Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #6: Leather Fetish (9/2/97)
Aleiaa: Hullo, Snake.
Wise Snake looks surprised.
Wise Snake: How did you get stuck with front desk duty?
Aleiaa: Don't know. [slouches in chair]
Wise Snake: [zlins for others] This place is dead.
Aleiaa: Yeah.
Aleiaa: [holds up book] Have you read this stuff they put out for people to read?
Wise Snake: [looks at title] What?
Aleiaa: I'm reading a biography about a mayor of a town and how they wanted a Sime Center there.
Aleiaa: Interesting. Never heard it before.
Aleiaa: So, where is everyone?
Wise Snake: [shrugs] Who cares?
Aleiaa is feeling queasy and running a fever.
Aleiaa: Not sure how long I'll be here.
Wise Snake: [zlins Aleiaa] Oh? Why are you working if you're sick?
Aleiaa is thinking about projecting the horrible feelings onto Snake.
Aleiaa: Waiting for Veraik to show up and find someone to replace me.
Wise Snake: Where's he?
Aleiaa: Don't know. When I heard the door, I thought you were him.
Wise Snake: Perish the thought.
Aleiaa smiles.
Aleiaa is thinking, just let me die in peace.
Wise Snake walks over to the medicine cabinet.
Aleiaa: Glad it's mostly Gens in here so they can't feel what I'm feeling
Wise Snake: Yeah... lucky for them.
Aleiaa raises her eyebrow innocently.
Wise Snake: Shen! [hits medicine cabinet]
Aleiaa: What! [jumps]
Wise Snake: They locked it.
Wise Snake: I hope nobody gets sick or anything.
Aleiaa: Well, it could have to do with supplies disappearing. [purposely avoids Snake's gaze]
Wise Snake: Well.
Aleiaa: You look in fine form today. What have you been up to?
Wise Snake: Recruiting donors.
Aleiaa: Uh huh.[knowing smile] If you say so.
Wise Snake: Donor persuasion always gives me a boost in spirits.
Aleiaa: I just bet it does.
Wise Snake: Lets them know who they are, lets me know who I am... quite refreshing, actually.
Wise Snake: [while Aleiaa is distracted, zlins her to see what her problem is]
Aleiaa looks around in surprise.
Aleiaa: hey, I may be Gen but even I know you shouldn't zlin me on the sly.
Wise Snake: Hey. Just trying to be helpful.
Wise Snake raises her hands and tentacles in a no-hands gesture.
Aleiaa: Sorry, just out of sorts.
Wise Snake turns to study the lock on the medicine cabinet. "Now, this is a tough one."
Wise Snake: [looks over shoulder at Aleiaa] The reason I haven't asked you if you want healing is because I assume you'd say no. [goes back to fiddling with cabinet]
Aleiaa: You know me so well.
Wise Snake: Although... if you asked me, of course, I wouldn't say no.
Wise Snake: Aha! [Doing something with cabinet; her back hides the view]
Aleiaa: Yeah, well, looking at my arms, I have to wonder just what you might do to me in the process. [still injured from burns]
Wise Snake: [Turns at Aleiaa's words; looks her in the eye]
Aleiaa: You're probably why I feel so rotten today [sniffs]
Wise Snake: Is that all the better Veraik and Tramila could heal you, or did you not let them do it?
Aleiaa turns away.
Aleiaa: Veraik was too busy with you to worry about me.
Aleiaa: And I haven't seen Tramila yet.
Wise Snake: [eyes narrow] Well it's up to you. I offered.
Wise Snake turns back to cabinet which is still closed.
Aleiaa: Like I offered to help you, before you ended up trying to purposely hurt me?
Wise Snake: It's hard to believe a piece of furniture that looks this nice could be so poorly designed.
Aleiaa: What do you mean by that?
Wise Snake: Well look. [pulls at handles of cabinet, so doors open slightly despite lock] Someone could stick their tentacles right through the gap on top. [sticks tentacles in, manipulates lock from other side -- door opens]
Aleiaa: Great. Just great. A lot of good it did to lock you out. [sighs]
Wise Snake: [pauses] Come to think of it, you didn't actually want anything out of this anyway? What was I wasting my time for?
Wise Snake closes the cabinet doors. After a thoughtful pause, repeats the lock trick in reverse so it is now locked.
Wise Snake: Well that's interesting. It was locked specifically to keep me out?
Wise Snake: Huh.
Wise Snake crosses over to Veraik's desk, acting bored.
Wise Snake looks over its surface contents.
Wise Snake: Whoops! [zlins Aleiaa start to faint -- augments to catch her before she slumps to floor]
Wise Snake: Crazy Gens.
Wise Snake carries her to a bed in a back room.
Wise Snake: [Alea wakes up and finds herself lying on a bed in one of the back rooms, with a snakey channel sitting at her bedside]
Aleiaa: How'd I get here?
Wise Snake: Are you speaking in the specific, or the general sense?
Aleiaa: [gives Snake a narrow look] And what are you doing sitting so... close?
Aleiaa: [ugh]
Wise Snake: Making sure you were okay after suddenly dropping into a dead faint.
Aleiaa: You sat with me while I was unconscious? [wary look]
Wise Snake: Among other things, yes.
Aleiaa unobtrusively checks her pockets, etc.
Wise Snake: [everything's all rearranged]
Aleiaa's wary look turns to alarm.
Aleiaa: Hey, wait a ...
Wise Snake: [although nothing's missing]
Aleiaa shudders.
Wise Snake: I got bored. You were out for a long time.
Aleiaa: You were going through my stuff!
Wise Snake: Yes. Do you have a problem with that?
Aleiaa: [looking around, realizing they're alone] Uh, well, yeah.
Wise Snake: Oh.
Wise Snake: Well, then I won't do it again.
Aleiaa: [not sure what expected but certainly wasn't that] Well, okay.
Aleiaa tests her legs. "I think I can stand."
Aleiaa: Just a little dizzy. The fever, you know.
Wise Snake watches cynically.
Aleiaa: [looks at Snake's tentacles] Hope it's not shaking plague.
Aleiaa wobbles to her feet.
Wise Snake studies her tentacles. "That would be inconvenient, wouldn't it."
Aleiaa feels like she missed a whole lot while unconscious.
Aleiaa: Has Veraik or K'lana or even Tramila shown up yet?
Wise Snake: Not that I know of.
Wise Snake: I've been sitting in here.
Aleiaa: Oh, well....
Aleiaa feels awful.
Wise Snake: Why don't you lie down again?
Aleiaa: Yeah, I think I will
Aleiaa moans, not guarding field at all.
Wise Snake catches Aleiaa and eases her back down into the bed.
Wise Snake uses her field to put her to sleep.
Aleiaa: Tell Tramila need to talk to her...false rumors....zzzz
Wise Snake: Uh... yeah. Sure thing.
Wise Snake sighs.
see note 1
Veraik: You're looking better.
Wise Snake: I spent the day persuading donors.
Wise Snake: I always find that rejuvenating.
Veraik: I just bet you do.
Wise Snake: They find it quite a relief....
Veraik looks for Briael.
Wise Snake: [incredulous] You can't be still post!
Wise Snake: I only wanted you to be post for 3 days.
Veraik: [snicky smile]
Veraik: Best transfer I ever had.
Wise Snake doesn't seem surprised.
Veraik: Well, except for changeover, of course.
Wise Snake: People have been telling me the insulation in those rooms could be better.
Veraik: I think I should be tested again.
Wise Snake: For what?
Veraik: [thinking about it]
Veraik: The insulation seems fine to me but it's probably not good enough for a Farris like you.
Veraik: I'll put in a req to the Tecton for the upgrades.
Wise Snake: Like me? It's fine. I am not at all choosy about what I have to listen to... or experience.
Wise Snake: It's uptight people like K'Lana who are offended.
Veraik: No, but then you're a voyeur.
Wise Snake: It takes one to know one.
Veraik: I think you stretched my systems. [rises on toes]
Wise Snake: I don't doubt it. [dryly]
Wise Snake: So, about the World Controller's wife.
Veraik: What about her?
Wise Snake: Is she sweet on you?
Veraik blanches.
Wise Snake: If you called her on the phone, would she be happy to hear from you?
Veraik: No, she would not and I refuse to talk about it.
Veraik: I'm a little hungry, I'm going to the cafeteria. Would you like to join me?
Wise Snake considers.
Wise Snake shrugs.
Wise Snake: I suppose I could do that.
Wise Snake follows Veraik.
Wise Snake: The new donors are a little bit uncomfortable donating here.
Veraik adjusts his field in hopes that Snake will control the fields since she does it so sensuously.
Veraik: [surprise] Why?
Wise Snake controls the fields effortlessly.
Wise Snake: Well you see, they're used to making the donations in their own homes and businesses.
Veraik picks a small bowl of vegetable soup.
Wise Snake: The Sime Center, with its modern decor, highly public location, and... er... rather high percentage of public figures hanging around it, quite frankly it makes them feel exposed.
Veraik: [considers] And I supposed they didn't even get paid for it.
Wise Snake: [pauses] Didn't even get paid for what?
Veraik: Heh. Heh. Sure. That's a good story.
Veraik: Their selyn. Protection selyn, isn't it?
Wise Snake: [shrugs] It's true. Just zlin them when they walk in.
Wise Snake: Maybe.
Wise Snake: Yes.
Veraik: I guess 'THE BOSSES' and upset.
Veraik sits down and samples the soup.
Veraik makes a face.
Veraik: Do you think you could get some better cooks in our kitchens?
Veraik: Ones who know better than not to poison us?
Wise Snake: Maybe.
Wise Snake: Yes.
Veraik: Good. And maybe if we hired a few of your special friends, the Gens would feel more at home here.
Wise Snake stretches out lazily, and lets her eyes wander out the window.
Wise Snake: It's possible.
Veraik grins.
Wise Snake looks at Veraik.
Wise Snake: What.
Veraik: So tell me. What do you think we could do to this place to make it better for the Gens?
Wise Snake considers.
Wise Snake: Maybe if so many public figures didn't come and hang out here all the time.
Wise Snake: Zeor channels and Tecton subcontrollers and the like.
Veraik: Like who? The only real public figure we've had is Tramila.
Veraik: Oh... those two.
Veraik: Well, they are scheduled to go home tomorrow.
Wise Snake: What about K'Lana?. She came looking for you yesterday.
Wise Snake: She is not exactly nobody either.
Veraik: [clears throat] And what did she want with me?
Wise Snake: I'm not sure. The story she ended up giving me didn't seem plausible.
Wise Snake: She asked for either you or Briael.
Wise Snake: And do you know who else has been here? D'laura.
K'lana: Hi!
K'lana: So good to see you, Veraik. [brushes cape back]
K'lana: Snake. [nods]
Wise Snake: [eyes K'lana warily] Speak of the devil....
K'lana: Yes? [arrogant eyebrow raises]
Wise Snake: I was just telling Veraik you came looking for him yesterday.
K'lana: Only passing through.
K'lana: Am on medical leave.
Wise Snake takes in details, narrow-eyed, trying to guess the reason.
K'lana lifts her arm slightly to show a healing wound.
K'lana: Got caught in a mob.
Wise Snake: Ah.
K'lana: They didn't appreciate my... help.
K'lana: So, Veraik, do you realize those rooms back there aren't quite up to the proper insulation? You might want to tell you lady friend next time before you spend all day finishing out your post experience.
Wise Snake: I think it was more like three days.
K'lana: [shrugs] Just short, actually. But correct.
K'lana slips off her cloak, hanging it negligently on the coat rack.
K'lana smoothes her black braid.
K'lana straightens the front of her shirt.
K'lana zlins Snake and sighs.
K'lana orders a cup of trin tea and takes a seat.
Wise Snake: I hear the soup is not tasty.
K'lana: I'm not hungry
K'lana fiddles with her cup, moving it back and forth between tentacles.
K'lana shifts in her seat.
Wise Snake: Veraik just suggested I hire some of my friends as cooks for the Sime Center. What do you think of that?
K'lana: Yeah? As long as you have someone tasting the food before we get it.
Wise Snake smiles pleasantly.
Wise Snake: Speaking of tasting... where is this precious Companion of yours. Has he become lost at the docks again?
K'lana: I'm expecting a new Companion
K'lana: Dead. [field goes flat]
Wise Snake stares at K'Lana.
K'lana's tentacles tremble.
Wise Snake: Not here. I would have heard. Dead before he ever boarded his boat?
K'lana: washed up on shore two miles away
Wise Snake frowns.
K'lana: I imagine he was dumped overboard. [shudders--turns away]
Wise Snake, after a few moments, reaches out with her nager and offers emotionless but supportive support.
K'lana silently acknowledges it.
K'lana: What is Veraik doing? Cleaning out the kitchen?
K'lana sets down her cup and toys with a salt shaker.
Wise Snake: He just had to go to the rest room. He'll be back soon.
Wise Snake: Come to think of it, it is taking quite a while.
K'lana takes a sip of tea, then pauses. "What was he drinking before he left?"
K'lana glances at her tea in worry.
K'lana zlins the cooks. "Are your friends already working here?"
Wise Snake: No.
Wise Snake: He was eating that. [points at the nearly untouched soup]
Wise Snake: Hmmm.
Wise Snake reaches out and takes Veraik's soup, starts finishing it.
K'lana: You have more faith in the cooks than I do.
Wise Snake: Ummh. Unh, slurp.
K'lana: [disgusted look]
K'lana dabs at the front of her shirt.
K'lana: Did you tell Veraik I was coming, or that I wanted to talk with him?
Veraik: What happened to my soup?
K'lana: Ah, Veraik. [nods head]
Wise Snake: I thought you didn't like it. [slides empty bowl back across table]
K'lana eyes Snake with dislike, then glances at Veraik in sympathy.
Veraik: Maybe I did. Maybe I didn't. [he has learned a thing or two from Snake.]
K'lana: Not another one.
Wise Snake: You want I should put it back in the bowl?
K'lana: I heard this from that two rate channel the other day.
Veraik: No. I'm finished.
Veraik: [puffs up] And which channel are you speaking of? All our channels are first rate here.
K'lana: [lifts eyebrow] All of your channels have the potential. [glances pointedly at Snake]
Wise Snake: Ughh.. there's that "potential" word again. Found in the dictionary right between "poison" and "prickly"
K'lana smoothes black braid, ignoring Snake.
Veraik smiles. "Yes, they do, and that goes doubly for Snake."
K'lana: If you can get her under control. She requires training. She's good, perhaps I should stay around to help her. Without proper training he's not going to be much help to the Tecton.
Veraik: [nager becomes neutral]
K'lana no insult meant, Veraik.
K'lana: You're going to require extra help, though, while getting this Sime Center up and running.
Veraik: Tramila is here to help train Snake.
K'lana: [snorts] Yeah.
Veraik: [stern look at K'lana]
K'lana: Let me tell you about Tramila... better yet, let me say that Tramila wouldn't dare cross me. [puffs out only like a Farris can do]
Wise Snake: Hoo boy. Getting too hot for me in here.
Wise Snake gets up and goes to inspect the items at the counter.
Veraik: I don't want to hear it.
K'lana: Too bad. It's been said. You require help, and I'm here to give it.
Wise Snake ignores the nervous expressions from the current cooks.
Wise Snake fingers the various foods.
K'lana: [smiling grimly] A Farris reunion here, if you will, and Farrises handle their own problems.
Veraik: The help I require is the authority to get High Level Donors for the three of you.
K'lana: [field goes flat]
K'lana: I'm sure the Tecton will be sending more help soon.
Veraik: I know it is difficult for you to understand but the Tecton assigned me to handle this Center.
Wise Snake asks one of the counter people whether a dessert has coconut in it. "I'm allergic to coconut."
K'lana: And Zeor sent me to handle the Farrises here. [looking down her nose]
Wise Snake: [glances back at the table... nope, K'lana's still talking... better stay here]
K'lana glances pointedly at Snake.
Veraik: And Snake, [signals Snake with his nager] has been brought here to be the liaison between the Gens and this Center.
K'lana: That may be, but she's a Farris first and foremost.
K'lana glances at Snake and has to wonder.
Wise Snake notices Veraik's signal.
Veraik: K'lana, I was told that you were sent here to recuperate from your injury.
Wise Snake: Uh boy.
Wise Snake picks the weirdest looking food she can see and returns to table.
K'lana: A Farris doesn't let an injury slow her down
Veraik: Tramila will train Snake. Would you like to see the papers I received concerning the matter?
K'lana snatches the food from Snake and hands it to a passing Gen.
K'lana: Tramila isn't fit to train anyone.
Wise Snake is confused by K'Lana's action.
K'lana: At least, not a Farris
Wise Snake returns to the counter.
K'lana: Anyone bother to tell those cooks to separate out the Gen food from the Sime?
K'lana: [watching Snake look over food]
Veraik: Tramila is more than qualified and at this time, she outrates you.
K'lana: I wouldn't be so sure. [smiles mysteriously]
K'lana: You might want to send for a new set of records on her just to make sure they're accurate.
Veraik goes to see what dessert Snake is getting.
K'lana: However, I will allow Tramila to work with Snake as long as I am able to monitor, or am kept up to date on her progress.
Wise Snake: [it's lumpy white pudding that those lumps might be raisins]
K'lana straightens her shirt.
Veraik: I don't think that is necessary and as I said, The Tecton has sent their orders and it doesn't include your monitoring the two of them.
K'lana: Roaches more likely [muttered]
K'lana: I wouldn't suggest you fight a Farris over this.
K'lana: As you know, most of the Tecton is controlled by Farrises. [smiles]
Veraik turns to K'lana. "You will not interfere. I have my orders."
K'lana: And I have mine.
Wise Snake starts to return to table, gets a load of the ambient, and makes a sudden u-turn.
Veraik: Yes and it was Sectuib ambrov Zeor who sent the orders to me directly.
Veraik: I will not fail him.
K'lana: Snake? When are those friends of yours going to start working here?
K'lana: [ignoring Veraik]
Wise Snake leans on counter, sampling the white stuff and making the Sime counter staff zlin her reaction.
Wise Snake: Huh?
K'lana narrows her eyes on Snake. "You better get her under control."
Wise Snake looks at K'lana.
Wise Snake: What?
K'lana: you'll end up out of business and then what will you do?
Veraik: [nudges K'lana with his field] If you can show me written orders with a latter date, I will consider them.
K'lana: They're on your desk. I brought them here three days ago when you were... occupied.
Veraik: [quirks eyebrow] Oh, those. They were outdated.
K'lana rubs her arms slightly. "Try again."
K'lana: So when are you going to put me to work?
Veraik: Snake, if you eat too much of that pudding, you will get sick.
Wise Snake: Oh fine.
K'lana: [stretches out tentacles]
Veraik: You are already making me sicky feeling.
Wise Snake has mercy on the poor counter Simes and idles over towards Veraik and K'lana.
K'lana glances up at Veraik wondering just how sick.
K'lana: [zlins]
Veraik: I'll be in my office if you require anything. [turns to go]
K'lana goes back to moving the cup between her tentacles.
K'lana: [stands to follow] Yeah, I have got to get put to work.
K'lana: That's what I've been waiting on three days now.
Wise Snake: ~amused~
Wise Snake follows them lazily.
Veraik: [turns back] Yes, you work. It will help your injuries.
K'lana: Watch it Snake, or I'll commandeer you again to help with my entran.
Wise Snake: You can't get enough of me, can you. [lazy smile]
K'lana: Actually, I think it's the other way around. [turns and follows Veraik]
K'lana: Young pup. [mutters]
Wise Snake: [laughs to herself incredulously] As if!
K'lana strides down the hall, turned inward, ignoring those around her.
Wise Snake: By the way, Veraik... you should check in on Aleiaa. She fainted in the office today and I put her to bed in room #4.
Veraik: I've been a little occupied. Have you given your file to me yet, K'lana?
K'lana's head snaps up.
K'lana: Uh, yes. I gave it to Snake.
K'lana turns toward her.
K'lana: Well? Didn't you give it to Veraik?
Veraik: [stops to look at Snake] You are just now telling me about Aleiaa?
Veraik: And just where is K'lana's file?
K'lana: Aleiaa? Who is she? A regular donor? [looks at Snake] Did you injure her?
Wise Snake looks confused and defensive with all the accusations coming at once.
K'lana runs hand through hair and forces herself to allow Veraik's question to take precedence.
Veraik: [soothes nager] Look Snake, I should have known about Aleiaa right away.
Wise Snake: I didn't think of it until now.
Veraik augments to room 4 before he gets an answer about the file.
K'lana pounds after him.
Veraik stops in front of the door, adjusts her nager and signals the room.
Wise Snake: [Aleiaa is asleep, has a fever]
Wise Snake: [and she has unhealed burns from a few days ago on her arms]
K'lana goes into working mode and silently follows Veraik, careful not to disturb the ambient.
K'lana: She's a mess too. [zlinning]
K'lana: Are all of your people in this bad a shape?
Veraik: We are all unique.
K'lana: Misfits. [muttered]
Wise Snake knows K'lana never gave her any folder. After a half hearted search through the top of Veraik's desk, she gives up with a scowl.
K'lana: What's her fever? How long has she been ill? Is she pregnant? Why did she faint?
Veraik: K'lana, you attend since you are almost at turnover.
K'lana glides up by Veraik.
Veraik: Anke and I just had transfer. We wouldn't be as good as you can be for her.
K'lana eases down on the side of the bed.
Wise Snake approaches the doorway of Room #4.
K'lana: Snake said she passed out. Any other symptoms? [extending tentacles]
Veraik: I don't know why she fainted. [backs out of the room with nager meshing perfectly]
Wise Snake meets Veraik in the hallway.
K'lana begins working with Aleiaa.
Veraik encounters Snake. "Did you find the file?"
Wise Snake: She never gave me any file. She didn't even tell me she was assigned here.
Veraik: That's what I thought.
Veraik snorts.
Wise Snake: Umm,
Veraik: I have my orders directly from the Tecton.
K'lana: [soothes Aleiaa...gives her some fosebine, checks her chart]
Wise Snake: You might want to talk to Aleiaa before K'lana gets a chance to.
Veraik: I understand you have a lot of 'pull' in this town.
Wise Snake: [hesitates] That was my understanding as well.
K'lana begins questioning Aleiaa as she soothes her.
Veraik: I want you to have my orders copied and the original in a safe place.
Veraik: I want the copy for my files.
Veraik: Can you handle it?
K'lana questions her about Tramila and D'laura.
Veraik: Or do you have a better suggestion?
K'lana: [Aleiaa drifts back to sleep]
K'lana: [comes out of room] I want to know who the shenned brutalized that Donor in there! [furious] And who didn't properly heal her after her transfer shock.
Wise Snake turns and leaves Veraik with K'lana.
K'lana: She'll be lucky if she doesn't lose her baby, the state she's in.
Wise Snake picks up some things off Veraik's desk.
Wise Snake leaves the building.
Veraik: K'lana, you are being overly sensitive because of your Donor.
K'lana: [strides across the room] I don't think so.
K'lana: Who did she take transfer with that hurt her like that?
Veraik: I don't have to answer that.
K'lana: The Tecton doesn't want its Donors being brutalized.
Veraik: You are being overbearing. I think it is time that you have a rest.
K'lana: You are the one who had me working with Aleiaa. And now that I've found out one of your dirty little secrets -- that you can't control your channels - you're going to argue?
Veraik: She had a difficult transfer. That is all.
K'lana: I'd say it was difficult.
K'lana shudders at the thought.
K'lana takes a deep breath and crosses to the window.
K'lana: ~~grief~~
Veraik: Look. Both the channel and Aleiaa are alive and that is what is important.
K'lana: [but I want a Donor...mine's dead!]
K'lana: [how could someone hurt one like that]
Veraik: [projects calming nager] I know this is difficult for you but we have plenty of time to get you another Donor since you are more than two weeks away from transfer.
K'lana nods.
Veraik: Let me to assign you to Aleiaa and Aleiaa to you. I think both of you would benefit.
K'lana: She's not quite up to my speed or draw, but I accept. [relief, grief both present]
Wise Snake slips furtively through the front door, with nothing in her hands.
Veraik: I'm not assigning you for transfer. She is two weeks out of phase of you.
Veraik: But I think that you can help each other.
K'lana: Ah... okay.
K'lana: I wasn't thinking.
K'lana wraps her arms around herself before realizing what a telling action that is.
K'lana squares her shoulders.
Wise Snake goes to stand near Veraik, looking curiously at K'lana.
Veraik: And now, about that file.
K'lana raises an arrogant brow.
Veraik: Snake did not find it so if you will just give it to me. [holds out tentacle]
K'lana: If you can't even keep track of one file, I don't know how you can run this Center.
Wise Snake's eyebrows quirk.
K'lana turns her back on Veraik.
Veraik: [goes hyper] Tell me again that you did not give the file to me. [stern look and nager]
Wise Snake smiles.
K'lana: I did not give you that file. [smiles benevolently] I'm going to go check on my patient.
K'lana exits down the hall.
Wise Snake: It's being copied now.
Veraik: [turns to Snake] That wasn't very convincing. How did you read it?
K'lana: [he of course didn't ask if I had given to Snake]
Veraik: Thank you. I feel better already.
K'lana: [smugly as goes into room and plans to be in for the long haul]
Wise Snake: My reading on it? Well...
Veraik: [rubs eyes with tentacle] Farrises [said flatly]
Veraik: Oh! Sorry Snake.
Wise Snake: I never said I was a Farris.
Wise Snake: K'lana is the worst kind of liar... the kind who lies to herself more often than to the outside world.
Veraik: That's what I was afraid of?
Wise Snake: [shrugs] When you get into a person lying to themselves about lying to you about whether they're lying or not, it gets too tedious to sort out.
Wise Snake: This might just be that my attention span isn't long enough.
Wise Snake: What I'm trying to say is, I didn't care enough to zlin when she said it.
Veraik: Yes. [waves tentacle] I agree.
Veraik: But just listen to yourself. You are lying to yourself about being a Farris.
Wise Snake: No, I was telling the truth.
Wise Snake: When I said I have never called myself a Farris.
Veraik: Snake. I value you your sensitivity. You are my right-hand person here. No matter what the others say.
K'lana snorts.
Wise Snake smiles.
Wise Snake feels all warm and fuzzy inside.
K'lana of course didn't over hear that... just zlinned the feelings between the two.
Wise Snake: [to K'lana the warm-fuzzyness feels a little bit contrived]
Veraik shakes his head. "It doesn't matter whether you call yourself a Farris or not."
Wise Snake: No, it doesn't.
Wise Snake: So I don't.
Wise Snake: Because I don't have to.
Wise Snake: [Snake's smile]
Wise Snake: Excuse me...
Veraik: With your allergies and sensitivity factor, you are a Farris and you should be wearing the appropriate color.
Wise Snake: I'm allergic to that scratchy braid stuff, and anyway black makes me look pale as a vampire.
K'lana: [smoothes braid as watches Aleiaa sleep]
Veraik suddenly grabs Snake and goes into the most insulated room in the Center.
Wise Snake: Yow!
Wise Snake: Hey, get your hands off me. We're not that friendly yet.
Veraik: Can you go to K'lana's room without her knowing it and get that file?
Wise Snake: [shoves Veraik off her]
Veraik: Something is going on here.
Wise Snake: Yeah... maybe
K'lana: [wondering when Tramila will put in an appearance]
Wise Snake: I mean, I'm sure I could do it, but why?
Veraik: I want to know why K'lana is here. I don't really buy that I-got-injured line.
Veraik: It could be self inflicted for a cover story.
Wise Snake: Eww.. You have a twisted mind.
Veraik: I'm learning from the best. [sly smile]
Wise Snake: What kind of a sick individual would self-inflict that kind of damage. [shakes head]
Veraik: A desperate one?
K'lana rubs her arm absently.
Wise Snake: Where did you say you think the folder is?
Veraik: In her room.
K'lana decides to take a short walk.
K'lana goes to her room to wash up.
Wise Snake: Okay.
Wise Snake: Now?
Veraik: Now.
K'lana brushes her hair, changes clothes.
K'lana: [thinking of dead friend]
Veraik goes to check on file, then to check on Aleiaa--plans to be gone for a short while.
K'lana goes to the cafeteria to get another cup of tea.
Wise Snake makes sure K'lana is going to stay in the cafeteria for a while, then slips down the hallway to her room.
Wise Snake slips into K'lana's room.
Wise Snake: Hmmm.
Wise Snake rubs her hands together. "This ought to be good."
Wise Snake locks the door.
K'lana: [groans in... pleasure at nice tasting tea]
Wise Snake: Well well well, folder lying right on the table. Isn't that suspicious.
Wise Snake picks up the folder, looks inside. "Pure as driven snow, uh-huh."
Wise Snake turns pages.
Wise Snake: Oh, this is a lie. Age 15 past turnover? Puhleeze. She probably babysat my father.
K'lana absently rubs the healed wound.
Wise Snake: Ah, here's the accident.
Wise Snake: "Mechanical failure, counterweighted door closure mechanism"...
Wise Snake scratches her head.
Wise Snake: Huh.
Wise Snake closes the folder.
Wise Snake: Well, here I am.
Wise Snake looks around the room curiously.
Wise Snake is drawn to the chest of drawers.
K'lana wonders just what to tell the nosy Sime Center channel, thinking, can I trust him?
Wise Snake: [stealthy happy tentacles sift through belongings]
Wise Snake: Whoa! Take a load of this wad of cash she has stashed in here. There must be [insert mind boggling sum here]
K'lana sips more tea thinking of her grief over losing her transfer partner.
Wise Snake: Photos....
Wise Snake studies the photos.
Wise Snake: Oh... oh.
Wise Snake: Oh I see how it is.
Wise Snake laughs.
Wise Snake studies one of the photos from various angles.
Wise Snake: Wow!
K'lana frowns and wonders if Tramila might be the answer... or Alieaa.
Wise Snake: Geez, I never saw that before.
Wise Snake puts the photos back, rather reluctantly.
Wise Snake: What else.
Wise Snake: Wow!
K'lana pushes the tea away and stands. She needs to check Aleiaa before going back to her room.
Wise Snake pulls out a leather whip, like juncts used to use.
Wise Snake: I wonder what she...
K'lana checks Alieaa.
Wise Snake: Ah well. [puts the whip back]
Wise Snake puts the folder back on table where it was.
Veraik runs into K'lana on the way to check on Aleiaa.
Wise Snake exits the room leaving it as was.
Veraik points with a tentacle. "How is she?"
K'lana: Aleiaa is resting peacefully.
Wise Snake goes back to the main office and lounges at Veraik's desk.
K'lana: She'll probably sleep another day or so before waking again.
Wise Snake: [playing with Veraik's paperweight]
K'lana: She'll live.
K'lana: She's going to need a little more TLC, though.
Veraik: And I'm sure you'll give it to her.
Veraik: Well, I had best get back to my office.
K'lana goes to her room.
K'lana starts to sit down, but something isn't right.
Veraik sees Snake playing with things on his desk as he shuts the door.
K'lana gets up and looks around alertly. "Someone has been in here." [murmurs]
Veraik: What did you find out? [looks concerned]
K'lana wonders who. She checks the file, and other areas in the room.
K'lana: [wonders if it is someone her friend confessed to before dying, or maybe the nosy channel over this Sime Center, or the oily Snake]
K'lana vows to keep a better eye out.
Wise Snake: Well, it seems our friend K'lana is into amateur photography and antique collecting.
Wise Snake: Among other things.
Wise Snake: As for the file, it wasn't worth taking, the information was all missing.
Wise Snake: And what it said about her injury, isn't the same as she said here.
Veraik: [frowns] That's interesting.
Veraik: So what was your impression? Who do you think she is?
K'lana goes back to Aleiaa's room and decides to doze while watching over her.
Wise Snake: Well I've always known who she is.
Wise Snake: Just not what she's doing.
Wise Snake thinks, boy didn't I know what she's doing... thinking of photos.
Veraik: [wrinkles forehead] Who is she?
Wise Snake: My grandma's babysitter.
Wise Snake: Among other things of course.
Veraik: [gets worried] What?
Wise Snake: [smiles]
Veraik: What other things?
Wise Snake: Well, she's a Farris. She grew up at Zeor. I have seen her around.
Veraik boils water for trin tea.
Veraik smiles knowingly at Snake's admission of having been at Zeor.
Wise Snake: She doesn't remember me but that doesn't mean anything. Not everybody has much contact with the kids. And not all children are particularly memorable.
Veraik: And you probably look quite different now than you did then.
Wise Snake grimaces.
Wise Snake: probably.
Wise Snake looks like somebody who wouldn't be allowed within a few hundred yards of Zeor.
Wise Snake: But other than that, I can't tell you much.
Wise Snake: She's just a channel.
Wise Snake: With a predilection for leather.
Veraik: well. You did the best you could and I appreciate it.... what!
Wise Snake: [shrugs] has a bit of a leather fetish
Wise Snake: I don't imagine that's important to your, ah, research though.
Veraik: You did do good. Now that is the kind of information we can use!
Veraik: Perhaps not, but I'm sure I can use the information in many other ways.
Veraik: [shakes head] I think I'd better sleep on what you've just told me.
Wise Snake: Uh sleep -?- uh yeah. Sure.
K'lana finally drops off to sleep, images of leather dancing in her mind.
Veraik yawns.
K'lana: [but not in the way most would think]
Veraik: Good Night.
Notes:
1) Some time passes between these two scenes. [return]