Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Bender Cove Township Scenario

Episode #23: It's Not-Quite-Legal Activities Day at the Sime Center (9/22/97)

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Alea goes to kitchen and pulls out a large pan

<Alea> Boy, this is going to be a surprise

Alea drags pan over to stove

Alea knows it is early because few people are up

Alea goes outside to the garden...looks around

Tarsh comes in the front door soaking wet from the ongoing rain

Alea picks some green stuff that looks like it might go in omelet and then rushes back in out of rain

Alea pushes her hair back, haven't yet pinned it up

Alea starts the fire and puts the pan on to heat

Tarsh shakes off his poncho.

Alea rummages through the refrigerator...

Tarsh hangs it on the coatrack and zlins around

<Alea> wonder what this is

Alea brown and looks like mushrooms

Alea drags the bowl out...adds some raisins...and cherries

<Alea> should be colorful

Alea sets about cutting up all of the fruit and --green stuff-- 1

Alea gets out eggs and whips them up

Alea she then pours them in the hot pan

<Alea> I just bet Tarsh and Snake will love this

Alea dumps all the ingredients in

Tarsh goes over to the desk and looks at the in basket.

Alea forgets the spatula

Alea hunts for one...comes back...sees the stuff stuck to the pan

<Alea> oh dear

Tarsh sniffs.

Alea scrapes at it...decides it's done

Alea dumps it in another bowl and pours porstan over it liberally

Alea finds a match

<Alea> This will be perfect

Alea grabs two plates and sets them out, with two cups of tea, then goes back to huge bowl with eggs and porstan in it

Alea lights the match

Tarsh moves down the corridor towards the cafeteria.

Alea drops it in the bowl

<Alea> {{{BOOOM}}}}

Alea goes for a glass of water to put out the raging fire

Tarsh steps into the cafeteria. "Hi Al-* AUGH!!!"

<Alea> FIRE!

Alea waving frantically at the smoke

Tarsh augments out into the hall and zips back in with a fire extinguisher.

<Alea> NOT THE FOOD

Alea tries to cover the bowl with her hand and shirt sleeve catches on fire

Tarsh zlins to localize the fire.

Alea runs over toward the sink

<Alea> My Sleeve! My Sleeve!

Tarsh drops the exstinguisher and grabs Alea, throwing her to the floor and rolling her over.

Alea cracks her head

<Alea> I'm fine. Really. Everything is ...

Alea glances at smoldering ruin of breakfast

Tarsh yanks a tablecloth off and wraps the arm to smother the fire.

Alea bats at it, trying to get it out of her face

Tarsh zlin Alea for flames, then the rest of the room.

<Alea> uh...what are you doing here so early, Tarsh?

Alea tries to pull the table cloth off her smarting arm to check it

<Tarsh> seeing that the food is at worst smoldering, Tarsh tries to get Alea up. "Get your arm in the sink."

Tarsh twists the cold water on.

Alea shock of cold water on red arm

<Tarsh> I ... couldn't sleep.

<Alea> I'm sorry to hear that.

Tarsh jerks at the shock.

<Alea> I got up extra early to make some breakfast

Alea winces

<Alea> sorry

<Alea> didn't mean to shock you like that

<Tarsh> What happened?

Alea controls her field

<Alea> well, you see...I've decided to take up cooking as a hobby

<Alea> and I heard about this place that sets their food on fire with porstan to make it really good

Alea shrugs

<Alea> I guess I used too much

<Alea> boy, was it impressive though

<Alea> You should have seen how high the flames shot

<Tarsh> Please don't impress me again.

<Alea> well, you're right...it was a surprise for you and Snake

<Alea> I'll work on it before I try it again

<Tarsh> I mean ... please be careful. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you.

Alea smiles sweetly

<Alea> you know, we might be able to salvage this

<Alea> it's not that burnt

<Tarsh> [grins] Well _I'm_ surprised.

<Tarsh> What is it?

<Alea> Alea surprise

<Alea> eggs, fresh green stuff and fruit

<Alea> oh, and some mushrooms too

Alea looks at arm which is finally cooling off

Alea reaches over and turns off water

<Tarsh> How does it feel?

Tarsh zlins arm.

<Alea> well, this robe has had it..oh, it's fine...really

<Alea> just a bit....red

<Tarsh> You want me to clean up a bit while you change?

<Alea> sure

<Alea> thanks

Alea goes down the hall and upstairs to her room

Tarsh kisses Alea and goes to turn on the exhaust fan.

Alea quickly tosses the robe aside and pulls out a skirt and top

Tarsh sniffs at the pan. "Well, I'm in turnover, food is never interesting then.

Alea dresses...pulls hair back and pins it up..

Alea grabs a pair of shoes

Alea looks at arm...notes that all the other bruises are finally yellow and smiles

Tarsh sweeps up the broken dishes that were on the tablecloth.

<Alea> perhaps today will be a nice change

<Alea> yes, maybe today will pass without a single solitary bruise

Alea slips on shoes and goes back down to the kitchen

* wisesnake wakes up, yawns, goes to the window for some fresh air

<Alea> thank you so much Tarsh for cleaning up the little accident

<wisesnake> Aahhh, what a beautif---- uh?!?!

<Alea> would you like me to make us something else for breakfast?

* wisesnake sees smoke coming out of the cafeteria windows

* Tarsh is laying out a new tablecloth.

<Alea> Snake should be getting up anytime

<Tarsh> I forgot. How is your head?

* wisesnake rushes out the door

<Alea> my head?

* wisesnake rushes back in, puts some clothes on, THEN rushes out the door

<Alea> oh, you mean where I banged it...or where that woman bit me?

<Tarsh> I though I hit it while trying to put the fire out.

<Alea> oh that

<Alea> well, what's one more bruise

<Alea> it'll be fine

* wisesnake pounds into the cafeteria, short of breath

* Tarsh looks guilty

<Alea> that was a joke Tarsh

<Alea> after the last two days, nothing you could do could be that bad

<wisesnake> What the heck is----! Oh.

<Tarsh> ~~guilt~~

* Alea turns in surprise

<Tarsh> Just a minor fire, Hajene, it's out.

<Alea> Oh! Hi Snake

<Alea> I was just making us breakfast

* wisesnake stares at the damage, horrified

<wisesnake> Do you realize the sprinkler system is supposed to come online today?

<Alea> yeah

<Alea> I knew it wasn't working when the flames jumped so high and nothing happened

* Alea shakes her head

<wisesnake> Next time you start a fire, everything's going to get soaked.

<Alea> It's not like I start fires all the time

* Alea surprised at Snake's remarks

* wisesnake stares at Alea

* Alea thinking...at least not BIG fires

* wisesnake 's corner of her mouth quirks like it's almost about to smile

<wisesnake> It's not like you start fires all the time???

<Alea> well, you know, I'm not that hungry anyway

<Alea> well, it's not

<Alea> I just overestimated how much porstan to put in

* wisesnake shakes her head

<Alea> if you two will excuse me...I'm going to go sew

* wisesnake clenches her jaw and manages to avoid saying "Don't do it near any Simes"

<Tarsh> Ok Alea. I'll see you later.

* Alea leaves and goes to the front lobby where her sewing is

* Alea pulls out her latest art project and starts working on it...poking her fingers only occasionally

* wisesnake grabs her forehead in both hands and looks disbelieving

<Tarsh> She was trying to surprise us with breakfast. She means well.

<wisesnake> I don't understand how she can continue to get away with...ucgh!

* Alea finishes up the piece and goes to storage room and retrieves another of many frames

* Alea fights and conquers the back of the frame and puts her latest project in it...blacks, grays, puce..

* Alea drags the frame down the hall to Snake's office...

<Tarsh> what's wrong.

<wisesnake> What isn't wrong??

* wisesnake sounds at her rope's end

* Alea pushes Snake's desk against the wall and climbs up on it, dragging the frame with her

* Alea tosses down the other art piece 2, wincing when it cracks..then replaces it with hers

<wisesnake> A person can get up first thing in the morning and find the place has nearly burned down and nobody seems to think there's anything unusual about this anymore.

<Alea> She'll love it...and to think I'd started thinking she really didn't like my art

* Alea climbs down off Snake's desk, accidently ripping the Pier 8 page...pushes desk back, gathers up other art and leaves office

<Tarsh> Well, perhaps I'm getting used to it... what am I saying?

* Alea looks at the Zeor piece in her hand and takes it to her room

* Alea stuffs it in a drawer thinking to find a place to hang it later

<Tarsh> I didn't get a chance to thank you yesterday, Snake.

* Alea then takes the carved frame and wincing at the crack, takes it back to the storage closet

<Alea> it was just too small

* wisesnake lets go of her head and looks at Tarsh

<wisesnake> No problem.

<wisesnake> Actually, I *am feeling a bit peckish.

<wisesnake> Do you know how to cook?

* Alea comes out of storage closet and goes to filing cabinet to find files she should work on

<Tarsh> The basics, yeah. What did you want?

* Alea now knows where they are since she has refiled the cabinets...two...three...four....several times

<wisesnake> oh, I don't know, whatever's easy.

<wisesnake> No charcoal though.

* Alea rubs her upset stomach and goes into her office

<Tarsh> Cheese omlet?

<Alea> I wouldn't have been able to eat it anyway [sighs]

<Tarsh> Oh. Do you have any special food allergies?

<Alea> hello, Ola, may I help you?

* Alea pauses at office door

<Ola> Oh, I was wondering if I might see that nice Hajene Snake?

<Alea> of course, she's...in the cafeteria

<Ola> She was so helpful the other day.

<Tarsh> Hold on, Someone is here, I think. The door opened.

<Alea> do you know where the cafeteria is?

<Ola> Thank you. I'll just wait right here on the couch. It's a long walk from Plum Street.

* wisesnake begins reciting the list: chocolate, coconut, tomatoes,...

* Alea comes back at the office and sits down at Tarsh's desk

<Alea> how is everything going?

* Alea to Ola

<Tarsh> I'd better check, just a moment.

* Tarsh listens to the list

* Ola looks at the "artwork" above the couch and tries politely not to grimace.

<Ola> Well, not well.

<Alea> oh?

* Alea concerned

<Alea> what is it?

* wisesnake is still reciting food allergies: ...cherries, mushrooms, artichokes,...

<Ola> Do you remember that man Melvin? The one who attacked my granddaughter Bess?

<Alea> yes. Yes, I do

<Ola> Well, he came around four days ago, bold as brass, and started talking pretty to my Bess.

* wisesnake has already gone down a lengthy list and is still reciting: "...black pepper, red peppers, pickle relish..."

* Alea frowns

<Alea> didn't Tormer do something about him?

* Tarsh wishes he had asked what she *isn't* allergic too.

* wisesnake shrugs

<wisesnake> Why don't you just show me what you want to make?

<Tarsh> Ok. come on back.

<Ola> Oh, I went and filed a report, and Inspector Tormer said he'd look into it--but you know how the police are.

<Alea> Yeah, don't I [cyncially]

* Alea especially that idiot

* wisesnake follows Tarsh

<Ola> Not that I could trust anyone with THAT kind of taste in art.

* Alea stiffens

* Tarsh gets a frying pan and two eggs. He takes down the bottle off cooking oil.

<Ola> Anyway, I told that no-good piece of goods to stay away, but you know young girls.

<Alea> what do you mean, that kind of taste in art

* Alea thinking no, I don't

<Ola> Half an hour of sweet-talking, and Bess was eating out of his hand.

* wisesnake watches contentedly

<Tarsh> "May contain: Soybean, safflower or peanut oil."

<Alea> well, since our dear... police officer...doesn't seem to be helping

<wisesnake> Okay.

<Alea> perhaps you could find something to distract Bess

<Ola> Well, I wasn't born yesterday, so I packed Bess off to her uncle.

<Alea> Very good

* Alea confused

<Alea> then what is the matter?

<Ola> He lives forty miles away, so that Melvin won't have another chance at her.

<Ola> It's my angina.

<Alea> ah

<Ola> That nice Miz Snake helped so much the other day.

* Alea nods in understanding

* Tarsh looks in the refrigerator and gets an onion and cheddar cheese.

<Alea> er...actually, I wouldn't call her Miz...she doesn't like that

<wisesnake> No cheese!!

<wisesnake> Sorry

<Alea> Why don't we just take you back to a treatment room and I'll get Snake for you

<Tarsh> Oh, sorry. Butter?

* Alea thinking with her luck, the old lady will croak on her before she gets her there

<Ola> Oh, thank you so much.

<Ola> Ola follows Alea to the treatment room.

<wisesnake> Uh, no

<wisesnake> sorry

* Alea puts her in treatment room four

* Tarsh reaches for the "Oh, no pepper, right?"

<wisesnake> Nope

<Alea> I'll be right back...you going to be okay here, Ola?

<Ola> I'll be fine, dearie.

* Alea goes out...goes down the hall and into the cafeteria

<Alea> Snake..Ola's back...she's in room 4

* Tarsh looks in the vegetable bin. "Pan fried Potatoes?"

<Alea> she wants to talk with you

<Alea> oh...you're cooking!

<Alea> Want some help?

<wisesnake> [to tarsh:] Yes, please!

* wisesnake leaves hastily

<Alea> boy, she was in a hurry

* Tarsh starts and looks and zlins guilty. "Uh Uh ... Snake said she is allergic to mushrooms, so I was gonna make her something."

* Alea goes over and pulls out dishtowel and ties it around waist

<Alea> that's fine

<Alea> I sorta wanted to try my hand at some more cooking anyway

* Alea smells the oil and turns green 3

<Alea> maybe not

<Tarsh> She's allergic to a lot of things. I had to run everything by her.

<Alea> yeah...well...that's a fact

* wisesnake goes to the treatment room where Ola is

<Alea> can't be too careful with a Farris channel

<Tarsh> Something wrong with the oil?

<wisesnake> Hello, Ola.

<Ola> Hello, dearie.

<Alea> no, it just smells...funny

<wisesnake> How have you been doing?

* wisesnake zlins Ola

* Ola has chest pains.

* Alea pours herself some tea then wanders over to table with new table cloth

<Ola> Well, my angina's been acting up again.

<Ola> You helped so much the other day, I was wondering...

* wisesnake smiles at Ola

<wisesnake> Why of course.

<wisesnake> And how is Bess?

<Ola> I sent her off to her uncle, after that no-good Melvin came around and started sweet-talking her.

<wisesnake> Well. Sounds like you might finally get some relaxation then. You know, it's probably the stress that's making your angina act up.

<Ola> Well, I know, but the house felt so lonely with just me in it.

<Ola> So I took in a boarder.

<Ola> Sort of a nursing job.

<wisesnake> Oh?

<wisesnake> [interested]

<Ola> A nice young woman, from the looks of her: a former teacher, or at least the Teacher's Union is paying for her board and care.

<wisesnake> Oh??

<wisesnake> [really interested]

<Ola> Yes. She's not much trouble, just lies in her bed. Hasn't said more than three words to me since she arrived.

<wisesnake> Is she ill?

* Alea gets up and wanders back into the lobby deciding she doesn't like the smell of the oil

<Ola> If you ask me [Ola looks around and whispers confidentially] I think some fellow went a little too far with her.

* wisesnake 's eyes widen

<Ola> She's got that look, like she expects to be attacked at any moment.

<wisesnake> Well I certainly hope you'll let us know if she requires any medical attention. We are here to help.

<Ola> She should be with her family, of course, but apparently she hasn't got any.

* Alea seats herself at Tarsh's desk and absently goes through his drawers

<Ola> Do you think you could help--that?

* wisesnake frowns

<wisesnake> Well it would ease my mind quite a bit if I knew for sure that she had been examined by a channel, whatever the case.

* Alea finds misc money, pencils pens, paper clips

<Ola> I admit I'd feel better if you took a look at her, too. Those doctors across the border don't spend much time on their charity patients.

* wisesnake looks alarmed

<wisesnake> She's from Out Territory?

* Alea also finds an extra pair of socks, a pair of retainers, and papers

<Ola> Oh, yes.

* Alea glances up at the door, sees the sunlight shining in the windows and smiles

<wisesnake> Yes, then it's entirely possible she has not been seen by a channel at all...

<Alea> Perhaps today IS going to be a good day

<wisesnake> And entirely possible that whatever her condition is, is treatable.

<Alea> No berserkers or anything ... just a nice calm day of taking donations and healing problems

<Ola> Oh, that would be such a blessing. She looks like such a nice person, if she'd only stop cowering in her bed.

<wisesnake> Do you think you could bring her in here, or would it be better if a channel came out to your house to see her?

<Ola> I don't think I could bring her here. She won't set foot outside the house--claims she's going to be attacked.

<Ola> That fellow must have been perfectly awful. She's got bruises on her wrists.

* wisesnake is beginning to feel there is something awfully familiar about all this

<wisesnake> Well, we would be happy to send a channel down, whenever would be a good time for you.

<Ola> Perhaps this afternoon?

* wisesnake mentally reviews the day

<wisesnake> That should be fine. Around 1?

* wisesnake thinks that will give her a good excuse to be out of the Center around lunch time

<Ola> That would be perfect. It will give me a chance to feed her lunch, and her friend doesn't usually arrive until 3.

<wisesnake> Okay. It will either be myself, or Veraik who is our Controller and very good.

<Ola> Thank you so much.

<wisesnake> Now, let us see about your angina.

* wisesnake works on Ola's angina again

* Ola sighs with relief as the pain eases.

* Tarsh finishes cooking the omlet and slides it onto a plate.

* Alea gets up and wanders back to the cafeteria

* Alea goes back over and picks up her tea

* Alea absently sips it

* Tarsh looks out and sees that wisesnake is not back yet. he puts the plate on the back of the stove and covers it with another.

<Alea> you like to cook Tarsh?

* Tarsh looks out. "Hi Alea!"

* wisesnake helps Ola up

<Ola> That feels so much better. Thank you, dearie.

* Alea smiles

<Alea> I didn't know you knew how to cook

<Tarsh> I don't like or dislike it, it's something that needs doing. I can handle the basics and not give anyone ptomaine.

<Alea> well, that's good

<wisesnake> I do hope your life will be less stressful now, so you can get your rest and feel your best.

<Alea> you know, you really should clean out your desk...you'd be surprised everything I found in there

* Tarsh comes out. "Can I try your Alea special?"

* Tarsh looks nervous. "you did?"

<Alea> no...toss it out. It's cold now. It wouldn't represent the best

* wisesnake helps Ola to the front door

<Alea> Well, I didn't get to look at all of it

<Alea> I just rummaged through a couple of drawers, which led me to believe it needed cleaning out

<Ola> We'll see. At least my boarder isn't likely to go visit Fast Eddie's, and the rent the union is paying will go a long way to help the bills.

* wisesnake smiles

* Tarsh tries to look disappointed. "well, all right."

<Ola> I'll be waiting at 1.

<wisesnake> That's great. Goodbye.

<Ola> Goodbye!

<Alea> well, I'm going back up front

<Alea> Snake should be done soon and I really need to get started on my reports

* Ola starts on the long walk to Plum Street.

* Tarsh relaxes a little.

* wisesnake returns to the cafeteria

* Alea stands

<Tarsh> "Could I fix you something?"

<Alea> Me? No, I'm not hungry

<Tarsh> Snake! Hello! Let me get your omelet and fries.

* Tarsh goes back into the kitchens.

* Alea wanders out and back to the front of the building

* Alea drifts through the lobby, and decides to take a walk

* Alea grabs a poncho and steps out onto the front porch

<wisesnake> Thanks!

* wisesnake takes the food

* Tarsh comes back out with a covered plate. "Just finished cooking it."

* wisesnake smiles in anticipation

<Tarsh> Want some trin?

<wisesnake> Yes, please.

* Alea slips on the poncho and goes carefully down the stairs

* Tarsh goes over and gets two mugs of trin and comes back and sits down.

* Alea goes out the Sime Center gate and takes a walk on the street, enjoying the rain

* Tarsh gives a mug to wisesnake and wraps his tentacles around the other.

* wisesnake looks at the food

<wisesnake> This looks great!

<wisesnake> thanks.

* wisesnake eats her breakfast

* wisesnake thinks that Simone sure can pack a whallop of a transfer

* wisesnake thinks about maybe asking for him again next month, although it would mean sucking up to Tramila

* Sid sneaks furtively up to the Sime Center's gate.

* Alea looks around at the buildings and smiles

* Alea sees police station and sneers, thinking of Ola

<wisesnake> You certainly are multitalented, Tarsh.

* Sid is a well-dressed boy, about 10.

<Tarsh> Just something I picked up in my younger days, living on the cheap.

<wisesnake> Ah.

* Alea turns and starts back toward the center, beginning to get cold

* Sid peers up and down the street to see if anybody is watching.

<wisesnake> I guess I developed my mooching skills instead of my cooking skills.

<Tarsh> Well, both are needed for a balanced world.

<wisesnake> Both producers and parasites?

* Tarsh asks uneasily. "uh, that was Tuib Ola who came in earlier? How is her grandaughter?"

* Sid sneaks up the steps and slips through the door.

<wisesnake> Well apparently she had to send her away, because Gardens kept bothering her.

* Sid peers around the empty lobby, dripping on the floor.

* Sid , already uneasy, blanches at the sight of the artwork displayed above the couch.

<Tarsh> ~~anger~~ "He did? That lorsh. You should have let me deal with him.

* wisesnake stares at Tarsh, a little disturbed by the sudden anger

<wisesnake> Calm down, Tarsh. It's all dealt with. The girl is living with her uncle.

* Alea crosses to a park, sitting on a bench under a tree where it's not quite as wet

* Sid , trying to avoid the sight of the artwork, wanders over to look at some pamphlets displayed in a rack in one corner.

<Tarsh> What about the next time?

* wisesnake considers

<wisesnake> I think that you can't afford to have anything else on your record.

* Alea gets up and walks back down the street...deciding to go see how much is now being built back after the fire--a fire she can thankfully say she had no part in

* Alea sees the Shiltpron parlor and thinks about going in

<wisesnake> And I think that I can't afford to try to protect you if you did something rash.

* JonDrake is walking down that same street and sees Alea..

* Sid opens a pamphlet titled "Donating and You".

<JonDrake> Hey! Alea!

* Alea goes and peeks in the parlor

* Alea turns

* Tarsh looks grave. [quietly] "How much do you know, anyway?"

<Alea> Yes?

<JonDrake> What are you doing in this end of town?

<Alea> just walking

<Alea> I was thinking of getting a um...drink

* Alea motions to parlor

* Sid starts skimming the pamphlet, then pales when he realizes that it talks about a forbidden subject.

<Alea> I'm suppose to be doing book work, but decided to take a day off

<Alea> I haven't liked being in the lobby lately, and my office is right there

<JonDrake> Uh huh...

<JonDrake> Mind if I buy you a drink, then?

* Alea looks startled, then shrugs

<Alea> sure, why not?

* Alea wonders what they'll do with two Gens in there

* Sid hastily puts the pamphlet back on the rack.

* Alea goes into the building and finds a table

<JonDrake> Problems?

<Alea> no...well, not really. Why do you ask?

* Alea orders her a drink

* wisesnake clears her throat

* JonDrake orders one himself.

* Alea sips the drink, still trying to figure out why everyone likes this so much

<wisesnake> I know enough, I think.

* Tarsh looks more guarded. "I see."

<JonDrake> Your body language. You seem a bit distracted.

* Alea glances up

<Alea> oh, well, a bit maybe

<Alea> we've had some interesting things happen at the center

<wisesnake> Do the words, "kickback", "coverup", and "medical equipment" mean anything to you?

* Tarsh blanches.

* Alea only part of what's on her mind

* Sid tries another pamphlet, this one with the more promising title "What your Sime Center does for You".

<Alea> but what are you doing here instead of at work?

* Alea thinks how early it really is to be drinking and wishes she hadn't asked that question

<JonDrake> It doesn't take a Sime, you know...

<JonDrake> Hmmmmm.......

<Tarsh> That equipment was put to good use helping people, as intended.

<wisesnake> If you were arrested for something like assault the Tecton would probably take a closer look at your entire record.

<JonDrake> I've been doing a lot of thinking myself...

* Sid is halfway through the second pamplet before it, too, drifts into forbidden territory.

* Alea takes another drink thinking it tastes a bit better

<wisesnake> If they found out you were taking kickbacks there wouldn't be hardly anything that would save you.

<Alea> about what?

* Alea smiles at Jon

* Alea doing her best to keep her mind focused

<Tarsh> I got the paperwork covered. The Laveen SC won't miss what it doesn't know it ordered.

<wisesnake> Let me put it this way.

<JonDrake> About what I want to do with my life.

<Alea> really?

* Alea interested

<Alea> and what is that?

* Alea drains the drink and sets it aside

<wisesnake> The paperwork exists that shows exactly what was ordered and when and by whom.

<Tarsh> It's just a part of doing business. If you don't go along, they think you're from the T.I.G. and won't deal at all.

* JonDrake signals to get a refill...

* Alea glances around and wonders what the attraction really is here

<wisesnake> That paperwork could resurface at the most inconvenient time, especially if an investigation is done.

* JonDrake speaks with the server for a moment...

* Tarsh looks irked. "Well if I don't take care of Melvin Garbage, who will?"

* wisesnake looks pained but patient

<wisesnake> You know, I don't think attacking anybody is the answer.

<JonDrake> The server looks a little shocked for a moment, but with a little extra money, relents...

* Tarsh looks conspiratorial. "Frame him?"

<JonDrake> Let's see if you like this one a little better, Alea...

* Alea looks curiously at Jon but takes the drink

* Sid , getting desperate, tries "How to Talk to Your Child About Growing Up".

<JonDrake> After a moment, a different server, a Gen brings the drink.

* Alea surprised to see another Gen

<wisesnake> I was thinking more along the lines of... scare the living shen out of him.

<JonDrake> It appears to be some sort of frozen concoction. Red in color...

<Alea> wow...looks interesting

* Alea takes the drink and tries it

<JonDrake> This was a very popular drink where I come from. It's a little difficult to get ahold of here, though...

* Alea finds it very good

* Tarsh looks thoughtful. "With the authorities, or something worse?"

<Tarsh> I think he may believe in Wer-Gens...

<wisesnake> Wer-Gens? Simes who turn into Gens?

* Alea licks her lips

<Alea> this is really good...I don't think I've ever tasted anything like it

* Alea slurps it down

<Tarsh> Gens who turn into Simes. Live on Sime kills, not Gen kills.

* wisesnake grins

<JonDrake> Wonderful, isn't it?

<Alea> yes

<Alea> so, about your life, what were you thinking about doing?

<wisesnake> That gives me an idea.

* Alea looks around at the other people there-Simes-and doesn't see any of them drinking what she is drinking

<JonDrake> I was reading the pamphlets Snake gave me the other day...

<wisesnake> But you and I would have to work together on it.

<Tarsh> He even warned me once. Said they hunt in places like where we...

* Alea blinks slightly, starting to feel funny

<Tarsh> Anything you say, snake.

<Alea> pamphlets...ah, yes, Donor pamphlets

<wisesnake> I think you'll like this, though. It'll be fun.

<JonDrake> I could see a lot of it. It made sense...

<Alea> yes it does. I wouldn't want to be anything except a Donor

<Tarsh> Just ask.

* JonDrake hears the musician tuning up the instrument.

* Alea finishes it off and smiles

<Alea> so, you're thinking about becoming a Donor

* JonDrake smiles back, amused at Alea's reaction to the drink.

* Sid gets two sentences into pamphlet #3, before it, too wanders into forbidden territory.

* Alea motions to the waiter for another drink, tossing her money out at him and smiling

<Tarsh> Tarsh gets up.

<JonDrake> Yes. I was actually on my way to the Center when I saw you...

<Alea> really?

<wisesnake> Tarsh.

<Alea> oh, I didn't mean to delay you. I"m sorry

* Sid hastily puts the third pamphlet back in the rack.

<JonDrake> Well, yes. Of course, I'm still a bit nervous, so I was taking my time...

<wisesnake> You know Briael, don't you? The channel?

<Alea> ahh...[nods]

<JonDrake> It is such a big step.

<Alea> and important

<Alea> don't forget that.

* Alea takes the drink the waiter brings and begins sipping on it

<JonDrake> It's like...up until this week, if things got rough, I could always go back to the other side of the border....

* Alea thinks with the nasty police they have here that wouldn't be a bad idea, though she doesn't tell Jon that

<Tarsh> I think we've met. I've seen her file is here.

* Sid abandons the forbidden literature in favor of a three-month-old home and gardening magazine left on the couch.

<wisesnake> Briael looks like she's about 13. If you wait until Melvin is in need, and take her in dressed like a Gen and zlinning like a Gen,

<JonDrake> Taking this step would just about sever the last ties to home. It's a BIG decision.

<Alea> well, it's worth it.

<JonDrake> Up until now, I've pretty much wandered, moving farther away month by month, this would be a conscious decision..

<wisesnake> And if as soon as they're alone she busts out in tentacles and chases him across countryside until he's near attrition, I doubt he'll ever play games with Gens again.

<Alea> As a Gen, one who produces selyn like you do, you're not going to be comfortable iwth your life unless you do heed what your body is telling you

* Tarsh looks embarassed. "Sorry, she isn't very developed, is she?"

<JonDrake> Really?

<Alea> really

<JonDrake> You didn't seem to comfortable earlier.

<wisesnake> Uh, well, not many Simes are.

* Tarsh breaks into an evil smile.

<JonDrake> What's it like being a Donor?

* Alea smiles

<Alea> being a Donor is probably the best thing you could ever be

<Tarsh> I love it. That's perfect.

* Alea smiles dreamily

* JonDrake is looking in rapt attention. He wants to understand...

<Alea> that need to give...it's...it's unlike anything else

<wisesnake> Of course I'll have to talk to Briael about it. But assuming she's willing, then it would just be up to you to arrange the... meeting.

<Tarsh> Well, I've seen some .. well never mind.

<Alea> the selyn is there, and YOU are the one who is going to make the difference between life and death

<Alea> You, not the Sime. The Sime needs You

<JonDrake> Do you feel that churning?

<Alea> yes

* Alea nager responds to her words, remembering the experience of good transfers with channels

<Tarsh> I haven't seen Melvin since ... he doesn't know how I feel about him. If I can just control my field...

<Alea> you would never regret the decision

<wisesnake> If you want, I would be happy to arrange the meeting.

<wisesnake> You don't require any more stress than you already have either.

<JonDrake> These last few days, it's been like a twister, movement inside, getting stronger and stronger, wanting to so somewhere, to do something...

* Alea finishes her other drink and props her head on her hand, her eyes unfocused as she thinks about how great it is when you have a Channel to share with

* Sid opens the magazine, and discovers that it's written in Simelan.

<wisesnake> Going back into those places and spending time with Melvin will probably just make your recovery more difficult.

<Tarsh> I can do it. Let me know if she agrees.

<JonDrake> The Simes in the parlor begin to respond to the two animated Gens...

<JonDrake> More importantly, the musician get's a sly look in his eye and begins to play...

<Alea> It's not really that big a step, once you make it Jon

<wisesnake> Well then. Do you know where Melvin is in his need cycle right now?

<Alea> One you take that step...you wonder how you ever survived without being a Donor

* Tarsh looks away. "It ... may. But yesterday ... I don't know if I'll ever zlin a gen the same way again."

* Sid looks at a picture of a cake, decorated with frosting leaves and roses.

* wisesnake makes a mental note to be prepared for a rough time on Tarsh's next transfer

<Tarsh> No, except .. when was that girl here the first time? But Melvin wouldn't have gotten a full load...

<JonDrake> I think I would like to know, really _know_ what that feels like....

* Sid 's stomach growls at the sight.

<wisesnake> You want me to zlin him for you, let you know?

<Alea> the only way to know is to feel it...to go in and experience it

* Alea reaches out and takes Jon's hand

<Alea> trust me on this.

* JonDrake is not completely aware of it, but his selyn production is starting to respond to the emotion, the music.

<Tarsh> Two weeks, I think.

<wisesnake> All right.

* JonDrake feels a rush with Alea's touch.

* wisesnake rises to her feet

<Alea> so, what is your decision?

<Alea> you want to go for it?

<wisesnake> I think we have come to an agreement then, yes?

* JonDrake returns her grasp.

* Sid remembers why his mother forgot to make breakfast, and suddenly, he isn't hungry any more.

<JonDrake> Yes! I do! Let's go for it!

* Alea surprised at his outburst and leans back slightly

<Tarsh> No, I can talk him out of it. We should keep you out of his sight, in case we want to use you as an actor in our little drama. <evil grin>

* wisesnake laughs

* Sid starts to cry.

<Tarsh> Yes. Tarsh holds out his hand, Gen style.

* JonDrake lets his hand remain in Alea's. He's enjoying the contact.

<wisesnake> If Melvin has forgotten who I am, then he's even farther out in outer space than I thought.

<JonDrake> Sorry, a little loud?

* JonDrake quiets down..

<Tarsh> You've met?

<Alea> just a bit

* Alea smiles

<Alea> great

<wisesnake> Well, his range overlaps my range, if you will.

* Alea pushes herself up and finds she's just a bit unsteady

* wisesnake smiles in wicked rememberance

<wisesnake> Well.

* wisesnake reaches out and curls a couple tentacles around Tarsh's to seal the agreement

* JonDrake works to help her steady herself.

* Sid snuffles, unable to find a handkerchief.

<Tarsh> Until then Haj .. snake.

* wisesnake smiles again

<Alea> I'm fine, really

* Alea smiles up at Jon

* wisesnake leaves and goes up to the front lobby

<Alea> come on, let's go back and you can tell Snake

* Alea walks into the table

* wisesnake sees Sid

* Tarsh walks out, forgetting to put his mug up.

<JonDrake> Uh, Alea? We seem to be attracting a lot of attention here.

<JonDrake> Ok.

<JonDrake> That may be the best thing.

* Alea looks around and blinks owlishly

<Alea> what are they looking at?

* Sid is too distracted with grief to notice Snake.

<JonDrake> I don't know. YOU'RE the Donor...

* wisesnake approaches Sid cautiously

<Alea> well --I-- can't zlin them

<Alea> Donor's don't zlin, you know

<Alea> and I'm too low field...that shouldn't bother them[frowns]

* Alea gets worried

<JonDrake> Well, I'm from the other sde of the border, and they don't look too calm right now...

<Alea> well then, let's leave

* Alea starts to the door

<JonDrake> Yes, quickly. (but not too quickly)

* Alea grabs Jon's arm and steadies herself

<Alea> that, uh, drink...it was really good...what did it have in it?

* wisesnake cautiously sits down next to Sid

<Alea> maybe I can make one up back at the Center for Tarsh and Snake

* JonDrake winces a little bit at her grasp..

<JonDrake> Strawberries...

<wisesnake> Hello? Are you all right?

<Alea> oh

* Alea thinks that won't work

<Alea> maybe I could substitute something like....

* Sid finally notices there is someone sitting next to him.

<Alea> mushrooms...or cherries

<Alea> yeah, cherries

<Sid> Who are you?

<JonDrake> You don't find many over here. They're expensive.

<Sid> I was supposed to talk to Snake.

<wisesnake> I'm Snake.

* wisesnake smiles at Sid, gently

* Alea fumbles at the door trying to get it open

<wisesnake> Can I help you?

* Sid looks Snake over carefully.

<Alea> you know, I just can't figure out why this place is so popular

* Sid sees Snake's tentacles and his eyes widen.

* Tarsh comes out into the lobby. Glances at snake and Sid, but goes to his desk.

<Sid> Mis Haskins didn't say you were...

* Tarsh squats down behind his desk and pulls the top left drawer all the way out.

* JonDrake rushes to help, trying to grab the same door handle..

* Tarsh reaches his arm all the way into the hole.

<wisesnake> I'm a Sime, yes. But I'll help you, if you tell me what is wrong.

* Alea knocks her off balance and she bumbs into the wall

* JonDrake and Alea aren't doing too well here...

<Sid> Miz Haskins told me I should ask you about... [starts to cry again]

* wisesnake is concentrating on Sid and doesn't notice Tarsh's behavior

<JonDrake> You know? I bet Snake would like this place!

* Alea gets the door open and steps out onto the sidewalk

<JonDrake> Oops, sorry!

<Alea> yeah, she really did the other night

<Sid> She said she c-couldn't, or the law would get her.

* Tarsh is concentrating on what he is doing. His tounge sticks out slightly between his teeth.

<wisesnake> There, there.

<JonDrake> She did?

* Alea turns and starts down the sidewalk..are you coming or will we see you later

* wisesnake hesitates, then cautiously puts her arm around the child

<Alea> yeah, got drunk as I recall...a real mess

<JonDrake> I'm on my way...

* Tarsh pulls something free and pulls out a flat wooden box.

* JonDrake follow uneasily.

<JonDrake> Drunk? Heh!

<wisesnake> Is Mz. Haskins your teacher?

* Alea smooths skirt and looks back over at Jon

<Alea> she was..she couldn't even walk. Tarsh had to take her home

* Tarsh opens up the box and looks inside.

<Alea> I don't know how anyone could drink that much and end up like she was

<Alea> It was rather funny

* Alea giggles

<JonDrake> I woulda loved to have seen that!

<Alea> once in a lifetime.

<Tarsh> "Whew!" Tarsh visibly relaxes.

* Alea staggers a bit and frowns, wondering why she seems so unsteady

<Alea> you know

<Alea> come see me sometime after work. We'll get Snake out and take her here

* JonDrake is only slightly more stable.

<JonDrake> Ok, which way to the Center, do you remember?

<Alea> then all you have to do is sit back and watch....and wait for it to happen

* Alea looks at Jon funny and points

<Alea> the way we're headed

<Sid> Yeah. Miz Haskins taught my history class last year. Then she went over to the elementary school.

* Alea suddenly realizes it's raining

* Alea wonders where her poncho went

* Alea shrugs and continues on to the gate of the Sime Center

* Tarsh puts the box down and carefully slides the drawer back in.

<Alea> you go on in...

<Alea> I'm going around back and go in that way

<JonDrake> You're not coming?

<wisesnake> So your teacher told you to come here and talk to me?

<Alea> I need to go upstairs and change

<JonDrake> Oh...ok...

<Sid> She was the best teacher I ever had.

* wisesnake notices Sid is half wet, and hungry

<JonDrake> Ah...you need any help?

* Tarsh over-casually stands up with the box semi-hidden in his hand against his leg.

* wisesnake smiles slightly at Sid's praise of his teacher

<Alea> you know, I just might

* Alea reaches out and takes Jon's arm

<Sid> So when Dad died yesterday, I asked her why Mom blamed my sister Zao.

<Sid> Zao wouldn't do anything like that.

* JonDrake helps steady Alea up the stairs...

<Sid> Miz Haskins said she wasn't allowed to tell me, but that you would.

<Alea> I really didn't want to track water in the main door of the Center

* wisesnake feels a shock of comprehension

<JonDrake> I undershtand.

* Alea grabs ahold of Jon tighter as she negociates the steps

* wisesnake fails to notice Tarsh and the box

* JonDrake grabs her as she slips...

<Alea> uh, thanks

* Tarsh goes off down the hall.

* Alea goes inside

* Alea starts up the stairs to her room

<wisesnake> Tell you about what happened to your sister?

* JonDrake follows. Looks around...

<Alea> oh, you've never been here

<Alea> well, this is the living quarters

* Alea motions widely with her arm

* Alea loses balance

* JonDrake ducks back to avoid being hit.

<Sid> And why Mom says she made Dad die. She wouldn't do that, but she's gone, so she can't tell Mom.

<Alea> gee, those stairs are slick!

* JonDrake then reaches out to steady Alea.

* Alea smiles her thanks again

* JonDrake starts giggling...

<Sid> I asked Mom where Zao was, but she wouldn't tell me.

<Alea> I bet Snake is here, out front and I bet she'll be glad you came to donate

<Alea> what are you laughing about?

<Sid> She said it was forbidden to talk to a child about it.

<wisesnake> Sid, I will certainly tell you about your sister. Would you let me get you some dry clothes and something to eat first?

* Alea pauses outside her door

<Alea> this is my room

* Alea fumbles with the door

<JonDrake> Was I laughing?

<Alea> I'll just change and be right down

<JonDrake> Here, let me help..

* Tarsh comes back out into the lobby. He looks over at Snake and Sid.

* Sid nods, trusing Miz Haskin's friend.

* Alea pauses and chuckles

<Alea> yes, you were

<JonDrake> Oh.

* Alea pushes the door open and goes inside

<Alea> thanks again

<JonDrake> Stumbles in. No problem.

* JonDrake looks around at how Alea has decorated her room...

* Alea turns in surprise when she sees Jon in her room

<Tarsh> Curious, Tarsh goes over.

* Alea looks around to see what he sees

* Alea looks at her art, the strewn cloths, the unmade bed...

* Alea a mess...an absolute mess

* JonDrake looked around a bit too quickly. He's a bit dizzy.

* Alea reaches out to grab him

<JonDrake> Whoa! I gotta sit down...

<Alea> You okay?

* Alea looks concerned

* wisesnake takes Sid's hand gently, smiles at him, and gets up to lead him to the cafeteria

<JonDrake> Oh, sure. Jusht a littl woosy. I'll be ok...

* Alea leans over him and wonders if he is experiencing the same thing Snake did

* Alea studies him curiously

* JonDrake looks for someplace to sit and sits down on the unmade bed.

* Sid follows Snake, secure in the illusion that a responsible adult is in charge.

<Tarsh> did you need anything Hajene Snake?

<Alea> why don't you let me go get you some help...you don't look so good

<JonDrake> I'll just sit here for a while... Do what you need to do...

* Alea stands up affronted. Do what I need to do indeed!

* Alea grabs her head from the effect of standing up so quickly

<JonDrake> No. I just need to sit down for a while. Liquor doesn't usually affect me this way...

<Alea> you know, I think that cold rain bothered me

<wisesnake> Yes, Tarsh, I know this is asking a lot, but could you see if you can find something for this child to eat?

<Alea> I need to um...change my clothes

<wisesnake> I'm going to take him to get dried off and some clean clothes.

* Alea looks toward the door

<JonDrake> Ok, don't mind me...

* JonDrake leans back loses his balance.

<Alea> you know, maybe I ought to help you downstairs

* Alea grabs at him

<Tarsh> "Certainly. Hello. My name is Tarsh. what is your name?"

<Alea> no, no, no...don't lay down

* Sid looks at Tarsh.

* JonDrake loses consciousness before his head hits the bed.

<Sid> I'm Sidnee

* Tarsh smiles

* Alea frowns not sure what to do

<Sid> Pleased to meet you, Mr. Tarsh.

<Tarsh> I'm pleased to meet you Sidnee.

* Alea goes to her closet and pulls out some dry cloths

<Sid> Are you Miz Haskins' friend, too?

<wisesnake> ~~nageric yes~~

* Tarsh thinks for a moment. "Yes, I am."

* Alea looks back at Jon, totters to the door and out...going across the hall to another room to change

<Sid> I like her. She's my favorite teacher.

<wisesnake> Sid, would you like to go with Tarsh while I go get you some clothes? I will be right back with you.

<Tarsh> "She told me what a good boy you are."

<Sid> OK.

* Alea pulls off her wet cloths, pulls the pins out of her hair and begins to brush her hair

* Tarsh holds out his hand, tentacles all the way in.

* wisesnake takes leave of them and goes to the contingency storage, looks for clothes about the kid's size

* Sid takes Tarsh's hand.

* Alea looks around and realizes she is in Veraik's room

<Alea> Yikes!

* Alea stands up and quickly pulls on her dry clothes

* Alea gives the brush another pull through her hair and goes out

* Alea wonders if there is anything to take for an upset stomach. She really should have eaten something first

<Tarsh> Come on Sidnee, lets get something to eat.

* Tarsh leads Sid down towards the cafeteria.

* Sid , cheered by the thought of his first meal of the day, follows Tarsh.

* Alea touches her forehead

* Alea then touchs her abdomen

* Alea tries to force the bad feeling away and go downstairs

<Alea> I've put those reports on hold long enough

* Alea heads down stairs and toward the lobby

* Tarsh shows Sid to a table. "Do you like peanut butter and jelly? Or would you like some oatmeal?"

* Alea goes carefully down the stairs, bewilderd and not sure waht to do about the man in her bed

<Sid> Peanut butter!

<Sid> [remembering his manners] if it's not too much trouble, Mr. Tarsh.

* wisesnake emerges from the storeroom with the clothes

<Tarsh> "OK. You stay right there."

* wisesnake heads for the cafeteria

* Tarsh goes into the kitchen.

* wisesnake returns to the cafeteria

<wisesnake> Hello, Sid.

<Sid> Hello, Miz Snake.

* Tarsh comes out with a glass of milk and puts it down in front of Sid. "Heree's some milk. I'll be right back."

<wisesnake> There's a restroom right over there, if you'd like to change into these dry clothes. We wouldn't want you to catch a chill after Miz Haskins entrusted us with you.

* wisesnake smiles

* Alea goes back to Tarsh's desk, retrieves the folders and goes to her office

* Tarsh goes back to the kitchen.

* Sid takes the clothes and heads for the restroom.

* Alea pushes the door closed behind her

* Sid changes clothes, folding his wet things into a neat pile, and returns to the cafeteria.

* Tarsh comes out with a plate with three crust-on, diagonal cut, peanut butter and plum Jam sandwiches.

<Tarsh> "Here you go Sid. I'm sorry, there was only plum Jam."

<Sid> Thank you, Mr. Tarsh. Plum jam is fine.

* Alea thinks that maybe working up here isn't so bad after all

* Sid picks up a half sandwich and bites into it hungrily.

* wisesnake realizes she has no idea how one goes about washing clothes at the Center

* Alea focuses on her reports and begins to fill them out

* Alea realizes she CAN'T focus on the reports and the words aren't where they should be

* Sid scarfs down the first sandwich half and starts on a second.

* Alea wonders what was in that drink she had

* Sid washes the sticky peanut butter out of his mouth with a gulp of milk, then starts to demolish sandwich #2.

* Tarsh goes over to snake and whispers "Changeover? Doesn't look old enough."

<wisesnake> No... I'll explain later

<Tarsh> "ok"

* Alea puts the reports back in the folder and goes back out to filing cabinet

* Alea stuffs them in the drawer, missing where they go

* Tarsh goes back into the kitchen.

* wisesnake waits for Sid to become interested in his sister's story again

* Sid attacks the third sandwich with barely diminished speed.

* Alea decides to go back upstairs and lay down

* Alea feeling very tired

* Sid finishes the last sandwich, and drains the milk glass in three gulps.

* Tarsh comes out with a bowl of fruit.

* Alea starts up the stiars, yawning widely

<Tarsh> "You should have some fruit too Sid. Would you like an apple? It will help you grow up to be a big strong man like your father."

* wisesnake ~~wince~~

* Sid 's remmaining appetite flees at the mention of his father.

<Tarsh> ~~puzzled~~

<Sid> No thank you, Mr. Tarsh. I'm not hungry any more.

* wisesnake "accepts" the bowl of fruit from Tarsh and sets it on the table

<wisesnake> Thank you, Tarsh.

* Alea turns down the hall and goes into her room

* Alea still yawning, she crosses to the window and pulls the drapes

<wisesnake> Sid, let's talk about your father.

<Tarsh> OK. Sidnee. Tell me or Miz Snake if you want any more.

* Sid looks at Snake with eyes bloodshot from crying.

* Alea turns and absently reaches for the covers of her bed to throw them back

* Tarsh picks up the plate and glass and goes back into the kitchen.

<Sid> OK, Miz Snake.

<wisesnake> And your sister. Zao.

<Tarsh> ~~surprise - shock~~

* Alea meets flesh instead and shrieks

* Alea jumps back, panting in shock

<Tarsh> ~~sympathy for Sid~~

* Alea pulls open the drapes and sees Jon

<wisesnake> Now Sid, [gently], you know that a lot of changes happen when people grow up, don't you?

* Alea remembers he passed out on her bed

* Alea grumbles

* Alea goes out her room and to Snake's room

* Sid nods.

* Tarsh tries to listen at the door without being visible.

* Alea sees no one is in there and crawls into her bed

<wisesnake> When your father and mother were young, they were just like you and Zao, weren't they?

* Alea frowns, pulls out a shoe, two bottles of pills and a rock

<Alea> Has she been in MY rock collection

<Sid> [considers] No, they lived in the mountains, and went rock climbing.

* Alea leaves the bed and goes back out into the hall

<Sid> I don't like rock climbing.

* Alea stumbles to the next door and pushes it open

<wisesnake> Ah. [chuckles slightly]

* Alea not realizing she is back in Veraik's room

<wisesnake> You're a wise man, Sid. Rock climbing can be highly dangerous.

<Sid> I'm not a man yet.

<wisesnake> That is true.

<wisesnake> That is exactly what I want to talk to you about.

* Alea crawls forward until the upper half of her body is on the bed...

<Sid> Girls?

* Alea smiles

<Sid> My Dad said he'd tell me about them in a few years, but I guess he can't, now.

* Alea closes her eyes thinking how nice this bed feels

<wisesnake> Not just girls.

<wisesnake> I want to talk to you about growing up.

<wisesnake> About changing from a boy to a man.

<wisesnake> Now your father was probably going to talk to you about this too.

* wisesnake kicks herself for the lie, but oh well

<Sid> He said he would, but it's forbidden for kids to hear about it.

* Alea frowns

<Alea> no, she doesn't like this bed either

<wisesnake> Well, it's important that kids who are ALMOST grown up should hear it, so they know what's about to happen.

<Sid> If they do, they turn into monsters.

* Alea she goes back to her room deciding maybe she can push Jon's body out of her bed

* wisesnake looks at Sid in some surprise

<wisesnake> Monsters? Like live in closets and under people's beds?

<Sid> Is that what happened to Zao?

* Alea climbs up on the bed and looks down at Jon

<Alea> You know, I'm really sorry about this Jon........

<wisesnake> No, not at all.

<wisesnake> Your sister did not turn into a monster, she turned into a woman.

<Sid> No, I don't think so.

* Alea grabs his shoulder and starts pushing

<Sid> I think it means monsters like live on the other side of the border.

<wisesnake> Oh.

<wisesnake> Am I a monster?

* JonDrake barely stirs...

<Sid> But it's forbidden to ask questions about them.

* Alea pushes again...then turns around, planting her feet against the wall and her shoulders against Jon's chest.

<wisesnake> It's okay to ask questions here.

* Alea pushes again

* JonDrake sleepily reaches out, pulling her to him...

* Sid looks at Snake carefully.

<wisesnake> Remember, Miz Haskins told you to come here for me to tell you, right?

<Alea> Yike!

* Alea tries to pull away

* wisesnake waits for him to finish looking

* Alea is suddenly not feeling very drunk at all

<Sid> If Miz Haskins likes you, you can't be a monster.

* JonDrake snuggles in and settles down again...

<Alea> uh, Jon?

* Alea shoves at his shoulder

<Alea> Jon?

* wisesnake smiles

<JonDrake> Mmmmmm?

<wisesnake> Miz Haskins is a very special person.

* Alea reaches for his arm and tries to extricate herself carefully

<wisesnake> And so are you.

* Alea thinking this is All I need

<Sid> [frowns] My Dad didn't like Miz Haskins.

<Alea> Jon, you wanted to go downstairs to Donate

<Alea> remember?

<Sid> He said she was a Sime-lover. What's a Sime?

<wisesnake> Do you know, that's exactly what I was coming to.

<JonDrake> Ummmmhmmm?

<wisesnake> You see, Sid, when you become a man, there are two different possible choices of what you might become.

* JonDrake is slowly starting to stir...

* Alea wiggles, pushing away

<wisesnake> You might be a "Sime" or you might be a "Gen".

<Alea> Wake up Jon.

* Alea finally manages to get his hand from around her

<wisesnake> I am a Sime, Miz Haskins is a Gen.

* Tarsh feels ashamed for spying, and sneaks out the back door.

* Alea sighs in relief

<wisesnake> Your mom and dad were both Gens.

* JonDrake is mumbling in his sleep.

* Alea turns and again tries to push him out of her bed

<Sid> Is that why you have funny arms?

<wisesnake> Tarsh - [looks around, doesn't see him] - is a Sime.

<Sid> He has funny arms, too.

<wisesnake> Yes. When a kid grows up to be a Sime, he or she grows the funny tentacles on their arms.

* Alea she should put him in Veraik's room. What a surprise that would be for Veraik

* Tarsh stands in the garden, hands on hips, looking at the papers melting under the rain.

<Sid> [considers] I don't want to have funny arms.

<JonDrake> "[mumble] but honey...[mumble mumble]"

<wisesnake> When a kid grows up to be a Gen, he or she gets strong muscles and lots of hair.

<Alea> come on, Jon, this is NOT funny....

* Alea shoves harder at him and loses her balance, her nose crashing into his chest

<Alea> Ow

<Sid> Really? That's what I want.

* JonDrake settles back down comfortably, his arms around Alea...

<Alea> Jon!

* wisesnake laughs softly.

* Alea what a mess!

<wisesnake> Well, I hope you get what you want.

* Tarsh says to wisesnake's friend the gnome, "I suppose it would be too much to ask for these to be those procurement records, wouldn't it?"

<wisesnake> Okay, but now I have to tell you something else about Simes and Gens.

* Sid listens attentively.

<JonDrake> [mumble] alea [mumble]

* Alea maneuvers one hand up and freezes at his words her eyes widening in shock

<Alea> I dearly hope he is talking about another Alea

* Tarsh sighs. "I guess not. More likely my payroll file."

<wisesnake> When a Gen grows up, he makes a great power inside of him called selyn.

* Alea reaches behind her to peel his arms away again

<Alea> I'll just go sleep in Snake's bed...what could happen there?

* Tarsh goes in the back door to the residential wing.

<Alea> I shouldn't have even come back in here

* Alea suddenly remembers dream and blanches

<Alea> no...Veraik's bed

<wisesnake> But when the Sime grows up, he doesn' have any selyn.

<Sid> Power? Like the power that runs the trains? I want to drive a train when I grow up.

<Alea> Definitely Veraik's bed

<wisesnake> Yes. Just like the trains.

* Alea manages to get one of Jon's arms from around her

<Alea> you just stay right here, Jon

<wisesnake> That power that makes the trains comes from Gens, just like your dad and mom.

<Alea> That's fine

* JonDrake just begin to relax...As Alea moves his hand away from her back, it moves down lower...

<Alea> I'm going to uh...go to another room

<Alea> Eeak!

<Alea> Jon!

* Tarsh gets a mischevious gleam in his eye.

<wisesnake> But there's another thing selyn is used for, besides the trains.

<Sid> What's that?

* Alea grabs his hand and removes it from it's position

<wisesnake> Remember how I said the Simes don't have any selyn?

* Sid nods.

* Alea forces it up and around away from her back

* JonDrake 's hand finally falls limply to the side.

<wisesnake> Well the trouble is, the Simes need the selyn to stay alive. Everybody does, but only the Gens can make their own.

* Alea sighs in relief

* Tarsh tiptoes up to Alea's door and zlins to see if she is there.

<wisesnake> If a person grows up to become a Sime, somebody has to give them some selyn or they will die.

* JonDrake begins to mumble again...

* Alea pushes again at Jon getting out of his grip

<Sid> Funny arms must be very dangerous.

* wisesnake looks confused

* Alea pushes up to her knees

<Alea> just get out of here...leave him here

<Alea> that's fine

<Sid> If you can die just by getting them.

<Alea> he can have the whole room

<wisesnake> Oh.

* Tarsh can't zlin well through the door.

<wisesnake> Well it's true. It's no fun being a Sime, you have to depend on other people to stay alive.

* Alea tries to crawl back around Jon

<wisesnake> Did your teacher tell you what this place is called? It's called a Sime Center, and it's called that because we collect selyn here just like the trains, and the Simes can come here to get what they need.

<Sid> They can?

* Alea crawls over Jon

<wisesnake> Yes. they have to, you see, they don't have any other choice.

* Alea relief

* Tarsh decides no one is there and goes down the hall.

<Sid> They can't get selyn anywhere else?

* JonDrake makes disappointed noises...

<wisesnake> Not usually.

<wisesnake> Now let me tell you about your sister.

* Alea looks at him nervously...and just a bit warily

<wisesnake> Your sister grew up.

<wisesnake> She grew up and became a Sime.

* Alea picks up her shoes and slips them back on

<Sid> She got funny arms?

<wisesnake> Sid, there's a lot more to becoming Sime than funny arms. She couldn't just be alive anymore, like a kid... she had to have selyn or she would die.

<wisesnake> And that's what would have happened if your father hadn't saved her life.

<Sid> He did?

<wisesnake> Yes. Your father gave her his own selyn, because she couldn't come here to the Sime Center to get her own.

<Alea> you just stay right there Jon

<Alea> that is perfectly all right...you can have the bed

<wisesnake> Because he loved her so much.

* Alea goes to her door and slips out

* Alea closes the door and leans against it, very VERY relieved to be out

* Sid nods.

* Tarsh looks around the lobby.

<Alea> you know, my office really isn't looking that bad after all

<wisesnake> Now if you ever have any kids, Sid,

* Alea thinks she must have been born under a bad star

<wisesnake> You should remember, that if you think they are going to be a Sime, you should take them to a Sime center before they finish changing.

<Sid> I should?

<Sid> Why?

* Alea pushes away from the door and carefully, trying to walk as steady as possible, goes back down to her office

* Alea shaking her head thinking she'll nap on the couch if she decides to take a nap...locking the door...all alone...nice and safe

* Tarsh thinks about Sid's wet clothes.

<wisesnake> Because they'll die without the power. You wouldn't want a little son or daughter of your own to die the way your sister almost did, would you? You wouldn't want to have to sacrifice yourself the way your father did, would you?

<Sid> Sacrifice?

<wisesnake> ~~~uh-oh~~~

* wisesnake grabs her forehead suddenly as a headache slams into her

* Tarsh scribbles a note.

<Sid> You still haven't told me why Mom says Zao made Dad die.

<wisesnake> Okay. Let's talk about your mother and father.

<Sid> [frowns] Miz Haskins said you would tell me.

* Alea comes down the stairs and turns to her office

<wisesnake> And I will. Here is why your mother thinks that.

<wisesnake> Your mother and father are both Gens.

<wisesnake> A lot of people are Gens, in fact practically everybody in your town is.

* Tarsh goes down to the restroom and picks up the pile of wet clothes.

<Sid> They don't have funny arms, or need power.

<wisesnake> Right.

* Alea stops by lobby and goes to get the folders

* Tarsh comes out into the lobby.

* Alea digs through the files looking for the folder she needs

<JonDrake> ...After a little bit of time, Jon Drake begins to slowly awaken...

* Alea sees Tarsh and nods then goes back to what she's doing

* Alea hoping he's not going to yell at her

<wisesnake> Do you remember how your father said he'd tell you about girls when you are grown up?

* Alea continues to search the files, certain she had put everything back where it went yesterday and she had it memorized

<Tarsh> "I noticed that someone had fixed up the files again. Was that you?"

<Sid> Yes. He said it was forbidden for kids.

* Alea cringes, knowing Tarsh hates people in his files

<Alea> uh, well....yes

<wisesnake> Yes. Well, some people also have a rule like that about telling kids about Simes and Gens.

<Sid> They do?

<wisesnake> Yes.

* Alea finds the files she needs, stuck in the wrong place and pulls them out

<wisesnake> Now, your father thought he had a very good reason for not telling you about girls.

<Sid> "Why?"

* Tarsh pauses for a moment...

* JonDrake is still groggy as he rolls out of the bed, falling loudly to the floor.

* Alea turns and sees Tarsh still standing there...

<Alea> was there something you needed Tarsh?

<Tarsh> "You did a good job. Thank you."

* Alea disbelief

<Alea> you're welcome

<Tarsh> "I don't know that I've ever met a Channel or Donor before who appreciated proper filing."

* Alea turns and carefully makes her way to her office thinking NOW the idiot wakes up hoping he'll just stay up there a bit longer

* Alea pauses

<Alea> Uh, well...

* Alea thinks about turning hte filing cabinets over and smiles

<wisesnake> [in answer to Sid's question] Some people don't want to tell kids about Simes and Gens because they don't like Simes and they don't want their kids to know they're going to disown them if they turn Sime.

<Alea> sometimes it's important to know where things are

* wisesnake kicks herself "shen it"

* wisesnake kicks herself a second time "it just came out!"

<Sid> Why would they do that to their own kids?

* Alea smiles weakly her queasy stomach making itself known

* wisesnake considers

* Alea maybe she should have stayed upstairs after all

<Sid> Did your Mommy and Daddy disown you when you got funny arms?

<Tarsh> Yes, but the Talent usually just assumes that files organize themselves.

* wisesnake smiles painfully at Sid

<wisesnake> Actually, I'm an orphan.

* Alea feeling a bit guilty and only wanting to go to her office and sit down

<Alea> yes, well, I think we've all learned our lessons

<wisesnake> But many parents do that to their children, because many Gens don't like Simes.

* JonDrake struggles to his feet, his head aching so much, the Regional Controller must feel it...

<Alea> these files take time and I for one, will make sure to sign out all the files from now on

* Alea goes back to desk and signs out the file she has

<Sid> Why don't Gens like Simes?

<wisesnake> That's why there are so many Gens living in your town, and not so many Simes... all the Simes were scared away.

<Alea> see?

<wisesnake> Well, Sid, it's because they're afraid.

<Sid> Afraid of what?

<Tarsh> "Well, you have anyway. Thank you. I'm going out to a laundromat to dry Sidnee's clothes. Poor kid."

<wisesnake> When a Sime needs selyn, and nobody will let him get to a Sime Center, he has no other place to get selyn except directly from a Gen.

<Alea> good good. you do that

<wisesnake> And not many people have the courage to do what your father did.

<JonDrake> ====If a Hung-over Gen falls down, and there is no Sime around to zlin it, is it still a slam?===

<Tarsh> Ok. See you.

* Alea turns back to office

* JonDrake makes his way to the lavatory...

* Tarsh grabs his poncho and goes out into the rain.

* Alea goes into the bathroom instead and throws up her overindulgence

<Sid> What did my father do?

<wisesnake> Your father died so your sister could live.

<Alea> shen my stomach and head feel bad

<wisesnake> He went downstairs where she lay dying, and she took his selyn and he died instead of her.

* JonDrake pours cold water into the sink and splashes the water on his face.

<Sid> He died because she took his power?

* Alea vows never to drink whatever that was that JonDrake gave her

<wisesnake> He died because she needed some of his, and he wasn't trained how to give it safely. Just like they don't let just anybody drive the trains, they don't let just anybody give selyn to a Sime.

* JonDrake smacks his cotton filled mouth as he looks around. He sees Alea's toothbrush...

* Alea thinks her curiosity has been satisfied...only people who want to die go to places like that

<Sid> Why not?

<JonDrake> He considers it for a moment, then thinks better of it. He instead rinses his mouth out with cold water.

* Alea stands up and washes her face and rinses her mouth

<wisesnake> Because it's not safe. Haven't you seen the big warning labels on the engine of the train? Don't touch this, don't touch that? Selyn must be handled carefully. We here at the Sime Center are trained to handle it right.

* Alea goes back out the door and heads back to her office

<Sid> Oh.

<wisesnake> Now that doesn't mean some people don't try, in an emergency.

* JonDrake looks around for dental floss. Finds none.

* JonDrake wonders about Alea's dental hygiene habits.

<wisesnake> I bet you've heard stories of runaway trains and some passenger from the car climbs over the top to get in the cab and stop it?

<wisesnake> Half of those stories are probably tall tales, but every once in a while somebody actually does it.

<wisesnake> Your father cared enough to try, Sid.

* Alea goes into her office, leaving the door open since no one is working the front desk again

<wisesnake> Your father loved his kids.

<Sid> Yeah! [enthusiastically] Remmo the Sergeant did it on the latest installment of Days of Danger.

* Alea looks at the forms from earlier and is certain someone else must have tried to fill them out

<wisesnake> Remmo was a real hero, wasn't he?

<Sid> Yeah, he saved the whole train when Dan the Drifter wanted to run it over the cliff.

* Alea fills them out, then gets up and goes to Veraik's office to leave them for him to sign

<wisesnake> Now let me ask you something.

* JonDrake looks in the mirror, grimaces, then tries to make himself marginally presentable.

* Sid listens.

* Alea looks around Veraik's office, wondering why he left the door unlocked

* Alea goes over and sits down in Veraik's chair

* Alea leans back, thinking how much more comfortable this one is than hers

* Alea closes her eyes and falls to sleep

* JonDrake wonders why those drinks hit him worse than he's ever felt before. His stomach is still churning...

<wisesnake> Do you think that your sister would have let herself die, instead of letting your father die, if she had any choice at all?

* Sid thinks about it.

<Sid> I don't know. I think so.

<wisesnake> I think so too.

<wisesnake> I've met your sister, Sid, I've talked to her.

* JonDrake realizes that he's pretty gamey. He considers using the shower...

<Sid> you have?

<wisesnake> Yes. After what happened to your father she was so scared, she started running and didn't ever stop. Somebody saw she was a Sime and told her to come here.

<wisesnake> I took care of her, and helped her.

<wisesnake> That's how I know the story.

* JonDrake says, "Why not?" and disrobes...

<Sid> Is she here now?

* JonDrake steps into the shower, crying out in alarm at the chill of the water.

<wisesnake> [gently] no, she has gone away to a safe place where people will teach her how to be a Sime and how to live her adult life.

* JonDrake realizes it's probably the best thing to wake him up. **Wouldn't want to fall asleep again** he thinks.

<wisesnake> But when she is done, in a few months, you could see her again, if you like.

<Sid> I can?

<Sid> I'd like that.

* JonDrake begins washing, pauses, and smells the aromatic soap. **Hmmm, smells nice.**

* Alea snuggles down intot he chair thinking how good it feels

<wisesnake> Now we have to talk about one more thing, Sid.

<Sid> What?

<wisesnake> About people being afraid, and not telling their kids about Simes and Gens.

<Sid> Like my Mom and Dad?

* wisesnake sighs

<wisesnake> Yes, like your mom and dad.

* Alea tries to roll over and falls out of the chair

* Alea leans up on her elbows, realizing she fell otut of the chair

* JonDrake scrubs his whole body, washes his hair...

<Sid> They don't like people with funny arms.

<wisesnake> No they don't, because they're afraid.

* JonDrake feels his face. Looks around for a razor...

* Alea grabs the chair and pulls herself up

<wisesnake> But let me tell you something:

* Alea sees her shoestring is untied and reaches down to tie it

<wisesnake> If your sister had known about Simes and Gens, and understood what was happening to her, she could have come here before she changed over into a Sime, and we could have given her the first selyn she needed.

<wisesnake> Safely.

* JonDrake searches the interior or the shower. No razors in here...

* JonDrake finishes his shower, and grabs a towel....

* Alea checks reports she brought in then opens up Veraik's drawers just to see what's in there

* Alea stares at the contents..eyes widening in shock and SLAMS it shut

* Alea Jumps up and backs away, unable to believe what she saw

* JonDrake wraps the towel around his waist and looks though the bathroom drawers.

<Alea> Good heaven's Veraik

* Alea shakes her head

<Sid> And Dad wouldn't have had to sac-rifice himself?

* Alea feeling much better now that she's relieved her stomach crosses to the door

* JonDrake finds a number of interesting items.

<wisesnake> No. He wouldn't have had to try the dangerous thing of giving it to her himself.

* Alea goes out, smoothing her skirt, trying to look professional

<wisesnake> Sometimes,

* wisesnake hesitates

* JonDrake notices one drawer. The bottom doesn't look the same as the other.

* JonDrake let's curiosity get the best of him, and pulls at the seam.

* Alea slips out of Veraik's office

* Tarsh comes back in from the rain which is much heavier now.

<wisesnake> Sometimes, Sid, people just hope their kids will all be Gens, and they hope it so bad they think by not telling their kids at all, that somehow it will turn out that way.

<JonDrake> The drawer appears to have a false bottom...

* Tarsh shakes off his poncho before bring out the package of dry clothes.

* JonDrake pulls at the panel. It slides out of the drawer.

* Tarsh puts it on the coffee table before hanging up his poncho.

* Alea slips towafd her office

<wisesnake> And I think your parents were like that. They didn't keep you kids ignorant because they wanted your sister to be in danger, or because your father wanted to be Sergeant Remmo, they did it, I think, because they just hoped it would work out.

* Tarsh doesn not notice Alea.

<Sid> Is that why talking about people with funny arms is forbidden?

* JonDrake sees what appears to be some sort of booklet.

* Alea decides she'd better go check on her upstairs guest since he still hasn't come down from the crash and changes directions...heading up the stairs instead

* Alea goes down the hall to her room.

* Tarsh goes down to the cafeteria and slips in the door.

* JonDrake curiously picks it up. He turns it over. On the cover is a very lurid picture involving a very robust male Sime taking a rather "healthy" female gen in his arms...

* Alea carefully pushes the door open and peeks in to check on Jon and notes he's not unconscious on her bed

* JonDrake opens it up, and some papers fall out... 6

* Alea slips in her room, trying to figure out what happened to her guest...hoping he is gone

<wisesnake> Yes, Sid, many people want to think that by pretending there is no such thing as Simes, that everything will work out fine... but you have now been given enough information, and you have now had the first hand experience, to understand a very adult thing: That pretending something isn't going to happen is no way to handle danger.

* Alea hears something in the bathroom

* JonDrake bends to pick them up. Unlike the book, this appears to be written in Simelan.

* Sid frowns as a thought occurs to him.

* Alea goes to the door

* JonDrake hears something out in the outer room.

<Sid> Will I get funny arms when I grow up?

* Alea pushes it open thinking surely it couldn't be......

* JonDrake is trying to arrange things.

* JonDrake doesn't realize his towel has fallen.

<wisesnake> Well Sid, you see the thing is, no child can ever know if he will be a Sime or a Gen.

<Alea> Yikes!

* Alea whirls around

<Alea> what are you doing in my bathroom!

* JonDrake tosses the stuff behind him in his pile of clothes.

<Sid> Why not?

<wisesnake> If you learn all the safety instructions and what to do in case you start to change over, then you have a better chance of getting to a Sime Center if you do turn into a Sime.

<JonDrake> Oh, Alea! Hi...

<Alea> you passed out!

* Tarsh puts the dry clothes down on a table and gestures nagerically to let Snake know they are there.

* JonDrake looks down. "Oops!" He bends down and picks up the towel.

<wisesnake> Well Sid [in answer to his question] that's part of nature, just like a mother doesn't know if her baby will be a boy or a girl until it's born.

<JonDrake> I'm really sorry about that.

* Alea wonders what the ooops is about but is not about to turn around

<Sid> Oh.

* Alea suddenly realizes what she saw in his hand and whirls back around

* Alea looks around, trying to see where he put her stuff

<wisesnake> Some people think that all the Simes and Gens should live together, and nobody should ever disown their children.

* Alea spots it on his clothes and dives for it

* JonDrake is startled and loses the hold on the towel.

<JonDrake> Hey!

<Sid> Even if they have funny arms?

* Alea towel falls over Alea's head

<JonDrake> What are you doing?

* Alea shoves it off, tossing it back up at him

<wisesnake> Yes. And did you know, Sime parents have the same situation, because some of their kids end up being Gen instead of Sime.

* Alea claws through the stuff on the floor trying to find all the papers

<JonDrake> What are you doing!?!??

* Alea shoves at his leg

<Alea> you have no business snooping

<JonDrake> Sorry! I was looking for a razor!

<Sid> Oh.

<Sid> So I'll have to wait to find out if I'll have funny arms?

<wisesnake> Yes, you will.

* Alea gathers up the papers and stuffs them down her top

* JonDrake bends down to the floor and tries to calm Alea's obviously manic behavior.

<wisesnake> Now chances are, you will probably be a Gen, like your parents.

<JonDrake> What kind of game are you playing?

<Alea> waht?!

* Sid nods.

<wisesnake> But just in case, I can give you some information on what you'll feel like if you do start to turn into a Sime, and how to get to safety before anything happens.

* Alea pushes up to her knees---sees he's still uncovered and drops back down

<Alea> the TOWEL Jon!

* Alea averting her face 4

<JonDrake> Oh, Geez!

* JonDrake puts the towel back on.

* Sid considers.

* Alea lifts his foot when she sees one more paper under it

<Sid> Forbidden knowledge?

<JonDrake> Ok, now what is going on here?

<wisesnake> Your teacher told you I was allowed to give you information, didn't she?

* Alea looks up, relieved to see he is covered

<Alea> nothing

<Alea> absolutely nothing

* Alea stuffs the other paper down her shirt

<Sid> Yes. She said you would tell me.

<JonDrake> Uh huh. [skeptical]

<Alea> they're just....

<wisesnake> I think you should have that information, because all that is left now is your mother and you.

* Alea racking her brain

<Alea> letters

<wisesnake> Just in case you change... you want to know what to do, right?

<JonDrake> Hmmm?

* Sid nods again.

* Alea belatedly sees her novel and grabs it

* Alea stuffs it back in the drawer

<JonDrake> Do you have a habit of stuffing letters in your cleavage?

* Veraik goes to office, steps inside, sees the disaster. "Alea."

<JonDrake> Good book?

* Alea glances up at him in shock

* Alea relieved he changed the subject

<Alea> yes, you ought to read it

* JonDrake considers Alea's cleavage.

* Veraik goes to mantenance and request a clean-up crew for his office and then goes to his bed room.

<Alea> might learn something about...[sees the direction of his gaze and breaks off, looking at him with a warning look]

<Veraik> ALEA!!!!!

* Alea jumps and turns on her knees toward the bathroom door

<Alea> uh oh

<wisesnake> Now of course we are talking about information that some people think is only for adults, here. Your teacher entrusted you with it because she believes you are adult enough to handle it. But you must remember that some people think you shouldn't know it... be careful with the papers I give you, and don't let people who will become angry see them.

<Alea> now what'd I do?

* JonDrake looks a little farther north.

* Alea turns back to Jon

<Alea> get dressed!

* Veraik gathers wet cloths, goes in incinerator and burns the cloths.

<JonDrake> Alright, alright!

<Sid> I won't. I promise.

* Alea pushes herself up and peeks out the bathroom door

* JonDrake still has his hangover, especially with all that wrestling on the bathroom floor.

* Alea not seeing Veraik, she hurriedly closes the bedroom door

* wisesnake sees Tarsh by the door, and beckons him in

* Tarsh comes in with the clothes.

<wisesnake> Why don't you get dressed in your own clothes, Sid, and I'll get you some information.

<Sid> OK

* Alea goes to desk, makes sure Jon is still in the bathroom and beings removing the letters from her top

* Sid takes clothes from Tarsh and heads back to the bathroom to change.

* wisesnake goes and gets various kids' literature from the front lobby, returns

* Tarsh quietly say to Snake, "How is he doing?"

<wisesnake> How is HE doing... how am *I* doing more like it

* Veraik goes back to housekeeping and request a change of sheets.

* JonDrake quietly pulls the door closed after seeing where she put the papers.

* JonDrake continues getting dressed.

<wisesnake> He's taking it about as well as can be expected, under the circumstances.

* Alea goes to knock on bathroom door

<Alea> you done yet?!

<JonDrake> **Something is very strange here...**

<Tarsh> "That's good. I'm sorry I mentioned his father."

* Veraik goes back to his new office. [rubbing tentacles over face, he decides he's tired]

<JonDrake> Almost!

<wisesnake> Well... nobody can read minds. And who would want to?

* JonDrake finishes getting dressed.

* Alea goes back to bedroom door and slips out, checking to see where Veraik is

* Alea knows his "mad" voice when she hears it

<Veraik> yeiow!!!!!

<Veraik> NOW WHAT!!!!!!

* Alea hears his bellow from all the way down below and signs in relief

* Sid returns to the cafeteria, dressed in his own clothes once more.

* Alea still can't figure out what he was angry about this time

* Veraik picks up dripping couch cushions. ALEA!!!!!!!!

* JonDrake carefully leaves the bathroom. **Where did that crazy woman go?**

* Tarsh turns "What is that?"

<Alea> shen

<Alea> now what

* JonDrake walks out into the outer room. The front door has been left slightly ajar.

<wisesnake> Here is the literature I promised you. Please read it carefully, for your mother's sake and your own.

* Sid takes the literature.

<Sid> Thank you, Miz Snake.

* JonDrake realizes she's left just as manically as she'd arrived.

* Veraik uses his spare clean cloths in his office, changes, and goes to mantenance to discuss getting a new couch.

* Alea turns back toward her room deciding that's the safest palce to be

* Alea now that Jon is away

* Alea awake

* JonDrake pauses. He thinks a moment, weighing the options. Curiosity wins out. He quickly goes to the drawer.

* wisesnake smiles at Sid, sort of sadly/fondly

<wisesnake> Let me see about getting you a ride home, Sid.

* JonDrake hears a sound at the bottom of the stairs.

* Alea reaches for the door and turns the knob

* JonDrake quickly snatches the papers, wondering if he'll regret it.

<Sid> That would be great, Ma'am. It's raining real hard.

* Veraik decides to go to the changeover ward to double that everything is in working order.

* Alea pushes the door inward, thinking Veraik is really mad this time

* wisesnake leads Sid out the cafeteria door and down a cross corridor to the bursar's office

<Alea> what are you doing?

* Alea looks at Jon, basically dressed

* wisesnake signals at the bursar's door

<JonDrake> Turns around.

<JonDrake> Just tying my shoes.

<JonDrake> Feeling better?

* Veraik counts all the clothes, medicines, blankets, and anything in the room in hopes of cooling off.

* Alea studies him...sighs when he asks after her and decides she is over reacting

* Alea goes into the room

<Alea> much

<wisesnake> Hello, Semla, I was wondering if I could ask you a small favor.

<JonDrake> You were really crazy back there.

<Alea> remind me though never to drink again whatever that stuff was you ordered me

* Alea hesitates

<Alea> I was?

<JonDrake> Does alcohol always do that to you?

* Alea doesn't remember being crazy

<Alea> Do what?

<Semla> yes Hajene?

<Semla> if I can?

* Alea worried, moves closer

* Semla smiles at Sid.

<JonDrake> I'm not used to having women scrambling at my feet in the bathroom.

<JonDrake> You had me worried for a bit.

<Alea> well, I'm not used to having strange men in my bed trying to fondle me so I guess we're even!

* Semla is a short Gen woman.

<JonDrake> Fondling!?

* Veraik listens to the pounding of the rain and relaxes.

<Alea> yes

* Alea blushes

<wisesnake> Could you please escort this child home to his home in Eastcove? He's had a very difficult day and I'd like to see he arrives home safely.

* JonDrake is a little flustered.. I'm sorry, I mean I didn't...

* Alea gets flustered too

<Alea> look, it's not important...but if anyone catches you in here

<Semla> Certainly Hajene Snake.

<wisesnake> [to Sid] Is it okay with you to go with Semla?

<JonDrake> Ok, Ok...

* JonDrake gets everything together.

* Semla hold out her hand to Sid. "Hello. My name is Semla ambrov Taglar. I'm pleased to meet you."

* Alea sighs

<Sid> Is she your friend, like you're Miz Haskins' friend?

* Veraik stops and just listens.....remembering his childhood and all the rainy days and the smell and crispness of the freshly cleaned air.

<Alea> look, I'm sorry. Let's forget everything. We're going to be working together as Donors soon.

<JonDrake> Yes?

<wisesnake> Yes. Semla is my friend. [smiles at Sid]

<Alea> Let's tart off with a clean slate okay?

<Alea> er...Let's start off, that is

<Sid> It's OK, then.

* JonDrake smiles at Alea's Feudian slip...

<Sid> Pleased to meet you, Miz Taglar.

<JonDrake> Ok.

<wisesnake> Goodbye then. And if you ever have any problems, or require more information, you can always come to Snake.

<Semla> All right. Just let me lock up.

* wisesnake leaves them

<Sid> Goodbye, Miz Snake.

<Alea> why don't we go downstairs and see if we can find someone to sign you up for Donor training

* Alea only wants him out of her bedroom so the letters will be safe

* JonDrake is now uncomfortable. Here he is with the papers in his boot and she's trying to make amends.

* Veraik decides that he can't hid forever and heads for the lobby.

<JonDrake> Ok, lead the way.

* wisesnake walks out into the lobby on her way to her office

* Semla gets a wrap and a umbrella, and locks the register and door. She puts up a sign "Out to Lunch" in English and Simelan.

* Alea sighs in relief and goes out the door

* JonDrake follows Alea down the stairs and into the center behind Alea, smelling of her soap and shampoo...

<Veraik> Hello Snake.

* wisesnake jumps

<Veraik> Uh....Sorry about the salve.

* Alea pauses at the bottom of the stairs.

<wisesnake> Hello.

* wisesnake grimaces

* Alea Oh GREAT Snake AND Veraik in the lobby

<Veraik> I really thought it said approved for Farris'.

<wisesnake> I'm lucky I was already all wet or that stuff would have eaten my laterals.

* wisesnake shivers remembering the awful itching

<Semla> Come on then. [holds out her hand]

* JonDrake calls out to snake when he sees her.

<Veraik> [tentacle scratching behind ear] I feel very bad about the whole thing.

<Veraik> Can you forgive me?

* Sid takes Semla's hand and they exit the Sime Center.

* Alea wondres if they could sneak back upstairs and out the back...then Jon calls out and she groans

* Veraik zlins in hope.

<wisesnake> Uh,

<wisesnake> ~~ damage has been done ~~

<wisesnake> I'll always respect you Veraik.

* JonDrake realizes he may be intruding.

<Alea> so, Jon...that's the entire facility....think you'll like it here?

* Veraik shoulders lower in realization of what he is zlinning from Snake.

* Tarsh finishes cleaning up in the cafeteria and comes out into the lobby shaking water off his hands.

<wisesnake> Look, Veraik, everybody makes mistakes, I know that. [doesn't meet Veraik's eyes]

* JonDrake smiles. Yes, I do. Looks like it will be very interesting.

* Veraik zlins.

* Alea shoots Jon a questioning look but hopes he doesn't answer

* JonDrake gives Alea a conspiratory wink.

<Alea> Good, then why don't you go on over there and maybe Snake can go ahead and finish up that Donor stuff

* Alea almost swallows her tongue at Jon's wink

<Veraik> Sure.....ok.

* JonDrake hesitantly walks into the lobby...

* Veraik turns away and goes to his bedroom.

* Alea sighs in relief and leans agains the wall

* wisesnake sighs and looks down

<Tarsh> Good Afternoon Mr. Drake.

* wisesnake decides to follow Veraik

* wisesnake signals nagerically

<JonDrake> Good afternoon. I was talking to Alea. She's helped to convince me to become a Donor.

<wisesnake> [at veraik's door]

<Tarsh> A Donor? You're sure you want to?

* Veraik turns and opens door.

<JonDrake> Yes, after what's happened recently, I'm just about as certain as I can be.

* wisesnake still won't meet his eyes

<wisesnake> Can we talk?

* Veraik steps back and allows her to enter.

* wisesnake enters

* Alea sighs in relief that there are now only two people in the lobby and she heads toward her office--glad to be out of Veraik's way

<Tarsh> Well. Welcome to the Tecton then. "We Stand for Unity Between Sime and Gen".

<Tarsh> I'll help you fill out the forms and then Hajene Veriak can give you the pledge.

<JonDrake> Ok. Might as well get this over with...

<wisesnake> It's about Alea.

* Veraik goes to sit behind his desk.

* Tarsh moves a second chair over to his desk.

* Veraik looks up. "What about her?

<Tarsh> have a seat, please.

<wisesnake> Did you read the report I put under your door, attached to her folder?

* wisesnake moves restlessly about the room

<Veraik> [rubs tentacles behind neck] What report? I came in a while ago and found my office and my bedroom destroyed."

<wisesnake> Ah.

* Tarsh digs through the files. "Donor Forms ... Damage Report, Delay Slips, Division supplies, Dunnage Ite - whup! here it is!"

* Tarsh pulls out a 6 page form with 5 carbons.

<Veraik> Since I found Alea's clothes here, I assumed it was her. Perhaps she took it.

* Alea slips into her office

<wisesnake> No, I put it under your office door two days ago.

* JonDrake sits down, aware of the booklet in his back pocket.

<JonDrake> So, once these are all signed and everything, what happens?

<Tarsh> OK. Your full name? Place of birth? Date of Establishment?

<JonDrake> Will I be doing this training here?

* JonDrake is considering pulling the papers out of his boot and tossing them in a waste basket here in the office...

* JonDrake is starting to feel a bit guilty for giving in to temptation and curiosity....

<wisesnake> At any rate:

* Veraik zlins extremely tired and depressed.

<wisesnake> I must protest her continued presence here. She is completely unstable, completely dangerous, and does not belong in a Sime Center environment.

<wisesnake> At this point I am beginning to wonder if she must be completely retrained, or even rehabilitated, although it might be all she requires is a long rest.

<wisesnake> Oh, and she is pregnant besides.

<Tarsh> Normally you would be assigned to one of the larger training Sime Centers for initial training, but If Hajene Veriak thinks it prudent you could be trained here.

* JonDrake provides the information to the best of his knowledge....he did establish in Gen Territory after all.

<Veraik> Pregnant?!?

<wisesnake> She doesn't know it yet.

<Veraik> I didn't zlin that the last time I saw her.

* wisesnake does not mention the painfully obvious

<Veraik> oh...then it just happened recently. [green with jealousy]

* wisesnake blinks

* wisesnake is appalled that Veraik has latched onto the pregnancy thing and completely ignored the part about Alea being a threat to the Center and herself.

<Veraik> Snake....do you remember when we first meet and you desparately required finding a friend who cared?

<wisesnake> Uh...

<wisesnake> yes

<Tarsh> As they plod through the extensive medical history section, Tarsh sniffs several times.

<Veraik> How did you feel when no one wanted you around.

<Veraik> That is how Alea is feeling now.

* Tarsh looks at Jon oddly.

* JonDrake thinks he should find some way to secretly mail the letters back to alea.

<JonDrake> Yes?

* Tarsh peers at Jon's nose.

<Veraik> No one is willing to put up with her clumsiness.

<Tarsh> Uh... do you have any allergies?

<wisesnake> Veraik, the sprinkler system is going online this afternoon. Do you know what is going to happen to these offices if she sets another fire?

<Veraik> That's why she has never been in one place more than 2 months for the past 2 years.

* Alea digs through her drawers and pulls out a piece of stationary

<JonDrake> No, not especially.... Why?

* wisesnake looks suspicious

<Tarsh> Any householder relatives?

* Alea From one who has seen and will see....

<Veraik> I know what would happen.

<wisesnake> Her records state no records of clumsiness incidents before she arrived here.

<JonDrake> No, my family is from the Gen side.

<Tarsh> "I'm not sure, i thought you might."

* Alea studies the paper, gathering her thoughts ...

<Tarsh> Any history of deaths in childbirth in family?

<Veraik> You know me Snake. You know that if Alea requires stability and shelter, I will give it to her.

<wisesnake> Veraik, I don't think this environment is doing her any good at all. Look what she's turning into!

<Veraik> And now that she is pregnant, she requires friends and.....and....a family.

<JonDrake> I think that there have been a few in the family history, but that's not too out of the ordinary.

<wisesnake> [beginning to become upset] you weren't the one who was standing there when she handed a junct rensime a gun in the lobby!

<wisesnake> You didn't spend an hour climbing through trees in the garden trying to get all your personal papers after she threw them out the window...

<Tarsh> Yes, of course. I'm wondering if you might be a Farris. Something about you reminds me of Alea.

* JonDrake takes a deep breath, remembers, then blushes.

* JonDrake remains silent.

<Veraik> I know....[tentacles lash out in stress over all the possible disasters the gun would have caused]

<wisesnake> You didn't have to walk in and find the conference center in ruins, or wake up first thing in the morning and find the cafeteria afire because she decided to take up cooking...

<wisesnake> [pauses] You did hear about the fire in the cafeteria this morning, didn't you?

* Tarsh zlins Jon blushing.

<Tarsh> <slowly> "Well probably just my imagination."

<Veraik> And I'm glad I wasn't but Snake....that is just Alea...she has always been clumsy.

* JonDrake breaths a sigh of relief.

<Veraik> Look...I know what you read in her papers but....

<Tarsh> <eventually the forms are finished>

<Veraik> Someone took out all the **good** parts so she could be passed from one Center to another without the next Center complaining.

<wisesnake> Veraik, I walked in and found her unconscious on the lobby floor because she took drugs that she didn't even know what they were, that belonged to me and were in my private quarters. Is that something you want to protect for her?

<Veraik> What fire was that?

<Tarsh> Ok. Here is an explanation of your compensation package. All medical care is included of course, and there are generous retirement benefits.

<wisesnake> And she enticed me into going to that shiltpron parlor even though I refused several times..

* Alea finally lenas forward and scribbes on the letter...then seals it

<wisesnake> [pauses, at Veraik's question]

* Alea goes into the lobby

<Veraik> And if we don't help her...who will, Snake? WHO?

* Alea nods at Jon and Tarsh and goes on past to a friend

<wisesnake> Yes, she set a fire in the cafeteria this morning, making some sort of flambe dish. Tarsh put it out.

<Veraik> Do you want to send her back to Zeor?

* Alea hands the letter to the friend and watches as he goes out the door with it

<Veraik> Is that what you want?

* JonDrake looks over the paperwork appreciatively.

<Veraik> Do you think that she would get better there?

* wisesnake avoids Veraik's eyes.

<Tarsh> Alea! Did you hear the Good news? Tuib Drake wants to be a Donor.

* Alea turns and smiles

<wisesnake> Maybe the Tecton retraining...

<Alea> great!

* Alea goes forward and pats Jon's shoulder

<Alea> you won't regret it.

<Veraik> The Tecton? They're worse than Zeor.

<Veraik> Cooking this time?

<JonDrake> Thanks. :-)

<Alea> it's the best .... there is nothing better[eyes get a faraway look as she thinks how wonderful it is]

<Veraik> Another fire.

<wisesnake> [grimly] care to make any bets as to when the first flood will be?

<Veraik> [rubs tentacles harder across neck and face]

<JonDrake> I..ah.. hope this will work out for me.

<Tarsh> Room and Board are Included, and of course travel expenses for duty related trips...

* Alea recalling herself, smiles again at Jon

<Alea> you'll be great!

<Veraik> Snake. How would you feel if I had never come along to help you when you so desperately required it?

* JonDrake can feel his ankle burning with guilt.

<wisesnake> Even if she just took some time off. I don't know, a year, two years. Got in touch with her true beliefs and goals. Something.

<JonDrake> I hope I can be as good at it as you, Alea.

<wisesnake> I don't think you understand.

<wisesnake> That time you're talking about, it's happening again now.

* Alea smiles sweetly

<Veraik> What Alea requires is love, understanding, and one place to call home.

<Alea> thank you, Jon

<Tarsh> Oh. Do you speak Simelan?

<Veraik> That is what she requires..

<wisesnake> I don't think that place is a Sime Center for her right now.

* JonDrake blushes.

<JonDrake> I've only learned a few words..

* Alea wilts in relief, realizing he wouldn't have been able to read her lettrers anyway

<Veraik> So you just want to kick her out like all the rest of the Sime Centers she's been assigned to serve.

* Tarsh purses his lips and taps his pen.

<wisesnake> No. Not kick her out. Get her some help.

* Alea turns and leans against the desk, in a much better mood now that she knows Jon can't speak Simelean

<wisesnake> Can't you see how much worse she's become in the short two months she's been here?

<Veraik> Do you have someone in particular in mind who could help her or are you just willing to send her anywhere as long as it isn't here?

<Tarsh> That may limit your options a bit, until you learn. Most Tecton business is conducted in Simelan, of course, though English speakers are needed, of course.

* Veraik thinks

* wisesnake massages between her eyes

<wisesnake> Okay, I was thinking of Zeor.

<wisesnake> She seems to want it.

<JonDrake> Well... I'll do what I can.

<Tarsh> Simelan can be tricky if you didn't grow up in it or have the zlinning ability.

* Alea rolls her eys at Tarsh

<Veraik> Look...I'll talk to her but......

<Alea> Gens can pick it up, Tarsh

<Tarsh> Alea, do you know where they are best at training out-t Donors?

<Veraik> I'll only recommend what is good for her.

* Alea shakes her head

<Alea> no, but we need another Donor here. I bet Hajene Veraik will want to do the training himself

<Tarsh> Alea might be able you help you figure it out.

<Veraik> And that may be that she remains here and it could...[zlins strangely as if an idea has just come to mind] mean that she goes away from here only on a temporary basis.

<Tarsh> That might be better. Less culture shock.

* JonDrake realize he's viewing an old argument.

<Veraik> We can't afford to lose a Farris Gen.

* wisesnake looks upset, and deeply disappointed in Veraik

<wisesnake> Well there's something else I wanted to ask you about too.

<Tarsh> well, If *I* learned English, ...

<Veraik> I'm listening.

<wisesnake> How come, in all the time I've been here, I have never yet had an assigned Donor to work with me?

<wisesnake> It's driving me insane, working without support.

<Veraik> You were supposed to have Alea but.....you have never gotten along so I never have said anything.

<Veraik> Would you like her?

<wisesnake> Veraik, [pleadingly] you can't be blind to what she's like... she doesn't have the attention span of a puppy, she already tries to support me and she just can't do it most of the time.

<Tarsh> Well, Sosu Drake, that is everything except for Hajene Veriak's verification of his approval and the pledge. Here's a copy of what you will expected to say...

<JonDrake> Ok, what do I need to do now?

* JonDrake looks the oath over...

<JonDrake> Veriak appears to be busy, should I come back tomorrow?

<Tarsh> Yes, I suppose so. You are entitled to quarters here of course. Did you need an advance on your pay?

<JonDrake> If I'm going to be here, I only need to settle my account where I'm staying now.

<Veraik> Then perhaps you should take it upon yourself to retrain her.

<Veraik> Perhaps you could learn a little patience while she is learning attention.

<Tarsh> Ok. [scribbles on a voucher] Have them fill in the amount on this and the you sign it, and they can submit it to Tuib Semla.

* wisesnake shakes her head, hopelessness clouding her nager

<JonDrake> Thank you. I'll take this and finalize everything in town.

<wisesnake> You have no idea the patience I've already shown.

<Alea> see you soon, Jon

* Veraik gives a little laugh... Don't I?

* JonDrake gets up to leave. On the way out, he nods to both Tarsh & Alea. When looking at Alea, he rubs his face. **That's right, I never did manage to shave**

<JonDrake> I shouldn't be long.

<wisesnake> She has nearly killed me more times than I can even count.

<wisesnake> She has terrified me more times than that.

<wisesnake> Veraik, I _need_ the support of a real Donor!

* Veraik holds up tentacles. Ok..ok.....

<Veraik> I'll get to work on it right away.

<Veraik> Is that all right with you?

* JonDrake heads out the door, though the lobby and into the town...

<Alea> so, Tarsh, think he'll be a good Donor?

* Alea takes seat Jon vacated

* wisesnake sits down and covers her face with her hands, head bowed

<Tarsh> Well, Hajene Veriak thinks so, doesn't he?

<Alea> I don't know if Veraik has met him

<Alea> I think Snake has been working with him

* Veraik goes to Snake and rubs her back.

<Alea> and he and I had a talk this morning

* wisesnake tries to relax

* Veraik adjust to make a soothing, calm ambient.

<Alea> he seems like he wants it

<Veraik> Maybe I can get somebody you would like.

* Tarsh stops. "What?"

<Veraik> How was Simone for you?

* Alea blinks

<Alea> what?

<wisesnake> Oh, he was... he was...

<Tarsh> I thought he had already been approved. He was in for underdraw and all, wasn't he?

* wisesnake nager says what words cannot: ~~~terror/awe/submission~~~

* Veraik waits patiently.

* Alea sighs in relief

* Veraik zlins.....

<Alea> well, yes, I believe so. I haven't seen the papers

<Veraik> ~~~~ guess not ~~~~

<Alea> Snake and I don't communicate that well

* Tarsh looks worried.

<Veraik> I'll get on it right away Snake.

<wisesnake> I don't know how to describe it. It was... perfect in a way, but in another way, awful.

* Veraik gaves her a brotherly hug.

* Tarsh goes over to the file cabinet and looks for Jon Drake's file.

<wisesnake> Thanks, Veraik.

<wisesnake> I really appreciate it.

<Alea> don't worry, Tarsh. Hajene Veraik will straighten it all out if there's been an error. He's really good at that

<Tarsh> But I gave him an open voucher....

* Veraik zlins Snake concerning her transfer.

<Alea> I'm certain it'll be okay

* Tarsh pulls out the file and reads through it.

* Veraik goes to desk and scribbles a few notes to self.

<wisesnake> ~~~transfer was spiritually satisfing (for the first time) but physically damaging~~~

* Tarsh is so flustered he forgets to log it out.

* Alea concerned at Tarsh's actions, leans forward and touches his arm

<Alea> are you okay?

<Veraik> There..I've just written myself a few reminders.

* JonDrake realizes that he still has to get the voucher taken care of, so he returns to process it with Semla, then goes on his way..

<wisesnake> Thank you.

<wisesnake> You know... [hesitates]

* Alea projects soothing nager

* Veraik continues to zlin Snake and she talks about her transfer.

<Tarsh> I don't see how he could be turned down. He reminded me of you somehow....

<Veraik> yes, Snake

* Alea calm, peaceful, relaxtion

<wisesnake> I would be willing to have Simone again, for a transfer.

<Alea> really? how was that?

<Tarsh> Semla is Out to Lunch.

<Veraik> I'll keep that in mind but you should know that he rarely arrives more than an hour before transfer.

* JonDrake goes out and does what he can, intending to return later, when Semla is back.

<Veraik> He's in demand.

<Veraik> but I will see what I can do.

<wisesnake> I don't think I'd want to see him any other time.

<Tarsh> When he was leaning over the papers with that wet hair, it ... somehow ... I remembered the first time I hugged you.

<wisesnake> ~~~haunted~~~

<Veraik> yes....I understand.

* Alea eyes widen in dawning comprehension

<Alea> oh, is that so?

* Veraik covers real concern over Snake but allows only a small portion of his concern to show.

* Tarsh blushes "Not THAT way, but there was ... something. Not his nager. it is high but loose, not like you at all. Something else I can't put a tentacle on..."

<wisesnake> [nager clears] but the day to day support is more important. I can live on bad transfers, but not if I am driven to destruction before the end of a month.

<Alea> I don't know what you were thinking, Tarsh...[blushes herself]but that is not what I was thinking

* Alea looks around and hesitates

<Alea> I think I might know what it is

<Tarsh> "Really? What?"

<Alea> well, you see...I was out wandering the streets today

* Veraik looks down cast. I'm sorry, Snake. I promised to get you support. I should have thought of it myself.

<Alea> and well, I met up with Jon

<Alea> and we went to the shiltpron parlor

<wisesnake> ~~wants to believe in Veraik; support~~

* Alea gently rubs Tarsh's arm in a calm soothing motion

<Alea> and well, he gave me some type of drink--it was good at the time but really was um, strong

<Tarsh> ~~alarmed~~ Alone? *Two* high field level Gens?

<Alea> well, yes, Tarsh. I wondered what evveryone saw in that place

<Alea> I still can't figure it out.

<Alea> anyway...we both got a bit too drunk so he helped me get home

<Tarsh> <suspicious> "He didn't try anything did he?"

<Alea> and well....he um...passed out

<Alea> oh, no, no

* Tarsh shows relief.

<Alea> it's just, well, he passed out on my bed

* Alea is glad Tarsh isn't angry and smiles

* Veraik 's nager zlins of determination.

<Tarsh> [comes the dawn] "And he got your scent on him?"

<Alea> so, well, I left my room,

* Alea looks at Tarsh's when he says that

<Alea> no. He woke up while I was down here and took a shower

<Alea> You probably smelled my soap or shampoo

<Tarsh> "Oh. Farris Soap blend SP4783?"

<Alea> yes

* Alea smiles in relief

<Alea> he was quite out of it

<Alea> I was embarrassed to say anything in front of anyone else, but you have a right to know in case something is ever said

<Tarsh> "As long as nothing happened. Just be careful about drinking with him."

* Alea surprised at Tarsh's request but nods

<wisesnake> Well, I guess I should let you have your privacy.

<Alea> well, I'd better get back to my office and to work

* wisesnake backs away from Veraik, toward the door

<wisesnake> Thank you for listening to me.

* Tarsh runs his tentacles up Alea's arm.

<Tarsh> Ok. Later.

* Alea smiles, enjoying the feel

<Veraik> Snake?

<Veraik> I promise....... I'll get you someone.

* wisesnake leaves Veraik's room

* Alea reluctantly steps away from Tarsh

* Tarsh smiles at Alea.

* Alea smiles back and turns back to her office

* Veraik goes to desk, sits down, takes note, groans, and thinks....How can I be so stupid to have forgotten to get an Donor to support Snake. Even Farris' require help.

* wisesnake goes to her office

* wisesnake feels some of the papers hanging from the web: "Yep, they're dry."

* Alea goes into her office

* Veraik goes to freshly made bed to sleep.

* wisesnake starts pulling papers quickly from the web, sending paper clips popping off and zinging against the ceiling

* wisesnake puts all the papers in a large heap covering the desk

* wisesnake congratulates herself on her tidines

* wisesnake forgets about all the paper clips

* Alea sighs and wonders if she's ever going to get used to having so meone care about her like Tarsh

* wisesnake unties one end of the dental floss and begins to wind it back onto the spool.

* Alea goes to her desk and sits down, sad, wondering if things might actually work out this time

* wisesnake fills the spool and then begins to fill another, throwing away an occasional persistent paper clip

* wisesnake collects the used spools of dental floss and goes to the residential wing to return them all (except Veraik's, which she appropriates for herself - "this will last YEARS!")

* wisesnake returns to her office

* wisesnake sits down at the desk in front of all the papers

* wisesnake looks up and accidentally notices the black, gray and puce artwork of Alea's for the first time

* wisesnake 's chair slams back against the wall so hard it rolls back to its original position again afterward

<wisesnake> SH-!-AII!-<whimper>-!

<wisesnake> Oh, no.

<wisesnake> Oh, no, oh no.

<wisesnake> Don't tell me.

* wisesnake climbs over the desk (sending papers off in avalanche)

* wisesnake stares at the "art" with an expression of pure agony

* wisesnake trembles

* wisesnake 's eyes glaze over in rage

* Veraik wakes up and goes to office.

* wisesnake reaches up and picks the piece of art off its nail

* wisesnake walks very carefully out the door, down the hallway, and to Alea's office

* wisesnake uses the signal

* Alea looks up <Alea> come in

* wisesnake comes in

<Veraik> He picks up the phone and makes a call to the Tecton then he dials his friend, the Sectuib in Tien, for a long overdue chat.

* Alea smiles when she sees what is in Snake's hands

<Alea> hi snake

* wisesnake takes a deep breath

<Alea> come on in

* wisesnake takes two or three more deep breaths, congratulating herself on not having hurled the picture violently in Alea's face yet

<Alea> I see you got my gift

<Alea> I worked harder on it than any of the others

<wisesnake> Could you tell me where the picture is that was hanging there before?

* Alea rather confused

<Alea> well, yes, it's in my drawer upstairs

<Alea> why?

<wisesnake> [powerful self control]

<wisesnake> Could you give it back to me, please?

<Alea> I was thinking of reframing it since the other frame was...flawed

<Alea> certainly

* wisesnake 's lips twitch in a "f -- f ---- f" motion with no sound.

<Alea> of course, I hadn't gotten to it yet...but in my top drawer, folded nice and neat was the piece of art itself

* wisesnake 's breath snorts out and her eyes glow like a coal furnace

* wisesnake tentacles quivering

<wisesnake> Can I have it back please?

<Alea> you can go help yourself if you want to. Like I said, I was going to frame it and hang it...somewhere[vaguely]

<Alea> want me to hang that other one back up for you? What happened? The nail come out? I knew I should have put another nail up.

<wisesnake> NO.

<wisesnake> Thank you.

* Alea curiously at snake

<Alea> well, fine fine

<Veraik> Satisfied that he did all he could do to get Snake a Donor for support, Veraik goes in search of Alea.

* Alea turns back to her word

<Alea> work

<Alea> it's in my top drawer

<Alea> feel free to look for it

* wisesnake is gripping Alea's picture so hard it is nearly ready to snap

<wisesnake> Where is the frame?

<Alea> oh, in the storage room

<Alea> like I said, it has a big crack in it now

<Alea> you might want to be careful

* wisesnake feels faint with adrenaline

* wisesnake discovers she can't let go of Alea's frame

* Alea looks at Snake strangely

* wisesnake turns around and walks jerkily out of the office

<Alea> wonder what that was all about

* Alea turns back to her writing

* Alea wonders when Sectuib will get the letter telling him she wishes to resign 5

* Alea sad, but thinks she has finally found something here

* Veraik goes to Alea's office and signals.

<Alea> come in

* Alea wonders who it could be now

* Alea sees Veraik and remembers his bellows from earlier

<Alea> oh, hello, hajene

<Veraik> Hello Alea. May I come in?

<Alea> please

* Alea stands and comes around her desk to lean against it

<Alea> how may I help you?

<Veraik> [indicates chair] May I sit down please?

<Alea> of course

* Veraik looks at Alea as if to request that she be seated as well.

* Alea seats herself in other chair

<Alea> what is it?

* Alea wonders what he's going to yell at me for this time

* Veraik sighs and zlins to verify what Snake had said about Alea, realizes that she really is pregnant then refocusses on the Donor.

<Alea> look, hajene, if this is about the fire this morning, I can explain

<Veraik> [Looks in eyes] Alea. I know you've been under a lot of stress lately.

<Veraik> [holds tentacle up] Please don't.

* Alea smiles and shakes her head knowing there is no way he could know about what she's really been doing here

<Veraik> It doesn't matter.

<Alea> not at..

* Alea pauses

* Veraik entwines tentacles in thought.

* Alea nager reflects just the tinest bit of worry

<Veraik> [looks in eye] I know that you've removed "few" papers from your file.

* Alea simply stares not confirming or denying

* Alea thinks he can't know about any of that

<Veraik> You know the ones that document all the "incidents" in your life.

* Alea wonders if he's been checking up on her...heart begins to sink

<Veraik> I know because I met you years ago and you are only a little better then than you are now.

<Veraik> But Alea...I want you to know that it doesn't matter.

<Veraik> I have no plans to send you away.

* Alea tries to remember when that would be and how Zeor could have made such a mess up

* Alea sighs a silent releif

<Veraik> You belong here....at this Center...with us.

<Veraik> We are your friends.

* Alea looks a bit confused

<Alea> yes, hajene

<Alea> I...I know that

<Veraik> I know that Snake is having a hard time dealing with your.....problem...but....

<Veraik> We all NEED you....

<Veraik> We need your Nager.

* Alea begins to worry and slowly closes off her field from Veraik

<Alea> what are you trying to say, Hajene

<Alea> what has Snake said to you?

<Veraik> We ....love who you are and how you are....

<Alea> but???

* Alea hears it coming... been through this too many times before

<Veraik> Only what I am sure you have already read in your file.

<Veraik> But...I want you to know. that you will always to welcomed and wanted at this Center.

* Alea crushed, realizing he is talking about Snake's suggestion to get rid of her she holds tight reing on her emtoins

<Veraik> I think....that what you really desire is to have a Channel for your own.

<Veraik> A channel to work with and be friends with.

<Veraik> And a place to call home without all the negativity.

* Alea interpret's Veraik's words as an invitation to leave

* Alea without saying it and having it against them that they got rid of a First

<Alea> thank you, hajene

<Alea> was that all you wanted?

* Alea lifts her chin just a bit, determined not to show her fear that she really is getting kicked out, just politely

<Veraik> Now I can't promise you the same channel every month but I might be able to get you assigned more often than not to the same channel.

<Veraik> But that is up to you.

<Alea> what are you talking about?

* Alea confused

<Veraik> You must tell me if that is what you'd like.

<Alea> if what is what I'd like? I don't understand Veaik...please, just tell me

<Veraik> I want to know if you'd like your very own channel to work with of a semi-permanent basis?

<Alea> semi-permanent basis?

<Alea> I'm being taken off duty?

<Veraik> No...you are being put on more duty.

<Alea> but I already work with a channel...you're saying I'm not going to be having monthly transfers anymore

<Alea> Veraik...you know I can't do that

<Veraik> Most Donors are sent from one channel to the next to the next from month to month.

<Alea> but I'm assigned here

* Alea nager just a hint of confusion and panic

<Veraik> You are completely misunderstanding me.

<Alea> I don't understand what you want, what you're saying

* Alea clasps her hands, worry now evident

<Veraik> What I am offering you is to have the same channel for transfer for several months in a row before being sent out to assure against channel/Donor fixation.

<Alea> but where?

<Veraik> The returning to that same channel.

* Alea thinking there is no way Snake would ever agree to be her channel which only left Veraik...who didn't want her either

<Veraik> When is the last time you've had the same Channel two months in a row?

<Alea> I don't know

* Veraik projects calmness.

<Veraik> Why don't you know? What is holding you back from asking for and getting what you only deserve?

<Alea> Veraik...I don't understand what you are saying

<Alea> WHAT channel?

<Alea> WHERE?

* Veraik blushes....

<Veraik> I'd be willing to be your channel.

* Alea mouth drops open

* Alea then she laughs

<Alea> Veraik...you can't stand to be near me

* Veraik looks dejected.

<Alea> you and Snake have both made that perfectly clear these last two weeks

<Alea> why would you suddenly want me now?

<Alea> you, who have shoved me away everytime I've gotten near you lately

<Veraik> Because....I finally realized what has been happening to you.

<Alea> you who goes to great lengths to avoid me in the halls

<Alea> and what do you think has been happening to me?

* Veraik looks more dejected. I was jealous of Tarsh.

* Alea uncomfortable and averts h