Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #18: OT Wild Safari (9/17/97)
Alea: where'd you get the new hat?
Tarsh: Why hello, Alea, how are you this fine morning?
Alea looks surprised at Tarsh's good mood
Alea: why, just fine
Alea: and you?
Tarsh: Place down on Fourth street
Alea: well, it's very nice
Tarsh: "Sharper Zlinage"
* Alea grins
Alea: you are certainly in a good mood today
* Tarsh blushes. "Well _you_ know why that is."
* Alea returns blush
Alea: oh
* Alea looks around
Alea: Snake took my art off the wall
Alea: I made a beautiful art object...and she hated it
Alea: however...
Tarsh: Art? What kind?
Alea: I just happen to have four that I had stored in my rooom
Alea: I'm glad you asked
* Alea pulls out huge UGLY MULTI COLORED embroidered pieces of cloth
Tarsh: I think Snake would dislike anything beautiful and non-functional on principle.
* Alea lays them side by side
Alea: my thoughts exactly
Alea: though she did say she sent it to a friend
Alea: I love to sew in my spare time...
Alea: I thought we could put these in the extra frames in the storage room to decorate up this office
Alea: this one is my favorite
* Alea points
* Alea indicates the puce, mauve, black, orange and yellow
Alea: see how the colors swirl together like a...a big cyclone
Alea: I thought that might be what an ambient looks like
Tarsh: There is a directive running around about decorating Sime Centers. 0.1% of the fees earned go for art and beautification.
Alea: really?
Tarsh: A Tornado of color.
Alea: well, then we should get these up
Alea: exactly
Alea: It's called Ambient Nager. [Alea chuckles as if that's so original]
Tarsh: Yeah, but there's this baroque system of committees for allocating most of it.
Alea: oh:(
Alea: oh well [shrugs]
Tarsh: we can form a local committee, and it will get 30% of our art funds. The rest is handled by the Central Office On Facilities.
Alea: we'll go ahead and put these up here. The center must have some color
Alea: 30%
Alea: that's not bad
Alea: you really know your regulations, don't you
Tarsh: 30% of 0.1% of the fees earned. 3 out of 10,000.
Alea: oh
Alea: that's not good
* Alea -frowns
* Tarsh puffs himself up. "Yes, I have too. Only thing I'm good at."
* Alea looks at Tarsh with a slight reprimand
Alea: I think we established yesterday that there was more than one thing you were good at
Tarsh: "They say you can't have a good SC without a good paperwork wonk in the background somewhere."
Alea: how very true
* Tarsh blushes. "Yes, you're right there. I meant professionally."
Alea: so, let's see how good you are at helping me put these pictures up...shall we?
* Tarsh glances over at the file and scowls before deliberately turning away from it.
Tarsh: Certainly. Where did you want it?
Alea: well, if you're so modest in one area, I'll just bet you're being modest in other areas too...or you just haven't discovered those hidden talents [winks]
Alea: well, there are four
Alea: and I think we have four frames in the storage closet
Alea: maybe one over your desk
Alea: the biggest over the couch
Alea: Oh! And one in Veraiks office
Alea: and how about the other one there, so everytime someone starts down the hall, they'll pass right by it!
* Alea nager zlins of her obvious excitement
Tarsh: ~~Over my desk, is fine, I'll be facing away from it~~
Tarsh: Sounds good to me.
Alea: great!
* Alea reaches out and pats his arm gently
* Alea then hurries over to the storage room
* Alea pulls out a frame
* Tarsh goes out back to get a stepladder.
Alea: I...[huff].. really think...[puff]...that this will surprise Snake
* Alea is backing out and doesn't see Tarsh is gone
Alea: yes, I think she'll like this
* Alea stands up and brushes off her hands
* Alea grins grimly
Alea: yes indeedy, she'll like this
* Alea goes back in for the rest of the frames
* Alea backs out, huffing and puffing and pulling them with her
* Tarsh comes back carrying a stepladderover his shoulder.
Alea: the only bad thing about this is that I'm so short
* Alea turns, smiles at Tarsh
Tarsh: <jokingly>All those transfers stunt your growth?
Alea: Yeah, we thought I'd be a channel...
Alea: [shrugs]
Alea: but I'm a Gen
* Alea pulls first frame over and hauls it up onto Tarsh's clean desk
* Alea accidently knocks pencils askew
Alea: oh!
Alea: Sorry
Tarsh: Not to worry, It'll take me days to get this place straightened up after I was gone anyway.
* Alea relieved he isn't angry
* Alea smile fades and nager becomes just a bit guarded
* Alea goes back to storage room and comes out with hammer and nails
Tarsh: I don't even want to *think* about the states the files are in.
Alea: really?
Alea: I'm sure they're fine
* Alea trying to remember if she put all of the files back she'd been reading
Tarsh: I wish I shared you optomism. Here let me take those.
* Alea surprised, but hands them over
Alea: thank you
* Tarsh hold out hands for hammer and nails.
* Alea pauses with hand still on hammer
Alea: I really need this to pry the back off those frames
* Tarsh move the stepladder and gets up on it.
Tarsh: Where did you want it?
Tarsh: Oh, go ahead.
* Alea slips it under the metal in the back of the frame and tries to pry it off, looking studiously serious
* Alea bites her lower lip and squints her eyes as she jerks at it
* Alea finally pries one off
* Alea goes to the next one
* Tarsh [looks away and trys to go hypo.]
* Alea --hammer goes flying
Alea: Shen!
* Tarsh ducks.
* Alea relieved it misses him
* Tarsh goes after the hammer where it fell.
Alea: sorry about that
Tarsh: Maybe I should handle that.
Alea: well, if you insist
Tarsh: Just take these backplates off? permanently or just till you load them?
* Alea guards field again and is rather preoccupied
Alea: just till I load them
Tarsh: Ah.
* Alea walks over and gets the artwork, studying each one
* Alea picks up one and brings it back
* Tarsh prys off the backings a bit more deftly, but not very elegantly.
Alea: this one will look great by the hall...it's my best work
* Tarsh looks at Alea's masterpiece.
Alea: yes indeed
* Alea lays it down on the back of the frame
Tarsh: I never zlinned the like before, I must say.
* Alea carefully and lovingly smooths the fabric
Alea: really? [beaming sweetly up at Tarsh]
Tarsh: Will it fade from sunlight?
Alea: no. I don't think so
Tarsh: Ah. That's ... good.
Alea: don't worry, if it does, I'll just make another. Sewing these is my passion
* Alea puts back on frame and steps back
Tarsh: Does Being a Donor interfere with your artistic activities?
Alea: not at all
* Alea studies Tarsh curiously
Tarsh: Hmmm?
* Alea averts her eyes
Alea: uh, what do you know about dreams?
Alea: I mean, do you think they have any significance in our life?
Tarsh: Dreams? I never thought much about them. I rarely remember them, except for needmares.
* Alea nods
Alea: oh
* Alea offers frame to Tarsh for hanging
Tarsh: I suppose they say something about a person's state of mind, but I don't think you can read too much into them.
* Alea looks very VERY relieved
* Tarsh examines the frame. He mounts the stepladder and holds it up against the wall. "Just where did you want it? Higher, lower?"
Alea: to the right a bit
Alea: no, no that's okay there
Tarsh: There?
Alea: perfect
* Tarsh fishes a pencil out of his shirt pocket with a dorsal.
* Alea goes and quickly lifts two of the other frames on the desk
* Tarsh makes a tiny mark on the wall at the two upper corners.
* Tarsh steps down and looks at the back of the frame.
* Alea watching tarsh work...never thought about doing that to get it up there
* Tarsh takes the hammer and two nails and steps up.
Alea: careful
* Tarsh zlins for the location of the studs.
* Alea wonders why she's warning a Sime ... shakes her head
* Alea finishes slipping the backs off the other two and slipping the cloth in them
* Alea puts the backs back on
* Alea decides to go help Tarsh
* Alea grabs hold of the frame and pulls it up, balancing it on the bottom of the step ladder
* Tarsh holds a nail with his fingers and gently taps it in to start, then harder.
Alea: so if I dreamed that someone....died...then that wouldn't really be that important, would it?
* Tarsh tries to move the next nail to his fingers, but drops it.
* Alea jumps
Alea: Oh! Let me get it
* Tarsh starts down. "As long as it isn't you. They say that ..."
* Alea grabs picture and tries to get out of Tarsh's way
* Tarsh 's foot comes down on the frame . Tarsh jerks it up before causing damage, but loses his balance.
* Alea listening intently to what he has to say
* Alea drops the frame and reaches out to grab at Tarsh
* Tarsh falls off to one side.
* Alea grabs at the ladder
Alea: Tarsh!!
* Tarsh grab at the filing cabinet, but his body then swings up against it hard. <Thud!>
* Alea steps over frame to his side
Tarsh: SHEN!
* Tarsh slides down to sit against the filing cabinet.
* Alea tries to catch up to him
* Alea slides to a stop at his side
* Tarsh struggles to get his wind back.
* Alea kneels down by him
* Alea lifts hands, but hesitates to touch him
Alea: are you okay?
Tarsh: Huf... hef .. I'll .... live."
Alea: are you sure?
* Alea hands hover over him before finally touching his head.
Alea: you have any bumps coming up?
* Alea studies hard
* Tarsh starts breathing normally if deeply.
* Alea quickly runs hand down to shoulders and down arms
* Alea checking for injury
Tarsh: I thinks so. No, my head is OK. It's my left side.
* Alea immediately goes to left side and lifts his shirt checking
Alea: where
* Alea runs fingers carefully up ribs
* Alea checks arm visually
* Tarsh winces as Alea fingers ribs.
Alea: come on, let's get you up and to the infirmary where I can check those
* Tarsh circles the sides of the bottom 4-5 ribs.
Tarsh: OK.
* Alea goes to his right side and slips his arm around her shoulders
* Alea tries to help lift him
* Tarsh turns to pull himself with his right arm on the cabinet.
* Alea moves back
* Alea let's tarsh get up
* Tarsh leans on Alea to push himself up.
Tarsh: Thanks.
* Alea slides his arm back around her shoulders...come on
* Alea leads him down to infirmary
* Tarsh moves down the hall with Alea, favoring his left leg.
* Alea pushes open door
Alea: in here
* Tarsh limps in to the examining table.
* Alea goes to closet and pulls out medical gown
Alea: slip that on and let me look at your leg too
* Alea goes to cabinet and gets some fosebine
Alea: since Veraik and Snake are both gone right now, you're gonna have to put up with me helping you
Tarsh: It's not that serious, really. 1
* Alea looks at him with a knowing look
Alea: just do it
* Tarsh takes off his shirt gingerly, dumping his pocket full of pens and pencils in the process.
* Alea brings fosebine over
* Alea bends to pick up pens and pencils and spills fosebine
Tarsh: Fosebine. Bleah.
* Alea hurries and gets some more and gives to Tarsh
Alea: so, tell me...what were saying earlier about well...if it was your own death you dreamed about
* Alea comes to stand in front of Tarsh and check his ribs
* Alea sees a bit of brusing and aches with empathy
* Tarsh leans his head back and tries to pour it down his throat without hitting his tounge.
Alea: what a mess
* Alea moves down to his leg
Alea: come on, let me see
* Tarsh chokes on the fosebine and jackknifes forward, coughing.
* Alea wondering why Simes are so stubborn
* Alea jumps, bumping her head on him
* Alea grabs at him
Alea: OW!
* Tarsh holds his side, pain showing on his face.
Alea: why don't you just lie down
Tarsh: <whispered> good idea
* Alea helps him to lie down
* Tarsh slowly twists to lie down on the table.
* Alea carefully examines the spot that is turning blue
* Alea runs her fingers near it, feeling around the area
Alea: I think you really made a mess of this here, hon
* Alea lays her hand over it
Alea: but it'll be okay
Alea: you just stay right there
* Alea crosses room
* Alea fills bag with ice and brings it back, plunking it on his side
* Tarsh misunderstands. "I'll wipe up the fosebine later."
<Alea> No, tarsh. Don't worry about it
* wisesnake is startled
<Alea> Now, let's look at the leg
* Alea reaches up and slips the button from pants, shooting him a stern look
<Alea> I have a hard time believing with the mess your side is that your leg isn't just as bad
* wisesnake surveys the mess in the lobby
<wisesnake> Don't tell me another Police Inspection???
* Tarsh tries to lean forward to take his boot off, but gasps and falls back.
* wisesnake studies ladder, tries to guess what was going on
<Alea> maybe I'd better just cut these off
* Alea goes and gets a pair of sisscors
<Alea> now, just lay still
<Tarsh> That's imported leather!
<Alea> no, your pants, silly
* Alea smiles
* Alea slides the edge of the sisscors into the waist of Tarsh's pants
* Alea snips down the left side, peeling back the material
<Alea> oh, yuck...I was right...look at this
* Alea sees a big blue bruising spot
<Alea> I'm sure a channel will be here soon
<Tarsh> Was more fun the last time.
* Alea laughs
<Alea> for some reason, I don't think you're in the mood right now
* Alea looks pointedly
* wisesnake sees a hammer and nail amongst the stuff strewn on the floor
* Alea then returns her gaze to his bruised leg
* wisesnake 's eyes travel up to a nail in the middle of the wall, and a dented spot nearby where another nail almost went in
<wisesnake> Oh.
* wisesnake sees frame lying face down
<Tarsh> yeah. Nothing personal.
* Alea gets another bag of ice and overfills it, bringing back to put on his leg
<Alea> ooops
* Alea looks at the ice spilled
* wisesnake goes to pick up frame to see what the artwork was, remembers the other art she saw recently, and decides she'd be better off not knowing
* wisesnake turns to face Linn who has just entered the Sime Center
* wisesnake smiles
<wisesnake> Hello.
* Tarsh jerks, winces, and brushes the ice away with his right hand 2
<Alea> sorry
* Linn1 still isn't happy about that smile.
* Alea looks at mess on floor
<Alea> let' s just hold this ice on you for a bit until the swelling stops
<Alea> in that time I bet a channel shows up
<Alea> so...tell me...earlier you said...if someone had a dream that they died...it meant....????
* Alea tries to use field to ENCOURAGE him to talk
<Linn1> I'm here to set a time for one of the channels to speak to my class...if Mr. Veraid is here today?
<wisesnake> I'm sorry, Mr... who?
* Tarsh opens his mouth and raises a tentacle, but stops without saying anything and grins feebly
* wisesnake looks a lot, a LOT better than she did the day Linn was here before
* Linn1 pulls tattered paper from her pocket and peers at it.
* Alea field becomes strained
<Linn1> Mr. Veraik.
<wisesnake> Ah.
<wisesnake> I'm sorry, I don't believe Hajene Veraik is in today.
<Alea> please Tarsh...my ... friend...needs some help
<Alea> I don't know much about dreams
<wisesnake> I can help you, if you like.
* Alea looking nervous now
* wisesnake smiles again; an attempt at a friendly encouraging smile
* Alea leans forward trying to make Tarsh see how much it means and leans on his leg
* Linn1 nods politely, somewhat heartened at the encouragement.
<Tarsh> They always say that if you die in a dream, you will die for real at the same instant.
* Alea very deflated at his words
<Tarsh> AUGHHH!
<wisesnake> Let's go into Hajene Veraik's office where the schedule board is.
* Tarsh glares at Alea.
* wisesnake shows Linn to the office
* Alea jumps back
* Alea blushes
* Alea forces herself to keep her mind on her business at hand
<Alea> it was probably only something she ate anyway
<Alea> I mean, who would really leave Z--uh, their house to stay here
<Alea> uh there, I mean...there
* Linn1 goes into the office, keeping a polite distance from Snake.
* wisesnake offers Linn a chair, then sits down at Veraiks' desk
* Alea lifts ice from Tarsh's side and checks it
* Linn1 is less nervous with the desk between her and the Sime.
<Alea> we can go ahead and wrap this if you want, until a channel gets here. That will help the pain
<Alea> can you zlin if anything is broken?
<Tarsh> I leave my apartment every day to come here.
* wisesnake roots around in Veraik's desk looking for the schedule book
* Alea looks expectantly
* wisesnake pulls out three PlaySimes and a Play Gen, not realizing she threw them where Linn can see the covers
* Tarsh puts his laterals around the chest bruise.
<wisesnake> Ah, here it is.
* Linn1 is astonished and offended at seeing the magazines.
* wisesnake looks confused for a moment, then comprehends
<wisesnake> Oh! I'm terribly sorry.
* wisesnake snatches the magazines and stuffs them back into the drawer
<wisesnake> Those were, uh, confiscated from, ah, some kids Hajene Veraik saw with them....he was very angry, let me tell you.
* wisesnake opens the schedule book and lays it out
<wisesnake> All right, then, what day were you interested in?
* Linn1 has heard that kind of excuse before, and doesn't believe it from Snake any more than she did from her former, older students.
<Alea> takes ice away and goes to dump it
* Linn1 is wondering if her mother's favorite preacher was right about Sime Centers being dens of depravity.
<Alea> well? how does it zlin?
<Tarsh> No obvious fractures. I'm not sure if I could zlin a hairline one, But I'm sure there aren't any.
<Alea> great
* Alea goes to get bandages
<Linn1> Well, I was hoping that you could come as soon as possible. The children have already had a chance to look over those coloring books.
* Alea coming back, looking through bandages
<wisesnake> Oh. Well, let's see. [flips to the current week]
<wisesnake> I'm trying to remember... I was a little out of it the other day. Did we decide it was _me_ who was going to teach these classes?
<Alea> let's see...this is probably the right siiii....[slips on ice]
* Alea bandages go flying in every direction
* Alea feet slide in fosebine and she goes sailing across room
* Linn1 stares uncomfortably at the tentacles Snake is using to flip through the book.
* Tarsh augments to leap over and catch her.
* wisesnake stops flipping and looks at Linn
<wisesnake> Uh, is there a problem?
<Linn1> Well, it doesn't really matter. What's important is for the children to get as much information as possible.
<Linn1> Oh, no. [embarassment]
* Tarsh grabs Alea and twist her about so he hits the wall instead of her. On his left side.
* Alea feet slips...and she goes down
<Alea> cracks head on floor
<Tarsh> ~~PAIN~~
* Alea spins dizzily at the save
<wisesnake> Because I wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable. If there's anything I can do to make you feel more at ease....?
* Alea has pain radiating in her head, not sure just who grabbed her
* wisesnake 's tentacle waves questioningly
* Alea blinks owlishly
<Alea> ooops
<Alea> you okay?
* Linn1 tries to politely ignore the appendages, with indifferent success.
* wisesnake shrugs
<wisesnake> As I was saying. There's today, tomorrow, and day after tomorrow...
<Alea> Tarsh?
* Tarsh stands crounched, cradling his side and blank-eyed.
<Tarsh> "Idiot Gen!"
* Alea pulls back
<Linn1> Perhaps this afternoon?
* Tarsh gives no indication he has heard.
* Alea shakes head
<wisesnake> Er...
* wisesnake sighs
* Alea pain
<Alea> er...Tarsh
* Alea tries to be professionl
<wisesnake> Sure, that would be great. Any particular time?
* Tarsh zlins Alea intensely.
<Alea> it's all right Tarsh
* Alea backs up just a bit
<Linn1> We have quite time after lunch. Perhaps at two?
<Linn1> That will give me time to explain your visit to the children.
* wisesnake pencils in the appointment
<wisesnake> Sure.
<Alea> let me just bandage those ribs....
<Tarsh> life slowly starts to return to Tarsh's eyes.
* Alea motions carefully to the table, thinks better of it and motions to a stool instead
<Linn1> Thank you so much. The children will be thrilled. Things are changing, but there still aren't that many Simes in our neighborhood.
* Tarsh moves to the stool like an old man.
<wisesnake> Which school is this, then?
* Alea carefully gathers bandages and follows
* Alea picks up the biggest one...
<Alea> lift your arms andjust let me wrap this around you until a channel gets here
* Alea shakes her head again...bad pain but doesn't want to push Tarsh anymore so tries to cover it
<Linn1> The General Dermott Memorial Elementary School. It's not too far away, close to the border.
* Alea carefully begins bandaging Tarsh's middle
<Linn1> It's not a rich area, but there are plenty of solid families.
<Alea> so, Tarsh, can I ask you something else about dreams?
* Alea trying to keep his mind off the incidents
* wisesnake looks vaguely alarmed
<wisesnake> Th-he Dermott School, isn't that actually across the border?
<Linn1> Why, yes, but only a little bit.
* wisesnake breaks out in a sweat
<wisesnake> Oh, oh, oh I see.
* Linn1 looks at Snake in confusion.
* wisesnake waves her hands
<Tarsh> "What?"
<wisesnake> No, it's fine, there's no problem.
* wisesnake massages her forehead with her fingers
<Linn1> Good. Shall I expect you at two, then?
<wisesnake> [weakly] Sure
<Alea> well, about dreams....
* Alea carefully avoiding his eyes
<Alea> what would you think it meant if....
* Alea finishes wrapping side and moves to leg
<Tarsh> Usually at night. (very feeble grin)
* wisesnake rises to her feet and shows Linn out of Veraik's office
<Linn1> And perhaps we could arange a visit to your Sime Center for next week?
<wisesnake> Oh?
* wisesnake sits back down at the desk
<wisesnake> Sure.
* wisesnake flips through the pages
<wisesnake> How about the 2nd?
<Alea> well say my friend had this incredible experience with this guy but then, when she went to bed, she dreamed she'd been with this woman who is rather unorthodox instead
* wisesnake thinks since that's her own day off, it'd be just about perfect
* Tarsh keeps wincing during the bandaging process.
* Alea doesn't notice because she's so worried about the answer
<Alea> you know, someone like, well...like Snake
<Linn1> That would be perfect. That's long enough to get things organized, but not long enough that the children will have forgotten about what you've taught them.
* wisesnake smiles with relief
<wisesnake> Well then, the 2nd it is.
<Alea> of course, the experience ending in the person's death
* Alea works harder to get his leg bandaged
* Tarsh gets an odd expression.
<Alea> and there was blood and gore everywhere 3
<wisesnake> Now then. Is there anything else I can help you with today?
<Alea> [shudders]
<Linn1> Good. You'll have to sign in at the front office this afternoon. I'll have my teaching aid, Alice, meet you there a bit before two.
<Tarsh> The friend or the "unorthodox" woman?
<Alea> yeah
<wisesnake> Since you're here, would you like to make a donation?
<Linn1> ~~panic~~
* wisesnake looks genuinely surprised
* Alea quickly ties the bandage then gives it a pat
* wisesnake thinks My, my
<Linn1> Oh, I couldn't!
<wisesnake> Whyever not?
<Linn1> It's just--I don't know how much you know about teaching jobs on my side of the border?
* Alea finally looks up at Tarsh and sees his odd expression
<Alea> what?
<Alea> what is it?
<Tarsh> I ... uh.. you ..'RE friend is worried that the dreams says something about her basic uhhh 'tastes'?
<wisesnake> Well, to be perfectly honest,
* Alea confused
<wisesnake> Most of the Gens I know live over on this side
of the Border.
<Alea> well, not exactly...I mean I'm not sure what it means
<Alea> she said only basically what I told you
<Alea> was thinking it might mean something about the OTHER person in the dream
<Alea> maybe that other person is crazy
<Alea> or perhaps she is thinking of murdering m--the woman
* wisesnake leans forward, curiously
<Linn1> Well, I've finally built up the seniority to teach elementary school. It took nearly ten years, though.
<Alea> I think my friend would firmly know where her tastes lie
<wisesnake> Go on.... [interested]
<Tarsh> Was she raised in one of these out-t Church of the Purity deals? Maybe the dream reflects her guilt at violating the moral standards she was raised with, and the death is divine retribution.
<Alea> hmmm no. no.
<Linn1> You see, when you start, you teach the younger teens.
<Alea> Let me try to explain....[hesitates]...do you think Snake is the type to go crazy and kill someone
<Tarsh> Snake? <puzzled>
<Linn1> The ones at the right age for changeover.
<Tarsh> Nah, snake would never kill or murder anyone.
<Alea> well yeah..you know, the person in the dream was really REALLY weird...the only person I could think to compare that with would be snake
<wisesnake> Ah yes. I was that age not too long ago myself.
* Alea looks relieved
<Tarsh> She'd pay someone to do it for her.
<Alea> well, I think you're ready to go
* Alea falls forward
* Tarsh stands up slowly and looks around for his pants.
* Alea almost knocks Tarsh off stool
<Alea> what are you looking for?
* Alea eyes look just a bit wild
* Tarsh catches Alea, winces.
<Linn1> There are some children who are willing to be taken to a Sime Center when they go into changeover...but there are always a few who hide instead.
* wisesnake studies Linn1 with pale eyes
<wisesnake> I imagine you've been witness to a few scary situations.
* Alea pulls back from Tarsh
* Alea turns and goes across room, holds up pants....
<Alea> oh, uh....
* Alea looks up at Tarsh helplessly
<Tarsh> "we've got to stop meeting like this, people are beginning to talk."
* Alea laughs weakly
<Alea> you know, Veraik should have an extra pair of pants
<Linn1> I lost three colleagues my first year as a teacher, and six students were killed as well.
* Alea thinking he is about three inches taller than Veraik
* Tarsh looks annoyed and grabs the remains of the pants. he puts them on as best he can.
<Alea> I guess this hasn't been the best day.
<Alea> You were in such a good mood when you came in this morning
<Tarsh> I don't think they'd fit me.
<wisesnake> I can see why you would be interested in changeover education, then.
<Alea> and then, well, everthing that happened......Tarsh, I hate to tell you this...
<Tarsh> I'll swipe some from the locker room.
<Linn1> I'm glad your Sime Center is here, and I'll teach my students everything I can about what you do. But I can't participate.
<wisesnake> As you wish.
<Tarsh> "What now?"
* wisesnake shrugs
<Alea> that new hat you were wearing?
<Alea> can you get a refund on it saying maybe, it was run over by a cart or something?
<Alea> it is kind of...squished
* Linn1 is relieved.
<wisesnake> But I wish you would reconsider.
* wisesnake looks at Linn1 searchingly
<Linn1> I'd better get back to the school--my break is almost over. [stands]
<Tarsh> Maybe. Figures.
* wisesnake sighs
<wisesnake> Very well then
* wisesnake rises and shows Linn to the door
<Alea> well, why don't you let me replace it. It's the least I can do
<Tarsh> See you later.
<Alea> bye
<Linn1> I'll see you at two. Goodby until then.
* Alea shakes her head again, feeling really bad
* Tarsh comes out of the infirmary, pants flapping and revealling a bit much.
* wisesnake [shocked]
* wisesnake steers Linn quickly toward the door
<wisesnake> Uh, well, Look at the time! Sorry to have held you up so long.
* Tarsh overcasually walks out into the lobby and turns down another corridor.
* Alea touches her head and heads toward the door planning to go clean up the mess int he lobby that she made
* Linn1 leaves the Sime Center and hurries back to Gen Territory.
<Tarsh> The view from behind leaves little to the imagination
<wisesnake> Good grief! What in shen was that!!
<wisesnake> Tarsh!
* Tarsh limps all through this.
* wisesnake hurries after Tarsh
<wisesnake> What happened to you?
<Tarsh> [Snake zlins Tarsh in the locker room.]
* Alea goes into lobby and directs two other renSimes to hang her four pictures
* wisesnake enters the locker room
<wisesnake> Tarsh?
<wisesnake> What happened to you? Do you require any help?
<Tarsh> Tarsh is standing with his back to you, the remnants of his pants on the floor at his feet. He is fiddling with a locker.
* wisesnake zlins Tarsh
<Tarsh> Open you shendi-flicking ...
<Tarsh> <locker pops open, clothes falling onto the floor>
* wisesnake backs off, unused to being ignored
<wisesnake> Well, if there's anything you...
<wisesnake> Oh well...[turns to leave the locker room]
<Tarsh> ~~Tarsh has a large painful bruise on his left short ribs, and a sprained ankle. Both are bandaged.
* wisesnake hesitates in case Tarsh tries to stop her
<Tarsh> [Amongst the usual clothes, etc. is a set of frilly ladies panties that look familiar.]
* Tarsh turns. "Oh! Morning snake. How 'r ya?"
* wisesnake stares at Tarsh
<wisesnake> What happened to you?
<Tarsh> "Alea"
<wisesnake> And since when do you wear ladies undergarments?
<Tarsh> ~~puzzled~~
* wisesnake points at the evidence
* Tarsh looks down, eventually sees panties.
<Tarsh> ~~surprised~~
* Tarsh picks them up with a tentacle. "What are *these* doing here?"
<wisesnake> Do you want me to do any healing on those injuries, or did you just want to self-heal?
<Tarsh> I can't afford the selyn. If you could help me, I'd appretiate it.
<wisesnake> Great. Let's go to one of the treatment rooms.
* Tarsh stuffs the panties furtively into the locker.
* wisesnake shakes her head
<Tarsh> Uh, let me get something on first.
<wisesnake> Sure, I'll be waiting in Treatment Room #1.
* wisesnake leaves the locker room and cruises down the hall to the treatment room
* Tarsh pulls out the panties and examines them closely. He looks for a nametag.
<Tarsh> "Not even my size."
* wisesnake walks in and sees a horrific mess: ice cubes, smeared fosebine, a broken fosebine bottle smashed to pieces all over the place, and shreds of blue cloth. There are also several blood stains.
<wisesnake> Wha!
* Alea directs the two renSimes to hang the pictures and goes to Veraik's office
<wisesnake> Looks like a Police Inspection in here.
* Alea staggers toward desk..remembers she has changed desks and staggers over to couch instead
* Tarsh stuffs the panties back in the locker and comes out with another envelope.
* Alea head is really aching...thinks she'll take a short nap
* wisesnake gets some orderlies to clean up
* wisesnake waits
* wisesnake 's tentacles shift restlessly about
* wisesnake jumps up to inspect the medicine cabinet
* wisesnake opens a few drawers under the sink, but finds nothing interesting
* Tarsh reads the letter. He gets flushed and licks his lips.
<wisesnake> Is this place boring or what?
<wisesnake> I almost look forward to going to that school.
<Tarsh> "Feast or Famine, that's the way it always is."
* Tarsh digs through the clothes and finds a pair of gym shorts. He puts them on below his starched white shirt.
* wisesnake leaves the treatment room and goes into Veraik's office
* Alea rubs her head and finds a lump the size of a large...strawberry
* Tarsh stuffs the rest of his clothes into the locker and closes it. He doesn't notice that some clothes stick out and keep it from latching properly.
* wisesnake retrieves a PlaySime and flips through it, then carefully tears out several of the articles, leaving the pictures behind.
<wisesnake> He'll NEVER miss these.
* Alea looks at the red on her hand
* Tarsh limps out of the locker room and into the lobby.
* wisesnake gets some changeover education pamphlets and carefully folds up the PlaySime articles, inserting one inside each pamphlet
* Alea gets up and goes to the bathroom and examines her head...sees a small cut in her hair and a huge lump...
<wisesnake> These ought to be... educational... heh heh heh
<Alea> well, it might not be bad but it's going to drive all the Simes crazy for the rest of the day
* Alea goes to the cabinet and looks for some medicine--it's locked and keys are in her room
* wisesnake carefully replaces the pamphlets, spacing them out so they aren't all in a bunch in the pile
* wisesnake gets up to go see if Tarsh is in the treatment room yet
* Tarsh limps down to the treatment room.
<wisesnake> Oh, there you are.
<Tarsh> Most of me.
* Alea goes to my room
<wisesnake> I didn't quite catch how you said this happened...?
* wisesnake helps Tarsh to the treatment table
* Alea gets her keys and returns to the main lobby
* wisesnake notes Tarsh's... other... condition and frowns slightly
* Alea notices a couple of renSimes turn and head down the other hall...shrugs...then grins broadly at the four pictures
<Tarsh> I was helping Alea hang up some of her artwork.
* wisesnake pales
<wisesnake> I've seen some of it
* Alea studies the HUGE one over the couch...
<wisesnake> She really is a klutz, isn't she [smiles sadly]
* Alea bright springtimey colors...and then the nicest one by the hall that everyone has to see when they pass
<Tarsh> Well, I manged to fall off the stepladder and bang into the filing cabinet.
* Alea turning, she looks at the one over Tarsh's desk
<Tarsh> and then I foolishly let Alea help me some more.
<wisesnake> Oh dear, well I hope you've learned your lesson.
<Alea> not as big as the other two...but everytime he turns to the filing cabinets, he'll see it
* wisesnake zlins Tarsh's injuries
* Alea looks at the final one and nods
<Tarsh> Even for a Gen, she is.
<Alea> a good day's work
<Tarsh> She means well, though.
<wisesnake> These aren't too bad, I can speed the healing somewhat to get you over the initial discomfort, then you can do the rest on your own.
* Alea goes into Veraik's office and opens the cabinet...frowns when she sees most of the medicine is missing
* wisesnake avoids thinking about a little while later when she will have to brave Gen Territory in retainers with only Alea for support
<Tarsh> Thanks. Can you do anything for my dignity?
* Alea decides to get some work done
* wisesnake pauses
<wisesnake> Your... what?!
* Alea goes out to Tarsh's files to find the quarterly reports
<Tarsh> I couldn't tell if any of my ribs had hairline fractures.
* Tarsh thinks.
<Tarsh> You're right, It's a hopeless case. Forget I asked.
* Alea opens first cabinet and begins rummaging through, wondering where Tarsh is
* wisesnake starts some healing work on Tarsh
<Alea> he insists no one touch his files, but then he isn't even here
<Alea> oh well...he'll never know...I'll leave them just like I found them
* Alea pulls out several and puts them on desk,checking under the folders wondering if that's where they are
<wisesnake> You know, I think dignity is one of those things that has to come from within a person, not without.
* Alea can't locate them under the hanging folders, so she grabs the files and carefully puts them back in
* wisesnake works on Tarsh's ribs
* Tarsh relaxes under the simulated gen field, but a slight revulsion is present in his nager.
* wisesnake sighs
* Alea moves to the next drawer and repeats the process
* wisesnake assumes it's because of the transfer
* Alea finally finds them in the desk, in a side drawer under quarterly reports
<Alea> now why would they be in that drawer that is rarely used!
* wisesnake works on Tarsh's ankle
* Alea pulls the file and goes back to Veraik's office...grimacing when she sees the desk
* Alea decides Veraik is just going to have to be mad at her...she likes his office
* Alea orders some renSimes to get the desk and move it in the office she is now going to be SHARING with Veraik
* Alea shows them exactly where to put it [since she knows he'll demand it, she puts it in the far corner with the least amount of light]
<wisesnake> Well, I guess that's it.
* wisesnake steps back from Tarsh
* Alea Alea sits down at the other desk, enjoying the view out the window
<wisesnake> But take it easy for the next few days, okay? No hanging pictures.
* Tarsh flexes his injuries.
* Alea gets up and decides she had best replace Tarsh's hat while she is thinking about it
* Alea goes out and scoops up the flattened mess and heads off to the store
<Tarsh> Thanks, That is much better.
* wisesnake smiles
<wisesnake> Well, back to the grind.
* Alea wanders the street and finds the perfect hat and buys it. She notes it's not EXACTLY the same as the other one...
<Tarsh> Ok. I've got an excuse now, "Channel's orders."
* Alea comes back to the Sime Center
* wisesnake goes back out to the front lobby
<wisesnake> Ah, Alea.
* Alea goes to Tarsh's desk with the package and puts it there. Takes out a piece of paper and writes a note: Sorry. A.
* Alea looks up
<Alea> yes, hajene
* Alea warily
<Tarsh> yeah. I'd better check the files...
<wisesnake> I'll require your assistance for a trip this afternoon.
* Alea moves away from the hat in the sack
<Alea> of course, hajene, uh, what ...trip
* Alea scenes of dream flashing through mind
* wisesnake zlins Alea oddly, decides not to comment
<wisesnake> Uh,
<wisesnake> Yeah, one of those classes you scheduled with that school in Gen Territory.
* Alea looks to see if she has any concealed weapons, lumps etc on her body
<Alea> Gen Territory?
* wisesnake 's clothing is the usual
* Alea thinks how isolated that is
* Alea winces at headache
* wisesnake shifts around uncomfortably under Alea's scrutiny
* wisesnake shifts around uncomfortably under Alea's head ache
* Alea sees her shifting and does her best to control her nager not wanting to push her at all
<wisesnake> Yes, Gen Territory... didn't you know Linn Teacher's school was in Gen Territory when you spoke to her?
<Alea> oh, um..of course. that's right
* Alea relaxes
* Alea thinks she is being silly
* wisesnake can feel the tension skyrocketing already
<wisesnake> Great.
<Alea> uh, hajene, do you know ... we seem to be out of fosebine and several other drugs in Veraik's medicine cabinet...
<Alea> I wondered if you might know where they were
* wisesnake shakes her head
<wisesnake> No
<wisesnake> Well, the overstock, yeah. In storeroom 5.
* Alea reaches up and rubs her head...
<Alea> great
<Alea> okay
<Alea> is there anything else
* Alea looking down hall toward the storeroom
<wisesnake> How did you get that giant lump on your head?
* Alea startled that she noted it
<Alea> well you see...there was this accident
<Alea> Tarsh wasn't watching what he was doing...
<Alea> and he tripped and fell
* wisesnake 's eyebrows rise
<Alea> so I helped him to the examination room...and he spilled ice everywhere
* wisesnake continues to listen, in disbelief
<Alea> and well, while I was trying to help him...I just accidently slipped in it
<Alea> and Tarsh jumped at me...augmenting
<Alea> you know, we really should have a class for renSimes here about trying to scare Gens
<Alea> Thank goodness I'm a Donor
<Alea> I think he might have actually knocked me over in his haste
* wisesnake stares at Alea with a look of utter skepticism
<Alea> and then almost jerked my arm out of its socket
* Alea shakes her head and winces
* wisesnake 's look begins to grow nearer to horror as she imagines travelling helpless in retainers with this woman
<Alea> everything after that is well [thinks of conversation between her and Tarsh] pretty sketchy
<Alea> but that's how I got the lump
<Alea> so, what do you think of my art? [Alea smiles smugly at Snake as she holds her arm out]
<Alea> Tarsh loves it...offered to hang it for me, said it was just what the center required to brighten it up
* wisesnake remembers what happened last time she looked at Alea's art, and is wary
* wisesnake turns her head and stares intently at the white space between two pictures, studiously avoiding seeing what's on the pictures themselves
<Alea> I thought about buying some throw rugs...would add a bit more ... style
* wisesnake sweats and carefully moves her eyes over to rest between two more pictures
<wisesnake> Oh, uh, very nice.
<Alea> I knew you'd like them
<Alea> so, where is Tarsh. I bought him a hat
<wisesnake> I last saw him in Treatment Room 1.
<Alea> You see..he accidently messed up his other hat when he fell...and since I was the one who asked him to help...I felt I ought to replace it
<wisesnake> Really.
<Alea> oh, did you help him? I told him a channel would be along soon.
* wisesnake glances at Alea
<wisesnake> Yes, I helped him.
<Alea> yeah. Not exactly like the other one but it's still very nice
<wisesnake> I was unable to salvage his, er, "dignity" however.
<Alea> great.
* Alea cocks head oddly
* Alea finally just shakes her head, wincing again at the action
<Alea> I have to have some fosebine...but first, tell me when we leave
<wisesnake> Why don't you let me have a look at that head injury.
* wisesnake approaches Alea
* wisesnake zlins Alea's injury
* Alea wary
<Alea> it's not really that bad
<wisesnake> No, it isn't.
<Alea> a little bit of fosebine will be fine
<wisesnake> I'll go get the restock from the supply room.
* wisesnake disappears down the hallway
* Alea goes over and sits down on the couch, picking up her sewing...but then puts it aside
<Alea> Out Territory?
<Alea> She's gonna require retainers
* Alea gets up and goes to supply room
* Alea sees all the retainers missing
* wisesnake returns to Veraik's office and begins to restock medical cabinet
<wisesnake> I just did this yesterday. [grumble]
<Alea> Gonna have to start locking this up too
<Alea> now where are we going to get retainers?
* Alea worries
<Alea> Snake
<Alea> Snake
* Alea louder
* Alea seeing snake grumbling she goes up behind her
* Alea touches her shoulder
<Alea> snake, we have a problem
* wisesnake nearly jumps out of her skin
<wisesnake> Shen!! Don't do that!
* Alea jumps back
* Alea grabs her heart
<Alea> don't do THAT
<wisesnake> Sorry. You surprised me.
<Alea> you're a Farris [skeptically]
<wisesnake> Here's some fosebine.
<Alea> how'd I surprise you
* wisesnake looks at Alea sharply
<wisesnake> I was concentrating on my work
<wisesnake> I know it's a difficult concept, but...
* Alea takes it and swallows
<Alea> ugh
* Alea steps back at Snake's look
<Alea> well I was concentrating on mine too
<Alea> and we have a problem
<wisesnake> What?
<Alea> someone has raided the storage area again
<Alea> this time it was the retainers
* Tarsh is out in the lobby, and you hear a ongoing sequences of muttering and drawers being slammed open and closed.
* wisesnake 's expression becomes honestly baffled. "Who in the world would want to take those??"
<Alea> I have no idea...but if we don't find some you can't go and those kids are gonna be disappointed
* Alea eyes widen
<Alea> wait a minute...
<Alea> come with me
* Alea goes to Veraik's room
* Alea rummages through drawers...and comes up
with a pair of retainers
<Alea> here you go
* wisesnake looks doubtful
<wisesnake> I think those are Veraik's personal pair.
<Alea> hey, it's the only pair. Hold out your hands
* Alea dangles them on end of finger
* wisesnake looks really unhappy
* wisesnake 's tentacles shrivel up and crawl up into their sheaths
<Alea> oh please...it's not that bad [soothing nager]
* Alea opens them and holds them out to her
<Alea> Snake, we have to do this
* wisesnake holds out her hands slowly, as if it takes all her willpower
* Alea becomes the professional Donor she can be on occasion
* wisesnake allows herself to feel a hint of hope
* Alea oozes goodwill and trust
* wisesnake is able to relax just a hair.
<Alea> this will be okay, I won't let anything happen to you, hajene
* wisesnake starts to feel like maybe this won't be so bad after all.
<Alea> Channels/Donors take care of each other
* Alea eases the retainers onto her arms
<Alea> now let's just slide those tentacles right like this...
* Alea continuing to radiate gentleness and trust
* wisesnake obeys Alea
* Alea finally gets them on...and snaps them closed
* wisesnake wilts
* Alea uses field to encourage her
<wisesnake> I hate retainers...
<Alea> come on, Snake, it'll be okay
* Alea feels so much more at ease, realizing now how silly her worries were
<wisesnake> Now, you're going to stay right with me the whole time we're out of the Center, right?
<Alea> I know. They're torture devices but rules are rules
<Alea> and you won't be in them long
<Alea> of course
* wisesnake isn't looking forward to going through the length of Bender Cove's bad section wearing retainers
<Alea> come on, we're going to be late
<wisesnake> Yeah, might as well get it over with.
* Alea slips on cloak and heads out of the Center, waiting for Snake to catch up
<Alea> first slow Sime I ever saw...must be those retainers
<wisesnake> Alea, could you pick up those...
<wisesnake> Alea?
<wisesnake> Shen her.
* Alea goes back inside
<wisesnake> Alea,
<Alea> I thought you said you were ready?
<Alea> yes
<wisesnake> I gathered the materials for the class, could you get them off Veraik's desk for me?
<wisesnake> Don't forget the Sime Territory sign underneath them.
<Alea> of course, hajene
* wisesnake waits fidgeting
* Alea goes in and gathers stuff off her desk that Snake obviously thought was still Veraiks
* Alea comes back out
<Alea> okay
<Alea> let's go
<wisesnake> Now don't go running off.
* wisesnake stays near Alea
<Alea> you know..I heard there was another murder the other day.
<Alea> oh, I won't
<Alea> such a shame that murder
<Alea> a Sime
<wisesnake> And don't do anything that's going to attract attention. I feel insecure as hell in these.
<Alea> said the poor sot had his hands full of produce and didn't have a chance
<Alea> Of course, hajene, I won't
* wisesnake 's mind runs over the last couple of sentences, the ones about the murder
<wisesnake> Why are you bringing up murder just now?
<Alea> huh? Oh, I dunno....just thought it was terrible that the man coldn't even save himself
<Alea> you know, we're in a bad part of town
* wisesnake imagines, starts getting more and more tense
<Alea> you should always be at your best
* Alea reaches out and takes elbow
* Alea sees an unsavory person eyeing them
* Alea field blares warning and protectiveness
* Alea leads Snake to train and they board...
<Alea> now see that wasn't so bad
* wisesnake tries to stare all around her at once
<Alea> I just hate trains, but as this is such a short trip, I shouldn't get too sick
<wisesnake> It's like a little metal box.
<wisesnake> With only two entrances.
* wisesnake looks over her shoulder
* Alea turns her attention to Snake
* Alea soothing...slips her arm through Snake's
* wisesnake tries to relax on Alea's field
<Alea> just hold on...five minutes...
<Alea> at the most...
* wisesnake tries to tell herself she has to trust Alea or she'll never make it through the mission alive
<wisesnake> [or sane anyway]
* Alea seems like the ride was only seconds...and then they arrive
<Alea> we're here
<wisesnake> Ah.
* wisesnake tries to sound perfectly confident
<wisesnake> Lets go then.
* Alea tries to ignore her nausea, glad Snake is wearing retainers
* Alea starts off train...but forgets papers...runs back to get them
* Alea goes back to Snake's side
<wisesnake> Where were you!
* wisesnake crowds close to Alea
<Alea> lead on, Snake. I'm with you all the way....I forgot the pamphalets
<wisesnake> And you still have the sign, right?
* Alea slips her arm around Snake as unobtrusively as possible
<Alea> it's okay
<Alea> yes
<wisesnake> I am so incredibly paranoid right now.
<Alea> okay, hajene
<Alea> let's go
* wisesnake follows Alea
* Alea keeps her arm on Snake, keeping her as close as possible through the crowd
* Alea sees the school
<Alea> there, you see, it's right ahead
* wisesnake stays close to Alea and hates herself for being such a coward
<Alea> just a little bit more
* Alea soothing
<Alea> everything is just fine
<Alea> not much longer hon
<Alea> come on
* wisesnake follows Alea
* Alea and snake enter school
<Alice> [timidly] Are you our speaker today?
* Alea immdiately falls back a step, allowing Snake to take control
* wisesnake smiles at Alice
<wisesnake> Yes, are you Alice?
<Alice> Yes, I am.
<Alice> Let me show you to the front office so you can sign in.
<wisesnake> Certainly.
* Alea slips her hand to Snake's elbow and follows
* Alice is even more uncomfortable than Linn around Simes.
* wisesnake follows, sticking close to Alea
* Alice shows the visitors into the office.
<Alice> Miz Leon, if you could sign our guests in?
* Alice is glad to have Snake's attention off of her as the secretary indicates the guestbook.
<wisesnake> Alea, sign us in please.
<Alea> of course, hajene
* wisesnake fidgets
<wisesnake> Oh, this is nervewracking. [muttered to self]
* Alea confident smile at Snake before stepping foward
* Alea signs forms
* wisesnake tries to relax
* Alea not much longer[nager plainly says]
* Alice is getting very uncomfortable at Snake's fidgets--she remembers reading that Simes in need tend to be nervous.
* wisesnake tries to concentrate on how in a few minutes the retainers will be off.
* wisesnake glances at Alice
<Alea> all done
<Alea> here you go.
* Alea hands them to Alice
* Alea steps back and lays hand on Snake's shoulder
* wisesnake watches Alice
* Alea smiles at Alice
* Alea makes sure Alice sees Alea's bare arms
<Alice> The classroom is just around the corner...
* Alea projects peace and calm
* Alice is only partly reassured by Alea's presence.
* Alice leads the way to the classroom.
* Alea steps back by Snake
* wisesnake follows, sticking by Alea's side
* Alice opens the door and waves the guests through.
<wisesnake> Alea... door.
* Alea sticks out her hand in the Gen welcome
* wisesnake means put the sign on the door
* Alea when she is done, she searches through the satchel for the sign
* wisesnake smiles at Linn.
<wisesnake> Hello.
* Linn1 sees Alice, Snake, and Alea enter the room.
* Alea frowns wondering where in the world that Sime Territory Sign went
<Linn1> Hello. Let me introduce you to my students.
* wisesnake surveys the students
<Linn1> Class, we have a very special visitor today.
* Alea moves stuff around some more, knowing Snake is getting antsy to get out of those retainers
<Linn1> Remember how we learned about channels yesterday?
* Alea wonders if she left it on the train when the satchel tipped
* wisesnake knew a lot of kids from this area regularly sneak into Bender Cove to wreak havoc, but had no idea so many of them would be in this one classroom.
<Linn1> Well, Hajene Snake here is a real channel, and she's going to tell us all about what she does at the Sime Center.
* Alea smiles...oh!
* Alea pulls it out
* wisesnake smiles at the students... a really big genuine smile as she realizes the sign isn't missing
<Alea> excuse me, Linn...I must put this on your door before we go any further
* Alea holds up sign
* wisesnake keeps smiling as she wonders how many of these kids are going to tell true stories about her to their teacher after she is gone
<Linn1> What is that sign for?
<Alea> well, we don't want to offend any one here, so, this temporarily will make this room a santuary for us, a place where no one will bother us and warn others who might be offended
* wisesnake meets the eyes of a few of the worst ones and shoots them warning looks to make sure they know they'd better not say anything
<Alea> we want everyone to be happy[smiles]
<Alea> if you'll just give me a hammer and nail
* wisesnake 's blood curdles as she hears those words
<Alea> it'll only take a moment and you can go on with your talk
* Linn1 looks doubtful; she knows the principal tends to walk in at odd moments, and no sign would stop him. Or an irate parent, for that matter.
* wisesnake forces the smile to come back, but it's only at half strength
* Alea seeing Linn hesistate she walks toward the door
<Linn1> I think there's one in the toolkit. Alice, would you look?
<Alea> people can still come in, it'll just warn them that we're here
* wisesnake gestures at the satchel "The materials for the class are in there."
* Alea takes nails and hammer from Alice
<Linn1> If Alice can't find a nail, there's always tape.
<Alea> thank you, but she did
* Alea goes to the door and steps outside, shooting an encouraging look before closing Snake in with all of those children
* wisesnake 's tentacles squirm unhappily in their sweaty confinement
<wisesnake> Well.
* Alea holds up nail and puts it against the door
* wisesnake walks carefully to the satchel and gets the materials out
* Alea holds hammer, measure and slams it home...Once Twice......
* Linn1 steps back and waits for Snake to take over the class, beaming nervously at the little monsters in the seats.
<Linn1> Why don't you tell us about what a channel does, Snake?
* Alea ....THREEE Times....and the hammer goes flying ....
* Alea ducks. Wonders why she has such trouble with hammers.
* wisesnake startles badly at the sound of hammer clattering to the floor outside
* Alea hangs the sign up and then goes back inside
* Alea smiles at Snake
<Alea> all done
* wisesnake looks distraught
* Alea goes to help snake remove retainers
* Linn1 starts even more violently, and Alice gives a small shriek.
* wisesnake freezes
* Alea lays her hands protectively over Snake's partially concealed tentacles
<Alea> is there a problem?
* Alea makes sure they see her arms resting on snakes arms
<Linn1> Not at all. [shoots warning look at Alice]
* Alea looks to Snake for direction
* wisesnake wants nothing more than to be out of those things
* Linn1 Alice is carefully not looking at Snake's arms.
* wisesnake nods at Alea to continue
* Alea with a easy going grace rarely seen in Alea, she slides her hands up Snake's arms and very very gently removes the retainers
* wisesnake 's tentacles wave damply
* Alea makes sure to slip her hand over a tentacle in a reassuring grip
* Linn1 holds her groud, but Alice flees to the back of the classroom, on the pretense of reassuring a very interested little girl.
<wisesnake> Ah.
* Alea pauses making sure all see while Snake stretches the others.
* Alea steps back
* wisesnake feels a little bit more like herself.
* Alea slips off her cloak and layes it and the retainers on Linn's desk
* Linn1 all the kids are staring, especially the ones who know Snake.
* wisesnake rubs her arms briskly to get the blood circulating again as the queasy feeling subsides.
<wisesnake> Much better!
<wisesnake> Alea, could you hand me that literature, please?
* Alea pulls the literature out and holds it out to Snake
<wisesnake> Thank you.
* wisesnake smiles at the kids.
<wisesnake> Well, I'm here to tell you all about the Sime Center and what it is we do there.
* Linn1 Alice isn't sure she wants to know.
* wisesnake passes out literature, making sure the "spiked" ones go to the kids who have the most chance of appreciating them
<wisesnake> I'm sure you will find it very interesting.
<wisesnake> Now then.
* Linn1 beams as the children obediently look at their pamphlets.
<wisesnake> At the Sime Center we do many things to help people.
<wisesnake> Now I'm sure you are all old enough to know what selyn is.
<wisesnake> When you grow up, and start producing selyn, you can go to the Sime Center and sell it for good money.
<wisesnake> This is known as "donating".
<wisesnake> Probably some of your parents do this already, although they wouldn't want you to tell that to just anybody.
* Linn1 was expecting a less financially-oriented lecture.
* wisesnake wanders around abstractedly
<wisesnake> Some of you might grow up to become Sime...
<wisesnake> That's called changing over.
* Alea meanders with her
<wisesnake> If that happens, you can go to the Sime Center and they will help you change over safely and pleasantly.
* Alea trying to make it look innocent enough but wondering what the shenned she is doing
<wisesnake> Well, as pleasantly as is possible under the circumstances, of course.
* Linn1 [Alice wanders to stay on the opposite side of the room from Snake.]
<wisesnake> Now, I'm sure you're all curious as to what actually happens to the selyn once the Sime Center has collected it.
<wisesnake> That's where channels like myself come in.
<wisesnake> We're in charge of buying off your selyn and selling it to the renSimes who have to have it to live.
<wisesnake> I'd say you all have come out on the lucky end of THAT deal.
* wisesnake studies Alice whenever she gets near enough to do so unobtrusively
* Alea nudges Snake with her nager
<wisesnake> Other than that, the Sime Center is like a doctor's office.
<wisesnake> What?
* wisesnake distracted, looks at Alea
* Alea plainly says STOP it
* Linn1 notices Bil ignoring the lecture in favor of reading the pamphlet--with unstudious giggles.
* wisesnake makes what?? at Alea
<Linn1> Billi, pay attention.
* Alea purposely glances at Alice and smiles
<Alea> you're making her nervous
* wisesnake looks irritated
* wisesnake 's tentacles flick about restlessly for a moment before she recalls her former casualness
* Alea allows her eyes to drift away though she continues to support Snake
<wisesnake> Now as I was saying, aside from the handling of selyn, a Sime Center is a lot like a doctor's office.
<wisesnake> People who are sick, can go in to get better.
* Linn1 frowns as Billi continues to ignore the lecture.
<wisesnake> And a few years from now, you can go to the Sime Center to find out if you've turned Gen.
* wisesnake begins to rove restlessly around the room
<wisesnake> Now I'm sure you've heard all that before.
* Alea follows
* Linn1 Billi giggles even louder, and Alice swoops down to confiscate the distraction.
<wisesnake> It's all part of the standard lecture that every body must hear a million times before they get old enough to relate.
<wisesnake> But I know what kids your age really want to know about, and that's -
* Linn1 Alice shrieks as she sees what Billi was really reading.
* Alea looks warily
* wisesnake jumps back, startled
* Alea shocked by Alice's shriek
* wisesnake jerks away from Alea's shock
* Alea moves up to protect Snake
* Linn1 Alice "Where did you get this, young man?"
* wisesnake shoots a warning glance at Billi
* Alea soothing, reaches for Snake
* Alea watches to see what in the world is going on with Alice and the child
* Linn1 Alice "This....pornography!"
* Alea surprised but not surprised that a child got his hands on it...sad
* wisesnake tries to calm her rattled nerves
* Linn1 gasps with horror as Alice holds up an interesting picture which Snake forgot to remove when she tore out the article.
* Alea focuses on Snake
* wisesnake accepts the relief of Alea's field
* Alea looks over...and eyes widen...remembers seeing something like that in Veraik's office
* Linn1 the children are staring at the picture and giggling with increasing rowdiness.
* Alea slips hand to Snake's arm to continue support
* Alea urges Snake up the aisle away from all of the emotions, toward the far side of the room
* wisesnake resists, then obeys slowly
<Linn1> Young man, I believe you have an appointment with the principal. Alice will show you the way, in case you've forgotten it since this morning.
<Linn1> And the rest of you, since you aren't willing to give Hajene Snake your attention, we will have to go on to our spelling lesson.
<Linn1> Take out your spelling books and turn to page 25.
<billi> but Miss Linn it was her that gave it to us
* billi resisting Miss Alice's pull
* billi points at Snake
<Linn1> Billi, I've warned you before about telling stories.
* wisesnake gives him a narrow eyed look, not at all pleasant
* billi frowns
* billi sees Snake's look and blanches, his arms going around Miss Alice's legs in what can easily be zlinned as a ploy but really looks like fear
* wisesnake smiles
* Linn1 [Alice pats him with sympathy, despite her shock at the porn.]
<wisesnake> You know, Alice...
<billi> I'm not lying Miss Linn...but I'm gonna get it now
* wisesnake comes a little closer to the two
<billi> cause I told on her
<wisesnake> Alice...
* Linn1 Alice backs away, dragging Billi along.
* billi whimpers for good measure
* wisesnake laughs
* wisesnake backs off a little
* billi he watches as Snake and her unknown Gen friend advance
<wisesnake> Alice, if you only knew how crazy it is to fear a channel.
* Linn1 [Alice doesn't appreciate being ridiculed for what she knows is an irrational, if genuine, phobia.]
<billi> I'm not the only one who has it either
<wisesnake> But if you won't take my advice from a normal speaking distance, at least consider it from afar:
* billi blurts out, frowning at Snake
* billi decides he doesn't want to take the fall alone
* billi seeing Snake's frown, billi decides to leave and let Miss Linn deal with her
* Linn1 the other children who got Snake's handouts have carefully hidden it in their spelling books, far away from the pamphlets which might be inspected.
<wisesnake> Billi is a very disturbed child. The things his parents don't know about where he spends his time would curl their hair.
<wisesnake> He could benefit from the guidance of someone like yourself.
* Alea nager says she plainly believes billi but she refuses to show it for Linn or ALice to see
<wisesnake> Perhaps a little fear of Simes would keep him in his own town and with any luck his own yard.
* Linn1 is wondering if Simes really can read minds, and if not, how Snake knows such things about a seemingly normal, if difficult, student.
* Linn1 isn't sure which option is worse.
* wisesnake smiles at Alice, in an attempt at gentleness.
<wisesnake> It's only a suggestion.
* Linn1 Alice nods--she certainly thinks fear is the appropriate response to Simes, for people of all ages.
<Linn1> Alice "but a good one."
* wisesnake is pretty sure Alice had no clue what Snake was trying to get her to do
* wisesnake sighs
<wisesnake> Well.
* wisesnake glances at the students doing their spelling, regrets Billi's interruption
* Linn1 Alice is already demonstrating all the fear of Simes practical in the situation.
* Linn1 turns to Snake.
<wisesnake> Yes?
<Alea> hajene, perhaps now would be a good time to pass out the treats we brought
<Linn1> I'm very sorry your talk was interrupted. There's no use continuing; they're not going to pay attention for the rest of the afternoon after that.
<Linn1> We'll have to hear the rest of your talk when we visit the Sime Center next week.
* Alea nods...gets a box of special treats and hands them to Linn
<wisesnake> I quite understand. Perhaps we'll just leave it at that, and let them think about the basics for a few days.
* wisesnake looks suspicious... doesn't remember anything about treats
<wisesnake> uh -
* Linn1 opens the box and looks inside.
* Alea wonders at suspicous look
* wisesnake hopes Alea didn't do anything too rash
<Linn1> Oh, class, see what Snake and her friend have brought for us. Stickers!
<Alea> Kids love Stickers
* Alea smiles at Snake
* Linn1 holds up a sticker with a Sime and a Gen hand intertwined.
* wisesnake sags in relief
* Linn1 the class murmurs in anticipation, especially Billi's friend Jo, who is trying to figure out if a tentacle really CAN do that.
* Alea looks quizzically at Snake
* Linn1 passes out the stickers.
<Linn1> What do you say, class?
* Linn1 [the children chorus "Thank you!"]
* Alea picks up retainers and approaches snake
* wisesnake smiles weakly, having just realized what is about to come next
* Alea holds them out
* wisesnake has no interest in getting into those with these awful little kids watching
* Alea slips them on and snaps them shut
* Alea clink
* Alea gets cloak and slips it on
* Alea realizes one isn't quite closed Snaaaaap!
* Linn1 is relieved that Snake's tentacles are once more covered.
* Alea goes to door and removes sign
<Alea> do you want me to pull that nail out for you?
* Alea looks around for the hammer
* wisesnake doesn't look at anybody, waits huddled up
* wisesnake hates this part
<Linn1> Alice will get it later.
* wisesnake pretends she did not hear the word "nail"
<Alea> nods
<Alea> okay, Snake...let's hit the road
<wisesnake> yes
<Linn1> Thank you so much for your visit.
<wisesnake> yes, thank you.. [incoherently]
<Linn1> I'm looking forward to touring your Sime Center next week.
* Alea smmiles and slips hand to snake's arm
<Linn1> I'll be in touch about the details...
* wisesnake bumps close against Alea
* Alea takes her out and to the train
<Alea> that went pretty good
* Linn1 opens the classroom door and shows Snake and Alea out.
<wisesnake> Good bye. [attempt at sincere smile, fails]
* Alea keeps Snake close as they go through town
<Alea> I won't even ask you about those pamphlets or billi's words, Snake
* wisesnake is concentrating on her own discomfort and paranoia, barely hears Alea's words
<wisesnake> What?
<Alea> but I will tell you, Veraik is going to wonder where those pages went
<Alea> he's obsessive about those magazines
<Alea> he'll miss them
<wisesnake> I only took the pages with no pictures. He'll never realize.
* Alea thinks that was SURE an interesting looking article Alice held up
* Alea remembering the picture and shaking head
* Alea hurries Snake onto the train
* Alea projects soothing nager...
* Alea in no time they're back at the Sime center without problems
* wisesnake is extremely relieved
<Alea> look, I'm going to my room [says as removes retainers]
<Alea> I...[averts eyes]...I didn't sleep very good last night...I require a nap
* wisesnake seems a new person once escaped from the torture devices
<wisesnake> Wow!
<Alea> if you need me, call
<wisesnake> What a trip!
<wisesnake> Huh?
<wisesnake> Oh.
<wisesnake> Sure.
<Alea> nite
* wisesnake zlins Alea's emotions curiously
<wisesnake> Good night then.
* Alea eyes snake warily...hurries to room and then locks the door
* wisesnake smiles
Notes:
1) Tarsh, trust me. Any time you are alone with Alea "helping" you, it's serious! [return]
2) Evidently the ice meant for his leg fell somewhere a good deal more sensitive. [return]
3) The tantalizing bits of dream Alea keeps mentioning are from episode #17, "Alea's Dream". Unfortunately not all of this dream is actually posted to the web... ha ha! [return]