Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Bender Cove Township Scenario

Episode #21: Chain of Psychos (9/20/97)

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* Alea wanders into the lobby in the very early morning hours

* wisesnake is asleep in bed

* Alea sees her sewing where she left it earlier and gathers it up

* Alea goes to the couch and sits down and begins to sew wondering where everyone is.

<Zao> Hello?

* Alea looks up from her sewing

<Alea> hello

* Alea is a Donor class Farris...short and round in the Gen way

<Alea> may I help you

* Alea looks at Zao with curiosity

<Zao> Zao is a newly changed over renSime

<Zao> a girl

* Alea sits her sewing aside and stands from the couch, crossing the lobby carefully

<Zao> looks like she wishes she hadn't come

* Alea smiles

* Zao is a girl

<Zao> oh

<Alea> Hi

<Alea> my name is Alea

<Alea> how may I help you

<Zao> I am not sure

* Alea studies the young girl, looking at her arms, noting the tentacles....

<Zao> me looks rich

<Zao> oh

* Zao has nice clothes on

* Alea the nice dress of her clothes

* Alea wonders what someone so rich would be doing in the bad part of town

<Alea> why don't you come on in and sit down, let me get you some tea. We'll talk

<Alea> It's still a bit early for anyone else to be here yet

* Zao looks grateful

* Alea crosses to a conference room

<Alea> right in here

<Zao> I don't think I ever stayed up all night before

<Zao> is shy and embarassed

* Alea curious

<Alea> well I have, many times

* Alea motions toward the chair

* Alea goes to put on water to boil

<Alea> if you'll excuse me...I'll be right back

<Zao> sits on chair shyly

* Alea goes down hall and pounds on Snake's door

<Alea> Hurry up Snake!

<Zao> looks woried at alea leaving

<wisesnake> urgh

<wisesnake> wha ---?

<Alea> Have a new one here...I don't know what her problem is, but I require someone who can zlin

* Alea pounds again

<Alea> come on

* wisesnake drags herself out of bed

<wisesnake> I'm coming, I'm coming

* Alea knowing she shouldn't have pounded, but wants her in a hurry

* Alea goes back to conference room

<wisesnake> Oh, my aching head

<Alea> sorry, just had to check on something

<Zao> looks around at the conference room

<Alea> now, what was your name?

<Zao> my name is....

<Zao> hesitates

* Alea smiles encouragingly, with nager as well

* wisesnake manages to find some sort of clothing and gropes her way out of the room and out into the hallway

<Zao> Zao

<Alea> what a lovely name

<wisesnake> Now where did she say they were?

<Alea> where are you from, Zao?

* Alea stands and goes to checkt he water

<Zao> looks like she isn't sure if it's a good idea to say

* Alea still not boiling so she sets out three cups

<Alea> so, dear, what brings you here

* Alea says, ignoring that she didn't answer

<Zao> her tentacles wave helplessly

<Zao> she looks down at them and makes them stop, looking kind of lost and lonely

<Zao> well I wasn't sure where else to go.

* Alea finishes putting the tea in cups and then goes over to Zao

<Zao> and I saw the lights on...

* Alea moves next to her

<Alea> you're from Out Territory...

<Zao> Well,

<Zao> guiltily

<Zao> yes

<Zao> quiet voice

* Alea smiles and touches Zao's hand

<Alea> you came to the right place

<Zao> smiles shyly

<Alea> you want to talk about it?

* Alea field is empathetic

<Zao> oh, sorry

* Zao smiles shyly

<Zao> I think I did something wrong.

* Alea quizzically

<Alea> what is that, Zao...that you think you did wrong?

* wisesnake finally locates them in the conference room, and stops in the doorway, seeing Alea has a rapport with the girl

<Zao> I, I think I hurt someone bad.

* Alea certain she knows, but encourages Zao to talk

<Alea> what makes you think that?

<Zao> He didn't get up.

* Alea takes Zao's hand

<Alea> you just changed over, didn't you Zao

* Zao her tentacles shrink back as if she's afraid of hurting Alea

<Zao> I, I'm not sure.

<Alea> don't worry, you can't hurt me

<Alea> when did the tentacles appear--break out

<Zao> Oh.

* Zao looks awfully nervous

* Alea nods toward Zao's arm

<Zao> tonight?

<Alea> whatever you tell me is confidential

<Alea> I thought so

<Zao> it was around nine I think.

* Alea looks over to Snake who is standing in the door way for confirmation

* wisesnake nods slightly

* Alea invites her in with her eyes

* Zao looks at who Alea is looking at

* wisesnake enters cautiously, nager projecting calmness

<wisesnake> Hello.

<Alea> this is Snake. She's one of our local *channels*

* Zao stares at the new person

* Zao sees the arms

<Zao> oh.

<wisesnake> Well, it sounds like you've had quite a night.

* Alea carefully stands and goes to see if the water is boling yet

<Alea> I'm making us some Trin, Snake

* wisesnake takes a seat nearby, still projecting calm despite seeing Alea is handling boiling water

<Alea> nice soothing for the nerves

* Zao is scared of the tentacles

* Alea picks up the pot of water

<Zao> I wasn't sure where else to go.

<wisesnake> You did the right thing.

* Alea pours in the three cups ...

* Alea without spilling a drop

<wisesnake> Do you want to tell us what happened?

* Alea sits it back on the fire

* Zao is sad and scared

* Alea picks up all three cups and carefully heads back to the table

<Zao> I was at home

* Alea reseats herself beside Zao

<Zao> And my parents were gone, just me and my brother

<wisesnake> [kindly] Go on...

<Zao> I felt kind of funny

* Alea glances at Snake in a I-know-what-is coming way

<Zao> And I went upstairs because my brother wouldn't leave me alone

* wisesnake studies the renSime, listening

<Zao> I started feeling really sick, and I got scared

<Zao> I went downstairs and told Jarves

<Zao> The butler

<Zao> And he, and he,

* Alea nods sympathetically

* Zao starts to cry

<Zao> he grabbed me by the arm,

* Alea puts an arm around Zao in comfort

* wisesnake watches intensely, nager throbbing in sympathy

<Zao> he threw me down the stairs to the basement

<Zao> it was so cold.

<Zao> and then I started feeling really really bad

<Zao> like I was going to die,

<Zao> this awful pain in my stomach and my arms

* Zao is unable to go on

* wisesnake says nothing, just watches

<Alea> shh, hon, it's okay

<Alea> everything is going to be fine

* Zao cries

* Alea allows Zao to cry, offering support and comfort

* wisesnake looks beat

* Alea looks to snake, sorry that she had to wake her

<Alea> well, Zao, I can certainly tell you that you came to the right place

<Zao> I just don't understand.

* Zao cries

<Zao> I didn't know what to do.

* Alea lips tighten that this has happened, again

* Alea thinks of Linn and the child

<Zao> When my parents came home, my dad opened the door

<Zao> of the basement, and I

<Zao> I,

<Zao> I couldn't even call out

* wisesnake looks up again, eyes bright

<Zao> I just lay there in the dark as he came down the stairs

<Zao> and I was shaking, I was so sick

* Zao is shaking now

* Zao I look at my arms

* Alea projects a soothing nager

* wisesnake reinforces it

<Zao> and when he bent over me I just, I, something happened

* Alea looks to Snake, knowing she is more experienced in this than she would be

<Zao> A light shined on me making me feel really good

<Zao> I thought it was God come to take me home

<Zao> so I reached out to it

<Zao> and I, I, it made me feel better

<Zao> and then, and then

* Zao sobbing

<Zao> oh, it was so awful!

<Zao> the light faded and all that was there was my dad lying all curled up and his face,

* Alea realizing the problems that might happen later on, eases back and signals to Snake to change places with her

* wisesnake glances at Alea and then eases forward cautiously to take Alea's place at Zao's side

<wisesnake> It's all right, we believe in you. Tell us your story.

<Zao> scared

<Zao> oh

* Zao scared

* Alea continues to smile at Zao

* Zao sees the tentacles

<Alea> it's for your safety sweetie...Snake is more qualified than I am to help you

* wisesnake smiles painfully at Zao, shows her the sympathy in her field

<wisesnake> We understand what you have gone through, what you are going through. We both want to help you.

<Zao> But you,

* Alea concentrates on Snake

* Zao own tentacles go up inside

<Zao> you're like me.

<wisesnake> Yes, I'm like you.

<wisesnake> But being like you doesn't mean bad. Even if bad things happened to you. Please tell us about your father.

<Zao> ok

<Zao> he was hurt bad

<Zao> I knew that somehow and it was my fault

<Zao> I ran up the stairs to tell my mom but the door was locked

<Zao> I got really really scared

<Zao> And I,

* Zao ashamed

<Zao> I did another wrong thing

* Alea thinking poor kid

<Zao> and I crawled out a window in the basement and ran away.

* wisesnake reaches gently for one of Zao's hands

<wisesnake> Zao, you were frightened. People run away when they're frightened. It wasn't wrong.

<Zao> but my father,

<Zao> he was hurt bad.

* wisesnake 's tentacles seal the grip, firmly

* Zao look at hand

<Zao> I didn't stop running for a long time and then

<Zao> I knew I couldn't go back there, because it would be even worse

<Zao> so I kept walking

<wisesnake> And then you saw the Sime Center?

<Zao> I saw more like us,

<Zao> and they could tell I was scared,

<Zao> and they told me to go here.

<wisesnake> Well, they told you the right thing.

* Alea picks up her cup and takes a sip of tea

<Zao> I was so scared.

<Alea> Zao, you did the right thing

* wisesnake picks up a cup of tea and offers it to Zao

* Zao look at cup, then take it

* Zao thinks it the tea tastes funny

* Alea smiles

<Alea> trin tea

<Zao> What's happening to me?

* wisesnake glances at Alea

<Zao> I never felt this way before.

* Zao looks at arms

<Zao> and I never had, this, before

* Alea looks quizzically at Snake

* Zao scared a little of own body now

* wisesnake sighs

<wisesnake> It's all about growing up, Zao.

<wisesnake> When you got sick, you were turning into a Sime, that's what a lot of grownups are. Like me, like those people who helped you.

* Zao look at wisesnake

<wisesnake> It happens to everybody, some people change like you did and other people change like Alea here.

<wisesnake> She's different from us, see?

* Zao not sure

* Alea smiles gently and makes sure Zao sees her arms

<Zao> She looks like my mom and dad.

* Zao kind of smiles back but still looks scared of what is happening

<wisesnake> Your mom and dad used to be kids like you used to be. But then they changed, and became like Alea. Just like you changed and became like me.

<Zao> tears start to come again

<Zao> I don't understand,

<Zao> why did my father have to get hurt?

<Zao> and how come I felt so bad, and then so good, and then all these strange things around me after that?

* wisesnake tries to figure out what question to answer first

* Zao look at wisesnake trying to find out

<wisesnake> Your father was hurt because,

<Alea> Zao,

* wisesnake lets Alea speak

<Alea> sometimes parents are scared to talk about grown up things with children

* Zao look at Alea

<Alea> evidently, your parents were scared

* Zao looks scared

<Alea> because this is something perfectly natural

<Zao> what were they scared of?

<Alea> However, because your parents didn't tell you, it frightened you

<Alea> well [smiles] you know how it is

<Alea> some parents think their babies are still too young to hear about adult things

<Zao> why did my father get hurt by the shining light that made me feel good?

<Alea> that's what he didn't tell you

<Alea> you see,

<Zao> I thought God took him instead of taking me.

<Alea> as you reach adult hood, things change

<Alea> as Snake said

<Alea> when you reach adult you either change to a Gen like me or a Sime like Snake

* Zao looks like she is trying to understand but

<Alea> however, you live across the border where there are mainly Gens

<Zao> like my parents

<Alea> exactly

<Alea> and sometimes they don't understand that when you get sick, you should be brought here

<Alea> however, you did the right thing

<Alea> you came here after you changed over to Sime

<Zao> oh.

* Alea looks to snake

* Zao thinks she understands

<wisesnake> Alea is right, Zao. Everybody who is a Sime has to come over here to live.

<wisesnake> Your parents I guess didn't think that you might turn into a Sime, so they didn't make it ready for you to come here when it was time.

<wisesnake> Maybe they thought you would be a Gen just like them.

<Zao> why did my father have to get hurt by the light?

<Alea> the light is what you see in me, Zoe

<Alea> look at me ... see it?

* Zao looks at wisesnake hand

* Zao look less scared than before

* Zao look at Alea

<Alea> it's called Selyn

<Zao> Yes

* Zao surprised

<Alea> something very special that people like you, like Simes, need

<Zao> the light is in you!

<Alea> and the light was in your daddy too

<wisesnake> Yes, it was.

<wisesnake> And your daddy saw you were sick, and he gave you the light to make you better.

<wisesnake> Didn't you feel good when he gave you his light?

* Zao not sure if it is okay to say

<Zao> yes,

<wisesnake> Now that you are a Sime, you will need selyn to live, just like food.

<wisesnake> All the Simes come here, because this is where we have more selyn to give away to everybody.

<wisesnake> And all the Gen can give us theirs so we can keep it for the Simes.

<Zao> Are you going to take me home to my house?

* Zao shy not sure if she wants it or not

* Zao is only about 11 years old

* wisesnake glances at Alea

<wisesnake> Uh, no, Zao, you're going to live here now.

* Zao look scared again

<wisesnake> All the Simes live here, all the Simes just like me and you.

<Alea> remember, we said Simes live here?

<Zao> But my mom will,

* Zao try to think of what her mom and father are thinking right now

* Zao not sure if they are worried or angry

* Zao not sure if father is okay

* wisesnake looks sad

<wisesnake> I'm sorry, but sometimes when a child changes over into a Sime on the Gen side of the border, it just doesn't work out very well.

<wisesnake> It would have been better if your parents had brought you here before you got sick, and stayed with you until you were done changing over into a Sime.

<wisesnake> But it didn't happen that way.

* wisesnake looks helpless

<wisesnake> I can find you some new 'parents' to stay with on this side of the border, if that will help at all. You are considered an adult now.

<Alea> Have you eaten?

* Zao looks pale

* Alea thinking to change subject

* Zao looks very young

<Zao> I've been walking all night.

<Zao> I just didn't know where to go, I kept

<Zao> walking and walking.

<Alea> then why don't we find you a room to rest

<Zao> Maybe I knew why I couldn't go back home.

* Zao look sad

<Alea> and then when you wake up, we can fix you something nice and hot to eat

* wisesnake squeezes Zao's hand

<wisesnake> I think that sounds like a great idea.

* wisesnake makes optomistic nager, trying to bolster Zao's spirits

* wisesnake helps Zao up

<Zao> I have to stay here now?

<wisesnake> Just until you feel better. Then you can go wherever you want in the world.

* Zao look tired

* wisesnake leads Zao gently to a spare room and puts her to bed

<Alea> is she asleep?

* Alea looks to Snake

<wisesnake> Yes.

* Alea nods

<Alea> poor thing

<Alea> she's junct?

<wisesnake> Yes. [grimly]

* Alea shakes head sadly

<Alea> I had a feeling she was

<wisesnake> How could parents --

<Alea> I've seen that look in others eyes before

<Alea> I know.

* wisesnake breaks off, unwilling to finish the sentence

<Alea> She didn't know anything

<wisesnake> And she has a brother.

<wisesnake> And did you see those clothes? Who knows what position her parents hold.

<Alea> I know

<wisesnake> I wonder when they were going to tell her.

<Alea> When Veraik wakes up we're going to have to talk to him about having more classes Out Territory

* Alea laughs

<Alea> probably never

<Alea> you know, the denial thing...it could never happen to my child

* wisesnake looks at Alea curiously

<Alea> what?

<wisesnake> Thinking about having a child?

* Alea avoids Snake's eyes

<Alea> well

<Alea> I'm hungry

* Alea projects STRONG hunger

<Alea> so let's go eat

* wisesnake grimaces

<wisesnake> Do I have any choice?

* wisesnake follows Alea

* Alea grins cheekily

<Alea> not with me, hon

* wisesnake thinks of Simone and shivers

* Alea dishes up two huge bowls of cereal

<Alea> I am STARVING

* Alea hands one to Snake

* wisesnake pigs down her bowl and then sits back, aghast

* Alea remembers last night and grins

* Alea sees how snake ate and gets her another bowl

<wisesnake> You are positively fiendish.

<Alea> this time, let me eat some too

* wisesnake shields herself against Alea's hunger... and other feelings

* Alea eats the cereal in front of her, savoring the flavor

<Alea> that was good

<Alea> so, what do you have planned for today?

<wisesnake> Well they're installing the new sprinkler system.

* Alea frowns

* Alea reaches into her pocket and pulls out a sheet of paper

<Alea> by the way, I think we should talk about this

* wisesnake looks at paper

<wisesnake> What?

* Alea tosses letter down on table between them

<Alea> This is what hurt Veraik last night

* wisesnake looks at letter

<Alea> Note that it is in my handwriting

* wisesnake picks up letter and reads it

<wisesnake> Yes.

<Alea> but I didn't write it

* wisesnake drops it back in middle of table

<Alea> and I only know of one person who could forge something that good

<Alea> why snake?

* wisesnake shrugs

<wisesnake> It seemed like a good idea at the time.

* Alea sighs

* Alea she'd like to tell Snake just what problems it really caused

<Alea> It really hurt Veraik, and almost messed up our transfer...well, it did mess up his

<wisesnake> How was I supposed to know that Veraik would take weeks to read the thing?

<wisesnake> Or that you would dump him and hop on Tarsh within days after your store room fling?

<Alea> I didn't tell him who I suspected of writing it and I won't...

<Alea> you didn't

<Alea> and I appreciate the humor

* Alea field drops flat

* wisesnake shrugs again

* Alea very very painful since it wasn't exactly planned but she doesn't say so

<Alea> as I was saying

<Alea> I'm all for pranks and jokes, but twice people have gotten hurt now

<Alea> so, I think we need to be a bit more careful

* wisesnake looks at Alea oddly

<Alea> just a suggestion

<wisesnake> What makes you think I did it as a prank?

* Alea studies Snake

<Alea> why did you do it then?

<wisesnake> For Veraik. To make sure he really pursued you instead of assuming it was a one night fling like he always has before.

* Alea guilt floods Alea

<Alea> I see

<wisesnake> Veraik needs a mate. You've seen how he walks around here, unfulfilled.

<wisesnake> He'll never get anywhere in the Tecton until he has someone at home to treat him right.

<wisesnake> When I saw how you cared for him... well, when I thought I'd seen that... I figured it wouldn't hurt to give him a nudge.

<wisesnake> I didn't think you'd mind under the... what I thought were the circumstances.

* wisesnake shrugs

* Alea hates this situtaion

<Alea> fine

<wisesnake> And as for jokes, I rarely play them.

<Alea> but I would appreciate it, dear, if you let me do this on my own

* wisesnake shrugs again

* Alea is not surprised by this comments and sorely regrets bring this up

<Alea> I know you care a lot for Veraik....

<Alea> I imagine he's the only reason you stay around here

* Alea shakes head

<wisesnake> It is true, if it weren't for him, I wouldn't be here.

<Alea> he'll be fine

<wisesnake> In more than one sense.

<Alea> don't you worry. Veraik is a good man

<Alea> he'll find someone

<Alea> what do you mean?

* wisesnake 's eyes show haunted for a moment, as if she is not so sure

* Alea is glad to change the subject

<wisesnake> I hope you are right

<wisesnake> What?

* Alea goes and gets them some more tea and seats herself

<Alea> you said in more than one sense

<wisesnake> Oh.

* wisesnake kicks herself

<Alea> I am assuming that Veraik must have saved your life or something

<wisesnake> Sort of.

<Alea> yes?

* Alea waits

<wisesnake> We didn't meet here at this Sime Center. We had known each other from before.

* Alea nods

* wisesnake tries to pick the right words

<wisesnake> When I was a child, I was living here. In Bender Cove. It was no secret who my father was.

<wisesnake> A Farris channel, from Zeor.

* Alea doesn't comment

<Alea> yes?

<wisesnake> And one day I got sick of living in the dirt and fighting every day for some kind of dignity, and I decided to seek my father out and make him take me up.

* Alea takes a sip of her tea

<wisesnake> And the only place I knew where there were channels was the Sime Center uptown. Where Veraik worked for many years.

<Alea> well,

* Alea grins

<Alea> not...MANY years

<Alea> he's not THAT old

<wisesnake> Veraik is the one who talked to me when I went in there and told them my story.

* wisesnake shrugs

* Alea smiles softly

<wisesnake> I'm 14. This was back when I was 12. He seems old enough to me.

<Alea> veraik would want to help someone like you

<wisesnake> Now you have to understand, about Veraik.

* Alea chuckles and shakes her head

<wisesnake> he doesn't just give up on something because it seems like there is nothing that could possibly support it.

<wisesnake> And he doesn't back down from the impossible, even if it might take years to succeed.

<wisesnake> he was working on this Sime Center even then.

* Alea sits her cup down and leans forward, interested

<wisesnake> Veraik had the vision to know that I might be the key to getting the Center built.

* Alea thinks--yep, farris-- arrogant for a 14 year old

<wisesnake> He took me to Zeor, and made them talk to me. He never left my side for the two weeks it took to get them to look at me.

* wisesnake shrugs

<Alea> he would do that

* Alea confirms

<wisesnake> If it hadn't been for Veraik, I doubt I could have done it at all. What were the chances of a 12 year old kid from Bender Cove ever coming face to face with a Farris channel?

<Alea> slim

* wisesnake grimaces, thinking, besides my mother

<wisesnake> Well.

<Alea> so what brought you here?

<wisesnake> As you know I was at Zeor for some time. A little more than two years, in fact.

<wisesnake> And then I was thrown out.

<wisesnake> I came back here because I didn't have anywhere else to go.

* Alea nods carefully

<Alea> and came to Veraik?

<wisesnake> Not at first.

<wisesnake> The Center wasn't here yet at the time.

<Alea> oh

<wisesnake> I went to live with my brother's family while I tried to carve a niche for myself in the adult world.

* Alea wonders if Snake really has a brother

<wisesnake> I lasted oh, six, seven weeks before I realized I'd never survive. Between entran and the fear of killing someone my next transfer, I was forced to go to a shelter, a Tecton medical shelter.

<Alea> you did the right thing

<wisesnake> And the next day, Veraik was there. He knew when I left Zeor, and had been following sightings of me.

<Alea> as a Farris, it would have been fatal

* Alea surprised at this

<Alea> I guess Veraik really cares then, doesn't he?

<wisesnake> Veraik had... I was a sort of pet project of his, in the same way the Center had been.

<wisesnake> And so in a way it was natural, almost inevitable, that I would come to be here.

<wisesnake> Veraik got his Center, and I got a chance with the Tecton.

* wisesnake eyes Alea

<Alea> and veraik can certainly use your help

<wisesnake> That is what I meant when I said "in more than one sense".

<Alea> I see that

* Alea thinks again of the difference between what she'd first thought and now thinks

<Alea> well, I need to go collect some letters I left lying around

<wisesnake> Oh.

* Alea avoids Snake's eyes

* wisesnake considers

<Alea> so, I'll let you go do whatever it is you have to do

<wisesnake> Sure.

* Alea stands and goes back out to the Center

* wisesnake wonders at Alea leaving so suddenly after she spilled her guts

<wisesnake> huh.

* Alea goes down the hall and slips into Tarsh's room, searching through his drawers

* Alea finds the letter and retrieves it

* Alea then goes to locker room

* Alea just as she suspected...the undies and letter are gone

* Alea hurries out to files and goes through them, finding three more letters, before getting one out of his desk

* Alea goes to her room...tears up the letters and then tosses them in the trash

* Alea suddenly her eyes widen...the water in the conference room!

* Alea hurries down the hall to see smoke hanging in the air

<Alea> Oh dear!

<Alea> Not again!

<Alea> one of these days I'm going to really mess up something

* Alea takes a deep breath and goes running in

* Alea sees that the water has boiled out, the pan turned red and caught a dish towel on fire

* Alea runs to sink and tries to get some water

* Alea coughs, losing her breath

* Alea coughs, splashing water at the fire

* Alea water won't reach the fire

<Alea> shoot!

* Alea grabs at the towel

<Alea> YEOW!

* Alea jerks and hits at it until she gets it in the sink

* Alea turns out fire, then sticks her injured hand under the water

* Alea choking gasping, inhaling the smoke

* Alea smoke damage runs up the wall from what she can see through the cloud

<Alea> shen shen shen

* Alea cradles hand and hurries across the room to the windows

* Alea tries to open them one handed, but can't, so she grabs a wrench from the tools for the soon to be sprinkler system and breaks it out

* Alea to make sure it airs out good, she goes ahead and breaks out two more windows

* Alea goes over and leans against the table breathing hard

<Alea> I wonder if anyone will notice

* Alea tries to take a deep breath but coughs

* Alea decides she might ought to get out fo the room before she passes out from the smoke

* Alea staggers to the hall way, closing the door behind her and sinks down to the floor figuring sooner or later some Sime will zlin her

* Alea leans her head back, trying to breathe in through painful lungs

<Alea> maybe I can say that the sprinkler system was being installed and there were just a few...accidents

<Alea> of course, that wouldn't explain the burned hand

<Alea> maybe I could say they were TESTING the system...

<Alea> and it didn't work

<Alea> and i went in there to help

* Alea smiles

* Alea tries to push herself up...goes into Snake's room and finds her drugs

* Alea opens the bottle and swigs a few

<Alea> they always work for snake...maybe they'll stop this pain

* Alea staggers back out, thinking to go to a treatment room

* Alea instead stops and sinks back down to the floor in a spasm of coughing

* Alea begins feeling funny

* Alea hand still hurts...but it doesn't seem to matter

* wisesnake decides to do a good deed and clean up the mess in the garden

* Alea staggers up and heads down the hall

* wisesnake exits the cafeteria through the french doors and goes out into the garden's courtyard

* Alea hears a splash and looks around...sees a water tank that has been knocked over

<Alea> how'd that happen?

* Alea sees the water and carefully steps through it

* Alea staggering despite her best effort

<Alea> wow

<Alea> when did they paint the walls so many pretty colors

<Alea> and how do they make them swirl like that

* wisesnake surveys the mess Alea made when she threw all of Snake's papers out the window

* Alea goes into the lobby and sees no one is still around

* wisesnake doesn't realize she didn't throw them out herself

<wisesnake> What was I thinking?

* Alea begins to giggle

* Alea starts dancing to imaginary music

* Alea climbs up on desk

* Alea teeters, throws hands out and begins to dance, kicking off objects in the way

* wisesnake begins to pick up trash... formerly useful stationary and valuable letters now sadly rained on

* Alea teeters left, then right, then goes flying backward!...right into the filing cabinet which flips over

* Alea feels a bit of generalized pain

* Alea starts to stand, but feeling really REALLY funny, changes her mind

* wisesnake squishes into an oversaturated flower bed to retrieve papers glued by rainfall to the Center's wall

* Alea lays down next tot he filing cabinet and goes to sleep

* wisesnake is now rather wet, and has leaves stuck to her

* wisesnake climbs into a tree to retrieve some papers stuck in the upper branches

* wisesnake jumps down, slips on the mud, performs an amazing feat of Sime grace and avoids falling headlong into the muck

* wisesnake is breathing hard

<wisesnake> I never thought cleaning could be so strenuous. No wonder I never do it.

* wisesnake pauses and studies the sodden papers in her hand.

<wisesnake> Wait a minute...

* Alea begins to snore

* wisesnake starts going through the pile she has collected, first slowly, then hurriedly, searching the blurry washed out writings on them

* wisesnake jumps up and begins rushing frantically around the garden, snatching papers stuck here and there, and seeing if the have writing on them

* wisesnake crashes through a rose bush and rips her clothes in several places, only saving her laterals because she was snatching at a paper stuck high on the wall

<wisesnake> It's not here!

<wisesnake> Shen

<wisesnake> It has to be here somewhere.

* wisesnake stops

* wisesnake takes a deep breath

<wisesnake> Now, let's not get out of control here.

<wisesnake> I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable explanation.

<wisesnake> Just sit down,

* wisesnake pauses, then sits down suddenly in the mud

<wisesnake> and think:

<wisesnake> Where did you put the contracts for the Pier 8 project?

* wisesnake thinks carefully

<wisesnake> "I put them on my desk."

<wisesnake> "No. I put them on the floor. In the corner right next to the desk."

<wisesnake> Very good.

* wisesnake praises herself

<wisesnake> We're making real progress here.

<wisesnake> Now, go up stairs and see if it's still there.

<wisesnake> "But it isn't there, that corner is all cleaned up now."

<wisesnake> "Go look anyway. You want to be sure, don't you?"

<wisesnake> Yes. I want to be sure.

* wisesnake smiles kindly to herself and gets up, covered with mud and leaves

* wisesnake goes into the cafeteria, drawing stares from the staff, and squelches down the hall and up to her room

* wisesnake searches high and low, fails to find the contracts

* wisesnake does succeed in smearing mud over everything in the room, including the walls and bed, and sticking many small leaves and twigs to it

* wisesnake notices she is a mess and throws a bunch of stuff out of the shower so she can wash up

* wisesnake takes a shower

<wisesnake> I guess I don't have much of a tan after all.

* wisesnake gets dressed in different clothes and sits down to ponder the very serious question of what happened to those contracts

* wisesnake goes downstairs to her new office and opens the windows there

* wisesnake climbs out one, goes to the piles of sadly soaked and muddied papers and starts carrying loads of them to the office window and heaving them in

* wisesnake zlins the whole garden very carefully and finally discovers an additional wad of papers underneath Veraik's trin bushes

* wisesnake emerges from the bushes dripping wet and covered head to toe in small thorn cuts, but carrying the famous contracts

<wisesnake> No wonder Merrik was pissed at me, I completely spaced securing him his contract.

* wisesnake rubs her jaw in memory

* wisesnake climbs in the window of her office and clambers dripping into her chair

* wisesnake carefully peels the pages of the contract apart and lays them flat on the desk, wallpapering it

<wisesnake> These ought to dry in a few hours or so.

* wisesnake goes to the pile of nasty papers and pulls a few out

<wisesnake> you know, what I really should have in here is like, some clotheslines and then I could clip all these papers to it and they would dry off.

<wisesnake> yeah

* wisesnake exits the office

* wisesnake searches the store rooms for some kind of string and is amazed to find none

<wisesnake> Where could I find string?

<wisesnake> Oh, I know.

* wisesnake goes from bedroom to bedroom, pillaging people's dental floss

* wisesnake returns to her office and creates a webwork of dental floss crisscrossing the room from every available protruberance

* wisesnake leaves the office and hurries down the hall in search of paper clips

* wisesnake slides on water on the floor, trips over the fallen water cooler, does a double somersault and lands on her feet, slides even further and then stumbles over a dry patch of floor just in front of the conference room

<wisesnake> aeiiiii!!! uh.

* wisesnake pants in disbelief

<wisesnake> Who would....

* wisesnake sniffs

<wisesnake> what's that... ... .?

* wisesnake smells something burnt

* wisesnake throws open the door to the conference room

* wisesnake goes into denial and blocks out the memories of the next few minutes

* wisesnake emerges from the conference room and closes the door behind her

<wisesnake> "No, Veraik, I didn't notice anything unusual this morning. Nothing at all."

* wisesnake studies the fallen water cooler for a few moments

<wisesnake> [she knows there is something she should be worrying about, something she should be desperately worried about, but she can't seem to remember what it is]

* wisesnake remembers that it's something about a disaster that could happen at any minute

<wisesnake> Oh!

* wisesnake bolts down the hallway, yanking open doorways in frantic search for Alea

* wisesnake searches all the treatment rooms

* wisesnake searches all the transfer rooms and offices

* wisesnake rushes out into the lobby and zlins Alea lying beside a toppled filing cabinet

<wisesnake> Alea!

* Alea snort snore

* wisesnake slithers over the mound of fallen reports, file folders, regulations [sadly popped loose from their binders], papers, letters, and orders.

* wisesnake lands at Alea's side and zlins her condition

<wisesnake> Alea! You fool...

* Alea mooooaaaaan

<wisesnake> I mean, everything's going to be all right. Just let Snake take care of you.

* Alea groggily opens eyes and then the pain hits!

* Alea blasting white hot agony

* wisesnake reels

<Alea> YOOOOOOOWMmmmmm...zzzzzzzz....[goes back out]

* wisesnake remains pressed against the wall, panting desperately in reaction

* wisesnake thinks, and she's not even high field!

* wisesnake thinks the better of trying to move Alea

* wisesnake moves cautiously closer to her and tries to stimulate her system to start healing

* wisesnake hears a knock on the front door

* Alea mmmmmmmmm.....mmmmm...not now Tarsssshhh [mumbles]

* wisesnake stares at Alea briefly, looking vaguely horrified, then gets up and hurries to the door to answer it

<wisesnake> Oh, you must be from the Plumber's Union.

* wisesnake blocks the view as best as possible

* Alea grumbles, wiggles around and then drops back off

<wisesnake> You might want to, ah, bring your equipment around through the back. It's much more, ah, private

<wisesnake> I'll be with you in just a few minutes to show you where everything is.

<wisesnake> Great. Be right there.

* wisesnake slams door

<wisesnake> Egads.

* wisesnake goes back to Alea, steels herself against an anticipated outbreak of pain, and gently lifts her up

* wisesnake carries Alea carefully to a treatment room and lays her down on the bed

* wisesnake makes sure Alea is secure and then rushes out the door and down the hall toward the rear

* wisesnake pauses to pick up the water cooler and its bottle

* wisesnake sets them back in place

* wisesnake rushes to the back door and lets the plumbers in

<wisesnake> I'll be right back with you, I promise.

* wisesnake rushes back to the front of the building

* Alea let's out a low moan

* Alea rolls over, scrunches up scooting to the edge of the bed...

* wisesnake rushes into the treatment room and stops Alea from rolling off

<wisesnake> All right. Everything's going to be just fine.

* wisesnake speaks soothingly and guides Alea back to the middle of the bed

* wisesnake examines Alea's hand

* Alea mmmhhhrdrrmmm.

<wisesnake> There, there. Shhh...

* wisesnake works on healing Alea's hand

* Alea mutters and tries to pull away

* wisesnake uses her nager to put Alea to sleep

* Alea collapses, bonelessly to the mattress

* wisesnake does as much as she can to heal Alea's burn and straighten out her confused body chemistry

* wisesnake 's hands pause

* wisesnake 's expression becomes quite surprised, then disapproving 1

* wisesnake stops zlinning and leaves Alea's side, disgruntled

<wisesnake> Well, I guess that's about all that can be done  for her for the time being.

* wisesnake exits the room and closes the door behind her

* wisesnake rushes down the hallway toward the rear of the building

* wisesnake meets the plumbers to discuss the sprinkler system as well as the replacement bathroom fixtures.

* Alea grumbles and rolls over.

* Alea blinks owlishly and opens her eyes

* Alea tries to sit up and grabs her head

<Alea> what in the world are those pills Snake takes

* Alea feels a low throbbing in her hand and looks at it...it's only pink

* Alea looks around and wonders how she got here

<Alea> I hate this room

<Alea> why am I always in this room

* Alea reaches out and releases the bed rail

* Alea gets out of bed and notes she can breathe easier

<Alea> last thing I remember was coming out of Snake's room.....

* Alea shakes head a bit trying to bring everything back in focus

<Alea> Wonder if today was a holiday...[looks around not seeing anyone]

<Alea> or if they all had outside duties

* Alea goes to the door, still feeling the aftereffects of the drugs

<Alea> no wonder she was talking to gnomes

* wisesnake having seen the plumbers have gotten to work carrying the Police Station's pipes into the building, hurries toward the front of the building once again

* wisesnake sees the water on the floor in the hallway and stops

* wisesnake goes into a handy office and retrieves some couch cushions to soak up the water

* wisesnake waits until the water has been all sucked up, then replaces the couch cushions on Veraik's couch

* wisesnake sees the door to the conference room and pauses, wondering why she feels like there was something on her list having to do with that room

* Alea goes to door and steps out

* wisesnake advances curiously toward the conference room door, hand out...

* Alea leans against the wall, her head feeling just a bit detached from her body

<Alea> bad bad day

<Alea> and it's only morning

<Alea> oooh, ugh

* Alea reaches up to touch head and realizes her hair is hanging down around her shoulders

* Alea tries to remember if she put it up this morning

<Alea> why was I in Snake's room

* Alea dream comes back and she blanches

<Alea> no, no...that was a dream

* wisesnake opens the conference room door slowly

* Alea checks head to make sure

<Alea> yeah, just a dream

* wisesnake looks inside, stands there stunned

* Alea pushes away from door, trying to smooth skirt and top

* Alea staggers, forces herself upright and starts down the hall

<Alea> this must be what if feels like to drink a lot of porstan

<Alea> but then why would Snake take these things...ugh

* wisesnake stares at the fire blackened wall, the soot marked walls and ceiling, the sooty smashed out windows (all three of them), glass and burnt bits of cloth and a tea pot and water pan lying amongst the broken glass all over the floor.

* wisesnake thinks this all seems strangely familiar

* Alea stops at the water cooler, wondering why the jug is empty and propped on top

* Alea notices that the floor looks freshly mopped

<Alea> I'm going to have to talk to hajene Farris about giving the janitor a raise. that sure is shining

* Alea goes on down the hall and smells a sickly charcoal smell

* wisesnake stares at a broken out window and wonders what would happen if she opened the window, climbed out, started running, and didn't stop for a week or maybe two.

<Alea> who in the world would be cooking in this part...[.a vague memory tickles her mind]

* Alea remembers something about tea

<Alea> oh no!

* Alea hurries down the hall

* Alea skids into the conference room

* wisesnake picks up the pot and pan and puts them on the burnt stovetop

* Alea sees snake and tries to back out

* wisesnake turns to face Alea

* Alea plasters a smile on her face

<Alea> hi Snake

<Alea> boy, look at this mess

* Alea looks around innocently

* wisesnake 's expression is pale and kind of shocked looking

<wisesnake> Yes.

<wisesnake> Look at this mess.

<Alea> are you okay? you don't look so good

* Alea comes forward

<Alea> as a matter of fact, you look sorta bad

* Alea takes Snake's arm

<Alea> let me help you to a chair

<Alea> did you do this? My my my...you should be more careful

<wisesnake> I?

<wisesnake> Did *I* do this?

* Alea trying to get her to a chair

* wisesnake 's expression becomes slowly, slowly incredulous

<Alea> well, you are in here, aren't you?

<Alea> I've told you you're taking too many of those pills

<Alea> now you're forgetting things

<wisesnake> I'm sure I'd remember if I'd taken it upon myself to learn how to make tea.

* Alea tsks

* wisesnake feels a major head ache waiting in the wings

<Alea> well, let me help you clean all of this glass up

<wisesnake> Alea,

* Alea turns

<Alea> yes?

<wisesnake> Alea, I followed your trail all the way across the Sime Center. You are a menace!

<Alea> What!

* Alea looks ourtraged

<wisesnake> You are completely irresponsible.

<Alea> irresponsible?!

<Alea> now wait a minute....

<wisesnake> I'm going to recommend that you are removed from duty for rehabilitation.

* Alea shocked, hurt, bewilderment

<Alea> why!

<Alea> You can't do that

<wisesnake> Alea, you were unconscious on the floor of the public lobby, with half the files in the cabinet on top of you!

<wisesnake> With a burned hand.

<Alea> no I wasn't

* Alea sure Snake is lying this time

* Alea glances at her hand

<Alea> well, yes

<Alea> but I don't want to go on rehabilitation

<Alea> do you know what a Donor ...

* Alea shudders

* Alea unable to voice her thoughts

<wisesnake> Nobody wants to go to rehabilitation, but Alea, you're completely, and utterly, dangerous!

* Alea 's field drops flat and she turns to leave

<Alea> that's not up to you

* Alea wants to go check the lobby

<Alea> if' you'll excuse me...and leave this mess...I'll clean it up later

* Alea goes to door and opesn it

* Alea goes down the hall

* wisesnake narrows her eyes, says to herself, "I can be heard when I want to be."

* Alea cannot believe that Snake would turn so vicious on her for no reason

* Alea head starts pounding and stomach turns from medicine

* Alea rubs at her head

* wisesnake considers cleaning up glass herself, decides it's too dangerous

* Alea goes into the lobby and stops dead at the sight

<Alea> Tarsh is going to kill someone!

* Alea goes over and surveys the mess

<Alea> files all over...the filing cabinet is turned over

<Alea> it had to be that medicine of Snake's

* Alea fearful now of what did happen

<Alea> I've got to get this clean up before anyone sees it

* Alea goes over and grabs in of filing cabinet and slowly hefts it back up into place

* wisesnake leaves the conference room and closes the door quietly

<Alea> have mercy but that thing is heavy

* Alea panting

* Alea reaches for the next one and pushes and heaves until it is upright too

* Alea then pushes and prods until it is back in line with the other one

* wisesnake goes down in the basement and checks on the plumbers who are working on the high-pressure pump for the sprinkler system

* Alea then gathers up all of the folders and files

* Alea -- methodically, one by one, she starts placing them in alphabetical order in the cabinet, in sections by subject

* Alea tries really really hard to remember exactly how they go, frustrated and angry and tearful that she has really screwed up this time

* Alea one by one she replaces each file, checking and double check and triple checking to make sure it's in the right place

* Alea then picks up and straightens desk until everything is where it should be

* Alea surveys the area, going here and there to pick up and put back...

* wisesnake determines that the plumbers are fine and goes back upstairs

* Alea straightens up lobby

<Alea> well, Tarsh couldn't have done it better himself

* Alea very proud of all the work she has done

* wisesnake goes to her office, sees dental floss, remembers the paper clips

* Alea looks at her artwork and her smile fades...memories of Zeor return....wearily she goes to her office

* wisesnake goes out to the main lobby and is surprised to see everything has been straightened up

* Alea locks her door and goes to her desk, laying her head down on it to rest

* Alea she still feels a bit off kilter from the drugs

* wisesnake pillages the paper clips from Tarsh's desk and returns to her office, closes the door

* wisesnake begins hanging pieces of paper one by one onto the dental floss

* Alea thinks of loss of Veraik and Snake as possible friends, the problems she has caused for others and considers if maybe she should just leave for awhile...

* Alea thinks of some accidents that happened with Tarsh...the injuries from the filing cabinet...and sighs

* Alea thinks of the transfer last night, and of losing trasnfer with Snake....thinks again of Zeor....home...would there be people there she still remembered...would they remember her? Would she still be welcomed...anything was better than rehibiitation...

* Alea sad weight settles into her heart as she contemplates the next few days and what it might mean

* Alea wearily she gets up, goes back into the lobby and gets her sewing

* Febus bangs on the Sime Center door

<Febus> Let me in! Somebody has to help me!

* Alea gets up and goes to see who it is

* Alea opens door

* Febus staggers into the center

* Febus is a lanky renSime in hard need

<Febus> You've got to help me.

<Alea> may I help you?

* Alea reaches out for him

* Alea reaches toward Tarsh's desk and sounds an alarm

<Alea> A channel will be right here

* Alea is a Farris Donor

* Febus reaches out desperately to Alea's hands

<Alea> come this way, with me

* Alea tries to step back

<Alea> shen

<Alea> just a minute...just a minute

<Febus> You have to help me!

* Alea tries to turn to the alarm again

<Alea> we will....

<Alea> just give us a moment, you're going to be fine

* Alea hoping Febus isn't going to go crazy before a channel can get here

* Febus face is contorted by need

* Febus advances on Alea, reaching for her hands again

<Febus> Why won't you help me?

<Alea> you don't want this...

<Febus> Why won't you help me?

<Alea> We will

<Alea> we will

<Alea> just wait a minute more

* Alea tries to project a soothing nager

<Alea> someone is on their way now

<Alea> it won't be much longer

* Febus leaps at Alea under a burst of augmentation

* Alea tries to move out of way

* wisesnake hears the alarm and jumps up, imagining the absolute worst

* Febus attacks Alea for selyn

* wisesnake races toward the lobby

* Alea hesitates a moment before finally allowing the fifth contact point

* Febus tries to kill Alea

* Alea fights it, trying to give something else instead

* wisesnake bursts into the lobby and sees Alea in transfer with a renSime

* Alea no...soothing...want something else

* Alea bliss but not the kill

* Febus takes all the selyn he can use and lets Alea go

* Alea steps back shaken

* wisesnake stops, stunned

* Febus comes to his senses

* Alea trembles and sinks down to the couch, just a touch of burn

* Febus looks scared when he realizes what he's done

<Alea> ok

<Alea> it's okay...

<Alea> you're fine

* Alea looks to Snake for help

<Alea> can you tell me why you came here?

* wisesnake recovers enough to offer a calming nager

<wisesnake> It's all right. You were right to come here for selyn.

<Febus> I, I, well my friend stole my transfer appointment.

* Febus looks embarassed now

* wisesnake laughs despite herself

<wisesnake> Stole your transfer appointment?

<Febus> Well he, he won it.

<wisesnake> WON your transfer assignment.

* Febus tries to look wisesnake in the eye

* Febus jaw quivers

<Febus> In cards.

* Alea stands up, still a little shocked about all that happened

* wisesnake is wearing a growing smile

<wisesnake> Do you mean to tell me,

<wisesnake> that you actually gambled away your transfer slot?

* Febus shamed

<Febus> well, it isn't exactly how it sounds

<Febus> I didn't plan on losing.

<Febus> I don't know what went wrong, I was supposed to win.

* Alea 's shock is turning to anger

<wisesnake> So you mean to say, you bet your transfer slot on a crooked card game, and you lost?

* wisesnake seems to think this is highly amusing

* Febus starts to look a little bit upset too

<Febus> it isn't funny!

* Alea anger is bubbling at the thought that she helped a crooked Sime who gambled away his slot

<wisesnake> I wonder who this person was, who came in on your time slot?

<Alea> I'd say it's not funny...

<Alea> I take it you like to play life and death games?!

<Alea> Do you? [advances on him]DO YOU?!

* Alea turns and heads down hall...simmering

* Alea goes upstairs to private rooms and digs around in drawers...finds what she's looking for

<Febus> Well it wasn't supposed to be life or death!

* Febus stares after Alea

<Febus> What got into her?

* Alea comes back downstairs...missing that comment

* Alea slaps a gun into his hand

<Alea> use this!

<Alea> that way you won't endanger anyone else!

* Febus stares at her agog

* Alea goes stomping to office, slams door

* wisesnake stares at the gun in the renSime's hand in astonishment

<Febus> What in shendoni is that supposed to mean!

* Febus irate

* wisesnake backs away cautiously, trying to project calm

<wisesnake> Uh...

* Febus waves the gun in growing outrage

<Febus> I was the one who was endangered!

* Alea paces her office

<Alea> what an idiot!

* Alea mimics

<Alea> "I gambled it away"

<Alea> GAMBLED IT

* Alea swears

<Alea> shendoni be flayed idiot

<Alea> my field taken down by Veraik , then transfer I was lower than I've been in a long time and then I risk my life to help the idiot instead of SHENNING him

<Febus> And don't you try that fancy field stuff on me, you two timing, overstuffed, pipsqueak of a Farris dropout!

* Alea pacing again

* wisesnake backs off rather hastily as the gun swings in her direction

<wisesnake> Look, er,

* Alea slams her hand on her desk

<Alea> this has been on shenned week and then Snake threatening me earlier

<Alea> I ought to just leave her out there

<Febus> I was running this town when you were wearing diapers!

* Alea remembers with dawning horror what she just handed to the renSIme

<Alea> Oh SHEN

<Febus> I was running this shenshayed town when your MOTHER was wearing diapers!

* Alea goes to the door and listens

* Alea hears yelling

<wisesnake> Look,

<Alea> WHERE is Veraik when I need him

<Alea> Where is ANYONE when I need help

* wisesnake is not used to dealing with madmen

* Alea reaches for the lock and unlocks the door

<wisesnake> Look, I'm sure we can discuss this reasonably...

* Alea carefully opens the door and strolls back out

* Febus accidentally fires the gun into the ceiling

* Alea jumps

<Febus> BANG!!!!!!!!

* Alea forces herself to be calm and continues on 2

* wisesnake dives behind the desk, knocking everything off of it

* Alea walks up to Febus

<Alea> can I have my gun back now that you've made an idiot out of yourself

* Febus is unnerved by the blast and fumbles, the weapon arm and Sime senses numbed by the kick

* Febus 's finger triggers it again by accident

<Febus> BLAMMO!!!!!

* Alea jumps

<Alea> I said to use it on yourself! NOT the Center!

* Alea unnerved

* Alea just a bit wary now at standing here in front of the madman...

* wisesnake curls up in a ball with her arms in her middle, trying to remain forgotten

<Alea> give me the GUN!

* Alea reaches out for it

* Febus shreiks in dismay as he drops the gun and it hits the floor and goes off again

* Alea grumbles and grabs it

<Alea> Idiot Gens...yeah RIGHT...idiot SIMES

<Febus> KABOOM!!!!! [ping!] [pang!][ponk][zzzzzzing!][tank]thud

<Alea> idiot renSIMES

<Alea> SHEN!

* Alea drops the hot gun

<Alea> I burned my flicken shenned hand again

* Alea gun goes off

* Febus goes hyper at Alea's pain

<Alea> oh shen

<Alea> don't EVEN think it

* Alea warning blaring in nager

* Alea backs away

* wisesnake jumps up desperately and grabs the renSime, augmenting

<Alea> shen shen shen this HURTS

<Alea> the same SHENNED hand

* Febus kicks wisesnake firmly between the legs

<wisesnake> hey! I'm a female!

* wisesnake exclaims as she flies through the air holding herself

* Alea goes rushing toward them

* Alea stops and watches Snake go flying by

* Alea alarm rings loudly in her nager

* Febus scrambles for the gun

* Alea fear as Snake smacks into the filing cabinet and tips it over

* Alea sees Febus and runs toward him

<Alea> don't TOUCH it!

* Febus seizes the gun with flailing fingers and tentacles

<wisesnake> AugghhCRASH

* Alea tries to skid to a stop....

<wisesnake> [papers fly in all directions]

<Alea> running into Febus

<Alea> shenned

* Febus twists to avoid Alea's charge and the gun flies through the air, striking the chandelier and going off again.

<Febus> BANG! [freeeow][ting][tong][whack][zing][gong][thwock][thunk]

* Alea manages to grab Febus by the shirt...dragging him down with her

<Alea> you shendoni be flayed IDIOT

* Alea grabs him by the throat

* wisesnake dives behind the desk once again

* Febus grabs Alea and kisses her

* Febus Passionately

* Alea is shocked and starts struggling

<Alea> mmmherrrgmm

* wisesnake jumps over the desk and catches the gun before it can go off for a 6th... 7th..? time

<Febus> Oh baby, you put such excitement into my life!

* Febus starts ripping off his clothes

* Alea starts trying to push them back on

* Febus chest heaves like a stallion's

<Febus> But baby, this may be our only chance!

* wisesnake sags against the door

<Alea> there is no chance!

* Alea horrifed

* Febus is horny as all get out

* wisesnake finally notices what Febus is doing

* Alea can see that

<wisesnake> Hey!

<Febus> Butt out, worm, she's mine!

* Febus gropes Alea expertly

* Alea eyes widen

* Alea screeches

<Alea> Hey!

* wisesnake throws the gun aside and launches herself at Febus to try to drag him off

* Febus leaves off of Alea, trying to get wisesnake's tentacles from around his neck

* Alea jumps up and crawls away

* Alea searches for the gun

* Alea finds the gun under the couch and tries to reach under and retrieve it

<Febus> Get away from me you... gkkk... uggl

* wisesnake tries to grab the doorknob to the front door without letting go the throat lock

* Alea finds the gun and slithers her way back out from under the couch

* Alea turns...points the gun and slips over an object Snake knocked off the desk

* Alea the gun goes flying and goes off again

* Alea drops to the floor covering her head

* Febus manages to flip wisesnake over his head and send him flying across the room

<Febus> oops

<Febus> her

<Alea> Snake!

* Alea looks up to see her crash into the other filing cabinet

<Alea> I JUST got those straightened OUT!

* wisesnake cringes as one of Alea's pictures is shattered by the bullet and the triangles of glass rain down to thud into the floor upright, barely missing Snake on all sides

* Alea dismay

* Alea nager shrieks with fear again

<Alea> Snake!

<wisesnake> Aaaiighh!

* Febus leaps up and dashes for the door

* Alea tries to trip him

<Alea> you shendoni...get back here!

* Febus falls flat on his face

<Febus> poOOF!

<Alea> You have some questions to answer!!!!

* wisesnake jumps up after a frozen moment

* Alea crawls up and chokes him from behind

* wisesnake 's tentacles lash murderously

<Alea> who the shenned are you and why are you really here?!

<Febus> gackklr....ggguuugh

* Alea tires to pound his head on the floor in her rage

<Alea> AN-SWER-MEEE!

* wisesnake jumps on the renSime and tries to drag him away from Alea

* Febus 's tentacles wrap painfully around Alea's fingers and wrench them away

* Alea grabs at the tentacles, trying to hang on

<Alea> stop it!

<Alea> be still!

* wisesnake marches toward the door, dragging Febus and Alea with her

<wisesnake> [and one of Alea's poofy throw rugs]

* wisesnake throws the door open with her other hand

* wisesnake prepares to heave the renSime, and therefore Alea, out the door

* Alea realizing she is losing it, tries to let go of Febus's tentacles

<Alea> you SHOT my art you shendoini idiot

<Alea> I want to know WHY!

* wisesnake heaves them both out the door and slams it

* Alea pain richochetes through alea as they slam into the porch rails

* Alea head spins and her hands go lax on Febus

* wisesnake staggers to a couch and sinks down onto it, panting with reaction

* Alea groans, laying there dazed

<Alea> shen

* wisesnake notices she hasn't heard anything outside for a while

* wisesnake gets up and opens the front door

<wisesnake> Alea!

* wisesnake goes to Alea and zlins her condition

* Alea looks up dazedly at Snake

<Alea> I don't feel so good

<wisesnake> You don't zlin so good. Here, let me carry you inside.

* Alea moans again to make sure Snake understands just how rotten she feels

<Alea> no, I can walk

* Alea tries to struggle up

* Alea shudders

<wisesnake> All right, all right, take it easy.

* Alea shudders again with the memories

* wisesnake helps Alea rise

<Alea> I - I think I'm going to be sick

* Alea loses her breakfast all over Snake and the porch

* wisesnake is unable to dodge because she's holding Alea up

<wisesnake> ~~~disgust~~~

<Alea> oh, shenned, Snake, I'm sooo sorry

* Alea shudders and her teeth start chattering

<wisesnake> [kindly] Now, let's get you inside. Come on, one step, two steps..

* Alea forces her feet to move

<Alea> stupid idiot gen

<Alea> give a manic a a gun

* Alea shaking in reaction

* wisesnake smiles painfully and continues to aid Alea

<Alea> could have shot someone

<Alea> idiot Gen, idiot Gen, idiot Gen

* wisesnake brings Alea to the treatment room and makes her lay down on the bed

* Alea immediately curls into a ball

<Alea> fine

<Alea> I'm fine

* wisesnake projects a simulated need to help Alea's system

<Alea> Tarsh is going to kill us...his files are all messed up again

<Alea> I straightened them up

<Alea> and he shot my art...my picture

<wisesnake> That's right. Tarsh is going to kill us.. now just relax and lie there quietly.

* Alea clamps mouth shut and her systems respond to Snake

<Alea> did the glass cut you?

<Alea> are you okay?

* Alea slowly relaxing

* wisesnake laughs ruefully

<wisesnake> Well, I'll live.

* Alea uncurls from ball and looks at Snake

<Alea> what?

<Alea> let me see

* Alea pushes herself up

<Alea> what happened

* wisesnake is beat up from being thrown against a wall and two filing cabinets

<Alea> oh my....you are black and blue

<Alea> your right eye is swelling shut!

* wisesnake also has a lot of small scratches from thorns and a few large ones from branches

* Alea reaches out and lays her hand against it

* Alea scoots over

<wisesnake> And to think I thought working for the Tecton would be safer.

<Alea> get up here and lay down too

* wisesnake lays down beside Alea

<Alea> you know everyone in the area

<Alea> who was that man

<Alea> I'd press charges but knowing Tormer, it'd do no good

<Alea> He wrecked the place!

<wisesnake> His name is Febus... he's a dice loader from Lower Market. Didn't realize he'd been dabbling in cards.

* wisesnake laughs briefly

<wisesnake> Maybe he hasn't gotten any good at cards yet

* Alea reaches out and touches the different injuries on Snake...her own fear and shock receding as she becomes more aware of Snake's needs

<Alea> obviously not

<wisesnake> I don't think Tormer has any love for Febus' kind

* wisesnake closes her eyes and relaxes as Alea's touch soothes her

* Alea pauses in touching Snake.

<Alea> I don't want to press charges anyway

* Alea then begins to move her hand over Snake again, checking for any more injuries

* wisesnake smiles with her eyes closed, but doesn't say anything

* wisesnake continues to project a sort of need, to aid Alea's system in gradual recovery

* Alea shudders with residual disgust...but continues to check out Snake

* wisesnake edges closer to Alea

* Alea allows it

<wisesnake> Alea, I'm sorry I was so hard on you earlier, but you know, you really should consider taking some time off and, you know, maybe getting back in touch with your ideals and your beliefs and stuff.

<Alea> I don't know

* Alea refuses to look at her

<Alea> Right now I don't want to think about anything

<Alea> I just want to be left alone

<Alea> I am hurting from head to toe

* Alea finally rolls over and forces herself to sit up

* wisesnake creeps off the bed

<Alea> I gotta go straighten up

<wisesnake> No, I'll do it. You should rest.

* Alea slides off the bed shuddering

<wisesnake> Alea, you should go to bed.

<Alea> You know, I think I'm losing my mind..

<Alea> or has it been a bad day for you too?

<Alea> no, no I'm fine

* Alea walks a bit unstable to the door

* wisesnake considers the parts of the day that weren't actually made bad by ALEA'S bad day

<wisesnake> My day hasn't been THAT bad

* wisesnake hastens to support Alea

<Alea> yep, I'm losing it

<wisesnake> I really think you should go to bed,

* Alea goes out the door

<Alea> no

<Alea> I am not leaving the mess in there

* wisesnake tries to steer Alea in the direction of the bedrooms

<Alea> I just got it cleaned up

<wisesnake> I'll clean up the mess. I promise.

<Alea> will you stop it

<Alea> I'm fine

<Alea> no!

<Alea> I will

* Alea pulls warily away from Snake

<Alea> I'm fine

<wisesnake> [pleading]

<wisesnake> Alea, you're acting crazy.

* Alea backs down the hall toward the lobby

<wisesnake> It's not important enough. Come on,

<Alea> no, you're acting crazy

<Alea> Since when have you cared anything about me

<Alea> don't touch me

<wisesnake> I am?

* wisesnake sighs and holds her hands up, away from Alea

* Alea backs down hall to lobby

<wisesnake> fine

<Alea> I'm fine, really

* wisesnake shakes her head

* Alea thinking Snake just wants another excuse to get Veraik to send her away and have a report filed against her

* Alea goes into lobby and surveys mess

* Alea goes to filing cabinet and struggles to lift it upright again..moaning as she does

* wisesnake goes back to her office and discovers that the special contract for Pier 8 has glued itself semi-permanently to the desk top

<wisesnake> Oh no!

<Alea> shenned I think I don't have a single place that isn't sore

<Alea> finally gets it upright

* wisesnake tries in vain to peel the paper up, but realizes it's just going to tear.

<wisesnake> Shen

* Alea goes to next one...and tears start streaming down her face as she pushes it upright

* Alea panting finally gets it back in its proper place

* wisesnake goes to the pile of un-hung papers and hangs them up on the dental floss until everything is hung

* Alea once AGAIN collects all of the files and sits down to sort them

* Alea one by one she files them back in the proper places in the Filing cabinet until they are where they should be

* Alea when the desktop is pristine, the files are perfect and everything in Tarsh's work area is in order, she goes to her picture and hauls it up

* wisesnake returns to the lobby to see how Alea is doing

<Alea> she hauls it out of the way and sweeps up the glass

<Alea> I'm just cleaning up here

* Alea points at glass

* Alea bends down and starts picking up the pieces one by one

* Alea throws it in the trash then goes back to her picture frame

* wisesnake thinks about the close call when it fell and unconsciously draws her arms in closer

* Alea grabs hold and hauls it into her office inch by inch huffing and panting

* Alea gets it inside, closes the door and locks it

* wisesnake shakes her head

* Alea takes out the embroidered cloth, holds it and cries

* wisesnake goes to the cabinet and gets out Alea's file

* wisesnake sits down at Tarsh's desk and studies the contents of Alea's file

* wisesnake frowns upon seeing that there are no accidents listed in Alea's records previous to her arriving at Bender Cove.

<wisesnake> Shen, this is even worse than I thought.

* Alea finishes her crying and sits up

* wisesnake opens Tarsh's desk drawer and gets a pen

* Alea nerves are still a bit shattered from all that has happened in the last twenty four hours

* Alea wonders if she has actually lost it as a Donor

* Alea they sent someone special for Snake

* Alea then after Veraik...well,

* Alea thinks of all the things and wonders if maybe all of her traveling has really affected her that bad...

* wisesnake writes a brief description of her concerns about Alea's recent staggering record, and attaches the note to Alea's file

* Alea realizes she cares for these people here...and that was her mistake...she shouldn't have cared

* wisesnake goes to Veraik's office; locked

* Alea thinks longingly of Zeor

* Alea finally wipes her face, stands up and unlocks her door

* Alea goes out the door

* wisesnake bends down to slide the folder under the door to Veraik's office

* Alea sees Snake

<Alea> what are you doing?

* Alea curiously

* wisesnake stands up with folder in hand

* wisesnake baffled

* Alea sees her folder in Snake's hand

<wisesnake> What do you mean, what am I doing?

* Alea goes over and takes the folder from Snake

<Alea> what are you doing with my folder

* Alea suspicous

* wisesnake shrugs

<wisesnake> I told you what I was going to do.

<wisesnake> Nothing you have done since then has changed my concerns.

* Alea snatches it open and starts reading

* Alea pain stabs at her...her field goes flat

<Alea> if this is what you feel must be done

* Alea shoves the folder back at Snake and turns away

* Alea geos to storage room

<wisesnake> Alea,

<wisesnake> shen it

* Alea goes into the room without responding

* wisesnake hurries after Alea

<wisesnake> Come on, Alea.

* Alea finds another frame, nails and a hammer and starts lugging it out

<Alea> excuse me, hajene

<wisesnake> The problems aren't going to be fixed by refusing to talk about them.

* wisesnake jumps out of the way

* Alea moves around Snake toward desk

<wisesnake> You're not being rational here.

<wisesnake> Alea,

* wisesnake follows Alea

<Alea> I'm being perfetly rational

* Alea pushes frame up onto desk

* Alea takes hammer and starts prying the back off

* Alea hammer slips and she skins her knuckles

<Alea> SHEN IT!

* wisesnake wonders what sadist decided to unload their old picture frames in the Sime Center storage rooms

<wisesnake> Alea, please.

<Alea> look, Snake, everyone has bad days

* Alea refuses to look at Snake

<wisesnake> This goes beyond bad, and it's been more than days.

* Alea pries back off and puts art in the frame

* wisesnake starts to look upset

* Alea puts back back on and drags it back over to wall

<wisesnake> Alea, do you think I'd waste my time if I didn't think it was serious?

<Alea> look, Snake...you haven't liked me since day one. You've been waiting for a way to get rid of me.

<Alea> I don't fit your idea of what a Donor should be

<wisesnake> What!

<Alea> and you're right

<Alea> But I'm sorry

<wisesnake> that's crazy.

<wisesnake> You're talking crazy talk.

* Alea starts pushing the frame up the wall, trying to catch it on the nails

<Alea> no, I'm not

<Alea> You don't like me.

<Alea> I messed up with Veraik which is a strike against me

<Alea> I can't satisfy you like Simone

<Alea> which is another strike

<Alea> I tend to drift when we work together

* wisesnake flinches at the mention of Simone

<Alea> which is fine for all the second classes I've had to work with...

<wisesnake> Alea, you don't want to be a Second Order Donor.

<wisesnake> You can't want that.

<Alea> two years it's been since I've worked with a First class [mutters as she shifts picture

around trying to catch it]

<Alea> of course I don't

<Alea> Shen...do you THINK I like it

<Alea> But you try getting an assignment

<Alea> I had you, they pulled me

<Alea> it's ALWAYS like that

* Alea drops her head to the wall to rest for a minute

* wisesnake still looks upset

<wisesnake> Alea, you dreaded having transfer with me again.

<Alea> it doesn't matter

<Alea> I'm thinking of taking some time off

<Alea> going somewhere

<Alea> maybe for a few weeks

* wisesnake watches Alea

* Alea pushes at the frame again moving against the wall, trying to catch the string, finally suceeding

* Alea steps back and surveys it, moving it to straighten it

<Alea> I'm going to talk with Veraik next time I see him

<Alea> I don't need this place, these lunatics always coming in....

* Alea nager reflects pain and betrayal

* wisesnake is confused by Alea's emotions

* Alea wipes her hands on her skirt and smiles

<Alea> there. It's all fixed

* wisesnake is confused by the smile

* Alea sees some glass she missed and bends down to pick it up

* Alea determinedly she continues to smile though she is obviously in pain

<Alea> you know, my art is the one thing I've had in all the time I've moved around

* Alea lifts her chin and looks at the door

<Alea> I know it's not very good, but I appreciate the Center allowing me to hang it up here

<Alea> now, I have work to do...you ought to rest...you've had a hard day

<Alea> put something on those scratches

* Alea heads back to her office

* wisesnake looks down

* Alea in her office, Alea pulls out a piece of paper

<Alea> [writes] From one who has seen and will see....

* Alea her hands pauses....then she crumbles the paper and tosses it in the wastebasket

* wisesnake walks quickly back to Veraik's office and slips the folder under the door

* Alea stands wearily and hobbles to the door, to unlock it

* Alea walks out and pauses, seeing Veraik in the lobby

<Alea> Veriak!

* Alea tries to stand upright and groans

<Veraik> Hello Alea.

* Alea pushes at the mess of hair around her face

* wisesnake stands up from having just pushed something under Veraik's door

<Alea> I'm glad you're here

* Veraik augments to Alea and catches her.

* Alea looks at Snake's black eye...

<Alea> thank you veraik

<Alea> I am just a bit...sore

<Veraik> Well it looks like I got here just in time.

* Alea groans

* Alea smiles at him

<Alea> well, we could have used you a bit earlier

* wisesnake is head to toe in bruises and also covered with dozens of small scratches

<Veraik> What happened?

<Alea> if you zlin me, you'll see some shendoni renSIme almost stripped the last of my selyn from me

* wisesnake groans "What DIDN'T happen?"

<Alea> I'm so low field now I couldn't tempt anyone

* Alea gladly leans against Veraik

<wisesnake> You forgot to mention when you handed him the gun and he started shooting.

* Veraik zlins Snake and adjust ambient to Gen in need of a transfer.

<Alea> well, who left me out there to get shot at

* wisesnake points upward, to where the lobby ceiling has several bullet holes in it

<Alea> and he shot my ART

<wisesnake> What are you talking about? I came as soon as I heard the alarm.

<Alea> AFTER he had attacked me in killmode

* Veraik groans.....I can't leave you two alone for a minute.

<Alea> okay, okay

<Alea> hajene, may I make a formal report?

<wisesnake> Me?? I'm not the one who set the conference room on fire and then -

<Veraik> yes...please do.

* Alea looks guility up at Veraik

<Alea> can we sit down I'm so sore from lifting those filing cabinites over and over and over

* Veraik leads Alea to chair in lobby.

<Alea> well, it started this morning

* wisesnake leans on the doorway from the hall and listens

<Alea> I got up after a good night sleep and thought to do some sewing

* wisesnake snorts at "good night sleep"

<Alea> but Zao, she's asleep in the room back...well, she is a junct renSime who just killed her father

* Alea shoots a look at Snake

<wisesnake> It was about 2:30 AM

<Alea> anyway

<Veraik> At My CENTER!!!!

<Alea> well, we took her into the conference room..no she killed her father and then came here

<Alea> anyway we worked with her, talked with her, gave her tea

<wisesnake> The conference room had not yet been destroyed at that point, by the way

<Alea> only I forgot to turn the fire out from under the pot and we had a small little teeny winy fire

<Alea> I had to break out three windows and I burned my hand, but I got it stopped

<Veraik> groan

<Alea> and well...the burn hurt and I couldn't find anyone, so I borrowed some of Snake's medicines she has hidden

<Alea> and I don't remember much after that

* Veraik looks to Snake as if to say....and you let her play with fire again.

* wisesnake raises her eyebrows as if to say This is what you give me to work with!!

<Alea> except, taking my hair down, dancing on Tarsh's desk and well, I think I knocked all the filing cabinets over

<Alea> oh and the water cooler in the hall...that must have been me too

<Alea> when I woke up, I was in a treatment room

* wisesnake smiles grimly

<Alea> I went out and clean up the mess...sitting those filing cabinets up...[groans and rubs back]

<Alea> and this nut ran it...a friend of Snake's

<wisesnake> What!

<Alea> he was in hard need

<Alea> and he attacked me

<Alea> killmode

<wisesnake> I know who he was, that doesn't make him my friend.

<Alea> well, you took my field down and I gave you transfer ....

<Alea> well I didn't know that.

<Alea> you said you knew him

<Alea> ANYWAY

<Alea> then he tried to well....

<Alea> well actually before he tried to you know....He said he had gambled away his kill

<Alea> I got a bit angry

<Alea> and well, I ....I...

* Alea looks down innocently and twiddles her fingers

<wisesnake> So she went and got her gun and handed it to him and said if you want to gamble with life or death, here's how it's really done, or some such

<Veraik> Just tell me......

<Veraik> WHAT!!!!!

<wisesnake> Then she bailed and left me standing here with this lunatic waving a gun.

<Alea> I told him not to involve US

<Alea> and then I gave him the gun

<Alea> How was I to know that'd make him mad

<Alea> and he'd shoot up the place...sorta

<Veraik> But Alea....he was a renSime!

<wisesnake> that's when I jumped behind the desk.

<Alea> or that it'd make him horny and he'd....[drops eyes]

<Alea> yes, he was

<Alea> and he nearly stripped me in my attempt to save him

<wisesnake> He *was* rather post.

<Alea> all because he gambled it away

<Veraik> Whaaat!

<Alea> don't woory, Snake pulled him off, just before she went flying and knocked over the filing cabinets again

<Alea> after she had jumped behind the desk hiding from all the gunfire

<Veraik> [tentacle covering eye in dismay] So now what?

<wisesnake> I threw him and Alea out.

<Alea> and almost broke my back...zlin the bruises

<Alea> you know, I don't mind looking at that bruise on your eye, Snake, now that I think about it

* Veraik zlins the bruises.

<Alea> you desever it for throwing me out with that guy

<wisesnake> You wouldn't let go of him!

<Alea> I was CHOKING him

<Alea> so, I came back in....

<wisesnake> You were grabbing for his tentacles!

<Alea> and set up the FILING cabinets again

<Alea> and refiled everything.

<Alea> well...

<wisesnake> After I healed you, AGAIN

<Alea> but I'm still sore

* Alea leans against Veraik

<Alea> oh yeah, and I burned my hand on that gun too

<Alea> you didn't heal THAT

<Alea> and did I mention, he shot my art picture

<Alea> but I fixed it...have a new frame and everything

* Veraik takes Alea and zlins but remains totally neutral towards her.

<Alea> it has been a day

<Alea> does that cover everything Snake

<wisesnake> Ummm...

<Alea> yeah, that's it

<Alea> so, I'm glad you're back

<Alea> the plumbers are downstairs putting in he sprinkling system

<Alea> we should have it up and running....

* Alea looks at Snake for an answer

* Veraik makes sure Alea is fine then moves to Snake to zlin and adjust nager to strengthen projection of Gen.

* wisesnake shrugs

<wisesnake> They can do the high pressure test sometime tomorrow.

* Alea smiles her thanks at Veraik and leans back against the couch

<wisesnake> If it passes that, the sprinkler system should be operational by day after tomorrow.

* wisesnake thinks it would sure be a shame if there were a fire down at the police station tonight

<Veraik> Well at least something is being done.

* Alea stiffens

<Alea> excuse me, hajene

<Alea> but we have treated a junct renSime today and been attacked in killmode

<Alea> I would say something has been done

<Alea> and cleaned this lobby TWICE COMPLETELY

<Alea> yes, we have been busy

<wisesnake> And I picked up the mess out in the garden.

<Alea> you did?

* Alea looks surprised

<wisesnake> Yeah, well, you know, I try to clean up the messes I make if it affects others.

<wisesnake> I still don't know what I was thinking when I did that.

<wisesnake> I don't even remember it!

<Alea> exactly why I picked up all the glass

<Alea> and fixed the picture frame...oh, I did leave a couple of those nails out...but the

hammer got put back up

* wisesnake has a sudden thought

* wisesnake stares at Alea suspiciously

<Veraik> Let me take you to a treatment room Snake. I would to zlin you better and make sure you heal properly.

<Alea> what?

* Alea tries to stand and groans

<Alea> I am sooo sore

* Veraik glances at Alea. Yes, you are right but I see you handled the junct with your usual grace and survived.

<Alea> I guess getting tossed around does that to one

<Alea> I shoulda shenned the lorsh

<wisesnake> uh, no, I think serving him was the right thing.

* Alea mutters and hobbles back to office

* wisesnake looks after her

* Veraik calls to Alea. Take a warm bath for your sores.

<wisesnake> You know I wouldn't be surprised if it was her who -

<Veraik> Come one Snake. Let's see to you.

* Alea pauses at files, pulls out what she needs---she now knows where they ALL are---and goes on into her office

* wisesnake follows Veraik

* Veraik goes to Treatment Room 3.

* wisesnake follows

<Veraik> Snake? [indicates table for her to lay down upon]

* wisesnake hesitates, then lays down on the table

* Veraik zlins and takes tentacles....looking at each and all the bruises.

<Veraik> I want to make 5th contact now.

* wisesnake looks at Veraik oddly but does not resist

* Veraik initiates 5th and zlins bruises on back, sides, and one on the side of the head plus all the cuts.

* Veraik projects a very high field Gen with a vicious need to give.

* wisesnake 's system responds

* Veraik directs attention to the bruise on the back.

* wisesnake relaxes under his soothing attention

<Veraik> Then Veraik touches each cut as if a piece of the attention is only for the closing and healing of that spot.

<Veraik> After each cut, Veraik gently massages all the bruised spots as he directs his projected field to each.

* Alea finishes notes she has to make on file

* Alea groans as she stands...rubs her back, pushes back her hair, wondering where all her pins went

* Alea goes out and putst he file back in its place

<Alea> hey, this is pretty easy when you know where they go

* Alea then remembering WHY she knew where they went, she groans again

* Alea studies the filing cabinet

<Veraik> Finally, Veraik removes tentacles and still projecting field, waits for Snake to move.

* wisesnake seems to have fallen asleep

* Alea looks at the desk and pulls up her skirt a bit...trying to remmber the exact steps she did

* Alea lifts a foot...shakes her head...impossible...

<Alea> I did NOT get up on that desk and dance...it had to be a dream

* Alea remembers her vivid dreams and blanches

* Alea looks back to filing cabinet.....from desk to cabinet...from desk to cabinet...holds at arms at her side and pictures falling backward

<Alea> yep, it certainly was possible

<Alea> that would have pushed them just so and somehow I ended up on the other side...

* Alea shakes head in disbelief

<Alea> I'm gonna have to figure out just which of Snake's pills I took

* Veraik places thin blanket over Snake and moves to a couch, still projecting Gen.

* Alea pushes her sleeves up looking at the huge bruises developing on her arms and touches the ones at her neck....

<Alea> I might just go try to soak like Veraik suggested

* Alea groans as the muscles in her back have tightened so much

* Alea alea pauses on her way to the tub

* Alea holding her back, turns

<Alea> may I help you?

* Dwilin falls in the door

<Alea> oh shen

<Dwilin> Oh!

<Alea> NOT AGAIN

* Dwilin gets up

<Dwilin> Sorry

* Alea reaches out and catches ??

<Alea> are you okay

* Alea thinking WHY IS IT ALWAYS ME AT THE FRONT DESK

<Dwilin> Oh yes, yes, no problem

* Dwilin brushes hayseeds off clothes

* Alea alea is a Donor Farris and wonders about Dwilin

* Dwilin is a Gen

* Alea looks at the mess she is making on the floor and wonders if this time she is going to have to clean it all up AGAIN

* Dwilin thrusts out his hand to Alea

<Alea> how may I...

<Dwilin> I'm Dwilin, pleased to meet you!

* Alea alea takes his hand, groans at his exuberence

<Alea> nice to meet you tooo

<Alea> my name is Alea

<Alea> How may I help you

* Dwilin pumps her hand enthusiastically

<Alea> Oooh

<Dwilin> I want to make a donation!

<Alea> uh, ow...

* Alea shen

<Alea> okay, well, why don't we sit you down right here and let me get a bit of information

* Alea hobbles over to desk and seats herself gingerly

<Dwilin> Oh boy!

<Alea> oh uh? yes?

* Dwilin goes over and waits with much excitement

* Alea wary after the other two people who have been here, motions

<Alea> please SIT DOWN

* Alea clears her throat

<Alea> I mean, please, won't you sit down

<Dwilin> OH!

* Dwilin sits down very proper

<Alea> now, have you ever donated before?

* Dwilin clutches his hat in his lap

<Dwilin> Yes, ma'am!

<Dwilin> I mean, no, ma'am!

<Alea> really? here?

<Alea> oh

<Alea> um...what made you decide to donate

* Alea thinking hard after Mr. and Mrs. T

<Dwilin> Oh, everybody wants to donate!

* Alea screening a bit better

<Dwilin> I read the signs!

<Alea> oh really?

* Alea groans to herself

<Alea> I have just the person to help you

<Alea> why don't you come with me

* Alea thinking Veraik deserves this after not being here all day

<Alea> you name again?

<Dwilin> Dwilin, Ma'am!

<Dwilin> D-W-I-L-I-N

<Alea> well, Dwilin, please come with me

<Alea> ah, uh, yes

<Dwilin> Oh Boy!

* Alea takes his arm, afraid he's going to get too close to some renSime and send them into outer space

<Alea> right this way

* Alea leads him to transfer room six

<Alea> have a seat right here and I'll be right back

* Dwilin nearly runs to the transfer lounge

<Dwilin> This is going to be good.

* Alea jumps out of the way to keep from being run over...then groans

* Alea goes to her office and signals Veraik

<Alea> hajene, may I enter?

* Dwilin reaches out his arms experimentally and grins in anticipation

* Alea signals again

<Alea> hajene

<Dwilin> I can't wait.

* Dwilin starts looking around to see where everybody went

* Dwilin wonders if he should go look

* Veraik gently opens room.

<Alea> hajene, I need you in room six

<Alea> it's a donation

<Alea> and only you can handle it

<Alea> it requires your expertise

* Alea remebering Mrs.T and thinking if he lived through that....

* Dwilin settles for sitting still and thinking about how great this will be

* Veraik looks back at Snake, decides she is fine and follows Alea.

<Alea> he's right down here

* Dwilin has his eyes closed and a beatific smile on his face and nager

* Veraik zlins Alea and feels guilty when he realizes she's in pain.

* Alea opens door to room six

<Alea> in here, hajene

* Dwilin looks all excited when the door opens

* Veraik calmly enters room and signals Alea to attend him.

* Dwilin looks at Veraik's arms

* Dwilin looks up at Veraik with a smile of radiant hope

* Alea takes a deep breath...no longer beliving this place is a simple Center but some alien stop that brings in all kinds...then she follows Veraik

* Veraik zlins Gen nager.

<Veraik> How are you? I'm Hajene Veraik. [takes chart] I understand you would to donate today.

<Dwilin> Yes!

<Dwilin> Oh yes, sir

* Dwilin fervently

<Dwilin> I would really, really love to donate today!

* Veraik zlins nager and makes a few notations.

<Veraik> I see that you've never donated before.

<Dwilin> No, Sir!

<Dwilin> But I am a fast learner, Sir!

* wisesnake wakes up and notices she is alone

<Veraik> And I see that you've signed that you

have read the literature.

<Dwilin> Yes, sir!

<Veraik> That's good and you do have the right attitude.

* wisesnake slips off the bed and out of the treatment room

<Dwilin> Attitude is everything, Sir!

<Dwilin> That's what my instructors have always told me.

* Alea moves up to Veraik's side and concentrates on him

<Veraik> Tell me in your own words, what you expect from a donation.

<Veraik> And they are most right.

<Dwilin> To serve my community and improve my general health, Sir!

* wisesnake sneaks up to the front lobby

<Dwilin> I always listen to my instructors.

* Veraik projects calmness. "Have you ever witnessed a donation before?"

* Veraik holds pen up in waits for the answer.

<Dwilin> No, Sir! But I am an extremely quick study.

* wisesnake slips out the front door

* Veraik checks box.

* wisesnake checks to make sure sure there aren't any sleazy cust - people waiting for her

<Veraik> I'd like to zlin you before your donation occurs to assure you and myself that you are in good physical condition.

<Dwilin> Yes, Sir!

<Veraik> Is that all right with you?

<Veraik> Good.

<Dwilin> I am proud to serve my community in any way I possible can, Sir!

* Alea smiles at Dwilin's enthusiam...just a bit warily

<Veraik> [indicates transfer couch with tentacle]

* Alea wonders if it is a full mooon out

* wisesnake hurries past Lotta's II

<Veraik> Then let's begin.

<Veraik> Alea?

* Alea wonders if someone has been putting the word out

<Alea> uh yes?

* Dwilin smiles and offers his arms

* Alea hurries over to Veraik's side

* wisesnake hurries past the shiltpron parlor

* Alea tries to disquse her pain

* Veraik indicates he wants her to be near.

<Alea> forgive me, hajene

* wisesnake hesitates in front of the shiltpron parlor, THEN hurries past

* Dwilin face is alive with enthusiasm

* Alea thinks she should have taken some fosebine or something cause she can FEEL the bad luck coming

<Veraik> [in Simelan] I'll treat you as soon as this is over.

<Alea> [in Simelan] I'm fine, hajene

<Dwilin> Any time you're ready, I'm your man!

* wisesnake hurries all the way to the Lucky Puppy Pub

* wisesnake slips inside

* Veraik nods then takes Dwilin's arms and wraps tentacles gently around them.

* Alea moves closer to Veraik

<Dwilin> Wow!

<Dwilin> I had no idea they'd be so gross!

* Veraik smiles. How do you feel?

<Dwilin> Well, I guess I feel proud, Sir!

* Alea smiles wanly at Veraik thinking she is sure glad she is only a Gen right now

<Dwilin> Proud to serve my community and better my health!

* Veraik laughs. That's a new one.

* Veraik smiles and nods.

<Dwilin> Do I get to have my donation taken now?

<Veraik> Are you ready Dwilin?

<Dwilin> Oh yes Sir!

* Dwilin proudly

* Alea thinks anymore ready and he'd be climbing into your lap Veraik

<Veraik> I'm not going to take your donation...this is just to zlin you for health.

<Dwilin> Yes, Sir!

* Alea look at Dwilin, Alea has to wonder

* wisesnake strolls rather casually out of the Lucky Puppy, carrying a sack

<Veraik> Fine. then I will require a fifth contact point. You know what that is, don't you?

<Dwilin> Yes, Sir!

<Dwilin> I mean no, Sir!

<Veraik> Thank you for your honesty.

<Dwilin> Honesty and bravery are the highest achievements of mankind, Sir, as my instructors always told me.

<Veraik> The fifth contact point is usually a lip to lip contact. It is totally impersonal and it will allow me to zlin your body.

<Dwilin> Wow!

<Dwilin> I look forward to it, Sir!

* wisesnake heads back to the Sime Center looking around in a somewhat paranoid version of casual

* wisesnake slips in the front door

<Veraik> Will you let me make fifth contact?

<Dwilin> Oh, Yes!

* Alea sighs

* Dwilin zlins of extreme anticipation

* Alea shakes her head

<Veraik> Very good.

* wisesnake scurries down the hallway and up to her rooms

* Veraik talks slowly in hopes of calmly down Dwilin.

* Dwilin waits reverently

<Veraik> All right. When you are ready, you lean forward to touch my lips with yours and simply wait calmy doing nothing until I have moved away. Can you do it like I requested?

<Dwilin> Oh, Yes Sir!

* Alea tires to hide her trepidition

* Dwilin is really excited

* Alea leans a bit forward to watch Veraik and

Dwilin closely

* Dwilin leans forward and places his lips firmly against Veraik's lips

* Dwilin is quivering with excitement

* Veraik zlins deeply.

* Veraik zlins Dwilin as very healthy and full of selyn.

* Alea field fluctuates slightly as she watches with nervousness

* Veraik releases Dwilin and waits for his reaction.

* Dwilin smiles

<Dwilin> Wow!

<Dwilin> That was great!

<Dwilin> When can I do more for my community?

<Veraik> Right now. Do you still want to give donation?

<Dwilin> Oh! Yes, Yes, Sir!

* Dwilin sits straighter and prouder

<Veraik> I noted that you are 16 today. How long have you been waiting for this?

* Alea sighs at his entusiam

<Dwilin> All my life, Sir!

<Dwilin> My father always told me I should do right by my count - community so it would do right by me!

* Veraik smiles

<Veraik> Very well. I still have your arms. Can you hold still the way that you did before?

<Veraik> You did it perfectly. I was very proud of you.

<Dwilin> Yes, Sir!

* Dwilin [hope swells up painfully in his chest along with the pride]

<Veraik> All right. When you are ready, lean towards me once again and I will take your donation.

* Dwilin leans forward, expression serene

* Alea leans forward too

* Alea winces in pain and abruptly straightens

* Veraik adjusts nager for the pain-filled bast from Alea then he touches Dwilin's lips.

* Dwilin is filled with joy

* Alea steps back waiting for what...she doesn't know...but after everything else that has happened, she is certain it is coming

* Veraik begins the flow as he gently removes a layer of selyn.

* Dwilin waits

* Veraik realizes Dwilin is so relaxed that Veraik goes for the second layer of selyn.

* Alea waits, warily, thinking Veraik is a fool to keep holding on

* Alea visions of Mrs. T runs through her head

* Alea visions of Veraik being slammed against the wall

* Alea thinks if he yells help this time, he's outta luck...she can't move

* Dwilin wonders when something is going to happen, but isn't used to questioning his superiors, so concentrates on the pride of being brave and helpful

* Alea continues to watch and thinks maybe this time...maybe their luck has actually changed

* Alea starts to relax

* Veraik zlins Alea's choatic systems then closes that part of the field gradient.

* Alea smiles, realizing she is being totally paranoid

* Veraik goes for the third layer thinking this kid is really good.

* Veraik finishes the donation and sits back.

* Dwilin opens his eyes

* Alea smiles with relief and concentrates on supporting Veraik like she should be

<Dwilin> Wow!

<Veraik> [still holding Dwilin's arms] Grins

* Alea leans on edge of couch thinking it is a miracle nothing happened

<Dwilin> I am so glad to have been of service!

<Veraik> Hold still for a bit longer and I will remove my tentacles.

* Veraik unwraps tentacles.

* Alea heads toward the door

<Dwilin> Yes, Sir!

<Veraik> Alea?

* Alea opens the door and waits

* Alea pauses

<Alea> yes, hajene?

<Veraik> I want to see you as soon as I have finished here. I'll help you then.

* Alea simply stares

<Alea> yes, hajene

* Alea waits for Dwilin

<Veraik> Very good.

* Alea thinks when pigs fly

* Dwilin gives a nageric shiver of excitement at the praise

<Veraik> [turns to Dwilin] You did a great job.

<Dwilin> Wow!

<Dwilin> It was an honor!

<Veraik> Have you ever considered Donor's training?

* Dwilin is amazed

* Alea yeah, to replace me if Snake has her way

<Dwilin> Me? For Donor training?

<Dwilin> I -

* Alea like he'd be any better

<Veraik> Yes. What do you think?

<Dwilin> Wow!

* Alea look at that enthusiasm

<Dwilin> I never imagined!

* Alea he'd scare every channel within a mile of this place

* Alea smiles....maybe that would be perfect...stick him with Snake

<Dwilin> I'd have to ask my instructors, and have my father's permission, of course.

<Alea> why is that Dwilin

<Alea> you're old enough

<Veraik> Today, you qualified as a GN1. You said you read the material. Do you know what that means?

<Dwilin> Yes sir!

<Veraik> Why do you have to ask your instructors?

<Dwilin> Well, Sir, you see, I am on a rigid program of instruction.

<Dwilin> And my father had his plans which would have to be reconsidered.

<Veraik> And what plans are those?

<Dwilin> But I'm sure my father will be pleased, as he as always taught me that service and bravery are of utmost importance.

<Dwilin> He would like me to follow his footsteps in the military, of course.

* Dwilin proudly

* Alea leans against door and waits

<Veraik> [says tentatively] I see.....

* Alea wonders if perhaps her anxiety flooded over to Veraik and made him antsy too

<Veraik> Well, the donation you made today is more than you could make in the military however I do understand military families so the decision is yours.

* Alea decides it must have

<Dwilin> I will speak to my father about it tonight, Sir!

* Alea reajusts, trying to stretch sore muscles, wondering where Snake is and how she's doing

<Veraik> However you should know that as a Donor, you would be of great service.

* Alea remembers her black eye

* Dwilin beams proudly

<Veraik> Fine. [gets up and goes to file cabinet and pulls out a brochure.

* Alea wonders if Snake is feeling any better and has pity for what she went through today too

<Dwilin> Anybody can be a military General, but not everybody can be a Donor! I understand perfectly, Sir!

<Veraik> Here's a pamphlet which explains a career as a Donor.

<Dwilin> Thank you, Sir!

* Dwilin takes pamplet with enthusiasm

* Veraik gives a paper.

<Alea> why don't you come with me now...I'll escort you out

* Alea walks out into the hall

<Dwilin> Yes, ma'am. Thank you, Ma'am.

<Dwilin> And thank you, Sir!

<Veraik> Take this to the casher and if you would like you can make an appointment for a donation next month...

<Dwilin> Oh, yes, Sir!

* Alea starts down the hall, unable to believe she had been so paranoid...vows to get some rest

<Veraik> unless, of course, you decide on the training. Then you should come back here and we will take it from there.

<Dwilin> Yes, Sir.

* Veraik sees the Gen out. Thank you.

* Alea takes Dwilin's arm to make sure makes it back out safely...for him AND the renSimes around

<Alea> we appreciate you donating today, Dwilin

* Dwilin looks at the cashier slip

<Dwilin> Wow!

* Alea stop by cashier and get his pay

<Alea> right here

<Dwilin> No, thank you, Ma'am!

* Veraik zlins Alea and follows her.

<Alea> but?

* Dwilin stops at cashier

* Alea cashier pays him

* Dwilin leaves the Sime Center

<Alea> bye Dwilin

* Alea sighs and goes on to her office

* Veraik follows Alea into her office.

* Alea is surprised to see Veraik

<Alea> yes, hajene

* Alea warily

<Veraik> You zlin terrible. You should be treated. [projects Sime in need]

* Alea guards her field

<Alea> I'm fine, really. I just should go take a hot bath

<Alea> please, go back and check on Snake

<Alea> she took a pretty good beating today

<Veraik> I don't think so.

<Alea> I'm worried about her

* Alea knows that tone of voice and that look

<Veraik> come with me. I want you in a treatment room with all the Farris medicines at hand.

* Alea warily she studies veraik

* Alea deciding this must have been the other shoe falling that she had been waiting for

* Veraik projects of a Sime in hard need.

<Alea> as you wish, hajene

* wisesnake slides out her door and saunters down the hallway

* Alea follows veraik

* Veraik and Alea go to Treatment Room 4 since Room 3 is occupied.

* wisesnake is carrying the famous sack

* wisesnake looks for Alea

<Alea> you know, hajene, some fosebine is probably all I require

<Veraik> Oh! hello Snake I see you are feeling better. [looks at sack]

<Alea> I should have taken some earlier

* Alea eyes sack

<wisesnake> Hi!

* Alea eyes Snake warily

<Veraik> That is not how you zlin to me Alea.

* wisesnake smiles at Alea

<wisesnake> I brought a present for you.

* Alea wary turns to outright caution

<Alea> you did?

* Veraik project curiousity.

<wisesnake> Yes.

* wisesnake shrugs casually

* Alea surprised

<Alea> why, thank you snake

* Alea wonders why

<Alea> what is it?

* wisesnake makes an eye gesture toward Alea's office

<Alea> excuse me for a moment, hajene?

* Alea to veraik

* Veraik catches Alea's arm. Not so fast.

<Alea> well, I suppose you can give it to me here, can't you?

<Veraik> First, you are coming with me. [looks to Snake]

* wisesnake looks deflated

<wisesnake> oh.

<Veraik> Zlin her Snake.

* Alea so does Alea

<wisesnake> well if that's how it is.

* Alea depressed again but turns to go to treatment room

* wisesnake turns around and goes into Alea's office by herself

<Veraik> She have to be given medical treatment first.

* Alea tears well up and she sighs

<Veraik> Come one Alea.

<Alea> as you wish, hajene

* Alea follows dejectedly

<Veraik> Goes to Treatment room 3 instead.

* Alea goes in

<Veraik> [indicates with tentacle for her to lay down]

* Veraik mixes fosebine and gives it to Alea.

* Alea painfully crawls onto treatment table and lays down

* Alea closes her eyes allowing all of her sorrow to overwhelm her

* wisesnake leaves the sack on Alea's desk and drifts out into the lobby

* Alea thinks it's easier than guarding and she doesn't care if Veraik witnesses it or not while he's working on her

<Veraik> You were jealous of that kid, weren't you? [project strong need]

* Alea tries to shrug, winces

<Alea> I don't know

<Veraik> That means yes.

<Alea> if you say so, hajene

<Veraik> Look Alea...you are just tired and there has been too much going on today.

* Alea keeps her eyes closed and doesn't reply

<Veraik> And on top, you are slightly burned.

* Veraik rub temples.

* Alea groans

<Veraik> gently to ease the bruising on her head.

* Alea sighs

<Alea> hajene, would it be possible for me to put in for vacation

* Veraik goes to cabinet. Looks at salves and selects the one that LOOKS right for a Farris burn.

* Veraik cleans and rubs salve into her burned hand.

<Alea> that is burning, hajene

<Alea> now about my vacation

<Alea> is it possible?

<Veraik> Burning? It is?

<Alea> a bit

<Alea> your rubbing

<Veraik> Looks at salve.....[shows Alea] this IS for Farris', isn't it?

<Alea> I suppose, hajene

<Veraik> Oh good.

* Alea closes eyes

<Alea> about my vacation, hajene?

* Alea notes this is the third time she's asked and the third time he has ignored her

* Veraik rubs hands and tentacles on other bruises without washing off the salve.

* Alea tries not to respond but the relief is too good

<Alea> Veraik

* Alea opens eyes and looks at him

<Veraik> Vacation, Alea? You're in the Tecton. We in the Tection, do not get to have vacation. Especially those of us who are First Order.

<Veraik> yes

* Alea field falls flat and she closes her eyes again

<Alea> I feel much better, may I go now, hajene

* Veraik zlins Alea.

* Alea stubborness

<Veraik> Only if you promise to take that warm bath after you see Snake?

<Alea> if you say so, hajene

* Alea pushes up and goes to the door

* Veraik sighs and turns to clean up treatment room.

* Alea goes out the door and passes the water cooler, noting someone has filled it up after it got dumped

* Alea goes to lobby and sees the gunshot holes are still in the ceiling

* wisesnake is crashed out face down on a sofa in the lobby

* Alea sees her picture is okay...sees Snake sleeping

* Alea for the first time wonders what it was Snake had to say to her

* Alea pauses

<Alea> Tarsh, I believe you will find all of your files in order

<Alea> you see, well, they've been completely reorganized two...or maybe it was three times now

* Alea turns back to Snake

<wisesnake> zzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZzzzzz

* Alea absently Alea rubs at where the salve was put

<Alea> Snake

* Alea reaches down and touches snake

<Alea> SNAKE

<wisesnake> zzzzzzzzzzzzzzXxxxxxHuhzz

<Alea> it's me

<wisesnake> zzzHHUh??

<Alea> you wanted to talk to me?

* wisesnake looks up

<wisesnake> oh

* Alea moves as her back begins itching

* wisesnake gets up

* Alea rubs at her arms

<Alea> shen

<Alea> now what

* Alea squirms a bit

* wisesnake itches her shoulder absently

<Alea> what was it you wanted, Snake?

* wisesnake zlins Alea itching

<Tarsh> Thank You, Alea. Busy night?

<wisesnake> When?

<Alea> haha ha ha

* wisesnake itches shoulder

<Alea> you

<Alea> no

<Alea> you do not want to know

* Alea rubs at neck and side of face

* Alea reaches out and absently runs her hand up Snake's arm

<Alea> what was it you wanted Snake

<Alea> by the way, Tarsh, you might want to knw

<Alea> we have a junct renSime in one of the new rooms who killed her father in changeover

<Tarsh> Hmm? [trying to scratch back?]

<Alea> and well...if anyone comes near here named FEBUS

* wisesnake almost itches her arm but forces herself not to

<Alea> he is NOT to be admitted

<Tarsh> [softly] Shen!

* Alea goes over and rubs where Tarsh is trying to scratch his back

* Tarsh makes a note of the name.

<Alea> is that where you're being bothered?

<Alea> he attacked me in killmode

* Alea shoots a killing look at Snake not to elaborate

<Tarsh> ~~concerned~~ Are you hurt?

<Alea> and then there is a young man named Dwilin

* wisesnake stares at Alea, then at her now excruciatingly itching arm

<Alea> oh, no...just lower field than I have been in a long time

<Alea> but Dwilin is now a GN1

* wisesnake turns around and walks casually toward the washroom

<Alea> very nice, just a little...exuberant

<Alea> keep him away from the other renSimes

* wisesnake around the corner and rushes the rest of the way to the washroom

* Alea reaches toward her back and tries to scratch it

<Tarsh> Dwilis is a Gen?

<Alea> yes

<Alea> the other two are of course, renSimes

* wisesnake starts rinsing her arm with lots and lots of cold running water

* Alea looks around

* wisesnake splashes water up on her shoulder

<Alea> where did Snake go?

<wisesnake> Oh shen it ITCHES

<Tarsh> has anyone called Regional dispatch for a transport team for the junct?

* Alea rubs harder at her arms and looks down to see bumps on her arms

<Alea> uh, what?

<Alea> shen!

<Alea> I knew we forgot something

<Alea> no, would you see to that

<Alea> I'll confess this before anyone else can tell you.

* Tarsh turns Alea around and starts scratching.

* wisesnake finally suceeds in washing off the slight traces of whatever was on Alea's hand

<Alea> you're filing cabinets were knocked over...oooh that feels good

<Alea> um....emptied out

<Alea> ouch, careful for all the bruises

* wisesnake sags against the wall

<Alea> but we put them all back together for you

<Alea> it's got ot be nerves

<Alea> I'm breaking out all over!

<Alea> look at my arms

<Alea> and I can feel bumps on my face

* Tarsh scratches more gently, zlinn Alea's reaction for feedback.

* Alea eyes widen and she reaches to her throat

* Tarsh 's eyes widen.

<Tarsh> Alea, say something!

* wisesnake emerges from the washroom dripping wet

<Tarsh> Snake!

* Alea rasps in a breath

* Tarsh zlins Alea for breathing.

* wisesnake is alarmed

* Alea swelling

* Alea claws at throat

<wisesnake> She's having an allergic reaction.

* Alea grabbing at throat now

* Alea struggling to breathe

<Tarsh> What do I get you?

* Tarsh leaps to his feet.

* Alea looks at Snake...

* Alea whole face is red with welts as is her neck and arms

* Alea the other shoe dropped...resignation

* Tarsh augments down to Treatment Room one and grabs the Farris Kit.

* Alea looks at Snake and wonders why she's standing there

* Tarsh hurtles back with the kit.

* Alea struggling for air

* Alea scratching arms, neck, face as it swells

* Tarsh opens up kit on the desk.

* wisesnake kneels beside Alea and tries to get control of the runaway immune system

* Tarsh rushes to Veriak's office and looks in.

<Alea> can't breathe[rasps out]

<Alea> rubbed the shendoni fleckin stuff all over me...

* wisesnake takes Alea in full transfer position and tries to bring down the swelling in Alea's throat by manipulating Alea's system

* Tarsh sees Veriak not in his office, and runs

down the hall, yanking every door open.

* Tarsh skids to a stop just past treatment room 3.

<Tarsh> Veriak! Alea isn't breathing! Emergency.

<Veraik> WHAT!!!!

<Tarsh> COME ON!!

<Veraik> Where and he augments out the room!!!

* Tarsh grabs Veriak by the shoulder and yanks him along.

<Tarsh> THE LOBBY!

* Veraik runs to the lobby.

* Alea sees Veraik and horror fills her eyes as she sees the one who put her in this shape and realizes she is at his will

* Tarsh follows on Veriak's heels.

<Alea> better [to snake]

* Veraik zlins Alea and realizes he made a BIIIIIG mistake!

* Alea getting some breath back now

* wisesnake releases Alea

<wisesnake> Get this stuff off of her.

<wisesnake> Get it off now.

* Veraik picks Alea up and augments to the nearest shower.

* Alea 's breathing is better, loud and harsh as she tries to suck in breaths

* Alea shoots a narrow eyed look at Veraik

* Veraik tears Alea's clothes off, turns on the water and puts her under the shower.

* Alea still sucking air into her starved lungs

* wisesnake stumbles back to the washroom and starts washing and washing again

* Tarsh runs for an oxygen tank and mask.

<Alea> I-I'm fine, hajene[voice a bit stornger]

<Veraik> Using tentacles and the Farris soap, Veriak rubs her down.

* Alea leaning against side of shower

* Veraik shouts to Tarsh. "Bring that oxygen in here!!!"

* Alea 's breathing is becoming easier

* Alea humiliation that this is going to be the FOURTH time now that she has been in the treatment room today

* Alea wonders if Tormer somehow set all of this up

* Tarsh comes rushing into the shower room, slips and hits the wall.

* Alea wander to Veraik...or him

* Veraik is still scrubbing Alea to assure that all the salve is gone.

* wisesnake slops lots of water on her face and mouth and arms

* Alea pushes veraik's hands away

* Alea winces in empathy that Tarsh hit his left side--AGAIN

* Tarsh crawls in, dragging the tank.

* Alea wonders how Snake's laterals are going to feel with this stuff on them

* Tarsh holds up the mask with his righthand, trying to twist the valve with his left.

<Alea> I'm fine, really

* Veraik takes the mask, turns it on, and places it on Alea's face.

* Alea 's voice is a bit stronger

* Alea slaps at veraik's hands not quite trusting him

<Veraik> Just let us work on you Alea.

* Alea shoots him a doubtful look

<Veraik> It's only oxygen.

* Alea thinks yeah, like the salve was only a Farris salve

* Alea probaly stuff to kill bugs that got put in there by mistake

* Veraik zlins Tarsh's bruises and wonders why he left today since the Center seemed to be bent on insanity.

* Alea reaches out and jerks mask away from Veraik

* Alea shoots him a dirty look

<Veraik> Look for yourself. It's oxygen. Just breath.

* Alea holds it herself to breathe

* Veraik sighs.

* Alea leans back against the wall, closing her eyes in relief

* wisesnake wonders if everything is going okay with Alea

<Alea> I'm better [distorted thorugh the mask]

<Veraik> Did you touch Snake?

<Alea> yes, all over

<Alea> she took me in transfer position

<Veraik> I can zlin that you are somewhere better.

<Veraik> What!

<Veraik> [zlins]

<Alea> can I have a towel then?

<Veraik> I think you are out of the woods.

* Alea holds out hand for towel

<Veraik> [Looks to Tarsh] Get her a towel but help her. I had to go check on Snake!

* Veraik augments out the door and looks for Snake.

* wisesnake is in a small washroom washing her mouth and arms in lots of cold water

* Alea relief that he is gone

<wisesnake> over and over and over

<Alea> towel please?

* Alea removes the mask and pushes away from the wall, rubbing at the welts that are still there

* Veraik zlins as he runs down hall.

* Tarsh goes to the rack and gets the largest towel.

<Tarsh> He carefully wraps it around Alea.

* Alea accepts it gratefully

<Alea> thank you

* Veraik finally does to a washroom and zlins Snake's nager.

* Alea looks at ruined clothes and sighs again

* Tarsh watches her with deep concern.

<Veraik> Snake?

<Veraik> Are you all right?

* wisesnake is bent over the sink, washing her tentacles

<Alea> I'm better, Tarsh. I'll be fine

* Veraik hears water.

<Alea> You know, if I believed in curses......

* Alea just shakes head

* Veraik goes to Snake.

<wisesnake> Shen

<Alea> can I have a dose of fosebine for the itching

<wisesnake> this is the most - awful -

<wisesnake> shen!

<Tarsh> If you're sure.... Should I go get you some clothes?

<Alea> shen it itches

* Alea duh idiot Gen

<Veraik> I'm sorry Snake. What can I get you?

<Alea> that would really be appreciated Tarsh

* Alea moves out of shower

* wisesnake looks up and turns off the water slowly

<Veraik> You can continue to wash while I find what you require to stop the itching.

* Tarsh kisses Alea quickly. "Right Back."

<wisesnake> I think it's off now.

* Veraik zlins Snake.

<wisesnake> It just itches inside.

* Alea slides down the wall to the floor and sighs

* Tarsh heads down the hall to Alea's room.

<Alea> some days it is better to say in bed

* wisesnake 's tetacles and mouth itch really bad

* Alea lays her head forward on her upraised knees

<Alea> some WEEKS it pays better to just stay in bed

<Veraik> Do you have any of the Farris sheath tabs? perhaps that will help.

* wisesnake is dizzy from itchy laterals

<wisesnake> Yeah... no... I'd really have to see them.

* Alea allows her eyes to drift closed

* Alea wonders again what Snake got her

* Tarsh gathers up the first clean clothes that come to hand, trying to get one of everything.

* Alea thinks this is the first present anyone has ever gotten her since Zeor and is absolutely surprised that it would be Snake

* Veraik picks Snake up and augments to the nearest treatment room.

* Alea which makes her just a tad wary too...she knows Snake...Snake wants her gone

* Alea reaches up and pushes hair back behind ear, wondering if she is ever going to make it to her offce to find out

* Alea realizes curiosity is not a good trait and vows to forget about it

* Tarsh stops in the lobby to grab the fosebine and from the Farris kit on his desk.

* Veraik places Snake on the treatment table and goes to the medical cabinet.

<wisesnake> wait

* wisesnake pushes herself up

<wisesnake> Let me...

* Veraik removes the box which says FARRIS and looks for a Tentacle sheath tablet to insert into each of Snake's sheaths

* Tarsh comes back into the shower room with the clothes and fosebine bottle.

* wisesnake says "Let me see"

* Alea struggles up from the floor

<Alea> thank you, Tarsh

* Alea reaches out for clothes

* Tarsh hands them to her, but in the wrong order.

* Alea looks up amused

<Alea> what's the matter

* Alea reaches out and gets what she needs to dress

* Veraik gives Snake the Farris kit.

<Tarsh> Alea ... I don't .. If you ...

* Alea slips on her undies and then her skirt

* wisesnake digs through it, peering at the items until she finds the right one

* Alea reaches for her top but pauses

* Tarsh starts trembling.

* wisesnake gives it to Veraik and then falls back

* Alea concerned thinking something is wrong...she stares at Tarsh

<Alea> what?

* Alea touches his arm

* Tarsh grabs Alea in a tight hug.

* Alea runs her hand up and down it in a soothing motion of comfort

* Alea ummph

* Veraik takes the tabs and prepares the insert.

* Alea relaxes and slips her arms around him, worrying again

<Alea> it's okay Tarsh

* Tarsh realizes what he is doing [restricting her breathing], and lets her go suddenly.

* wisesnake 's laterals are lying out extended

<Veraik> All right Snake ...retract your left lateral and take a deep breath.

* Alea staggers

* wisesnake obeys sluggishly

* Alea her eyes widen

<Tarsh> I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking.

<Alea> Tarsh, it's okay to hug me

* Alea picks up her shirt from where she dropped it and slips it on

* Veraik inserts the tabs as gently as he can.

* Alea drops the towel over her head and begins to dry her hair

* wisesnake seems feverish and sort of dazed, but cooperates

<Tarsh> But, not when you've been having trouble breathing.

* Alea lifts the towel to peek out from under it and smiles

<Alea> I'm much better

* Veraik zlins then decides he must hurry.

<Alea> The itching isn't quite as bad...speaking of which[looks at fosebine]

<Veraik> Give me the other Lateral Snake.

* wisesnake obeys

* Veraik inserts that one then does the other two with delay.

* Alea tosses the towel over to the towel rack and finger combs her hair back, embarrassed because again she is caught with it hanging like a rats nest

* Alea next

* Tarsh looks around for a glass.

* wisesnake 's laterals are swelled like waterlogged nightcrawlers

* Veraik places tentacles over Snake's laterals and projects hard Gen-need.

* Tarsh grabs a disposable cup from the sink and pours a dose into it.

* Tarsh hands it to Alea.

* Alea accepts it and drains it, grimacing at the taste

<Alea> thanks

* Alea tosses the cup in the trash

<Alea> I was GOING to my office when that blasted itching....Veraik

* Alea eyes narrow

<Alea> that shendoni....

<Alea> Farrish channel Farris Donor, doesn't he know they have allergies

* Tarsh gets a cup of water as a chaser.

* Alea smiles in gratitude

<Tarsh> _*Veriak*_ did this to You?

* Alea swallows the water

* Alea grimly nods

<Alea&