Editing Vek's Journal on Randal (section)

=='''Upstairs'''==
Later, after the crowd left we went upstairs to the apartment I had been given.  It would do.  Cluttered and full of broken furniture the four of use got to know each other.  

I didn't show my magic and determined not to.   Magic was a known thing in the Vulsara galaxy but it was not common and even more rare here.  I had left the Tentar raceway moments ahead of being swallowed by the scandal developing around the A Arena discovery of the use, even existence, of magically enhanced racing equipment.  '''Arloxedra''' was thick in the middle of it as was a Regorian Prince named '''Alexei Zhanya''' who seemed to thrive on the notoriety. The last thing i wanted was to be known as a wizard in this technological realm. It would certainly lead to my revelation as an Amberite.

'''Gil''' was the bassist.  A native of one of the thousands of islands.  He told me that Randal was on the cusp of galactic prominence as along as Star Fleet didn't come take over.  Tall and lean, with a singing voice like Joe Cocker with the mumps.  

'''Dana''' was the Drummer.  A tough chick to be sure.  She wore a battle harness of a Blade Warrior to keep the leches at bay.  At first glance I wasn't sure she would fight to that rank but the small ones are often the most dangerous so only time would tell. little does she know that she may one day.  Its a thing that people generally don't wear the harness unless they earned it.  She wasn't a native of Randal either but had come there as a youth.  She told me she was just trying to get enough money together to go someplace else, far away from Randal.  Little did she know how well that plan was going to work out. 

'''Krickel''' played sax and a variety of winds but it wasn't his plan. He apparently hooks up on fishing ships for weeks at a time leaving Gil and Dana looking for gigs as a broken duo.  He told us he had a gig starting in a week.   They didn't even blink.  I think they knew their trio would keep the gig even with Krickel gone.  

They were happy to play with me and as we drank I spoke about the music I knew.  I rolled out my camping piano and played a few more for them.  after a couple hours we slept till morning.  they wandered off to their various lives but promised to be back at dusk.    

The next day I set about cleaning the place. I thought about doing it the easy way but that went against my desire to not indulge for awhile.   

After awhile I changed my mind.  I opened a trump to Vulsar Base and decided to use my new relationship with Amber.  The Technical staff marched a half dozen guys in and emptied the place.  A few people came in with cleaning supplies and scoured every nook and cranny in the place as clean ans replicator vacuums can.  They painted the walls a dark brownish black for me and restrained the floors.   They replaced the stove and refrigerator with identical newly replicated models of the existing ones. They installed a replicator and a entertainment system.  They replicated a stand-up piano, a new bed.  By the time they were almost done the guys at Vulsar had repaired, and restored the original furniture.

The two room apartment took a week to sort out.  There was dust in the daytime and music at night.   The smoke and lights flooded the stage as our little quartet learned each others strengths.  They listened to my stuff and stepped in in places I had not expected.  The driving sax, the following drums, the supporting bass.   The keys.  

There is a bliss in finding myself in the light and in the middle of the sounds.   On stage, in the lights, I am no longer a creature of Chaos.  Not a Lord of Amber.  I am the spirit of bliss and keys.