100 meters above the water level. The surface of the rocks glitter and shine with reflected light, just as if millions of mirrors were attached to the walls. "Stories say that once upon a time there were huge sheets of almost perfectly mirrored rocks in here. Boatmen sang songs about the 'ghost boats' that sailed along beside them. Now most of the larger mirrored surfaces have been broken up and all that is left are the small mirrors that you see." Jac says, "The gorge is very deep, too. Over a hundred meters below the river's surface." The tour guide is talking about a volcanic tube that exploded under the mountain eons ago forming the gorge. Jac leans over and says, "However, there are absolutely no other volcanic features in this area." "Making this a true anomaly...a beautiful one, though." he says putting his arm around Mira and pointing up to a largish mirrored rock formation to the right where Mira can see a ghostly image that might be the boat passing by. Eris AKU
>"Stories say that once upon a time there were huge sheets of almost >perfectly mirrored rocks in here. Boatmen sang songs about the 'ghost >boats' that sailed along beside them. Now most of the larger mirrored >surfaces have been broken up and all that is left are the small mirrors >that you see." Jac says, "The gorge is very deep, too. Over a hundred >meters below the river's surface." "Is it mirrored below, too? That would be eerie if you went diving," Mira responds, the awe and appreciation of the place evident in her voice. >The tour guide is talking about a volcanic tube that exploded under the >mountain eons ago forming the gorge. Jac leans over and says, "However, >there are absolutely no other volcanic features in this area." > >"Making this a true anomaly...a beautiful one, though." he says putting >his arm around Mira and pointing up to a largish mirrored rock formation >to the right where Mira can see a ghostly image that might be the boat >passing by. She shifts into his arm and lets her gaze follow his arm to the ghostly image he is pointing out, "Oh, that must have startled the first sailors who came through here. Imagine on a misty night, too." Oh, definitely far too aware of him. She hopes he doesn't feel the need to move his arm any time soon. Mira
Mira wrote: > > "Stories say that once upon a time there were huge sheets of almost > > perfectly mirrored rocks in here. Boatmen sang songs about the > > 'ghost boats' that sailed along beside them. Now most of the larger > > mirrored surfaces have been broken up and all that is left are the > > small mirrors that you see." Jac says, "The gorge is very deep, > > too. Over a hundred meters below the river's surface." > > > "Is it mirrored below, too? That would be eerie if you went diving," > Mira responds, the awe and appreciation of the place evident in her > voice. "Oh yes!" Jac says nodding and leaning more toward Mira pointing down at the water below the boat, "The water is clear and sometimes you can see reflections from under the water." > > The tour guide is talking about a volcanic tube that exploded under > > the mountain eons ago forming the gorge. Jac leans over and says, > > "However, there are absolutely no other volcanic features in this > > area." > > > > "Making this a true anomaly...a beautiful one, though." he says > > putting his arm around Mira and pointing up to a largish mirrored > > rock formation to the right where Mira can see a ghostly image that > > might be the boat passing by. > > She shifts into his arm and lets her gaze follow his arm to the > ghostly image he is pointing out, "Oh, that must have startled the > first sailors who came through here. Imagine on a misty night, too." > > Oh, definitely far too aware of him. She hopes he doesn't feel the > need to move his arm any time soon. Jac seems very content to keep his arm right where it is. "Isn't this great?" he says grinning, "I took this trip first when I was 9 with my parents. I wanted *so* bad to get the boat to stop so I could reach out and touch the mirrors, maybe even pull one off the wall. What to know a secret?" He grins again and says, "I still do." Eris Akus
> > "Is it mirrored below, too? That would be eerie if you went diving," > > Mira responds, the awe and appreciation of the place evident in her > > voice. > >"Oh yes!" Jac says nodding and leaning more toward Mira pointing down >at the water below the boat, "The water is clear and sometimes you can >see reflections from under the water." "Have you ever dived?" She asks, meaning here, but the more general answer would be just fine with her. > > > The tour guide is talking about a volcanic tube that exploded under > > > the mountain eons ago forming the gorge. Jac leans over and says, > > > "However, there are absolutely no other volcanic features in this > > > area." > > > > > > "Making this a true anomaly...a beautiful one, though." he says > > > putting his arm around Mira and pointing up to a largish mirrored > > > rock formation to the right where Mira can see a ghostly image that > > > might be the boat passing by. > > > > She shifts into his arm and lets her gaze follow his arm to the > > ghostly image he is pointing out, "Oh, that must have startled the > > first sailors who came through here. Imagine on a misty night, too." > > > > Oh, definitely far too aware of him. She hopes he doesn't feel the > > need to move his arm any time soon. > >Jac seems very content to keep his arm right where it is. > >"Isn't this great?" he says grinning, "I took this trip first when I >was 9 with my parents. I wanted *so* bad to get the boat to stop so I >could reach out and touch the mirrors, maybe even pull one off the wall. >What to know a secret?" Mira nods, looking up at him, catching his expression. >He grins again and says, "I still do." She laughs softly, "Some things about little girls and little boys never change no matter how many years passed for the body they live in." Mira
Mira wrote: > >> "Is it mirrored below, too? That would be eerie if you went > >> diving," Mira responds, the awe and appreciation of the place > >> evident in her voice. > > > > "Oh yes!" Jac says nodding and leaning more toward Mira pointing > > down at the water below the boat, "The water is clear and sometimes > > you can see reflections from under the water." > > "Have you ever dived?" She asks, meaning here, but the more general > answer would be just fine with her. "Dived?" he rises his eyebrows, "Like under water? No, I haven't." > >>> The tour guide is talking about a volcanic tube that exploded > >>> under the mountain eons ago forming the gorge. Jac leans over > >>> and says, "However, there are absolutely no other volcanic > >>> features in this area." > >>> > >>> "Making this a true anomaly...a beautiful one, though." he says > >>> putting his arm around Mira and pointing up to a largish > >>> mirrored rock formation to the right where Mira can see a > >>> ghostly image that might be the boat passing by. > >> > >> She shifts into his arm and lets her gaze follow his arm to the > >> ghostly image he is pointing out, "Oh, that must have startled > >> the first sailors who came through here. Imagine on a misty > >> night, too." > >> > >> Oh, definitely far too aware of him. She hopes he doesn't feel > >> the need to move his arm any time soon. > > > > Jac seems very content to keep his arm right where it is. > > > > "Isn't this great?" he says grinning, "I took this trip first when > > I was 9 with my parents. I wanted *so* bad to get the boat to stop > > so I could reach out and touch the mirrors, maybe even pull one off > > the wall. What to know a secret?" > > Mira nods, looking up at him, catching his expression. > > > He grins again and says, "I still do." > > She laughs softly, "Some things about little girls and little boys > never change no matter how many years passed for the body they live > in." "You dive?" Jac asks returning to her earlier question. Eris AKU
> > "Have you ever dived?" She asks, meaning here, but the more general > > answer would be just fine with her. > >"Dived?" he rises his eyebrows, "Like under water? No, I haven't." "Why not?" She counters with a smile. > > >>> The tour guide is talking about a volcanic tube that exploded > > >>> under the mountain eons ago forming the gorge. Jac leans over > > >>> and says, "However, there are absolutely no other volcanic > > >>> features in this area." > > >>> > > >>> "Making this a true anomaly...a beautiful one, though." he says > > >>> putting his arm around Mira and pointing up to a largish > > >>> mirrored rock formation to the right where Mira can see a > > >>> ghostly image that might be the boat passing by. > > >> > > >> She shifts into his arm and lets her gaze follow his arm to the > > >> ghostly image he is pointing out, "Oh, that must have startled > > >> the first sailors who came through here. Imagine on a misty > > >> night, too." > > >> > > >> Oh, definitely far too aware of him. She hopes he doesn't feel > > >> the need to move his arm any time soon. > > > > > > Jac seems very content to keep his arm right where it is. > > > > > > "Isn't this great?" he says grinning, "I took this trip first when > > > I was 9 with my parents. I wanted *so* bad to get the boat to stop > > > so I could reach out and touch the mirrors, maybe even pull one off > > > the wall. What to know a secret?" > > > > Mira nods, looking up at him, catching his expression. > > > > > He grins again and says, "I still do." > > > > She laughs softly, "Some things about little girls and little boys > > never change no matter how many years passed for the body they live > > in." > >"You dive?" Jac asks returning to her earlier question. "I have. Its not a passion, but I like to try different things. Diving, hang gliding, that sort of thing. I didn't really like mountain climbing, except for the views. But you can get that from a nice safe air raft or a hot air balloon," Mira replies, 'My mother calls it my death wish and my father says its just another facet of my exploratory wanderlust. He encourages it, she keeps focused on trying to find me the perfect something that will keep me settled close by and safe." She returns to studying the gorge, both above and below the water, "I'm a terrible disappointment to her, I'm sure. I do sometimes wish I wasn't an only child. Someone to take some of that maternal focus away from me would occasionally be a nice thing." She decides its time to change the subject before any thought of delving into her mother's fondest desires came to anyone, "How did the gorge come to be formed? Do the geologists have a theory?" Mira
Mira wrote: > >> "Have you ever dived?" She asks, meaning here, but the more > >> general answer would be just fine with her. > > > > "Dived?" he rises his eyebrows, "Like under water? No, I haven't." > "Why not?" She counters with a smile. "There are probably a lot of things you've done that I haven't." Jac says then grinning adds, "But then I suspect there are things I've done that you haven't, too." "Have you every ridden a hot air balloon over a moonlighted sea all night and then had a champaign breakfast as the sun rises in the west? Have you every sat in on a high stakes negotiation where a billion marks changed hands over a ten minute period of talk?" then grinning he adds, "Have you ever had Thanksgiving dinner with my Aunt Mazie?" > >>>>> The tour guide is talking about a volcanic tube that > >>>>> exploded under the mountain eons ago forming the gorge. Jac > >>>>> leans over and says, "However, there are absolutely no > >>>>> other volcanic features in this area." > >>>>> > >>>>> "Making this a true anomaly...a beautiful one, though." he > >>>>> says putting his arm around Mira and pointing up to a > >>>>> largish mirrored rock formation to the right where Mira can > >>>>> see a ghostly image that might be the boat passing by. > >>>> > >>>> She shifts into his arm and lets her gaze follow his arm to > >>>> the ghostly image he is pointing out, "Oh, that must have > >>>> startled the first sailors who came through here. Imagine on > >>>> a misty night, too." > >>>> > >>>> Oh, definitely far too aware of him. She hopes he doesn't > >>>> feel the need to move his arm any time soon. > >>> > >>> Jac seems very content to keep his arm right where it is. > >>> > >>> "Isn't this great?" he says grinning, "I took this trip first > >>> when I was 9 with my parents. I wanted *so* bad to get the boat > >>> to stop so I could reach out and touch the mirrors, maybe even > >>> pull one off the wall. What to know a secret?" > >> > >> Mira nods, looking up at him, catching his expression. > >> > >>> He grins again and says, "I still do." > >> > >> She laughs softly, "Some things about little girls and little > >> boys never change no matter how many years passed for the body > >> they live in." > > > > "You dive?" Jac asks returning to her earlier question. > > "I have. Its not a passion, but I like to try different things. > Diving, hang gliding, that sort of thing. I didn't really like > mountain climbing, except for the views. But you can get that from a > nice safe air raft or a hot air balloon," Mira replies, 'My mother > calls it my death wish and my father says its just another facet of > my exploratory wanderlust. He encourages it, she keeps focused on > trying to find me the perfect something that will keep me settled > close by and safe." > > She returns to studying the gorge, both above and below the water, > "I'm a terrible disappointment to her, I'm sure. I do sometimes wish > I wasn't an only child. Someone to take some of that maternal focus > away from me would occasionally be a nice thing." > > She decides its time to change the subject before any thought of > delving into her mother's fondest desires came to anyone, "How did > the gorge come to be formed? Do the geologists have a theory?" "Well, they think some sort of volcanic tube was under here and exploded. Now *why* there was a magma filled tube under this mountain and why it exploded is an open question. There is speculation that a large rock might have done it, but there's no real evidence of that...no crater or anything." "For me, though, it's just something to enjoy, not to explain." he says looking into Mira's eyes. "Did you know your eyes are the deepest green? They really are like looking into a pool of water in a forest glade." Eris AKU
> > "Why not?" She counters with a smile. > >"There are probably a lot of things you've done that I haven't." Jac >says then grinning adds, "But then I suspect there are things I've done >that you haven't, too." > >"Have you every ridden a hot air balloon over a moonlighted sea all >night and then had a champaign breakfast as the sun rises in the west? >Have you every sat in on a high stakes negotiation where a billion marks >changed hands over a ten minute period of talk?" then grinning he adds, >"Have you ever had Thanksgiving dinner with my Aunt Mazie?" "I think I'll pass on the middle one. The first sounds exquisite, I'm sorry I missed it, and the latter... well, I don't think I'd mind that one little bit." > > >>>>> The tour guide is talking about a volcanic tube that > > >>>>> exploded under the mountain eons ago forming the gorge. Jac > > >>>>> leans over and says, "However, there are absolutely no > > >>>>> other volcanic features in this area." > > >>>>> > > >>>>> "Making this a true anomaly...a beautiful one, though." he > > >>>>> says putting his arm around Mira and pointing up to a > > >>>>> largish mirrored rock formation to the right where Mira can > > >>>>> see a ghostly image that might be the boat passing by. > > >>>> > > >>>> She shifts into his arm and lets her gaze follow his arm to > > >>>> the ghostly image he is pointing out, "Oh, that must have > > >>>> startled the first sailors who came through here. Imagine on > > >>>> a misty night, too." > > >>>> > > >>>> Oh, definitely far too aware of him. She hopes he doesn't > > >>>> feel the need to move his arm any time soon. > > >>> > > >>> Jac seems very content to keep his arm right where it is. > > >>> > > >>> "Isn't this great?" he says grinning, "I took this trip first > > >>> when I was 9 with my parents. I wanted *so* bad to get the boat > > >>> to stop so I could reach out and touch the mirrors, maybe even > > >>> pull one off the wall. What to know a secret?" > > >> > > >> Mira nods, looking up at him, catching his expression. > > >> > > >>> He grins again and says, "I still do." > > >> > > >> She laughs softly, "Some things about little girls and little > > >> boys never change no matter how many years passed for the body > > >> they live in." > > > > > > "You dive?" Jac asks returning to her earlier question. > > > > "I have. Its not a passion, but I like to try different things. > > Diving, hang gliding, that sort of thing. I didn't really like > > mountain climbing, except for the views. But you can get that from a > > nice safe air raft or a hot air balloon," Mira replies, 'My mother > > calls it my death wish and my father says its just another facet of > > my exploratory wanderlust. He encourages it, she keeps focused on > > trying to find me the perfect something that will keep me settled > > close by and safe." > > > > She returns to studying the gorge, both above and below the water, > > "I'm a terrible disappointment to her, I'm sure. I do sometimes wish > > I wasn't an only child. Someone to take some of that maternal focus > > away from me would occasionally be a nice thing." > > > > She decides its time to change the subject before any thought of > > delving into her mother's fondest desires came to anyone, "How did > > the gorge come to be formed? Do the geologists have a theory?" > >"Well, they think some sort of volcanic tube was under here and >exploded. Now *why* there was a magma filled tube under this mountain >and why it exploded is an open question. There is speculation that a >large rock might have done it, but there's no real evidence of that...no >crater or anything." > >"For me, though, it's just something to enjoy, not to explain." he says >looking into Mira's eyes. "Did you know your eyes are the deepest green? >They really are like looking into a pool of water in a forest glade." Mira's lips part slightly as she looks back into his blue eyes, then she licks them and says softly, "Thank you...." "Jac, I..." Mira
Mira wrote: > > "For me, though, it's just something to enjoy, not to explain." he > > says looking into Mira's eyes. "Did you know your eyes are the > > deepest green? They really are like looking into a pool of water in > > a forest glade." > > Mira's lips part slightly as she looks back into his blue eyes, then > she licks them and says softly, "Thank you...." > > "Jac, I..." Jac thinks he sees a spark in those green eyes, and decides he better lighten things up a bit. "Oh, look!" he points up and around to make Mira turn her head away from him, "See the hawk gliding on the thermals there. See how its shape is reflect from the rocks? It can't hunt other birds in here, they say predator fowl crash into the walls chasing themselves." "She'll be okay here though, because she's a fish eater." Jac adds, "She'll glide on thermals until the boat is past and then hunt for fish in the boat's wake." The boat continues to pass though the gorge and is all to soon leaving the gorge and rejoining the river's main channel. "I'm afraid it is pretty prosaic form here on out." Jac says, "More and more farms and villages. We'll leave the boat at the next town down the river, and take the monorail back to the city." Eris AKU
> > "Jac, I..." > >Jac thinks he sees a spark in those green eyes, and decides he better >lighten things up a bit. > >"Oh, look!" he points up and around to make Mira turn her head away from >him, "See the hawk gliding on the thermals there. See how its shape is >reflect from the rocks? It can't hunt other birds in here, they say >predator fowl crash into the walls chasing themselves." She follows his finge
