Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #40: Hired Changeover (10/8/97)
see note 1
* Alea finishes filing the reports needed and then goes to Veraik's office for his signature, startled when she finds his door still locked
* DabeR walks up the steps to the Sime Center at last
* DabeL pulls open the front door
* DabeR walks in
* Alea glances over her shoulder...and gapes
* DabeL looks around to see if there is anybody there to help him
* DabeR is used to this reaction
<DabeL> Excuse me...
* Alea quickly tries to school her expression
<Alea> yes?
* Alea notes the tentacles on his/their arms
* DabeR is, however, not used to ZLINNING the reaction
* DabeL looks stupid as he zlins the interesting reaction in the very bright Gen field
* DabeR recovers first
* Alea schools her field and moves forward
<DabeR> Yes... I was told to come here.
<Alea> really?
* Alea studies them curiously
<DabeL> A man and woman helped us... told us to come here.
<DabeR> I said that already!
* Alea thinks they must be new changeovers
<DabeL> I know... but not the part about the man and woman
* Alea blinks...looking from one to the other.
<Alea> ah...
<Alea> well
* DabeR looks back at Alea
<Alea> I take it you just changed over, then?
<DabeL> Will you help me?
<Alea> uh...er...of course
<DabeR> Yeah
<DabeR> Last night
* Alea has trouble following them
<Alea> you changed over last night? And you came here for help.
<DabeL> Yeah
* Alea smiles, relieved
<DabeR> Yeah
<Alea> well really, a channel should check you out
<DabeL> Okay... what's a channel?
<DabeR> Would you shut your big mouth! Who cares what a channel is!
* Alea clasps her hands together
<DabeL> Well what if it's important?
<DabeR> Nobody cares.. [notices Alea's impatience]... nevermind
* DabeL looks at Alea attentively
<Alea> actually, it was the person who helped you
* Alea suddenly wonders if they're junct
<DabeR> Two people helped.... [pauses... wonders if the two people were really one person in two pieces]
<DabeR> Oh!
* DabeL has the same thought....
<DabeL> Wow!
<Alea> um, unless.....when your tentacles broke out...did you happen to...er...kill anyone
<DabeR> No, a nice person helped me.
* Alea sighs relieved...but wonders how they were actually able to help....shrugs
* DabeL never heard of one person in two pieces before, but is willing to keep an open mind... kind of intrigued actually
<Alea> okay why don't you come over here and have a seat...I'll get some information from you and then we'll get a channel to come talk with you
<DabeR> Ok.
* DabeR follows Alea
* DabeL follows Alea
* DabeL sits down
* DabeR starts to sit down, notices he is already sitting down
* DabeR shrugs
<Alea> my name is Alea ambrov Zeor....by the way...
* Alea pulls out papers
<Alea> and your names are?
<DabeR> I'm Dabe.
* DabeL looks Alea right in the eye and says nothing
* Alea pauses
<Alea> and your name?
<DabeL> Dabe [patiently]
* Alea nods a bit disconcerted
<Alea> okay
* Alea tosses one paper away and puts their name, with a notation on it explaining
<Alea> are you from in or out territory
* DabeR glances at DabeL
<DabeL> Don't know.
* Alea looks up from the paper
<DabeR> Depends on what's "in" these days
<Alea> excuse me?
<DabeL> How do we tell?
<Alea> are you from Bender Cove?
<DabeR> No.
<DabeL> We're from over the hill.
* Alea thinks over the hill
<Alea> near Eastcove?
<DabeR> No... across the farm fields.
<DabeR> South.
* Alea nods
<Alea> oh, okay
* Alea makes a notation
<DabeL> My friend told me to come here when I felt sick.
<Alea> your friend, who helped you?
<DabeL> No, my friend from home.
<DabeR> The person who helped me was a stranger.
* Alea wonders...stranger...channel....must have been Snake..
<Alea> did the stranger give you a name?
<DabeL> Jon.
<Alea> Jon
* Alea thinks....
<Alea> tall, smooth arms?
* Alea surprised
<DabeR> Some smooth, some with tentacles.
<DabeR> Two of each, I believe.
<DabeL> yeah... two of each
<Alea> there were four people there?
* Alea confused
<DabeR> No, just two... me and Jon.
<Alea> you and Jon
<Alea> so, Jon had tentacles on his arms?
<DabeL> Jon helped me in the woods.
* Alea thinking who in the world this Jon could be
<DabeR> On two of the arms...
* Alea writes in the spot....
<Alea> wait...he had two arms or three?
* Alea frustrated
* Alea shakes her head
<Alea> suppose you tell me what happened
<DabeL> Jon had four arms, two with tentacles, two without.
* Alea 's hand curls around the paper as her frustration gets the better of her
* DabeR adds helpfully, "I only have two. Started out without tentacles, but now with."
* Alea realizing what she is doing, she smooths the paper back out
* DabeL zlins Alea's frustration and admits the situation does sound rather preposterous in retrospect
<DabeR> Maybe we should just skip that part and come back to it later?
* Alea sighs
<Alea> great...fine
<Alea> okay
<Alea> so, you changed over last night and this ... person...sent you here
* Alea makes notation....four armed tentacled person helped in changeover? 2
<DabeL> yes... I was on my way here anyway, but Jon said I wasn't going to make it and helped me in the woods.
* Alea nods
<Alea> okay, that's fine
* DabeR looks around curiously
<Alea> I'll tell you what...are you guys hungry?
* Alea makes more notes on the chart...
<DabeR> Yeah!
<DabeL> No kidding!
* Alea smiles, relieved
<Alea> okay...I'll show you where the dining area is....eat as much as you want...
<Alea> then come back here when you're done. We'll go from there
* DabeR looks noticeably more enthusiastic
<DabeL> Great!
<DabeR> Thanks!
* DabeL follows Alea
* DabeR is drawn irresistably after Alea
* Alea leads them to the kitchens
* Alea points out different things on the way...
* DabeR gawks
* DabeL gawks, narrowly missing bumping heads with DabeR
<Alea> right here, guys
* DabeR follows Alea in
* DabeL sticks right with DabeR
* Alea goes over to another renSime and asks him to stay with Dabe while they eat
<Alea> he'll be glad to help you
* DabeR looks at the one-headed renSime
* DabeL zlins the poor guy
<DabeR> Ok...
* Alea smiles and leaves
* Alea smile drops away the moment she leaves...
<Alea> why do I stay near that front door?
* Alea goes back up to the front to try and remember what she was doing before Dabe and Dabe walked in
* wisesnake bounces up the steps of the Talt Frompage Memorial Secondary School, with her new Donor-in-training in tow.
<narrator> Snake is greeted by the principal.
* wisesnake smiles at the principal.
<wisesnake> Hello... how's it been going?
* NickR adopts the proper position at Snake's side
<narrator> The principal is glad to see a channel, but wishes she were a little less grungy.
<wisesnake> This is my assistant Nick. [introduces the Gen] Nick, this is Principal Foffard.
<Foffard> Pleased to meet you.
* NickR bows slightly
* NickR is a clean-cut, respectable (although not professional) looking Gen man.
<Foffard> Our guests from out-Territory should be arriving in another ten minutes or so.
<wisesnake> Great. How is the kid doing?
* Foffard shrugs.
<wisesnake> I hope it hasn't been too hard on the kid having to stay in class until they come.
<Foffard> She's in changeover. What do you expect.
<Foffard> As long as the visitors arrive on time, she'll be OK. She knows there's a channel nearby.
<wisesnake> Great. [again]
<Foffard> Do you want to check her over quickly before our guests arrive?
<wisesnake> Sure. That's probably a good idea.
<wisesnake> Nick?
* NickR stays close
<narrator> Foffard leads Snake and Nick to a classroom, where thirty kids are busy ignoring their teacher as they giggle and point at their classmate.
* wisesnake follows Principle Foffard
* NickR follows Snake closely
* wisesnake zlins the child from the doorway
* wisesnake catches the child's eye and gives her a thumbs up signal, trying to ascertain whether her spirits are still reasonably high
* NickR belatedly notices some tentacle signals from Snake's other hand and rearranges his position as requested, so the ambient is adjusted to Snake's benefit
<narrator> Foffard introduces Seezi to Snake and Nick
* wisesnake takes Seezi aside after the introductions
<wisesnake> How are you feeling, Seezi? [examines her arms]
<Seezi> "A little better, But still nauseous."
* wisesnake zlins Seezi
<wisesnake> You're coming along just fine. Your parents will be so proud of you!
<Seezi> "Hello Tuib Snake, Mr. Nick."
<wisesnake> In a few minutes, our guests from Gen Territory will start to arrive. You be sure and be as brave as you possibly can, so they can see how things are done here at your school, okay?
<wisesnake> And remember, I'll be here when you're ready.
<Seezi> "OK. I'll try." <struggles to sit upright>
* wisesnake smiles at Seezi
<narrator> At that moment, the promised guests arrive, en masse: five school board members, various family members, the press, and so on.
<narrator> Foffard shows Snake and Nick to the infirmary and goes to greet the guests.
* wisesnake and Nick withdraw to the school infirmary
* NickR stays near to Snake at all times
<Foffard> Welcome to Talt Frompage.
<forrests> well, let's get on with tihs
<forrests> I've wasted enough time as it is
* Seezi forces herself to breathe more slowly and deeply.
* wisesnake inspects the school infirmary to make sure they stock all the required supplies and medications
<Foffard> I'm so glad you could come. Perhaps you would like to observe one of our history classes?
* forrests scowls
<forrests> I don't think so...just get us a quick cap and get on with everything
* forrests glances at his watch, straightens his tie, then scowls again
* forrests smoothes his hair, glancing in the reflection of the glass to make sure it looks okay before smiling at the reporter
* forrests makes sure the reporter stays on his best side
<Foffard> Well, then, if you're in a hurry, come with me and I'll show you how we do things here.
* forrests nods brusquely
* TitiBowes , noted newspaper columnist, comes panting up the stairs to the school, a bit late
* TitiBowes catches up to the group, trailing a couple of photographers
<TitiBowes> Oh! I'm sorry... did I miss anything?
* Seezi bends over her notebook and pretends to be writing something.
* Linn nods to Titi.
* TitiBowes smiles and waves gaily
<Linn> No, just Forrest being Forrest. Thanks for coming.
<TitiBowes> Ooh! You'll have to tell me all, later.
* TitiBowes gets out her notepad and follows the rest
Foffard shows the guests into the classroom, glancing anxiously at Seezi to make sure that she's up to playing her part.
* wisesnake lounges experimentally on the school's transfer lounge
<Foffard> Now then, you're sure to find our history program of interest.
* Seezi looks intently at the blackboard.
* wisesnake smiles at Nick and pats the lounge next to her
* Foffard gestures for the teacher to explain the lesson.
* Foffard waits until the guests are distracted, then signals Seezi to "start" changeover.
* TitiBowes writes a few notes in her note pad
* Linn surveys the students nervously, having some idea what to suspect.
* Seezi holds up her hand. "Tuib Mosen. When did ... when did they " [breathless]
<Foffard> Are you feeling all right, Seezi?
* Seezi starts staring at her arm, oblivious to the rest of the room.
* forrests glances at the child, mildly alarmed
<Seezi> "What? feeling? No. No I'm not."
* TitiBowes gasps in inspiration and scribbles madly in her notebook
* Foffard strides dramatically down the aisle, and takes Seezi's hand, inspecting her arm.
* Seezi starts breathing in and out rapidly.
<Foffard> Congratuations, Seezi. I believe you're in changeover.
* Seezi breaks into a wide smile. "Really?" [panting]
<Foffard> Tuib Mosen will get a channel for you.
* Foffard gestures for the teacher to get Snake from the infirmary--posthaste.
* Seezi stares at her arms in wonder.
* wisesnake looks up as the teacher hurries into the infirmary
<wisesnake> Time already?
<Foffard> Yes. You're all grown up now.
<wisesnake> Great!
* forrests stares at Seezi in frustration and a bit of fear
* wisesnake jumps up, beckoning Nick to fall in behind her as she hurries back down to the classroom
* wisesnake enters the classroom
<Seezi> [pant] "Does that mean" [pant] "I don't have" [pant] "to take" [pant] "Civics again?"
* wisesnake notices she is the only adult Sime present
* wisesnake goes to Seezi
* Linn is relieved at Snake's arrival.
<forrests> wait a minute...you're just goin to let this happen...here?
<Seezi> "Hello" [pant] "Hajene." [pant] "My neck" [pant] "feels stiff."
<wisesnake> Well, Seezi, this is your lucky day. Come on with me! [smiles at the girl]
* wisesnake takes Seezi's hands and helps her up
* Seezi struggles to stand, upsetting her chair and starting to fall over.
* wisesnake catches Seezi and helps her stand
<wisesnake> Take it easy. Everything is going to be all right. Would you like me to carry you?
<wisesnake> The infirmary is just a short way down the hall.
<Seezi> "But" [pant] "I'll miss" [pant] "the prom!"
* Seezi nods.
<wisesnake> No, you won't. You'll be in great shape for the prom. [smiles again]
* wisesnake projects encouragement and warmth
<Seezi> [pant] "Promise?"
<wisesnake> I promise.
<wisesnake> Can you walk with me now?
<Seezi> "Let" [pant] "me try"
* wisesnake leads Seezi toward the door, supporting her physically and, for what it's worth, nagerically
* Seezi steps forward unsteadily.
<Foffard> Hajene Snake, our visitors appear interested in Seezi's changeover. Would it be possible for them to go along and observe?
<wisesnake> Of course. [attention never wavering from Seezi] Just as long as they stay out of the way.
* wisesnake leads Seezi slowly out into the hallway
* Foffard herds the guests after Snake and Seezi.
* TitiBowes flips over the page and scribbles away as her photographers snap pictures of Seezi, Snake, the other students, the adults, and the expression on Forrests' face
* Seezi trys to push her hair back and smile for the photographs.
* wisesnake smiles at Seezi's bravery and whispers, "You're doing great."
* Linn follows along in the middle of the crowd, uneasy at being so close to a changeover, but trusting Snake to keep Seezi from attacking anyone.
* Seezi stops halfway and bends over with nausea.
* wisesnake stops with Seezi, supporting her and whispering encouragingly to her
<wisesnake> I know. I know. It's going to be okay. Just a few feet more, when you're ready.
* Seezi recovers and starts walking slowly again.
* wisesnake leads Seezi the rest of the way into the infirmary
<Seezi> "Where do I ..."
* Foffard herds the guests in behind, tut-tutting importantly.
* forrests grumbles thinking this smells of a set up
* TitiBowes notices a deliciously aghast look on Forrests face and nudges Petr
* wisesnake leads Seezi to the transfer lounge and helps her get into place
* PetrPerka snaps a quick, flashless picture.
* PetrPerka is sure to take some pictures of the kids as well.
* Seezi leans back on the lounge and breathes deeply, face gleaming with a thin layer of sweat.
<wisesnake> Now... see? You don't have to go any farther.
* wisesnake takes her place opposite Seezi and projects soothing and readiness to serve, examines the girl's arms once again.
<wisesnake> You're doing very well.
<Seezi> Good.
<wisesnake> Don't forget your exercises... remember your breathing...
<wisesnake> And move your hands, like this: [shows her]
* Seezi shakes her head and starts breathing deepy and slowly.
<wisesnake> good... good. [softly]
* Seezi clenches her fists for a few seconds, then splays them open.
* TitiBowes jots some notes, inspired by the child's suddenly careful self control
* Seezi hold fingers out hard, then clenches again.
* Linn watches, comparing this with the panic which greets changeovers at her former school.
<Seezi> "How am I" [IN - OUT] "Doing?"
* wisesnake zlins Seezi's development, careful when touching the tender arms, and not interfering with Seezi's exercises
<wisesnake> You're doing just fine. You're coming right along now. Everything is going great.
* wisesnake smiles at Seezi, projecting confidence and promise
* Seezi closes her eyes and relaxes, smiling.
<wisesnake> Good, that's good.
* wisesnake zlins a contraction building
* Foffard beams at this evidence that his school offers top-notch changeover training, even if their vocational training is a bit lax.
* Seezi looks horrified. "This is my best outfit! It will get all icky!"
<Seezi> "Huunnnhhh!!" [convulses]
* wisesnake gestures at Nick, and points at a cabinet
* Seezi struggles to inhale.
* NickR goes to the cabinet and finds a smock, hands it to wisesnake
<wisesnake> You're doing great, Seezi. Remember to keep doing the breathing, and clench your muscles like you know.
<Seezi> "kkkkoooossshhhhh..."
<wisesnake> ~~~ encouragement/promise/support ~~~
* Seezi nods vigerously, flicking sweat onto wisesnake.
* wisesnake takes the smock from Nick and lays it over Seezi's front so at least some of her clothes will be protected
* Seezi opens her eyes "What ... I can ... see ... not see."
* wisesnake zlins Seezi's progress again
<wisesnake> You're zlinning.
<wisesnake> I'm here, waiting for you: I'll be here when you need me. Zlin?
<wisesnake> ~~~ compassion/strength/promise ~~~
<Seezi> [IN - OUT] "zlinning? Cool!" [convulses]
* wisesnake helps Seezi through the contraction, projecting reassurance and encouragement
* Seezi closes her eyes and screws them up, concentrating.
* NickR offers a neutral support of Snake, standing in the position she'd indicated, and wishes he knew enough to do more.
* Seezi clenches and splays again.
<wisesnake> It's very close now, Seezi. You're almost grown up now. Just keep doing as you are, you're doing great.
* Seezi rocks forward and back as she breathes, clenching on the inhale, splaying on the exhale.
* Seezi convulses as she exhales.
* Linn tenses, knowing what's about to happen.
* wisesnake is ready and offering.
* Seezi struggles to inhale.
<wisesnake> Come on.. you can do it!
<Seezi> "kkuuuusshhhhhhhh"
* wisesnake shields Seezi from the others' fields, projecting an intense Gen need-to-give
<Seezi> [clenches]
* Foffard watches closely, hoping that nothing will go wrong and spoil the show.
* Seezi exhales explosively, and tentacles burst out around splaying fingers.
<wisesnake> ~~~ love/joy/offering ~~~
<Seezi> Snake and all nearby are splattered with blood and nasty fluid.
* wisesnake holds out her hands, tentacles spread
* Seezi stares blindly, tentacles writhing.
* Linn gasps at the sight of the new tentacles.
* wisesnake has sealed off Seezi from the ambient, and projects a powerful need-to-help
<Seezi> [tentacles strain towards wisesnake]
* wisesnake reaches for Seezi's hands
* Seezi grabs wisesnake's arms and lashes tentacles around them.
* wisesnake offers Seezi a fifth contact point, projecting raw Gen-ness
<Seezi> ~~ Empty Aching First Need ~~
* Forrest steps back in revulsion
* Seezi shoves her face into Snake's and tries to draw selyn.
* wisesnake releases selyn to Seezi
* Seezi draws harder ~~more! faster!~~
* wisesnake meets Seezi's draw, projecting delight and uplifting enjoyment
<wisesnake> ~~~need-to-share~~~
<Seezi> ~~ need/hunger/joy ~~
<wisesnake> ~~~ my strength for you / must serve you ~~~
* Seezi soars in triumph at fufilling need.
<Seezi> ~~ This Is What I Need! ~~
* wisesnake shares her triumph, and offers her own triumph at seeing Seezi succeed
<Seezi> ~~ triumph redoubled ~~
<wisesnake> ~~~ rejoicing ~~~
* Seezi draws selyn to repletion, sure that need is forever banished.
* wisesnake allows Seezi to end it her own way.
* Seezi pulls her face back.
* wisesnake opens her eyes, projecting support and shared satisfaction.
<wisesnake> Congratulations, Seezi. [smiles]
* Seezi 's tentacles slide back in and her arms collapse into her lap.
* Seezi twitches at the sound. Opens her eyes.
* Linn catches Titi's eye.
* TiTiBowes is open-mouthed in wonder
* TiTiBowes looks at Linn belatedly
* Seezi looks around, smiling.
<Linn> It's so different. I've never seen a changeover that was...joyful.
* TiTiBowes remembers
<TiTiBowes> Oh...
* Forrest looks at Linn with retribution in his eyes
<Seezi> "Tuib Mosen! I did it!"
<TiTiBowes> Well... Mr. Forrest, nobody can deny that was a fantastic handling of the changeover situation. Are you prepared to uphold your end of the deal, in the name of interTerritorial friendship and the people of your school system? [photographers snapping a mile a minute of Forrest's expression]
* wisesnake gently lets Seezi go
<Forrest> of course
* Linn pretends to be so caught up in Seezi that she doesn't notice Forrest's glare.
<Forrest> after all, I never go back on my word
* Seezi tries to stand up but can't get her balance.
* NickR steps quietly closer to Snake and puts his hand on her shoulder
* wisesnake reaches out and steadies Seezi
<wisesnake> Take it easy... you'll be a little bit disoriented in the beginning.
* wisesnake reaches out with her field and sooths Seezi, helping her get her bearings and stay Duo
* Seezi zlins all around, turning several times. ~~dizzy~~
<wisesnake> Seezi, do you have a Sime relative you can stay with for a couple of days?
<Seezi> "I did it! Whee!"
<wisesnake> Yes. You did very well!
* wisesnake projects pride and support
* Seezi is zlinning and doesn't appear to hear.
* wisesnake brings Seezi back down duo... again...
* Seezi zlins snake. "How do you *do* that?"
* wisesnake laughs
<wisesnake> You're doing it! I'm only helping you.
* Seezi beams.
<Forrest> well, channel, it looks like you get to take my donation...if you're ready
* wisesnake does a double take
<wisesnake> You want to make a donation?
* Seezi extends all her tentacles and fiddles with them.
* Forrest peels off his jacket and rolls up his sleeves
<Forrest> I don't break promises
* wisesnake looks noticeably enthusiastic, a little bit giddy from all the sudden work
* Forrest thinks it's a lie, but with all the photographers around, he won't risk the bad publicity
* wisesnake notices it's a lie but figures what he does on his free time is none of her business... she only cares about now.
* Foffard notices that Forrest's daughter, standing behind him, looks utter appalled.
* Foffard remembers that the girl was a softball champ, before she dropped the team to join the Young Anti-Tectonites.
* wisesnake leads Seezi from the transfer lounge and hands her off to Foffard.
* Seezi zlins the appalledness and cries out.
* Forrest takes his seat, thinking Linn has no idea the trouble he's going to see is made for her now
* Foffard steps between Seezi and the out-T visitors, knowing it's been three weeks since his last donation. He slips Seezi the cash she'd been promised as an award for playing along.
<wisesnake> Principal Foffard, I believe the ambient is a bit much for Seezi... [glances meaningfully at the evil-feelers] Could you take her outside please?
* Linn can't help but be reminded of her own first session on the "tentacle chair".
* Foffard takes Seezi outside.
* wisesnake makes sure Forrest knows the right way to get on the transfer lounge, tells him quietly if it's clear he doesn't.
* Seezi relaxes as Foffard's field blocks the negative waves. She is diverted by the money and deftly grabs it and tucks it away.
* wisesnake takes a moment to wash her hands of the guck from Seezi's breakout, then returns to the transfer lounge to sit across from Forrest
<wisesnake> Have you ever given donation before?
* Forrest holds out his arms, staring at Snake with no expression on his face
<Forrest> no
<wisesnake> What I'll do is take your arms in my hands, and hold on with my tentacles.. it will be a firm grip, but not painful so long as you remain calm. Then I will touch my lips to yours, and a few moments later I will let you go. You will feel nothing. Do you understand?
* Forrest nods curtly
* wisesnake holds out her hands, tentacles spread
<Seezi> [whispers to Foffard] "Did I do it right? Huh? Did I?" [bouncing up and down]
* Forrest doesn't flinch thinking this channel looks no different than the girls at Garon's
<Foffard> Yes, Seezi, you did it right.
* wisesnake zlins Forrest is not afraid and reaches to take his arms.
* wisesnake leans forward and makes a 5th contact
<Seezi> "I did it. I'm a Sime!" [throws her arms around Foffard and kisses him]
* wisesnake draws selyn
* Foffard is distracted from Seezi as Forrest's daughter yips in fear and takes a step towards the transfer lounge as if to stop the donation.
<Foffard> Stay back.
<Foffard> She's not hurting him.
* wisesnake finishes the donation and releases Forrest
* wisesnake looks at Forrest's daughter oddly, finally realizes why the nager is so familiar
* Forrest rolls his sleeves down, buttoning them, then replaces his suit coat
<wisesnake> [to the daughter] Thrown many bricks lately?
* Forrest stands and moves back
* Foffard wonders why this non sequitor should make Forrest's daughter blanch.
* Forrest goes to his daughter and motions her outisde
<Forrest> my part is done
* Forrest walks abruptly out
<wisesnake> Anybody else?
* wisesnake looks significantly at the remaining Board members
* Foffard blinks as the other school board members reluctantly come forward.
* wisesnake takes their donations one by one
* Seezi zlins the donations intently, facinated.
* Linn wishes that her donations could be that routine.
* wisesnake finishes and lets the last one go.
* Linn wonders how Titi will write up the afternoon, but is sure that she'll come up with something suitably entertaining.
<wisesnake> Remember, you can come across the border to donate any time you like!
* Linn reflects that by the looks of them, they aren't likely to "like" any time soon.
* Seezi notices the stains on her clothes. ~~revulsion~~ "Oh ICK!"
* Seezi rushes over to the sink and starts dabbing at her clothes.
* wisesnake decides she's had enough and gets up and leaves the room, beckoning Nick to attend her.
* NickR follows hastily, offering his untrained, but nonetheless valuable, support
* Foffard shows the out-T guests out.
* Seezi finishes dabbing at her jeans and shoes (glad her blouse is ok), and looks around, wondering where everybody went.
* wisesnake stops around the corner in the hallway, leans on Nick's support
* NickR waits, quietly proud to be doing a Donor's work so soon after beginning his training
* Foffard returns from seeing his out-T guests off, and pokes his head through the door of the infirmary.
* Seezi zlins the intricate patterns she finds in the ceiling tiles.
<Foffard> Seezi, why don't you lie down and rest for a while? I'll call your parents and let them know you're all grown up.
* Seezi doesn't seem to hear.
* Foffard shrugs, and leaves Seezi to explore her new senses on her own.
* wisesnake pushes NickR away and stands on her own.
<wisesnake> I'm fine now. Let's go, we're due at the Office in 15 minutes.
* Linn leaves the rest of the out-T party a few blocks from the school, murmuring something about an errand. She goes around the block and heads back to the school.
<NickR> Sure.
* NickR follows Snake
* wisesnake runs into Linn coming down the front steps
<wisesnake> [figuratively speaking that is]
<Linn> Snake! That went better than I'd dreamed was possible.
* wisesnake looks surprised
<wisesnake> Changeovers in Sime Territory often go quite well. I never doubted it would... the difficult part was in getting Forrest to go out on a limb by suggesting the trip.
<Linn> And now he'll have to spend so much time winning back his supporters after publicly donating, that he won't have time to get my classes cancelled.
<wisesnake> He did seem a bit angry at you... you may have a personal enemy now.
* Linn shrugs.
<wisesnake> Oh, and, for your information, that young Gen woman who was with him is your brick thrower.
<Linn> He's disapproved of me for a long time.
<Linn> His daughter? I wondered, when you asked her about bricks.
<Linn> Well, it's good to know, even if there isn't anything I can do about it.
<wisesnake> I couldn't resist. I could tell she was perfectly sure nobody in the room would suspect her.
<wisesnake> It's possible she'll stop now that she's been discovered.
<wisesnake> There's a big difference between anonymous brick throwing and known brick throwing.
<Linn> I hope so.
<wisesnake> By the way, Linn, this is Nick Reckage, my new... assistant. Nick, this is Linn Haskins... I've told you about her.
<Linn> Pleased to meet you.
<NickR> Pleased to meet you, Ma'am.
* NickR smiles pleasantly, if a bit distantly, at Linn.
* Linn is glad to see Snake with such a nice young man. (Verile has definately gotten her in a romantic mood.)
<wisesnake> Well, I have a whole string of appointments to make after this. I'm sorry to rush off, but I'm due across town in only 10 minutes.
<Linn> That's quite all right. Thank you so much for helping out with this. I don't think Hajene Briel could have handled it at all, and Hajene Veraik never seems to be around.
* wisesnake is flattered, although a bit guilty at the mention of Veraik
<wisesnake> Well. Let me know if you have any more.. work.. that requires doing.
<wisesnake> Including changeovers. Something can always be worked out. If you have friends who teach high school...
<Linn> I will.
* wisesnake decides to leave it at that
<Linn> I will certainly tell my friends what I saw.
* wisesnake smiles at Linn
<wisesnake> I'll see you around.
<wisesnake> Nick...
<Linn> Goodbye!
* wisesnake beckons her new Donor
* NickR hurries after Snake, concentrating on being loyal and helpful
* wisesnake leaves
* Linn smiles after Snake, then steps inside to extend her gratitude to Principal Foffard.
Notes:
1) In case the dialog doesn't make this abundantly clear, Dabe is a renSime with two heads. He was assisted in changeover by Briel and Jon Drake, who ran across him while walking in the woods. That happened in Episode #38. [return]
2) Alea really is taking this amazingly well, considering. [return]