Episode #24: B'cal (9/23/97)

Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Bender Cove Township Scenario

* wisesnake is in her office studiously and carefully writing up a contract to replace the outdated (and trashed) Pier 8 contract intended for Merrik.

* Alea sitting in the front lobby as usual working on a new piece of art

* Bcal sees Alea sitting there

* Alea looks up...wary

<Alea> may I help you?

<Bcal> You again?

* Bcal looks around in censure

<Bcal> this place is a mess

* Bcal looks back at Alea

<Bcal> Is this Snake character here?

* Alea stands

<Alea> Yes...she is...in her office I believe

* wisesnake remembers there was something she was supposed to do today... something about a shower...

<wisesnake> huh. ohwell. It'll come to me eventually.

* Alea points down the hall

<Alea> that way

* Bcal starts down the hall but pauses by the art on the wall

<Bcal> This is some of the most disgusting ....

* Bcal reaches up and takes down the picture and hauls it to the door, throwing it outside

<Bcal> the colors...this is a Sime Center....you want something discordant like that hanging on the wall

* Alea appalled

<Alea> Hey!

* Bcal sneers at Alea

<Bcal> go find your lover or make yourself useful

* wisesnake goes to the files and gets out some paperwork on a few... "construction projects" around town

* Bcal goes to other wall and pulls down picture and tosses it out the door too

* Bcal gets last picture and throws it out in the mud

* Bcal walks past an apalled Alea on down the hall

* Alea is shocked, too stunned to move

<Alea> Lover?

<Alea> Lover!

<Alea> My art!

* Bcal finds door with Snake's name on it. Signals

* wisesnake sits back down at the desk and continues scratching away, thinking about how great it will be to finally have her own Donor all the time.

<wisesnake> Oh!

* wisesnake jumps up and answers the door

* Bcal looks at the specimen before her, sneering slightly

<Bcal> well, I see why they've sent me

<Bcal> You look hopeless

* wisesnake pauses

* Bcal barges into the office

<wisesnake> Excuse me?

<wisesnake> Uh -!

<Bcal> there is no excuse for a Farris to be in the shape you're in

* wisesnake closes the door and turns around

* Bcal sees another one of the atrocities and goes to the art piece, grabs it and tosses it out the window

<wisesnake> Hey!!

<Bcal> you need to get some new art in this place...

<Bcal> Yes?

* Bcal coolly

<Bcal> where's your black braid?

<Bcal> you stink

* wisesnake snatches up the Arensti award winning piece before B'Cal can throw it out too

<Bcal> when's the last time you bathed

<wisesnake> What?!

<wisesnake> What's it to you?

<Bcal> I'm here to train you is what it is to me

* Bcal looks around the office, her face twisting up in disgust

* wisesnake 's heart is hammering

<Bcal> well, I obviously have found the problem here....look at this mess.

<wisesnake> Mess??

* wisesnake thinks the place has never been so clean

<Bcal> I want this office cleaned...it's said the way a person presents themselves is reflected in their surroundings

* Bcal looks at Snake

<Bcal> and I see they're right

* wisesnake is beginning to get upset

<wisesnake> Now wait just a minute h--

* Bcal goes over to Snake's desk and begins rummaging through it

* Bcal grabbing bottles of medicine and stuffing them in her pockets

<wisesnake> What do you think you're doing?

<Bcal> no more unauthorized medication

* Bcal ignores Snake and continues to go through the drawers

* wisesnake snatches up the papers that she'd been working on

<Bcal> you will be up and dressed, cleanly every morning and will get on a normal schedule

<Bcal> I'll be here, of course to help you

<Bcal> we'll start the work immediately

* Bcal looks up at Snake and sighs

<Bcal> come here

* wisesnake hangs back looking alarmed, arms full of papers and a picture frame

* Bcal reaches out with her own field, engaging Snake's field

<Bcal> you are a complete mess

<Bcal> come here

* Bcal moves forward and takes Snake's arms, easing her down on the couch

<Bcal> I don't know how, you as a Farris, has lasted this long as it is

<wisesnake> But - [small voice]

<Bcal> quiet

* wisesnake blinks

* Bcal leans forward, enveloping Snake with her field

* wisesnake 's arms loosen and all the papers and the picture slide off her lap and cascade onto the floor

<Bcal> relax...accept this...rest on my field

* wisesnake stares at Bcal with an expression halfway between confusion and alarm

<Bcal> your systems...you've been working them but just looking at you I can tell you hvaen't been getting a proper work out

* wisesnake can't help but obey Bcal's field

<Bcal> you been experience headaches? grogginess in the morning? sluggishness?

<wisesnake> uh..

<Bcal> don't answer...I already know the answer

<Bcal> it's obvious

* wisesnake feels a big, huge, killer headache coming right now...

<Bcal> you need a regime...a very regimented routine

* Bcal frowns...concentrating on helping Snake relieve the tension

<Bcal> I don't know how you've worked in the shape you're in

* Bcal soothing, relaxing nager

<Bcal> come on, Snake, relax...let go of the tension

* Bcal is picturing a melting puddle of soft relaxed snake

* wisesnake relaxes despite herself

* Bcal uses her field to entice Snake into responding

* wisesnake relaxes more

<Bcal> the chemicals along with the unregimented routine are probably causing your headaches

<Bcal> we'll get you on a routine...get those artifical chemicals out of that Farris body of yours and you'll be doing much better

* Bcal sees Snake relaxed and carefully releases her

* Bcal sits back

<Bcal> by the way, I'm your new Donor, Bcal

* wisesnake stares down at the stuff on the floor with red-rimmed eyes

* wisesnake doesn't appear to know what to say

* Bcal looks around office and stands, going through piles of papers and clothes, tossing it all into one huge pile outside the door

* Bcal pauses at Arensti work

<Bcal> Farris [said distastefully]

* wisesnake stares at her

* Bcal takes it and the picture frame and tosses them out into the hall too

<Bcal> that should be in another room...not here where it'll distract you from work

* wisesnake jumps up aggressively

<wisesnake> Hey!

<Bcal> Oh...and no more of that distateful discordinated art either

<wisesnake> Hey what right do you have -

<Bcal> I threw it all out on the way here and expect it to stay out. Too disruptive to the Sime senses

* Bcal turns on her, raises an eyebrow

* wisesnake goes to the door and yanks it open

* wisesnake gets picture back

<Bcal> I have every right. I'm your Donor...sent here to straighten you out

* Bcal narrows her eyes

<Bcal> it goes

<wisesnake> You don't throw my stuff on the floor. Especially stuff that cost two months of pay.

<Bcal> I throw whatever I want on the floor when it deals with your recovery

<Bcal> and that picture is distraction to your work

* wisesnake 's eyes flash anger

<Bcal> put it in your room. Put it in the bathroom where, in my opinion, Farris art belongs, but do NOT put it in your office

<wisesnake> I haven't got a thing done since you walked in here, I was working fine before.

* Bcal bends down and gathers Snake's personal clothes and misc. things and heads out the door

* wisesnake goes absolutely ridgid at the word "bathroom"

<wisesnake> What!!

<Bcal> huh

<Bcal> if you were working so fine...why'd they send ME to help you

* Bcal smiles grimly

<Bcal> You heard me

<Bcal> my opinion of the art

<wisesnake> All I asked for was a Donor. Any donor. I didn't ask for some big-bosomed, fire breathing,

<Bcal> oh, you might want to go check on the little lovebird when you get a chance...she seemed rather shell shocked when I cleaned out the art in the main room too

* Bcal pauses and turns...smiles with pleasure

<wisesnake> ...hay-bale haired, orange underwear wearing, .. What? What did you do to Alea?

<Bcal> and I didn't ask for some screwed up ---Farris---- but that's what I've been assigned

<Bcal> Alea?

<Bcal> that her name?

* Bcal smiles

<Bcal> well, little love bird was sitting there looking like she'd lost her best friend

<Bcal> If I were you, I'd ship her off.

* wisesnake 's almost as enraged at Bcal as she was at Alea last night

<Bcal> She's totally useless...what's she used for...passed around for entertainment or something because she's sure no Donor

<wisesnake> Why don't you take her with you and both fall off the end of the earth?

* Bcal goes out the door

* Bcal pauses

* wisesnake fumes, hangs the picture back on its nail

<Bcal> only with you, my dear confused, tormented Farris...because I'll be sticking to your side for the next month

<wisesnake> Oh, I am going to get Veraik for this [muttered under breath]

<Bcal> I'm going to make sure you get straightened out

* Bcal that heads down the hall back into the lobby

* Bcal pauses in front of Alea and dumps clothes in her lap

<wisesnake> If I am not a complete wreck by the end of the month due to you, I will be very surprised.

<Bcal> clean these and see that the Farrises office is cleaned too

* Alea looks surprised, papers and clothes all over her

* Bcal heads to the door

<Bcal> tell that channel I'll be back later and I expect her to smell clean, not like some sewer

* Alea sputters

* wisesnake climbs out the office window and retrieves the Alea art too

* Bcal slams out the door

* Alea sits holding clothes in utter shock

* wisesnake climbs back in the window and sets the now sadly mud-smeared artwork on the table again

* Alea looks around the office at the blank white walls...

* wisesnake marches out into the hall

* wisesnake goes to the lobby

* Alea looks at clothes in her lap

<wisesnake> Excuse me.

* wisesnake retrieves her clothes and papers from all over Alea and the floor

* Alea looks up dumbly at Snake

<Alea> did you meet your Donor?

* wisesnake marches back into her office and throws everything on the desk

* wisesnake marches back out into the lobby

* Alea looks around...and finally stands up

* wisesnake opens the front door

* Alea sees Snake and pauses

* Alea bewildered, follows her to the door

<Alea> what are you doing?

* wisesnake picks up all the pictures from various positions out in the street and grimly carries them all back into the buildling

* wisesnake closes the door

* Alea simply stares...looking at the mud covered art she took so long working on

* wisesnake marches back into her office and slams the door

* wisesnake sits down heavily

<Alea> the frame on the biggest one is broken

* Alea walks slowly down the hall to the kitchen...no longer hungry, but hoping maybe cooking will help her pain over the way her art was thrown out the door

<Alea> What'd I do to her?

* Alea smiles at the cook when she gets to the kitchen...goes to the cabinet and pulls out a pan

* Alea drags it over to the stove

* Alea ignores the worried look on the cook's face and goes to the refrigerator and gets out some strawberries, milk, eggs and cucumbers

* Alea cuts up the strawberries and cucumbers and sets them aside

* Alea then pours the milk and eggs in the pan

* Alea adds the other stuff and quickly stirs it

<Alea> it only sticks a little

<Alea> I did better this time

* Alea smiles up at cook

<Alea> do you have any chocolate sauce and maybe some green stuff for the top to make it look pretty?

<Alea> you know, they say, looking nice is everything in the presentation of food

* Alea gets the sauce and finds a bottle of green flakes and adds it to the top

* Alea goes over, gets a cup of tea and takes her plate to the table to eat

* wisesnake carefully separates all the papers into their original piles

<Alea> hey, this is pretty good

* Alea smiles thinking she should make some for snake

<Alea> without the strawberries though

* wisesnake discovers the intricate web of deals she'd had in mind has been completely unraveled and she'll have to start from scratch

* wisesnake discovers that her nerves have been completely shattered and she can't concentrate on what she's doing.

* Alea chews hard on a cucumber thinking the contrast between that and the strawberry give it an interesting flavor

<Alea> of course, the chocolate gooy stuff on top and green shallots mixed in on top help too

* wisesnake decides to go for a walk

* Alea takes another bite and leans her head back and smiles...

* wisesnake abandons the desk and heads toward the front of the building

* Alea doesn't care that the cook and her assistant look horrified...she feels better already

* wisesnake sees Zethraim and asks him to do... something... to her office so it looks cleaner, or something

* Alea finishes food with a sigh and stands

* wisesnake walks out the door of the Sime Center and heads up the street thinking about stopping at the Shiltpron Parlor where no one will ever think of looking for her.

* wisesnake looks both ways before ducking into the shiltpron parlor

* Alea heads back toward the front lobby...

* wisesnake knows better than to get a taste of Porstan so she slouches in a corner and kills her head ache with a couple of nice pills that were in a bottle in her pocket

* Alea sees her art sitting by the front door, covered with mud

* Alea sinks down on her knees by it...saddened

<wisesnake> [to self] Who hates me enough to send that awful Donor to me?

<wisesnake> It must be Tramila. Sour grapes... she figure if she can't have me, she can torture me instead

<wisesnake> I'll bet you anything if I ask that horrible woman who sent her she'll say "Tramila"

* wisesnake orders a Porstan

<wisesnake> Yeah, this will make my breath really reek, ha ha

<wisesnake> [slurp]

* Bcal comes storming back into the center

* Alea sees her and stands up, guarding her artwork

* Bcal pauses, sneers at her then continues down the hall

* wisesnake orders the onion and garlic sandwich

<Bcal> I have something else I have to tell that channel

* Alea hurries after her

<Alea> but...but

<wisesnake> "can I have that with extra garlic, please? thank you."

* Bcal opens the door to snake's office and sees the mess

* Bcal eyes shoot fire

* wisesnake eats her sandwich and nurses the Porstan

* Bcal gathers up the arm loads of clothes and takes them to the cook in the kitchen

<Bcal> burn these

<Alea> wait!

<Alea> you can't do that!

* Bcal ignores Alea...goes past her back into the room...gathers all of the paper work up...goes back to the lobby

* Bcal begins looking through files

<Bcal> these files are atrocious...who handles them

* Alea refuses to answer...thinking she'd rather shoot the woman instead...thinks about gun...sad that she got rid of it

* wisesnake chases the Porstan with a shot of wintergreen liqueur

<wisesnake> heh heh heh lets see how she likes that

* Bcal goes through the files, pulling them out as she sees fit, tossing them on the desk

* Alea gathers them up, tring to keep them straight

* wisesnake is feeling kind of loose and gives a few people in the bar some hugs, picking up their laborer's sweat

<Bcal> you really should learn your job better, honey, at least then you'd be worth something here

* Alea sputters...

* wisesnake leaves the bar and heads toward the Sime Center, taking the scenic route

<Alea> but those are Snake's!

* Bcal finishes pulling out files and starts stuffing reports in where she thinks they should go

* Bcal shrugs

<Bcal> I told her to clean her office...she didn't listen

* Bcal slams the drawer...looks at the mess...turns and walks out

* wisesnake stops to help one friend move some charred timbers

<Bcal> tell her I'll be back after lunch...that's what I forgot to mention

* wisesnake stops to help another friend unload a catch of tuna fish

* Alea looks at the mess

* wisesnake finally returns to the center

* Alea is standing helplessly in front of a bunch of files

<Alea> my god, what is Tarsh going to do when he sees this mess

<Alea> and what is snake going to do when she realizes Bcal has cleaned out her office and tossed all of her papers in these files

<Alea> and what is SNAKE going to DO when she finds out Bcal has burned her clothes

* Alea working herself into a fine panic

<Alea> and my ART

* wisesnake veers into the Sime Center, not fully under pilot control

<Alea> turns to the door where all of her pictures are covered with mud

* Alea eyes widen

<Alea> Oh!

<Alea> Snake

<wisesnake> HHHHHHHHHHHi Alea {{{garlic/porstan/wintergreen}}}

* Alea smiles nervously

<Alea> uh, hi

<Alea> uh, you had a ... visitor

<Alea> eeeuuuw

* Alea waves hand at snake

<Alea> where have you been

<wisesnake> I brought a present for B'Cal, is she here?

<Alea> oh...well...uh...she WAS here

* Alea tries to pick up the papers scattered all over Tarsh's desk

<wisesnake> So much for having a reliable donor I can count on... already been here and left 3 times in the last 12 hours.

<Alea> uh she said she'd be back after lunch sometime

<Alea> why don't you go up to your room and rest

* Alea hoping Snake doesn't go look in her office

* JonDrake quickly sneaks from his door to Alea's. He's got to put the papers back and hopes that they weren't missed yet.

<wisesnake> Oh... that's a good idea, maybe I'll do that.

* Alea wondering if she can find all the papers Bcal filed in Tarsh's files and get them back to her office before Snake notices

* Alea relief at her words

<Alea> good good

* Alea thinks about the cucumber and strawberry omelet she made and decides she shouldn't have eaten it after all

* JonDrake finishes, and anticipates the moment of truth. Coming downstairs to see Alea's reaction....

* Alea her stomach definitely can't handle that

<Alea> no, it was the chocolate sauce and onions that did it.

* wisesnake meanders up the stairs and wipes out face-down on her bed

* Alea sinks wearily to the chair behind the desk

* Alea drops her hands in her head

<Alea> shen

<Alea> it always happens in this lobby

* Alea looks back up at her ruined art and wonders if she can wash the mud off

* JonDrake isn't ready to try and sneak the book back yet....

* JonDrake has head the commotion and only now decides to venture downstairs into the lobby...

* Alea slowly starts picking up the files trying to straighten them out

<Alea> Snake is gonna go into killmode over this

<Alea> and her target is gonna be Bcal

* JonDrake looks about. So far so good.

* Alea turns to the filing cabinet trying to figure out which papers belong to Snake and which ones were Tarsh's files

* Alea has no idea

* Alea decides just to stuff all of the folders back in the filing cabinet

<Alea> no Snake

<Alea> I don't remember seeing Bcal go down to your office

* Tarsh backs in the door, with a hand truck full of boxes.

<Alea> You say some files are missing?

<Alea> maybe your clothes were sent out?

* Alea sees tarsh and freezes...

* Tarsh swears in Simelan as the handtruck catches on the doorway.

* Alea looks around, wondering if she can finish getting them all stuffed in the cabniet but knows it's a helpless cause

<Alea> watch out for my paintings!

* Alea rushes from behind the desk and snatches them from near the front door

<Tarsh> Tecton can't afford delivery, my foot!

<JonDrake> What happened, Alea?

* Alea whirls around

<Alea> Oh!

<Alea> Jon

* Alea tries to look innocent

* Tarsh stops. Twists his head around. "What?"

<Alea> hello Tarsh

* Alea smiles brightly

* Tarsh stares at the files and lets go of the handtruck.

* Alea jerks her art out of the way

<Alea> you see...that's the oddest thing...well...

<JonDrake> Anything I can do to help?

* Alea shrugs

<Tarsh> The pile of boxes teeters on the verge of falling forward.

* Tarsh surges to grab the top box.

<Alea> uh...[looks at Tarsh and knows how possessive of his files he is] sure...can you hang my pictures back up

* Alea forgets they're covered in mud

* Tarsh barely averts a stack collapse.

<Tarsh> "New Decorator?

* Alea comes barreling back in running into the files

<Alea> she's back

* Alea hissed at them...and continues on to her office

<Alea> sorry Tarsh

* Bcal looks at the mess on the floor

<Bcal> let me guesss...the little love bird again[sneers at Alea's retreating back]

<Bcal> she's a menace

* Bcal sees the art back in the room and sneers

<Bcal> I thought I told that half wit Donor to get rid of it

<Bcal> where is Snake

* Bcal looks down her nose at Tarsh and Jon Drake...her eyes narrowing

* wisesnake is comfortably oblivious upstairs

<Bcal> well, are you all deaf? I asked a question. Where is that Farris screw up?

* Tarsh looks hard at Bcal. "Do I know you?"

<Bcal> I hope not

<Tarsh> The feeling is mutual.

<Bcal> I'm Bcal...I'm here to see Snake...I'm her Donor...that's ALL you need to know

<Bcal> now where is she?

<Tarsh> I not aware of any Farris screw up in residence.

* JonDrake decides not to step forward with pleasantries afterall...

* JonDrake tries to blend in with the paneling...

<Bcal> look renSime...I'm here to help Snake..NOTHING MORE...I don't care how you feel

* Tarsh considers his next remark.

<Bcal> and since you obviously can't keep track of one screwup

* wisesnake rolls over, notices it's almost time to leave for Ola's

* Bcal brushs past Tarsh and heads down the hall

<Tarsh> "I don't know."

* wisesnake gets up unsteadily and makes her way into the bathroom

* Alea peeks out of her office...sees Bcal and ducks back in

* wisesnake seems to remember something about Ola not liking bars; brushes her teeth

* Tarsh truns to Jon. "there's one in every crowd and they always find me."

* Bcal goes down the hall opening and closing every door, looking for Snake

* JonDrake gives Tarsh a rather pained, sympathetic smile...

* wisesnake inspects her look: Farris meets grease weasel

* Bcal goes up the stairs, going through every room, looking for Snake...

<Tarsh> How are you doing today? Had you seen Hajene Veraik?

<JonDrake> Not yet. Today's the day, eh?

* Alea peeks back out

* Alea sees her gone

<Tarsh> I hope so.

* Alea comes warily out of her office

* wisesnake inspects her clothes... yup, she's wearing some

* Alea looking at tarsh

<Alea> that's what happened to your files

<JonDrake> Any idea where Veriak.. Hajene Veriak is?

* Tarsh sees Alea and brightens. "Alea!"

* Bcal opens a door and sees the messy room

<Bcal> Found her

<Tarsh> A Temper Storm?

<Alea> sorry, Tarsh...she just stormed in here and started refiling all of Snake's papers

* Alea covers mouth

* wisesnake sniffs her armpits - yep it's still me.

<Alea> oh dear..don't tell snake that...at least not while I'm around

* wisesnake leaves the bathroom

<Bcal> there you are

* Bcal sniffs

<Bcal> ugh

* Tarsh 's face goes dark and brooding.

* wisesnake grins huge

<wisesnake> Hi B'Cal.

* Bcal walks forward and slaps a list in her hand and then pulls her toward the bed....you've been out drinking!

* wisesnake lets B'Cal drag her

* wisesnake winces at the strength of the grip

* wisesnake looks at the list

<Alea> I'm really sorry Tarsh...she was rather....you saw.

<Tarsh> "Clearly, I have done something to really really p.o. someone at Regional Dispatch."

<Bcal> there is a schedule I've made out for you

* wisesnake looks at the schedule

* Bcal reaches in her pockt...I brought this...here...it's medicine take it

* wisesnake looks at the medicine

<Alea> why do you say that?[to Tarsh]

<Bcal> it's Farris approved

<Tarsh> "Yes. She is rather forceful. They expect *her* to work with _Snake_?!"

<Bcal> it'll help straighten out your systems

<Alea> I'm afraid so

<Tarsh> They sent her here.

* wisesnake wonders if it will have any interesting side effect with all the other stuff she plans on still using behind B'Cal's back

* Alea nods

* wisesnake reads label

* Tarsh shudders.

* Bcal sees label is blank

<Alea> I'll help you if you'd like...

* wisesnake shrugs

* Alea motions toward files

<Bcal> we'll use this medicine once a week starting today

<Tarsh> No, That's all right. I'll manage.

<Bcal> and then we'll also start working on your relaxation ... you're way too tense

<Alea> okay

* Alea turns to her office

* wisesnake is feeling much more relaxed than earlier

* wisesnake laughs, garlickly

* Bcal sighs, opens the bottle and shakes out two pills, then gets Snake a glass of water

* Tarsh changes the subject. "Those English language children's educational books got here."

<Bcal> typical Farris on a self-destruct path

* Tarsh slaps one of the boks.

<Alea> I'm sure Snake will want to know that, Tarsh

<Alea> She is doing a lot of Out-Territory training

* Alea turns to Jon

<wisesnake> Listen, B'Cal, I'd love to hang out and discuss my shortcomings with you, but I have an appointment to make.

<Alea> you know, Jon...you might be able to help with that

<Tarsh> Should I go tell her now?

* wisesnake gets up

<Alea> sure

<Bcal> just take this and then you can go do whatever you want

* Bcal presses medicine in her hand

<Bcal> this room is a mess

<wisesnake> oh, fine.

* Bcal looking around

* wisesnake takes the pills, drinks down the water

<wisesnake> And don't touch my room while I'm gone. I have important papers in here.

* JonDrake hangs out the Lobby.

<Bcal> now, be careful about being outside too long with those..sometimes purgatives react differently on each individual

<Bcal> especially on a Farris

* Tarsh takes the box and puts it on the coffee table in the waiting area.

* Bcal smiles grimly as she thinks just what she is going to do to this room

* Tarsh takes out a small knife and slits the packing tape.

* JonDrake looks up to Tarsh. "How's it going?"

* Tarsh pulls out a copy of "What is Happening to my Brother?"

<Tarsh> Pretty well until I met *her*.

<JonDrake> Heh! I'm staying out here...

* Tarsh looks at the title page. "written in-t. hmmmm."

* Bcal stands

<Bcal> have this room cleaned tomorrow....

* Bcal sees another nasty art piece 1

<Bcal> this stuff will ruin your nerves [goes over and tosses it out of the second story window]

<Bcal> Farris art[mutters]

* Tarsh holds the book out to Jon. Could you look over this some time to see if it will work with out-t kids? Some of these Householding intellectual types..."

* wisesnake stares at B'Cal

<Bcal> and I'll be back to inspect it

* Bcal heads back out the door

<wisesnake> I don't think you're really a Donor at all.

<Bcal> just wait until you're in need.

<JonDrake> Ok, I'll be glad to.

<Bcal> You won't say that then

* JonDrake takes the book from Tarsh..

* Bcal heads down the hall and down the stairs

* wisesnake shakes her head

<wisesnake> This woman is completely useless.

* Bcal stops short at seeing Alea hanging out by her door and sneers at her, before looking down her nose at the other two in the room

* Tarsh poitedly ignores Bcal.

* Alea sighs in relief

* Bcal stomps across the lobby and leaves

* wisesnake starts to leave, then goes back to bathroom

* wisesnake doesn't emerge from the bathroom for 4.5 hours

* Alea lifts her hand in a "see what I mean" gesture

* JonDrake looks up to Tarsh. Speaking of these kinds of books, do you have any tutorials on Simelan? I need a lot to catch up on....

* Tarsh nods to Alea.

<JonDrake> I'd like to learn as much as I can, to learn how to read Simelan...

<Alea> I think I'm going back to the kitchen to cook...anyone want anything?

<Tarsh> I think so.. in the back. I'll look later, see what I can find.

<Alea> that woman drives me to cook

<Tarsh> Bowl of Botulism for our new guest?

* Alea smiles grimly

<Alea> that might be arranged

<JonDrake> Hmm.. Why don't I take some of these books up to my room and see what holes I can poke in them. :-)

<Tarsh> Maybe some trin for me.

<Alea> hey, tarsh...I made breakfast this morning

<Alea> I didn't burn a thing

<Tarsh> Sure. We have 2 or three different ones.

* Alea looking very proud of herself

* Tarsh starts opening the other boxes.

* Alea disgruntled that Tarsh ignored that remark

<Alea> I'll be back

* Alea heads down the hall

<JonDrake> Why don't I take a couple of those with me for when this gets too boring..

<Alea> they all complain that I'm a clutz...but then when I do it right...they ignore that

* Alea grumbles the entire way to the kitchen

* Tarsh looks up at Alea (or rather her retreating back). "What?"

* JonDrake takes the books upstairs and begins going over them....

<Alea> tea

<Alea> he only wants tea

* Alea looks around

<Tarsh> "let me check in the back. See what we have here." [gestures at the boxes.]

<Alea> there should be a tea book here somewhere...I'll make a special type...that'll impress him

* Alea finds a book about different drinks

* Alea eyes brighten

* Tarsh goes down to the stockroom.

<Alea> oooh! raw eggs

<Alea> why would someone put that in their drink

* Alea flips the page

<Alea> mint!

<Alea> now there is an idea

* Alea flips another page

<Alea> bitter root?

* Alea frowns

<Alea> now why would they put that in there?

* Alea flips through entire book before deciding to add a bit of everything and make her own recipe

<Alea> let's see...

<Alea> trin tea...

* Alea boils up the water

* Tarsh comes out with three books.

<Alea> a bit of mint

<Alea> we'll go ahead and try the eggs I saw in the other recipe...only one instead of two

* Alea cracks egg and drops it in

<Alea> oh

<Alea> and chocolate sauce

* Alea digs around in cabinet until she finds the bottle she put on her eggs this morning

* Alea goes back and adds it to the tea

* Alea stirs it up real good

* Alea frowns when she realizes it is a bit lumpy

* Alea picks out as many lumps as she can find

<Tarsh> "Jon, I've got ..." peers at books "'Dysk and Javane', 'Power Simelan for Business' and a Simelan~English dictionary."

* Alea realizes she has lost her appitite now that Dragon lady is gone...but is excited to bring tea for Tarsh

* Alea heads back to the lobby

<Alea> here you go, Tarsh

* Alea smling up at him in anticipation

<wisesnake> After what feels like 4 and a half hours, but is in reality far less time, Snake succeeds in fighting off the poisonous "medicine" and crawls shivering and cursing out of the bathroom

* Tarsh turns around and smiles as Alea approaches.

* Alea leans up and kisses him...

<Alea> here you go

* Alea hands him the tea

* wisesnake checks her look: Farris meets grease weasel, only now pale and sweating

<wisesnake> uccch

* Tarsh takes the mug. "Thank You, Alea, I feel better already." [sips at tea]

* Tarsh burns tounge.

* Alea turns toward her office

* wisesnake goes down the stairs and finds a medical kit to bring on her house call

* Tarsh stows away the boxes after getting out one copy of each for Snake, and spends 4 1/2 hours getting the files in order again.

* Tarsh forgets the mug of tea on the corner of his desk.

* Alea comes back out and sees tarsh

* Alea starts to smile until she sees cup sitting there full

* wisesnake drags herself through the front lobby feeling as weak as a kitten

* Alea frowns, goes over and picks up the cup

<Alea> I'll just take this back to the kitchen

* Tarsh is bent over the monthly report.

<Tarsh> "Hmmm?"

* Alea frowns at Tarsh

* Tarsh looks up. "Oh hi, Alea."

* Alea sees the files are straightened up

<Tarsh> "Is something wrong?

<Alea> nothing at all

* Alea still frowning

<Alea> I'll just take your full...dirty dishes to the kitchen

* wisesnake goes out of the Sime Center and trudges to Plum Street

* Tarsh looks at the mug and realizes his faux paux.

<Alea> if you find any of Snake's center or PERSONAL papers, please see that they're put back in her office

* Alea turns her back on tarsh-muttering

<Tarsh> "Certainly."

<Tarsh> "Alea ..."

* Ola opens the door as Snake turns into the front walk.

* Alea pauses

<Alea> yes Tarsh?

<Ola> What kept you, dearie? I expected you two hours ago!

* wisesnake sighs

<Tarsh> "I'm sorry,but my stomach is queasy today."

<wisesnake> I'm terribly sorry. I hope I didn't inconvenience you too much.

<Alea> that's perfectly all right

* Alea deciding to show him just how good it is, she takes a sip herself

* Alea smiles, then frowns...digs a piece of egg shell out of her mouth

<Alea> except for the egg shell, I think it turned out good

* Ola notices Snake's pallor and sweatiness, and the grease weasel grooming.

* Alea shrugs

<Alea> but what would I know

* Alea turns and starts down the hall

<Ola> Not at all, dearie. Come in. You look like you've had a hard day.

<wisesnake> We're having a... rough day at the Center. Trying to integrate new employees, and all.

* wisesnake comes in

<Ola> Alice just finished her lunch--all three bites of it.

* Tarsh mutters "You expect a gourmet in need?"

<Ola> She's not eating enough to keep a bird alive.

* wisesnake 's mind spins its wheels for a few seconds after the word "Alice"

* Alea hears Tarsh...turns around and goes back to Tarsh

* Alea looks repentant

* Alea drops cup in trash can

<wisesnake> Uh - a Gen must eat regularly to remain healthy [says wisesnake's mouth while her brain is unhooked]

* Tarsh winces.

<Ola> She just keeps moaning that her head hurts, and crying that a monster will get her.

<Alea> you're in need? I forgot

* Ola shakes her head.

* wisesnake gets a grip

<wisesnake> Well, I'd better examine her.

<Ola> The fellow should be punished. In my day, young men showed respect for the ladies.

<Tarsh> "Only just. I wouldn't be normally, but those healing expenditures accelerated me."

<Ola> I've put her in the front bedroom. It gets sun all morning.

<wisesnake> Uh... if this is who I think it is, I don't think it was a man who attacked her.

* wisesnake follows Ola

* Alea slides onto Tarsh's lap and circles her arms around his neck, snuggling close.

<Alea> I'm so sorry Tarsh.

<Alea> It's not you.

* Ola shows snake down the hall to Alice's room.

<Ola> Alice, dear, you have a visitor.

<Alea> I've been a bit under the weather lately and last night was just ... rough

<Tarsh> "Whup! Why Heeelllooo!"

* wisesnake sees Alice, realizes it's the same Alice [shen!]

* Tarsh smiles and snuggles back.

* Alea lays her head on his shoulder

* Ola starts as Alice sees Snake and shrieks, cowering back against the wall.

<Alea> Snake is angry with me and Veraik is acting strangely...and then this Bcal creature...I shouldnt' have taken out my anger on you

<Ola> Alice, love, calm down.

* wisesnake throws up her shields and backs away, then makes herself stop in the doorway

* Tarsh stokes Alea's hair.

<Ola> There she goes on about the monster again.

* Alea relaxes against him, enjoying the touch

<Alea> It's a shame you're past turnover

* Ola shakes her head.

<Ola> Do you think you can help her?

<wisesnake> ... Yes.

* wisesnake carefully puts down the medical kit

<Ola> Oh, good. I'll just leave you to it, then. I want to bake some cookies before that nice Miz Haskins comes for her evening visit. She's been so devoted to her friend.

* Alea leans up and places a soft kiss on Tarsh's cheek. "Am I forgiven?"

<wisesnake> Uh, Ola, I think it would be better if you were here.

<wisesnake> That is, if you don't mind?

* Alea sighs

* Ola looks at the cowering Alice doubtfully.

<Ola> Well, dear, if you think I can help, I'll do what I can.

<Tarsh> "Nothing to forgive. I'm the one being cranky."

<wisesnake> If you just would sit here, by her, it would help me a lot.

* Alea immediately adjusts her field, trying to help Tarsh out of his cranky mood

* Ola sits in the indicated chair by the cowering Alice's bed.

* Tarsh smiles and huhs Alea. "Mmmmmm, you make me feel so good."

* wisesnake moves cautiously closer to Alice, speaking soothingly:

<wisesnake> Now, Alice, everything's going to be all right. You remember me, don't you? I work at the Center. I can heal you.

* Alea smiles softly

<Alea> I'm glad

* Alea slides off Tarsh's lap and stands

* Ola gapes as Alice jumps out of bed for the first time that day, and backs into the corner of the room, trembling.

* Alea allows her hands to trail down Tarsh's arms...running her hands along his tentacles...remembering how much, at one time, she'd wanted to be Sime

<Ola> But Alice, dear, this isn't a monster. This is Hajene Snake from the Sime Center.

* wisesnake faces Alice, tries to hold herself steady through Alice's fear

<wisesnake> Alice, you've been badly injured. I can help you. I can heal you. Don't you want to be healed?

* Ola is becomming distressed at Alice's continuous whimpering and moaning.

<Ola> The poor thing. I don't think she understands what you're telling her, Snake.

* Tarsh shivers pleasantly.

* Alea traces the sheaths

<Alea> I have to go lie down for a bit...I'm exhausted. We'll see you later

* wisesnake sighs

* Tarsh smiles with his eyes closed.

* wisesnake stops trying to approach Alice, goes back to the medical kit instead

* Tarsh opens his eyes. "I'll be waiting."

<Tarsh> "sleep well."

<Ola> What are you doing?

* wisesnake gets out a tranquilizer

* Alea glides into her office and lays down on the couch, wondering why she is so sleepy

<wisesnake> I brought along a tranquilizer in case she was too scared to let me examine her.

<wisesnake> Do you mind if I give it to her?

<Ola> Well, if it will help. She's not in any condition to let you look at her otherwise, that's for sure.

* wisesnake approaches Alice smoothly, blocking the way if she tries to escape, holds her firmly and gives her the tranquilizer

* Ola tries to ignore Alice's incoherent shrieks at Snake's actions, and sighs in relief as Alice finally starts to nod off.

* wisesnake catches Alice as she sags and picks her up, laying her down on the bed

<wisesnake> I'm sorry, Ola. I guess you are free to bake those cookies after all.

* Ola shakes her head in pity at Alice's much-subdued moaning, and leaves to start her baking.

* wisesnake zlins Alice

* wisesnake sits back, wearily

<wisesnake> Yup, Alice, you're a mess.

* wisesnake thinks about how nice it would have been to have a nice, reliable, supportive Donor to help out with this.

* wisesnake wonders if she abandoned her project in Bender Cove and asked for reassignment to a different Sime Center if her life would be more comfortable.

* Alea wakes up feeling refreshed

* wisesnake goes into channel's healing mode and starts working on Alice

* Alea remembering Bcal's insistance that she clean up after Snake goes to her office to finish what she had started

* Alea sees the stack of papers Tarsh put in there...decides to file them for Snake

* Alea works patitently trying to get them all in the right place

* Alea then mops the floor and scrubs the desk...making sure it is perfectly clean

* Alea deciding that Bcal will probably check Snake's room too trudges upstairs

* Alea goes in...grimaces at the mess and begins cleaning

* wisesnake uses her field to stimulate Alice's body toward healing itself

* Ola opens the door, letting in a waft of freshly-baked cookies.

<Ola> Alice, dear, you have a visitor.

* wisesnake comes duoconscious

<Ola> That nice Miz Haskins is here. Oh, she does look much better. Or maybe it's just that she's not moaning so loudly. It does wear on one.

* wisesnake smiles painfully

<wisesnake> She will require some time to heal, but I have started the process.

* Lin walks through the door behind Ola.

<Lin> YOU!!!

* wisesnake recoils

<Lin> What are you doing here?

* wisesnake gets off the bed and retreats from Lin

<wisesnake> Ola asked me to look at Alice.

* Alea finishes cleaning snake's room

* Alea looks at the pristine floor...sees the neat and clean shelves...looks at the box of medicince bottles she has in her arms and leaves

* Alea thinking she won't even recognize it when she gets done

* Alea goes back downstairs

<Lin> Don't you think she's had more than enough trauma, without another Sime grabbing at her? What have you done to her?

<Alea> Hey, Jon, can you help me?

<JonDrake> Sure, what's up?

<Alea> my art...I wanted to hang it in my office

<wisesnake> All I did was started her on the road to getting well.

* Alea motions to the four picture frames in the floor in the lobby

<JonDrake> Ok. Sure.

* Alea goes over and grabs two of the frames and drags them into her office

* Alea goes to her drawer and pulls out a hammer and nails

* Lin looks at Alice closely.

<Alea> don't let anyone know I have these in here...It makes Snake nervous

* JonDrake grabs a few frames too.

<JonDrake> What, your paintings?

<Lin> She hasn't slept since it happened, not really. Why is she so quiet?

<Alea> my embrodering...I know it's a bit hard to tell with all the mud...shrugs

* wisesnake has a head ache to end all head aches, a horrible gut cramp (and a pain in the butt) courtesy of B'Cal, a month of hell to look forward to at the hands of her "donor", and on top of it all she's still in recovery from the healing.

* wisesnake decides it just isn't going to be her day.

<wisesnake> I gave her a tranquilizer.

* Lin looks at snake.

<Lin> You look like you should have taken it yourself.

* Alea climbs up on back of couch and hammers in two nails

* wisesnake grimaces

<Lin> Or do you usually go around looking like a greased weasel?

<wisesnake> We're having a rough day at the center. Integrating new employees.

* wisesnake laughs weakly

<wisesnake> I've actually been called a greased weasel before.

<Alea> Can you hand me that picture, Jon?

<wisesnake> But seriously, Alice was too frightened to let me examine her. That's the only reason I resorted to the tranquilizer.

* Alea looks down at him and motions to one he is still holding

* Lin shakes her head.

<Lin> You don't understand, do you.

* JonDrake hands it up.

<Lin> You go around, manipulating people's lives, and you justify it by telling yourself that it's for their own good.

* Alea takes it...carefully balancing herself as she hangs it near the left end of the couch

<Lin> Perhaps it is, sometimes,

* wisesnake narrows her eyes

* Alea reaches back in her pocket for the hammer and nails

* Alea then scoots down to the other end of the couch, swaying precariously before reighting herself and beginning to hammer the next two nails

<Lin> but if you keep on assuming you have the right to run people's lives for them, eventually it's going to catch up with you.

<wisesnake> Well, today seems to be the day for being unable to outrun things, so you might as well start catching me up on that too.

* JonDrake is ready with the next frame.

* Alea turns to reach for it

<Lin> Have you any idea how it feels to have someone just walk in and take over your life?

<wisesnake> No, I have no idea.

* JonDrake carefully hands it up.

* Alea takes it...sways, then hangs it up

* Alea backs down off the couch

* Alea goes over to her desk and begins shoving it toward the far wall

* JonDrake helps with the desk, following her lead.

* Alea crawls up on it and pulls out hammer again

<JonDrake> So, how are you doing with all this chaos?

<Alea> what chaos?

<JonDrake> Hurricane B'Cal...

* Alea looks for nails...realizes she's out

<Alea> come on with me...I have some nails in Veraik's office

* Alea goes to Veraik's office and starts searching around

<Alea> oh, well....

<Alea> she is just one more negative in a world of negative...you know what I mean?

<JonDrake> I've had times like that...

<Lin> Well, it's no more moral to play games with other's lives "for their own good" than it is for YOUR own good. And it's frequently hard to tell the difference.

<Alea> you know...

* Alea pausing and looking at Veraik's desk

<JonDrake> yes?

<Alea> it seems to me I did a dance on this desk before

* Alea climbs up on it...

<wisesnake> Is that so.

* wisesnake speaks dispassionately; she seems tired

* Alea kicks off her shoes and grabs each side of her skirt

<JonDrake> You did?

* Alea whirls around a bit

* Alea frowns

<Lin> It's always easier to justify forcing a person to cooperate, than to persuade them that you are right.

<Alea> well....

<Alea> maybe it wasn't this desk

<JonDrake> What are you doing?

<JonDrake> Are you feeling alright?

* Alea looks at Jon

* Alea smiles impishly

* JonDrake looks up, rather concerned.

<Alea> as a matter of fact...I'm feeling better than I've felt all day

* JonDrake also doesn't fail to notice her nice legs from this angle...

* Alea begins to dance....

<Alea> yeah, I think I'm finally feeling better

* Alea starts humming

<Alea> I should have thought of this a long time agao

<Alea> Dancing!

<Alea> Dancing gets rid of the blues

* JonDrake wonders if Alea has had more Strawberry Dacquris...

<Lin> But what's the use of telling you something you don't want to hear?

* JonDrake smiles an amused smile...

* Alea begins kicking some of Veraik's papers off his desk

<Alea> HERE is to Snake getting rid of me!

* Alea kicks again

* wisesnake looks Lin in the eye

<JonDrake> Alea!

<Alea> here is to Bcals description of me

<wisesnake> There must be some use, or you wouldn't be doing it.

* Alea smiles down at Jon and laughs

<JonDrake> ALEA!!

<JonDrake> Get a grip!

* Alea kicks some more paper and her laughter increases

<Alea> why?

* JonDrake is desperately searching for some way to calm her down...

* Alea but alea does stop kicking and sits down in the middle of Veraik's desk

<JonDrake> This is Veraik's desk! You can't just kick the papers hither and yon!

* Alea smiles at Jon

* Lin loses much of her anger, and sits down in the chair.

<Alea> why not?

* Alea gives jon an innocent look

* Alea enjoying his worry

<JonDrake> What would the neighbors think? :-)

* wisesnake serrupticiously zlins Alice to make sure she is still doing okay

<Alea> they think we're all perverts anyway

<Alea> why should I care

* Alea props her elbows on her knees and rests her chin on her hands....

<JonDrake> Ok, how did you feel about B'call doing all that damage?

* Alea smile drops away

* wisesnake rests her weight against the wall

<Alea> that obvious, is it?

<Lin> Look, I'm sorry I snapped at you. You're not the only one who's been having a rough day.

* Alea pats the desk beside her

* JonDrake sits down.

<JonDrake> You want to talk about it?

<wisesnake> And I'm sorry I wasn't able to snap back in an entertaining fashion.

* Alea frowns

<Alea> well...she caught me in Veraik's arms last night and now she's lost all respect for me....but of course, that doesn't explain why she thinks I'm in incapapble Donor...nor why she threw all my art in the mud

<Lin> I've spent the last two days contacting the parents whom I felt were safe. They were NOT happy to learn where their kids were spending their free time.

<JonDrake> Hmmm...

<Alea> I think I'm a fine Donor.

<Alea> of course Snake and now Bcal doesn't

<JonDrake> I'm sure you are. <Alea> well, it doesn't matter

* wisesnake watches Lin

* Alea reaches out and picks up a packet of folders that has Snake's signature on them

* Alea drops them on the floor

<JonDrake> So who are you seeing? Tarsh, Varaik, or both?

* Alea looks shocked

<Alea> Tarsh

* Alea feels guilty when she thinks about the situation

<Alea> but I'm Veraik's Donor now

<JonDrake> ...but there's something between you and Veraik.

* Alea blushes

<Alea> there....was

* Alea sighs and rolls over onto her stomach, reaching down off the desk for all the papers she kicked off

* Alea scoops them up one by one...trying to keep her balance and see just how close she can get without falling off

* JonDrake hops off the desk to help her with the papers...

<Lin> But I think that most of those kids won't be roaming the streets again, and I was able to convince the parents that they shouldn't be too hardd on the kids.

<wisesnake> Good.

* Alea scoots back, lays the papers on the desk and then resumes her cross legged seat in the middle of Veraik's desk

<Alea> thank you Jon

<JonDrake> Don't mention it.

<JonDrake> Alea...

<Alea> yes?

* Alea looks up at Jon

* Alea suddenly wary that he might have read those letters from Zeor after all

<Lin> That leaves four from my class whose parents can't be trusted with the information, and Mirk, who's been spending an awful lot of time with them since his sister died.

<JonDrake> I'm sorry if I've made things more difficult on you.

* Alea looks confused a moment...then smiles

<Alea> oh, you haven't

* JonDrake touches her hand in friendly comfort.

<Alea> Tarsh understood perfectly

<JonDrake> No, I have. Look what happened yesterday...

* Alea sighs remembering

<Lin> I'm afraid that Mirk might go exploring with his new "friends", and his mother is in no condition to stop him.

<Alea> I just know not to go drinking those atrocious drinks anymore, Jon.

<Alea> Really, it was okay

<Alea> Tarsh really didn't mind when I explained everything

<wisesnake> Speaking of kids like Mirk, I talked to Sidnee this morning.

* JonDrake also remembers, and smiles over some of the more interesting points.

<JonDrake> I don't know what caused that. It must have been something about that parlor.

* Alea has conviently forgotten the more interesting points

<Alea> well...I know not to go there anymore

<Lin> Good. I wasn't sure he'd choose to defy his parents to satisfy his curiosity.

* Alea giggles

<Alea> unless I want to get Snake drunk

<JonDrake> Heh. That sounds like a good idea. Should make a pact on that one?

<Alea> great!

<JonDrake> I see.... That might be interesting to see...

* Alea holds out her hand for a shake

* JonDrake takes her hand..

<Alea> pact

<JonDrake> pact.

* Alea clambers down off Veraik's desk

<JonDrake> No more parlors...

<Alea> no more parlors

<wisesnake> Out of curiousity, why did you pick me to send him to?

<Alea> come on, let's go finish up my office

<JonDrake> Unless we get to watch snake get sloshed..

<Alea> oh yeah

<Alea> you don't want to miss that

<JonDrake> Ok. On my way. :-)

* Alea goes into her office and crawls back up onto her desk

* JonDrake remembers.. "Hey, were there actually any nails in there?"

<Alea> yeah

* Alea opens her hand to show him

<Lin> Who else was there to send him to?

<Alea> I always keep a few stashed everywhere. Sometime the Simes get a bit touchy about me handling nails

<JonDrake> Didn't even see you get them in all the mess... ;-)

<JonDrake> I'm starting to notice that.

* wisesnake shrugged. "I just wondered, because I knew there was no way you could have known I'd cared for his sister."

<Lin> His parents wouldn't tell him anything useful, but they'd certainly punish him for asking.

* Alea hammers nails into the wall then turns to Jon for the pictures

<Lin> You did? I heard she'd been shot.

* JonDrake hands them up dutifully...

* wisesnake laughs shortly

* Alea hangs first one, then the other

* Alea crawls back down and then tries to push the desk back to whre it goes

<JonDrake> I'm sorry B'Cal threw all these out...

* JonDrake helps.

<wisesnake> No. She blundered around in confusion until somebody found her and directed her to the Center.

<Alea> no problem

<Alea> you know, they really don't like my picutres here

* JonDrake watches to make sure he doesn't smash his fingers....

<wisesnake> I knew who Sidnee was the moment he mentioned her name.

* Alea looks at the black, puce and purple swirled one now with dark brown stains

<wisesnake> I knew the entire story of what had happened from his sister's point of view.

<Lin> I'm glad. I had Zao in my class three years ago.

<Alea> at one time, at my house, I was starting to learn this...but I had to go...um...mean decided to leave

* JonDrake considers the works, thinking of what to say...

<Alea> adn so I never finished my training

<wisesnake> Now he knows everything. I hope his children will be better served than he and his sister were.

<Alea> but, they're an outlet for my energy

<JonDrake> What happened?

<Alea> what do you mean?

<JonDrake> Everyone needs an outlet.

<JonDrake> You sound as if it's something you regret.

<Lin> I hope so, too.

* Alea sighs thinking how much she misses Zeor

<Alea> no, I don't regret it mcuh

<Alea> Sometimes I miss home...

<wisesnake> Look, I'd better leave. I've done all I can for Alice.

<Alea> but it's been a long time now...

<Alea> I'm think I'm going to try to make this my new home

* wisesnake edges around the bed and picks up the medical kit, zips it shut

* Alea remembers Snake's attempts to kick her out and frowns

<JonDrake> Looks like we're both in the same boat...

* Alea smiles

<Alea> yeah

<Lin> I'll just stay with her until she wakes. I brought a stack of papers to grade.

* Alea finishes straightening her desk

<Alea> would you like some tea?

* wisesnake says goodbye to Ola and leaves

<JonDrake> Love some.

<JonDrake> Lead the way...

* Alea goes to Veraik's office

<Alea> he's not here...I'll just make some up in his office

* JonDrake wonders why we're coming here...

<JonDrake> Oh, ok.

<JonDrake> Back to the desk, or do you want to sit on real chairs this time?

* Alea grabs the tea kettle and puts water in it and then puts it on to boil

<Alea> hey, let's sit on the transfer couch

* Alea grins big

* wisesnake thinks about the hurtful things Lin said, then decides it was worth it to also hear that some of the kids would be out of trouble now.

<Alea> I've never sat on a transfer couch with a Gen

* Alea finishes the tea and plops down on the couch

* wisesnake trudges back to the Sime Center in the rain

<Alea> actually this is very comfortable

<JonDrake> I've never sat on one at all....

* JonDrake sits down.

<Alea> my office is so small I couldn't drag this in there...but I would have if I could ahve

* Lin pulls out a stack of spelling tests, and as she works through them, decides that she can work with a blackmailing grease weasel if that's the only way to keep her kids out of trouble.

* Alea pops up to check the water....sees it's boiling and pours it over the tea being very careful not to spill it

<JonDrake> I've only given two donations, and it wasn't on anything so comfortable...

<Alea> now, will you look at that...I didn't spill a drop

<Alea> well, Veraik has the best couch

* Alea brings two cups over and sits back down

<Alea> so, tell me...what did you do OT?

<JonDrake> Very good! :-)

* wisesnake drips into the Sime Center looking like a wet rat

<JonDrake> Back home?

<Alea> yes

* JonDrake remembers....

<JonDrake> I was from a large family...

<JonDrake> We were not well off...

* Alea makes noises of sympathy

<JonDrake> A little over a year ago, my older brother Kane underwent changeover.

* JonDrake pauses, remembering a painful memory...

* Alea looks concerned

* wisesnake puts the medical kit away, and slumps into her office.

<Alea> did he...live?

* wisesnake notices the office is pristine and the art is gone

<JonDrake> N-no. He didn't.

* Alea sighs

<JonDrake> I tried to help him, to urge him to the border.

* wisesnake fills out some forms regarding Alice and starts a folder for her, goes to put them away

* wisesnake sees someone has rearranged the files so they are in no sensible order

<JonDrake> No matter what, he was still my brother.

<Alea> I understand

<JonDrake> The rest of the family didn't see it that way.

* wisesnake leaves the Alice file on top of the cabinet and leaves the office

<Alea> oh.

* Alea nods in sympathy

* wisesnake trudges to her room

* JonDrake has to pause, working hard not to lose it.

* wisesnake sees the room is completely clean and all her stuff is missing

* JonDrake swallows....

* wisesnake looks for, and fails to find, her medication

* wisesnake remembers B'Cal throwing art out the window

* Alea reaches out and takes Jon hand...studying him in concern

* wisesnake goes back downstairs and outside, spends a few minutes crawling around in the pouring rain, finally finds the waterlogged piece of weaving, now sadly sagging from its frame

* JonDrake takes Alea's hand. Squeezing it for the human contact, the comfort.

<JonDrake> My mother and father...

<JonDrake> ...they...they...

* wisesnake spends several more minutes trying to find the two pieces of art from the office, with no luck

* Alea waits

<JonDrake> ...they rang that damn bell and called them.

* wisesnake goes to the front of the building and searches outside that door

<Alea> oh, Jon

* Alea heart breaks

* JonDrake is hopefully not squeezing Alea's hand too tightly.

<Alea> what happened?

<JonDrake> After they'd killed him...sorry, wrong word, murdered him...they just dumped him in a ditch and left his body to rot.

* Alea shudders in shock, feels her stomach rebel at the thought

* wisesnake finally returns to her room carrying the ruined piece of art and covered head to toe in mud

* JonDrake takes a few deep breaths.

<Alea> I'm so very sorry, Jon

<JonDrake> Two nights later, I ran away from home.

* Alea takes the tea from his hand and stands...going to dump it in the sink

* wisesnake sets the artwork on the bed and goes into the shower to wash off all the mud

<JonDrake> No, it's ok... really.

* JonDrake takes a drink of his cooling tea.

* Alea rubs her hand up and down JOn's arm in an act of sympathy

<JonDrake> I told myself that I couldn't live in such a world anymore.

* wisesnake comes out of the shower and curls up on the bed feeling utterly horrible

* Alea concern etching her face leans forward, worried

<JonDrake> But I wonder--was I actually afraid that I'd turn Sime and I'd be murdered as well?

<Alea> I can understand that

* JonDrake leans in, resting his head on her shoulder.

<Alea> I think if I'd seen one of my

<Alea> er...

<Alea> us...

* Alea clears throat

<JonDrake> I think... How could I have left my younger brothers and sisters behind!

<Alea> If, I'd seen one of my relatives murdered, you know, I

* Alea feels she's losing control of this situation

<Alea> well, Jon

* Alea strokes his arm in sympathy and pats his back

<Alea> we each have to make our own decisions

* JonDrake begins to quietly cry, the pain of the last few years being released.

* Alea sighs, awkwardly wraps her arms around Jon and allows him his release

<JonDrake> I have...have no idea what's happened to Tim, to Sissy....

* Alea can't help but feel sympathy there, knowing what it's like to be seperated from loved ones

<Alea> maybe one day you can go back

<JonDrake> I don't know...It's all so far away now....

<Alea> how about letters?

<Alea> do you have any friends in the area you could write to confidentially, asking

<JonDrake> Friends? I don't know any more....

* Alea nods, accepting the answer

* Alea contiues to hold him, waiting for his grief to finish

<JonDrake> I had a girlfriend, her name was Dleanne...

<Alea> do you know if she still lives there?

<JonDrake> She stood there, the hate in her eyes when they murdered Kane. I LOVED her, but I didn't know her.

<Alea> you won't find too much of that here

<JonDrake> I can't say that I knew ANY of them there...

<Alea> fear is a strong motivator, John

<Alea> few can overcome their fear like you have

<JonDrake> I think that's one reason that every time I moved, I moved closer to Sime territory.

<Alea> well, it worked

<JonDrake> Fear? What I saw that night wasn't FEAR...

* Alea leans back to meet Jon's eyes

<Alea> Yes, Jon. It was

<JonDrake> It was evil, dark, hatred.

<Alea> Fear that they might be the one killed by the changeover person

<JonDrake> Fear?

<Alea> so terrified that they would do anything, hurt anyone to keep that from happening

* Alea thinks or at least that is usually the case

* JonDrake looks into her eyes through his tears...

<JonDrake> But how could our mother and father, our own mother and father....

* Alea studies Jon

<Alea> I'm sorry Jon. I only know that is usually what motivates people. I was raised at Zeor and never had to go through that

* JonDrake can't even imagine it...

<Alea> I just can't really imagine the horror of having your family torn apart like that

* Bcal walks in the front door and begins searching for Snake

* Bcal goes to Veraik's office

<Bcal> YOU again

<JonDrake> I've tried writing a couple of times about a year ago.

* Alea turns, realzies she is still holding onto Jon and drops her arms

* JonDrake doesn't realize what caused the change for a moment.

<Bcal> is that all you're here for? Passed around to keep the Center's employees happy?

* Alea flushes in acute embarrassment

* JonDrake looks up and works to compose himself.

<Alea> have you ever heard of knocking? It would be appreciated

<Bcal> I'll just bet it would[smirks]

<JonDrake> "It's nothing like that," Jon protests with broken voice.

<Bcal> where is that channel

* Bcal looks at Jon like Get real I wasn't born yesterday

<Alea> I don't know. I think she went out

* Bcal frowns

<Bcal> She was supposed to be here

* JonDrake stands up suddenly.

* Bcal turns and heads out of the office

<Alea> oh shen...that woman

<JonDrake> I don't know just who you think you are, Queen High & Mighty!

* Bcal ignores him and goes on to the stairs...going up them to find Snake

<JonDrake> ..But ever since you've come here, you've been on everyone's back!

* Alea sigs when she sees Bcal is already gone

<Alea> don't worry about it

<Alea> she won't last long

* JonDrake throws his teacup across the room. It shatters into a thousand pieces.

<JonDrake> DAMN!

* Alea jumps up surprised

<Alea> are you okay?

* Alea goes over and touches his arm

* JonDrake is working hard to keep from hyperventalating.

<JonDrake> Sorry....I'll be ok. I'll be fine.

* Alea concerned turns him toward her realizing she can't use her field, wondering if she should find a channel

* Bcal pauses to go in a room she saw earlier....recognizing Liorie's symbol...

<Alea> don't worry about her

<Bcal> veraik ambrov Liorie...I know all about you

* Bcal wonders why he wasted his time on this type of place when he could have trained and been much much better

<JonDrake> With all her blustering.. She just reminds me so much...

* JonDrake doesn't finish the sentence...

* Alea cocks her head

<Alea> what?

* Alea absently rubs his arms trying to calm him down, thinking he might be a bit better

<JonDrake> My father had a way of just turning his back and removing you from his world. He did that..the night, that night.

* JonDrake composes himself.

<JonDrake> Sorry. I'll be ok.

<JonDrake> Stirring up old memories.

* Alea hooks her arm through Jon's

<Alea> come on, let's go have some lunch

* JonDrake pats her arm.

<JonDrake> Ok. We'd better get going before people start talking. :-)

* Alea forgets to clean up broken cup or to finish washing hers...forgets to put her shoes back on either

<Alea> well, with Bcal here...I think it's already too late

<JonDrake> [chuckle] You're probably right.

* JonDrake gives her a smile. Let's go...

* Bcal looks around thinking how he has squandered his abilities

* Alea frowns in a bit of pain, remembering Bcal's words but goes on

* Bcal leaves the room, thinking how soft and useless Veraik is and goes to Snake's room...she pushes the door open

* wisesnake is curled up naked and miserable on the bed

* Bcal sees her

* Bcal goes in

<Bcal> I'm sorry that purgative took so much out of you. I hadn't expected that.

<Bcal> I've got the last of my things done in town and now I'm back

* Bcal goes over and lays down by Snake, laying her hand on Snake's arm

* Bcal reaches and grabs a blanket, covers Snake and then concentrates again on helping Snake feel better

<Bcal> we had to get those bad things out of your system

<Bcal> you just lay here now and rest on my field

<JonDrake> Makes his way over to the dining area, happy of the human contact with Alea.

* wisesnake doesn't see as how she has any other choice

* Alea thinks she IS rather hungry

<Bcal> did you get a chance to look over my list?

* wisesnake had forgotten all about the list

<Bcal> it's a very straightfoward, basic regime that most Farris channels follow

<JonDrake> How about if I fix YOU something. As a "thank you"?

* Alea pleasently surpirsed

<Alea> why, that's nice. Sure

* Alea thinks of her tea earlier

<Alea> I am trying to learn to cook...but if you want to try your hand

<JonDrake> We kids often had to share the duties of cooking from time to time...

* Bcal searches with her field until it settles into harmony with Snake's...soothing, comforting, helping control and get rid of the sickness and exhaustion Snake is feeling

* JonDrake and Alea enter the kitchen area. Jon begins searching the cabinets and such to gain inspiration...

<Alea> I never was in the kitchin as a kid

<JonDrake> Well, I don't really know my way arround this kitchen, so I can't make any promises....

* Alea chuckles

<Alea> anything would be good right now. I'm starved

* Alea props her chin on her hand and allows her eyes to drift, realizing she is also tired

<Bcal> feeling better, Snake?

<JonDrake> You know what sounds good. A big juicy garlic steak sandwich!

<Alea> mmmm...

* Alea lazily opens eyes

<Alea> that sounds great

* wisesnake doesn't answer, but looks somewhat better

* Alea leans back against hand and eyes drift closed again

<JonDrake> Let's see what I can scare up.

* JonDrake looks in the ice box.

* Bcal carefully runs her hand up and down Snake's arm...purely professional now as she helps Snake

* Alea slouches down in the chair a bit...yawning

* JonDrake doesn't seem to be fiinding it.

<JonDrake> Hey! Don't leave me now!

* Alea blinks, realizes she was almost dozing and sits up

<Alea> sorry

* Bcal continues to stroke Snake's arms until her hand finds Snake's hand.

* Bcal takes her hand, holding it

<JonDrake> Unfortunately, we don't seem to have any steak or similar meat in stock right now....

<Bcal> just relax

<Bcal> you'll be fine

* wisesnake looks at B'Cal, expression unreadable, but does not move otherwise

<JonDrake> I'll have to give you a rain check on that one....

* Bcal continues to use her field to help Snake relax and rest

* JonDrake rises from the ice box with a handfull of eggs. I think I can manage for now, though....

* Alea sees the eggs and thinks of the tea she made this morning

* Alea her stomach turns

<Alea> are they going to be cooked?

<JonDrake> [In classic male gen fashion, he'll probably pull out just about every pan and bowl in the kitchen...]

<JonDrake> Of course!

<Bcal> we should work on your scheduling tomrrow, if you feel up to it...

* JonDrake breaks the eggs into a bowl. and begins to stir them up.

<Alea> oh, well, I tried this drink this morning that wasn't...it had raw eggs...it was okay I suppose but right now, that just doesn't sound good

* JonDrake searches the spice cabinet.

<Bcal> you know, Snake, I'm not your enemy

<JonDrake> I don't think I've ever had raw eggs....

* wisesnake looks at Bcal

<Bcal> I may not want to be here....but I'll do my job with you. You require the help...I require you for a Donor.

<Bcal> We can work it out together...

* Bcal means for her words to be soothing

* JonDrake pulls out 12 herbs and spices, and puts a pinch here a pinch there...

* wisesnake clears her throat

<wisesnake> can I ask a small question?

* Bcal nods

<JonDrake> A little salt, a lttle pepper, thyme..[mumble.]..

<wisesnake> Since all my clothes are gone, am I expected to work in the nude?

* Bcal laughs

<Bcal> not at all

* JonDrake puts a liberal pat of butter into a hot pan. It sizzles satisfyingly...

<Bcal> your uniforms are being cleaned...they should be up here within the hour

* JonDrake chops up fresh onion and garlic and adds it to the butter just before tossing in the eggs...

<wisesnake> Also, would you willing to be tested by my insurance company? I checked my policy on the two Arensti Award winners and the artwork isn't covered for willful destruction unless the person who destroyed them is certifiably insane.

* JonDrake begins toasting some bread iin another pan.

* JonDrake cuts up some fresh tomato...

* Bcal smiles

<JonDrake> The smell of garlic, onions, butter, eggs, and spices begins to permeate the entire area...

<Bcal> that artwork will be covered if you're worried about it...you shouldn't have it in here...the colors, shapes, designs...

* JonDrake checks the pan, making sure that the eggs are cooking correctly...

<Bcal> too much for you to be looking at right now

<Bcal> have any more digs you want to try to send home?

* Bcal simply studies Snake

* Alea rouses, thinking the food smells very good

<Alea> I didn't realize I was so hungry

* Alea says without opening eyes

* Alea slides back down in the chair

* wisesnake points at the ruined artwork lying on the bed beside them

* JonDrake smiles...

* Bcal looks at it and shrugs

<Bcal> it's replaceable...you are not

* wisesnake closes her eyes

* Alea 's head sinks to the table

* JonDrake slides the cooked eggs to the toast with Sime-like dexterity. He puts the tomato slices on and tops it with another slice of toast.

* JonDrake places the sandwich before Alea...

* Alea is out like a light

<Bcal> just rest

* JonDrake frowns, debating whether to rouse her or not.

<Bcal> relax

<Bcal> tell me, how long has it been since you've had a good transfer

<Bcal> according to your records...there hasn't been a single one in the five months now

* JonDrake compromises and leaves her to her peace while fixing his own sandwich...

<wisesnake> [eyes still closed] I suppose it depends on your definition of good.

<Bcal> have you ever been post, Snake

<wisesnake> I don't know. I suppose the answer is no.

* Bcal field surges in sympathy

* wisesnake 's face twitches but her eyes remain closed

<Bcal> that is what we're going to work on.

<Bcal> we'll think of that as our first goal

* wisesnake wishes that she could one day find a Donor who cares about her all day, every day, instead of just fixated on transfers

<Bcal> we are going to work up to it little by little, day by day

<Bcal> it's going to take constant work to get those systems of yours straightened out

* Alea beings to snore lightly

<Bcal> we're going to have to develop a working relationship

* JonDrake sits down at the table and takes a bite of his sandwich...

<Bcal> and the only way to do that is for me to spend every minute with you that I can

<JonDrake> Aleeeeeaaaaaaaa....

<Bcal> I care nothing about this Center, nothing about anything except seeing you become a good channel

<Alea> mmmrrmhmm

<JonDrake> Here's your Saaaaandwhiiiich.....

<Bcal> I've seen channels in worse condition than yours and I've always managed to pull them through it. If you're willing too, we'll make it

* Alea blinks, opens her eyes

* Alea brightens at the sight of food

<Alea> oh. Thank you Jon

* Alea takes sandwich and begins munching it down

<JonDrake> My pleasure!

* wisesnake opens her eyes and looks at BCal

* Bcal continues to stare intensely at Snake

* JonDrake brings the sandwhich up to his lips.

<Bcal> we can do it, Snake

<Bcal> day by day

<Bcal> that's the only way. But you're going to have to allow me some say in your life

<wisesnake> Big words. [Snake says at last] Pretty words. We'll see if it comes out that way, or if it's day after day as miserable and crippled as this one.

* JonDrake moistens his lips in anticipation, he opens his mouth to savor the experience.

<Bcal> what did you expect? Miracles in one day?

* Alea wolfs down entire sandwich...

<Alea> this is great

<wisesnake> I didn't expect...

<Alea> It's really different than any I've ever tasted

* Bcal pulls cover up and tucks it around Snake, listening to her as she talks

<Bcal> yes?

* JonDrake 's tongue flicks out to lightly touch the sandwhich.

<JonDrake> You liked it!

<Alea> yes, wonderful!

* Bcal smooths back Snake's hair, noting her unusual eyes

<wisesnake> I didn't expect everything I own of value to be destroyed, or to be put through a day of trying to work in agony, or to have my relationship with my patients be threatened by... by your say.

* Bcal soothes Snake

* JonDrake bites down, and feels the warm, juicy tartness of the tomato surge into his waiting mouth...

<Bcal> today will be the last day you'll experience any of that

* wisesnake closes her eyes

<Bcal> tomorrow, with your system cleaned of all the medications, you'll feel much better and things will start looking up

<JonDrake> It's one of my favorites. I owe you a steak sandwich, though...

<Bcal> I'm planning to stay the night here...and every other night, until feel you're ready to be on your own again

<Bcal> I hope you planned for that.

<Bcal> but if not, we'll handle it

* Alea sits her plate aside and picks up her tea to sip it

<Alea> I guess my sleeping pattern hasn't been normal lately...

<Alea> I've been sorta dragging in the afternnon

* wisesnake fantasizes about what it would be like if everything worked out and if she somehow learned how to trust the Donor

* JonDrake brings the teacup up to his mouth. He breaths in the strong aroma before bringing it to his moist lips....

* Bcal when snake doesn't answer, Bcal lays back down and closes her eyes

<JonDrake> Really? Long hours?

* Alea smiles

<Alea> sometimes

<Bcal> just rest. I think for the next hour or two you should lay here..

<JonDrake> Well, you should bet some sleep then. I'm sure you could be spared a few hours....

<Bcal> I'd bet it's been a long time since you got a decent rest

* Alea smiles

* wisesnake fantasizes about what it would be like if she had a Donor who she not only could trust to be there every hour of every day for a whole month, but for years, or a lifetime

<Alea> I think you're right

<JonDrake> You could probably use your rest...

* Alea stands

<Alea> I think I'll go on up to my room

<JonDrake> Need any help?

* Alea grins

<Alea> like yesterday

* wisesnake pretends the Gen field next to hers is somebody else, a Donor she has never met, who she has no reason not to trust

* JonDrake blushes.

* Alea thinks of her letters and wonders...

<JonDrake> I mean for real! You're a little unsteady...

<Alea> am I?

* wisesnake snuggles closer to the Gen she's never heard of's field

<Alea> I hadn't noticed

<JonDrake> You're dead on your feet.

* Alea blinks

<Alea> if you insist. Thanks

* Bcal rests her hand on Snake's arm, encouraging her to rest and relax

<Alea> I really hadn't realized I was that tired

* JonDrake helps her up the stairs to her door.

* wisesnake pretends that the Gen field and the Gen hand belong to the perfect Gen who will never hurt her and never leave her

* Alea smiles

<Alea> thank you

<Bcal> don't worry, Snake, it'll all be fine

<JonDrake> Are you going to be ok now?

* Bcal finds herself drifting off

<Alea> oh yes, thank you

<Alea> see you tomorrow?

<Alea> I'm sure Veraik will be ready to start training you

<JonDrake> Ok. Sleep well.

<Alea> nite

* JonDrake gives Alea a friendly hug and kisses her on the forehead.

* Alea slips into her room and sinks down on her bed

* Alea is asleep before her head hits the pillow

* wisesnake pretends she didn't hear BCal's voice, because that would wreck the only illusion that will allow her to accept the days ahead, tonight

* JonDrake goes on to his own room. He fully intends to clean up the dishes first thing in the morning....

* Bcal 's hand loosens on Snake's arm but her field remains strong

* Bcal competently runs her fingers down to Snake's tentacles, carefully touching them

<Bcal> rest [whispered]

* Alea finds she can't sleep and gets up out of bed

* Alea rubs her eyes

<Alea> boy, the food Jon fixed for lunch was really refreshing

* Alea realizes Veraik should be here soon and knows she's to be his partner from now on goes down to find him

* Veraik walks down the hall towards the lobby.

* Alea comes down the stairs

* Alea yawns

* Veraik zlins Alea.

* Alea blinks

<Alea> Hi veraik

<Alea> I was just looking for you

<Veraik> You found me. Did you have a good day?

* Alea shakes head oddly

<Alea> you know, I just took a nap

<Alea> I don't know why

<Alea> then I woke up and realized you would be here soon

* Alea glances guiltily at Veraik's open door

<Alea> uh, perhaps I'll just run to my office first

<Veraik> I have a couple of transfers scheduled. Care to join me?

* Alea pauses

<Alea> sure

* Veraik looks at Alea and wonders why the strange nager.

* Alea smiles

<Alea> shall we go?

* Veraik hestitates then sighs, knowing his office has probably been invaded again.

* Veraik offers a tentacle, after you.

<Alea> where are the transfers scheduled

<Veraik> In transfer room 8.

<Alea> great

* Alea heads down the hall

* Alea pauses outside the door

<Veraik> Yes Alea?

<Alea> I-I

* Alea not sure she has any confidence left

* Veraik smiles. You'll do find.

<Veraik> You're a natural.

* Alea takes a deep breath and pushes the door open, immdiately surrendering herself to Veraik

<Veraik> As soon as they are in the office, Veraik signals the renSime front desk to send in the first transfer.

* snotboy ambles into the room

* Alea smiles

* snotboy smiles a slow, wide smile that starts in the middle and creeps to both ends like a caterpillar waking up in the morning.

<snotboy> Well hellow, folks, how are y'all doin this afternoon?

<Veraik> I zlin that you're ready for transfer and I'm very glad you are able to smile....[looks at chart]....snotboy.

* snotboy is a tall, lanky renSime wearing blue overalls, sh...mud covered boots, and a large straw hat

* Alea 's nose twitches but she keeps the smile on her face

* Veraik makes a few more notes on his chart and then gestures for snotboy to go to the transfer couch.

<snotboy> Yeaz sir, my real name is Damly but they-all call me snotboy.

* Alea thinks she can see why

<Veraik> [makes note] Damly

* Veraik rearranges the chair for Alea so he can be in the best position during transfer.

<Veraik> There you go Alea.

* Alea seats herself

<Alea> thank you Veraik

* Veraik sits on the other side of the couch.

* Alea forces her attention from the Gen to Veraik

* Veraik zlins Damly and adjust nager to a high pitch, overly stuff selyn Gen in need of a transfer.

* snotboy takes his position, as his intil soars

<Veraik> Ramly... I see this is only your second transfer.

* Veraik zlins his raising intil.

* Alea realizes it's a renSime sitting there and tries not to blush that she hadn't even noticed

<snotboy> Uh, yessir

<Veraik> One more transfer after this, Ramly, and you will get to be post. [works intil just a little bit higher.

* Veraik offers arms to Damly.

* snotboy seems about as out of place in the big city as a four-pound chain of link sausage feels strung up between the terminals of an industrial grade selyn battery.

<snotboy> Golly, Hayjeen Veraik, I'll appreciate that.

* snotboy 's laterals lick out as his intil increases

* snotboy reaches for Veraik's hands

* Alea sits patiently...doing what every good Donor would do------nothing

<snotboy> [A huge booger slides out of snotboy's left nostril and down his lip... a good 1" long]

* Veraik catches tentacles, intertwines them and leans back just a little to add some resistence.

* snotboy grips Veraik's arms hard

* snotboy is ready

* snotboy goes for a 5th contact

* snotboy draws selyn

* Veraik thinks that some days, channeling is the worst job in town.

* snotboy desperately tries for some kind of positive emotions

* Veraik pushes selyn.

* snotboy 's draw peaks

* snotboy 's draw tapers off

* Veraik gives joy, beauty and understanding to his nager.

* Veraik allows Damly to close

* snotboy is finished

* snotboy 's laterals withdraw

* Alea looks to Vearik for some sort of signal

* Veraik withdraws and feels the booger snap onto his own face.

* snotboy now has a thin tendril of snot coming out his nose and spanning the distance between himself and Veraik

* Veraik looks to Alea as if to say, "Please get me a tissue to wipe this off.

* Alea stands and goes over to the sink

* Alea brings back a tissue straight faced...and wipes Veraik's face for him

<Veraik> Thank you Alea.

* snotboy 's tendril of snot now runs to the tissue in Alea's hand

* Alea calmly turns and wipes snotboy's nose

<Alea> better?

<snotboy> Golly, Hey-jeen Veraik, that was the best!!

* Veraik zlins Damly.

<snotboy> ~~~ great transfer... runny nose though~~~

<Veraik> Thank you.

* Alea folds the tissue and goes back over...tosses the tissue and calmly washes her hands before returning

<Veraik> And now we have to talk about your next transfer.

<Veraik> Alea, can you please get me his chart?

* Alea gets back up and goes around the couch and picks up the chart by Veraik...hands it to him and then reseats herself

* Veraik turns to Damly. "Ramly, do you have a girlfriend?"

<Veraik> Thank you Alea.

* Alea realizes veraik is just making sure she will do what he says without question so she doesn't comment. She nods in acknowledgement

* Alea refuses to allow Snake's bad opinion of her carry over to Veraik too

<Veraik> [Makes a note about transfer and a special one to assure that Ramly's nose is blown before transfer, not afterwards.

<snotboy> Yessir, my very own Cherry Pie, little Susy Carter. She was only twelve years old last week, but now she's all mine!

<Veraik> She's twelve. Has she changed over?

<Veraik> Or has she established yet?

<snotboy> She changed over just three days ago.

<snotboy> [seems mighty proud of himself for landing her too]

<Veraik> I see. [makes note] then you will have to find yourself another for the next 3 to 4 months.

<snotboy> Golly Gee Hay-Jeen, I had my heart set on her. [disappointed]

<Veraik> she must be ready for post and that is how long it will be before her post reaction will occur.

<snotboy> Well I can always come in here to town if nothin else.

* Alea wishes she wasn't hearing this

<Veraik> Yes... Why don't you both come to the Center for counseling before your next transfer.

<snotboy> Yessir we will do that.

<Veraik> After we talk to both of you, I am sure she will understand and all will be well.

* Veraik makes a final notation.

<Veraik> That's it then.

* Alea stands

* snotboy stands

* Alea walks him to the door

<Veraik> [hands chart to Damly.] Good luck to you Ramly.

* snotboy leaves

* Alea turns in relief

* Alea glad he is gone

<Alea> would you like me to have them send the next one down, hajene?

* Alea signals for the next one to be sent down

* Rotunda looms in the doorway

* Alea opens the door for Rotunda, the huge HUGE GN1

* Rotunda comes into the room.. and comes in, and comes in, and...

* Alea hastily steps back

* Alea thinking they'd better do this standing up

* Alea eyes the itty bitty transfer couch

* Bcal shifts and checks on her patient...sees Snake is still zoned out

<Alea> mess up, hajene

<Alea> they sent us the wrong one

<Alea> however, you want to go ahead and handle this since Rotunda is here?

<Veraik> Sure...[smiles at Gen] Why not.

* Rotunda smiles

* Alea walks over to Veraik and waits

* Rotunda looms over the transfer lounge

* Bcal checks to make sure Snake is warm enough, then drifts back off...thinking again of Vearik and how he has uselessly wasted his talents in this god-forsaken Sime Center...and the other one before

* Rotunda perches on the transfer lounge as delicately as a beautiful butterfly alights on a springtime flower.

* Veraik takes her chart.

* Veraik waves tentacle. Please be seated at the transfer couch.

* Alea winces, fearing it's going to crack

* Veraik makes notes then joins Rotunda.

* Veraik smiles and signals Alea to join him.

* Rotunda holds out her hands confidently

* Alea glides gracefully over, thinking she wished Snake could see her now

* Veraik takes her arms and waits patiently for the nice lady to make fifth contact.

* Alea glances at Rotunda and visions of past donors that looks so gentle but turned out so disasterous flashes through her mind

* Rotunda takes a fifth contact

* Alea braces herself

* Veraik takes first and second levels quickly.

* Alea not meaning to distract Veraik

* Alea begins to relax when she realizes it's going to be okay

<Veraik> Then Veriak slows the flow and takes as much of the GN1 level as he can then releases her.

* Rotunda smiles at Veraik when they are done

<Veraik> You are a very steady donor.

* Veraik smiles. Thank you.

<Rotunda> Thank you, Hajene Veraik.

* Alea goes to the door, signaling for the next renSime as she opens the door for Routunda

* Rotunda flies from the transfer lounge like a little bird flies from a delicate twig unto the vast blue joy of the summer sky

<Veraik> Alea... I require rest now. Please signal the front desk to hold that last call.

* Rotunda leaves

* Alea sighs and stops the renSime

* Alea goes back to Veraik's side

* Alea sits down next to him supporting him with her field

<Alea> are you all right, hajene?

* Veraik goes to Alea and starts to rub her back. You were wonderful.

* Alea smiles and relaxes

<Alea> thank you

* Alea hadn't realized just how tense she was

<Veraik> A good Donor at your side is great to have during these sessions.

* Alea beams at his nice words...not sure why he is being so nice

* wisesnake is in a semi-conscious state and probably unaware that she has snuggled up against Bcal and put her arm around the Gen

* Bcal stirs slightly, then settles back down

* wisesnake burrows her head in under Bcal's armpit

* Bcal shifts moving to where Snake's head isn't under her arm

<Veraik> Let's go for a walk. I could use some fresh air.

* Alea smiles

<Alea> of course, hajene

* Alea goes to the door and opens it

* wisesnake puts her head on Bcal's shoulder and squeezes the Gen

* Veraik walks with Alea in the garden.

* Bcal starts, opens her eyes and sees Snake snuggling

<Bcal> poor thing [whispers]

* Bcal drifts back off

<Alea> the garden is really beautiful this time of year

* Alea inhales the fresh scent of flowers

<Veraik> Yes. it is.

<TheGnome> Look at those two

<TheGnome> Walking together, pretending like there's nothing going on.

<TheGnome> I know what they're really thinking.

<Veraik> And the air is so crisp and clean.

* Alea sighs

<Alea> you're right

<Alea> I don't remember the last time I was out here

<TheGnome> Yes, I think I've seen enough men and women walking together on this path to know a thing or two about why they do it.

<Veraik> Let's go over to the trinbrushes for a closer look.

* Alea follows veraik

<TheGnome> Oh, they talk about the weather, they talk about business, but you know what they really want to talk about?

<TheGnome> Marriage!

* Alea studies the bushes

<Alea> looks like they're healing from Tormers visit

<TheGnome> Yes, Marriage and romance is what walks in the garden are generally all about.

* wisesnake wakes up in a cold sweat

* wisesnake finds herself hugging BCal

<Veraik> Yes they do.. Looks like the gardener's have been watering the area.

<wisesnake> Egads!

* wisesnake leaps out of bed

* Bcal immediately responds to Snake and wakes

* Bcal sits up

<Bcal> what's the matter

<wisesnake> I just had the most freakish dream

<Bcal> ah....

* wisesnake shivers

<Alea> yes, it does

<Alea> and it's looking much better

<Bcal> want to talk about it?

* Veraik suddenly slips and falls, taking Alea down with him.

* Bcal worried about Snake

<Veraik> Waaaaaaahhhhh!

* Alea 's eyes widen in shock

* Alea grasps veraik

<Veraik> AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

<wisesnake> Well I saw Alea and Veraik walking in the garden

<Bcal> yes?

<wisesnake> But I wasn't myself... I was this little statue only about a foot tall...

<wisesnake> It's in the garden, it's shaped like a, kind of, a Gnome.

<Veraik> [hold arms] I think a thorn just entered my lateral!

* Bcal reaches out and takes Snake's hand...."sit down"

* wisesnake hears Veraik's shout

* Alea pushes herself up off veraik

<Alea> let me see

* wisesnake rushes to the window and looks out

* Alea reaches out and tries to blanket the pain with her field

<Veraik> [painfully] I can't release it, It will bleed selyn if I do....

<Alea> shen!

<Alea> can I give you enough selyn until you can heal it?

* Alea glances up...sees Snake

<Alea> Snake!

<wisesnake> ~~shock~~

<Alea> Emergency. Get down here now

<wisesnake> It's not a dream!

<wisesnake> ~~shock, confusion~~

<Veraik> Ahhhhhh......[breaths heavily]

<Alea> rest on me

* wisesnake grabs her clothes with the mud dried on them and yanks them on

* Alea reaches out and rests her hands against him

<Alea> rest on me...she'll be right here

* Veraik seeks Alea's nager.

* Alea searches and engages Veraik's field

* Veraik only knows his pain.

* wisesnake rushes to the door, then pauses to stare at Bcal

<wisesnake> Are you coming or not?

* Bcal follows snake

* wisesnake runs out and down the stairs

<Bcal> what do you think...HURRY UP

* wisesnake runs to the Garden

* Alea glances up worriedly

* Bcal slips down beside Snake, supporting her

* Veraik eyes glaze over and he sees/not sees Alea.

<Alea> Veraik

* wisesnake goes to Veraik

* Alea leans into him

<Alea> Veraik

* Alea projecting soothing peaceful nager

<Veraik> You are so beautiful when you are pregnant.

* Alea stares at Veraik...stunned

* Veraik locks onto Alea's nager.

* wisesnake zlins Veraik for the injury, finds it

* Bcal expertly supports Snake in all her movements

* Alea is calm and steady

* Veraik senses Snake.

* Alea keeps her attention on veraik the entire time....willing him to live

* Veraik is curled up.

* wisesnake meshes fields with them, supporting Veraik

* Alea keeps her hands on Veraik not wanting to move an inch

* Veraik grabs Snake's field in desparation.

* Bcal supports Snake, allowing her to use her field

* wisesnake goes into healing mode, seeking the arm with the injured lateral with her own spread fingers and tentacles

* Alea moves back, supporting vearik...easing his pain

* wisesnake zlins the thorn

* Alea forces her mind to concentrate on that and not hte bomb he just dropped

* Veraik face tracks Alea's nager.

* Bcal watches on with a calm dispassionate look

* wisesnake anchors herself on Bcal's field, envelopes Veraik in strength

* Alea 's nager surges

* Veraik systems surge with Snake's support.

* wisesnake reaches down and pulls out the thorn, holding it from bleeding or voiding with the strength of her field

<Veraik> Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

* Veraik passes out.

* Alea catches Veraik in worry

* Bcal leans closer to snake...blocking Veraik's pain from Snake

* wisesnake narrows her attention to just the injury

<Alea> Veraik!

* Alea looks up at Snake then back to Veraik

* Veraik systems respond.

* wisesnake stretches her perceptions, zlinning down to the nerves and cells, willing them to heal

<Alea> I'm having a gardener cut down all of these bushes at once

* Veraik feels his need sensitized at the injured part.

<Alea> then he can burn them

<Alea> burn them all, that's what we'll do burn every one of them

* wisesnake shows him a Gen field, so that the cells are stimlated to heal more quickly

* Bcal continues to support snake, thinking she's not doing that bad a job

<Alea> cut them all down and burn them...

<Alea> and anything else out here that could injure a channel

* Veraik systems respond to Snake's need and her empathy.

<Alea> maybe a cement path here so it won't be wet

<Alea> yeah, a cement path

<Alea> path...path...cement path

<Alea> we'll plant something else...maybe strawbereries

<Alea> something without thorns

* Veraik eyes opens and looks through daze at lateral.

* wisesnake draws strength from Bcal's support

<Alea> no, not strawberries

<Alea> but something

<Alea> anything

* Alea looks down at Veraik and sighs when she sees his eyes open

<Alea> you idiot channel!

<Alea> and they say idiot Gens

<Alea> idiot channel

<Alea> you could have killed yourself

<Alea> are you okay Veraik

* wisesnake continues to enclose Veraik's field in supportive strength, and Gen calm

* Veraik turns to Alea and looks but does not see.

* Bcal continues to sit quietly by Snake

* Alea forces her field to be calm and supportive

* Veraik blinks. I feel like a Gen who recently established.

* Alea smiles, relieved

* Veraik looks at Snake. Thank you.

<Alea> well, you're not a Gen, thought that stunt was certainly Gen quality

* Veraik groans.

* Alea brushes the dirt and grime off her arms

* Alea immediately bends back dwon to envelop him with her field

<Alea> hajene?

* Veraik zlins Alea. Are you all right?

* Alea shrugs

<Alea> banged up a bit...

<Alea> nothing important

<Alea> how are you

* Veraik adjust ambient to take Alea's nager.

* wisesnake releases the ambient to them

* Alea sighs in relief to see Veraik in control again

* Veraik winces. Not the greatest.

<Alea> let me help you up

<Veraik> Thank you Snake.

* Bcal looks totally disgusted at Veraik, but stands beside Snake

* Alea wobbles to her feet and reaches down to help Veraik

* Veraik zlins BCal and immediately recoils.

* wisesnake watches, every inch of her being screaming to not allow him to go with only Alea

* Alea glares murderously at Bcal

* Alea every inch the protective Gen

<wisesnake> BCal, get a grip.

<Bcal> I'm in perfect control, snake...it's your little love birds that have the problem

* Alea reaches down to help Veraik up

<Veraik> She didn't do anything Snake. You must believe me on this. Zlin me for the truth.

<Alea> come on, hajene, let's get you up

* wisesnake shakes her head

* Veraik takes Alea's arm.

* Alea totters, her knees knocking

* wisesnake decides Bcal, Veraik and Alea are all kidding themselves big time

<Bcal> pay attention Snake

* Bcal warns snake

* wisesnake jumps to Alea's side and supports her physically

<Alea> come on, Veraik

<Alea> gently now

<Alea> don't hurt that arm

<Alea> how is it?

* Veraik is grateful for the help.

* Bcal stands properly by Snake waiting

<Veraik> Still painful.

* Alea slips her arm aorund Veraik, pulling his arm around her shoulder

<Alea> come on

* Veraik almost passes out again.

* Alea staggers

* Alea uses her field to give him a small nageric slap and wake him up

* Veraik wakes.

* wisesnake extends her field through Alea to try and

* wisesnake recoils from Alea's little slap

* Bcal moves up touching snake's shoulder protectively

* Alea escorts Veraik to the stairs toward his room

* Veraik looks ashen.

<Alea> can you make it upstairs? or do you want Snake to carry you?

* wisesnake falls back on BCal's nageric support, but manages to make herself keep supporting Alea's other side

* Veraik is grateful for the help.

* Veraik looks down and sees that his lateral is beginning to swell.

* wisesnake picks up Veraik and carries him up the stairs into his room trying to move as smoothly as possible.

* Alea follows his look and galnces at snake

* Alea hurriedly follows

* wisesnake puts him on the bed

* Bcal stays by Snake's side...ever the professioanl

* Veraik melts into the bed....groaning.

* Alea strips back the covers then removes his shoes

* Alea quickly crawls up beside him kneeling by his head and shoulder

<Alea> he need some more help...can you help him Snake?

* Veraik responds to Alea's field.

* Alea reaches out and touches his arm

* Veraik 's lateral is swelling faster.

* wisesnake locks her field to Veraik's once again, goes into healing mode

* wisesnake takes Veraik in a full transfer position, being very gentle with the injured lateral

* Alea leans back a bit

* Alea giving Snake room

* Veraik responds to Snake's field.

* wisesnake blocks Veraiks' pain for him, and zlins him deeply for the cause of the swelling

* Veraik swelling starts to go down.

* Alea gently runs her hand through veraik's hair in concern

* Veraik responds and awakens. then falls sleep.

* Alea sighs in relief when she sees he's asleep

* Alea looks up at Snake

* wisesnake works with Veraik's bodily systems until she is certain that no more can be done via nageric methods at that time.

<Alea> should I stay with him or can he be left alone?

<wisesnake> A Gen should stay with him.

* Alea nods

<Alea> I'm his Donor...I'll stay

<wisesnake> I'll inform them downstairs. A channel will come to check on him regularly.

* Alea looks down at Veraik and loosens his shirt

<Alea> thank you Snake

* Alea reaches down and loosens his pants...then reaches for the covers

* Alea pauses

<Alea> Snake?

<wisesnake> Yes?

* Alea looks a bit haunted

<wisesnake> What is it, Alea.

<Alea> can you......zlin.....is it true, ....I mean...what Veraik said

<wisesnake> Yes, it's true. I zlinned it a few days ago.

* Alea 's face turns ashen

* Alea nods

* wisesnake studies Alea

<Alea> thank you

* Alea pulls the sheet up and slips Veraik's pants off, then works his shirt off

* Alea avoids Snake's gaze

<wisesnake> I'll go down and tell them about Veraik now.

* Alea only nods

* wisesnake hesitates, then leaves the room

* Bcal steps back and follows Snake

* wisesnake goes down the stairs and to the front desk

* Alea goes across the hall, slips out of her clothes and into a robe and comes back to lay down by Veraik for the long night ahead

* wisesnake talks to some people on duty, explains the situation to them

<wisesnake> [they're shocked]

* Bcal isn't surprised

* wisesnake turns to Bcal

* Alea is thinking Veraik and Snake had to be wrong

<Bcal> yes?

* Alea this couldn't be right...she couldn't be.....be....

<wisesnake> So, what is next on the ridgid Farris schedule of activities? I imagine just doing whatever I want isn't an option...?

* Alea closes her eyes and allows tears to seep out, doing her best to shield veraik from any of her feelings

<Bcal> as I said, you start tomororw.

<Bcal> however...you can do whatever you want, as long as it doesn't interfere with the healing of your system

* Veraik moves a bit then goes still again with sleep.

<Bcal> if this place is so slow you have spare time, by all means....enjoy yourself

* Bcal nagers shows she doubts Snake can really enjoy herself with her systems in this shape

<Bcal> I'll be glad to go with you wherever you want

* Alea forces her mind from the obvious lie Snake told her, certain it was only Veraik's wishful thinking

* Alea reaches out, touches Veraik's injured arm and slowly falls to sleep

<wisesnake> Well I guess I'd like to get the rest of my sleep, but... do you think you can keep the nightmare stuff to a minimum this time?

<Bcal> of course

<Bcal> if you stop fighting me

<wisesnake> I don't think I was fighting you.

* Bcal simply raises and eyebrow and looks amused at Snake's assessment

<Bcal> come on

<Bcal> let's go upstairs

* wisesnake follows Bcal

Notes:

1) Which apparently was another nice piece of art from Zeor... who would have thought? [return]

Go on to Episode #25: Not a Through Street

Return to the Index of Episodes