Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #45: A Chance Encounter (10/13/97)
see note 1
* Briel nods as they leave, sticking close to Jon
* Briel sighs and goes back over to the couch where she drops down on it
<Briel> well that was a first, Jon
<JonDrake> A first for what?
* Briel glances up
<Briel> a Simephobe and me working together to convince the woman it was okay to donate
* Briel shakes her head
<Briel> who would have thought it of Linn
<JonDrake> Oh, I see.
<JonDrake> Yes, but a lot of things seem to have happened yesterday.
* Briel thinks over the last few days and shudders at the reminder
<Briel> yeah, you're right
* Alea finds the rest of her packages on the stairs and gathers them up, taking them all back upstairs
<JonDrake> Everything ok? How was she?
* Alea then slips back into Veraik's room, dismissing the other Donor she left sitting with him
<Briel> she was pretty messed up. No broken bones
<Briel> although she has had that problem in the past
<Briel> I was surprised that she was so easy to work with... but then, she did want to see her son
* JonDrake shakes his head in disbelief.
<JonDrake> I just can't understand that.
* Briel shakes her head
<Briel> it happens
<Briel> thank goodness she's safe now
<JonDrake> Yes. That's very good.
<Briel> well, let's go for a walk. I'm off for another hour.
<JonDrake> Sounds good. Let's go.
* Briel stands, stretching out her tentacles over her head
* JonDrake holds the door open for Briel.
* Briel goes out the door
* Briel heads toward the gardens
<JonDrake> It's amazing how relaxing this is, even in the winter.
* Briel is surprised, a Gen who doesn't complain it's cold
<Briel> we can stay inside if you want. I didn't even think....
<Briel> yeah, maybe we'd better
<JonDrake> No, it's refreshing.
* Briel nods
<Briel> only for a short time then
<JonDrake> Is something bothering you Briel?
* Briel glances at Jon, surprised
<Briel> no, it's just been an... eventful week... and I'll be approaching turnover soon
<JonDrake> Ah... It has been almost two weeks, eh?
<Briel> soon
<Briel> but you have to count the extra augmenting too
<JonDrake> I don't know how I'd be able to keep all of that straight.
<Briel> I'll only be about two days early
* Briel chuckles
<Briel> when your life depends on it, you remember
<JonDrake> I'll bet!
* Briel walks the paths, enjoying the stimulation....
* Briel worried about her Donor, keeps him close, making sure he stays warm
<JonDrake> I bet the gardens must zlin very differently at different times of the year.
* Briel nods
<Briel> very
<Briel> each one is a seperate beauty though
<Briel> the fading of fall into winter... death bringing the promise of life... as spring brings in the fresh newness of it all
* Briel looks at the leaves and the almost bare trees
* Briel zlins around her... and smiles
<Briel> come on, let's get inside, your body temperature is dropping and I don't want a sick Donor
<JonDrake> Oh... alright...
<Briel> I'm going to go up and shower... I'll be down in an hour
<JonDrake> Is there anything you need me to do in the meantime?
<Briel> you have that time free... go out, explore Bender Cove, anything you want
<Briel> no, nothing
<Briel> I'll be fine. I haven't hit turnover yet
<JonDrake> Ok, if you're sure. I still have so much of the details to learn.
<Briel> you'll be fine
* Briel starts toward the stairs and pauses
* Briel looks back at Jon
<Briel> I mean that, you know
<JonDrake> Thanks, Briel. That means a lot.
* Briel goes on up the stairs
* Briel goes into her room to shower
* JonDrake goes out to the lobby, sees that Alea came to pick up the rest of her stuff.
* JonDrake decides to head out to see part of the city. He decided to go UPTOWN this time...
* wisesnake is repeating the same sentiment to NickR for about the thousandth time
<wisesnake> Nick, you're doing everything perfectly, you just need time to develop.
* NickR tries not to let himself feel his frustration.
* wisesnake seems to be a little nervous on this subject herself
<NickR> But you need a Donor now.
<wisesnake> Well I know that Nick, and you are doing a great job of learning the everyday support functions, which I value very highly.
* NickR nods, his frustration barely touched by the complement.
<wisesnake> And I am sure that, um, Veraik, is trying even now to locate somebody for me.
<wisesnake> I was kind of hoping he'd come through with somebody today, but...
* wisesnake hides own frustration, not well
<wisesnake> Sometimes we don't get what we want.
* NickR is now trying to overcome jealousy as well.
* JonDrake walks the streets of town, much more carefully than in times past.
<NickR> I wish I could give you transfer, so you wouldn't be at Veraik's mercy.
<wisesnake> I know this is hard for you, Nick.
<wisesnake> And I appreciate your feelings. They are the right feelings for a Donor to have.
* JonDrake notices a storefront, a pawn shop.
* JonDrake stands there looking at all the stuff in the window.
<wisesnake> But there's no denying that you aren't ready to give me transfer...
<NickR> But I'm not a Donor yet.
<wisesnake> Not yet. You are training to be.
<wisesnake> And to one extent or another, you are actually doing many of the things a Donor does, now.
<NickR> Except the thing you need most.
<wisesnake> I don't look at it that way.
* wisesnake uneasy
<wisesnake> I think what you are doing already is the most important thing of all...
<wisesnake> being here every day.
* NickR chuckles, without amusement.
<NickR> That much, even Miz Haskins could accomplish, most days.
<wisesnake> [haunted] It may seem like nothing to you...
<wisesnake> and no. Linn could not do the things you are being trained for.
<wisesnake> Nick, it's just a matter of time. Your production is increasing just by spending time around me.
* NickR wonders if Snake will be around when he's ready, if she keeps deteriorating at her current rate.
* wisesnake zlins Nick's glumness and looks ragged
<wisesnake> Come on, Nick... this is what you wanted, isn't it?
<wisesnake> [coaxing]
<NickR> Yes. But that was before I knew how much more was possible.
<NickR> I'm greedy. I want it all.
<wisesnake> And I have promised it all to you, when you are ready for it.
<wisesnake> And I will not stand in the way of your becoming ready... I will do anything I can to help you learn and prepare.
* NickR nods.
<wisesnake> And if I have to take the services of another Donor in the meantime, whether for daily support or for transfer, it doesn't change the that fact.
<wisesnake> They are taking your place temporarily, nothing more.
* NickR nods, less enthusiastically.
* wisesnake looks strained
* wisesnake would never have made a cheerleader
* NickR sees Snake's stress and tries harder to get his feelings under control.
<wisesnake> Nick... your help has been invaluable. Already I go to pieces when you aren't around... when you have to sleep... you _aren't_ nothing to me.
<NickR> I know that. Don't you see, that just makes me want to be a real Donor to you all the more?
* NickR 's frustration threatens to break out of his tentative control.
<wisesnake> What do you want me to do, Nick? Try to take you this month? Take a suicide abort because Zeor's conditioning won't let me kill you?
<NickR> No!
* NickR smiles wryly.
<wisesnake> We have to wait. Trust me on this, Nick. In three or four months, you will be much closer to ready. Then there will be a chance of it actually working.
<NickR> I understand why waiting's necessary. I just wish it wasn't.
<wisesnake> Well your wishing is driving me bats.
<wisesnake> Think about happy things... fluffy white clouds... flowers... large wads of money... please?
* JonDrake continues. Decides he's a bit hungry. It would also be nice to have a hot drink.
* NickR eyes the confections behind the counter.
<NickR> I think I'll drown my sorrows in a truffle or two, instead. There are very few problems which can't be solved by a suitable application of chocolate.
* wisesnake laughs weakly as NickR's efforts to think positive start making her hungry too
<wisesnake> I'm allergic to chocolate, by the way.
<wisesnake> And coconut.
* JonDrake finds a nice looking Cafe. He enters, welcoming the warmth inside.
* NickR is almost overcome by horrifed sympathy.
<NickR> Really?
* wisesnake 's eyes and laterals dart toward the door as JonDrake walks in
<wisesnake> Yeah... really. [preoccupied]
* JonDrake doesn't see them yet.
* NickR follows Snake's gaze, to see what's caught her attention.
* NickR wonders just what sort of injury-requiring-immediate-healing this apparently healthy Gen has, to attract Snake so strongly.
<wisesnake> That guy... he's training to be a Donor too.
<wisesnake> At the Center.
<NickR> Oh.
* JonDrake sits down at a table.
* NickR is no longer amused by Snake's interest in the stranger.
* wisesnake zlins and eyes JonDrake speculatively
* JonDrake looks at the menu, automatically radiating hunger...
<wisesnake> This is the first time in a long time I've seen him walking around alone...
* NickR looks at Snake in alarm.
<wisesnake> I helped him when he first came in to the Center. Overproduction problems.
* NickR wishes he was producing more selyn than required, instead of less.
* wisesnake looks back at NickR, temporarily distracted.
<wisesnake> Nick, you've been doing fine. You've been doing fantastically well, if you want to know the truth. Nobody who can zlin would deny it.
<NickR> My talents -- such as they are -- sure didn't seem to impress B'cal.
* JonDrake orders a hot flavored coffee with cream.
<wisesnake> Nothing impresses B'cal.
<NickR> I'd gathered that.
<wisesnake> Anyway, if I were you I wouldn't base my self-esteem on the opinion of a person who hates their job.
<wisesnake> If I thought everything about myself that B'cal said about me I would have just slit my wrists two months ago and had done with it.
* NickR realizes that his inability to think positive thoughts is making Snake even more depressed than usual, and decides that he requires a bit of solitude to regain control.
<NickR> I'll be right back. Got to visit the men's room.
* JonDrake looks around and sees the presense of Simes. He decides to order soup instead of a meat sandwich.
* wisesnake feels Nick's withdrawal and droops
<wisesnake> Sure.
* NickR hastens towards the john.
* wisesnake watches Nick disappear behind society's flimsy barriers
* wisesnake massages her eyes with the fingers and tentacles of one hand
* wisesnake 's eyes inevitably stray back to the other Donor sitting across the room
* wisesnake gets up and glides between the tables in JonDrake's direction
* JonDrake has pulled out a text book and begins reading whie sipping his coffee.
* wisesnake slips into the seat across from JonDrake
* JonDrake looks up.
<JonDrake> Oh, Snake.
<JonDrake> I didn't expect to see you...
* wisesnake stares at him, and zlins him, with a queer intensity
<wisesnake> [belatedly] ...Jon.
* JonDrake feels a shudder within him.
<wisesnake> You seem to be doing...
<wisesnake> [pauses]
* JonDrake looks at Wisesnake critically.
<JonDrake> Are you ok?
<wisesnake> About as well as could be expected under the circumstances, I suppose.
<JonDrake> How are you doing? I can guess things have been difficult for you.
<JonDrake> Things were very intense yesterday as well.
<wisesnake> Things are a little up in the air as to who I'll be taking transfer off of in two weeks. It seems my assigned Donor is unavailable.
<wisesnake> Aside from that... reasonably well.
<wisesnake> Yes... it often gets intense when Veraik is involved.
* JonDrake ~~sympathy~~ That's gotta be rough. Is there anything we can do?
<wisesnake> Who is "we"?
* NickR struggles to master his roiling emotions by staring blankly at the wall of the stall.
<JonDrake> Any of us. I know you're not on the staff anymore, but still...
<wisesnake> Well... what kind of "anything" are you prepared to offer?
* NickR tries an alternate method: distracting himself by reading the graffiti.
<JonDrake> Well, if you're talking about transfer, you know I can't do that. I'm working with Briel and I can't server more than one, no matter how much I might want to.
<JonDrake> There's gotta be something we can do to help. Why is your Donor unavailable? 2
* NickR beats his fists against his thighs as his frustration mounts at his inability to master the first exercise Snake taught him.
* wisesnake thinks we'll see about that when the time comes... not doubting her own "persuasive" talents
<wisesnake> She's missing.
<JonDrake> ~~incredulous~~ Missing? That's queer.
* wisesnake shrugs, dark-eyed
<wisesnake> You can never tell with B'cal.
<wisesnake> The only thing I know for sure is she had to have left on her own... but what happened after that is unknown.
<JonDrake> I really don't know her. People _do_ seem to have strong feelings about her.
<JonDrake> Is it possible to find an alternative? They can't leave you hanging, can they?
<wisesnake> Define "can't" and I'll answer that.
<wisesnake> Veraik says he'll do what he can.
<wisesnake> He SAID he'd have another Donor for me today.
<JonDrake> Ok, "wouldn't."
<JonDrake> And?
* wisesnake thinks of Zilla, then deliberately doesn't
* wisesnake deliberately avoids horning in on JonDrake too, while she's at it
<wisesnake> [for the time being]
<wisesnake> Nothing.
<wisesnake> Not yet, anyway.
<JonDrake> You want me to talk to Veraik?
<wisesnake> No. I'd rather not.
* wisesnake thinking she doesn't want Veraik to know she's approached JonDrake on the street
<wisesnake> He has enough problems.
<JonDrake> Ok, whatever you say.
<wisesnake> And he claims to be working on it.
* JonDrake nods in understanding.
* NickR finally manages to regain a precarious hold on himself by reciting the names of the chemical elements, all 100+ of them. Twice.
<JonDrake> So, who's this Gen who was with you the other day?
<JonDrake> Nick, wasn't it?
<wisesnake> A Donor I am training.
* NickR takes a few deep breaths to solidify his control, then flushes.
* wisesnake glances at the restroom, zlinning
<JonDrake> How is he doing? How is he doing for you?
* NickR washes his hands.
<wisesnake> His sensitivity and responsiveness are excellent, quite amazing really. But his capacity is undeveloped and I have no idea of his delivery speed.
<wisesnake> It'll be a while before I can try him, months at least.
<JonDrake> I'm sorry.
* NickR dries his hands.
* wisesnake shrugs
<wisesnake> It's a long shot, transfer wise. But he has been invaluable day-to-day.
<JonDrake> That's good at least.
<JonDrake> It has been strange not seeing you around the Center anymore. After all, you were the one who 'got me started'.
<wisesnake> Well I should get going.
<wisesnake> I'm sure we will see each other again sometime soon.
<JonDrake> Oh. Ok.
<JonDrake> You take care of yourself, ok?
* wisesnake offers JonDrake a strange smile
<wisesnake> I do my best.
<JonDrake> ~~concern~~
<wisesnake> You take care of yourself too.
* JonDrake nods and smiles.
* wisesnake returns to her and Nick's table
* NickR squares his shoulders and opens the door.
* JonDrake sees his soup arrive. He begins to dig in, wondering about that encounter.
* wisesnake slouches in the chair and eyes Nick's tea, then reaches for it, notices Nick is about to make a re-entrance and hastily unhands his glass.
<NickR> All right, Snake. I think I can behave, now. Shall we go on home before it's completely dark?
* JonDrake glances at Snake, but sees her looking away, almost avoiding his look.
<wisesnake> Sure.
* wisesnake gets to her feet
* wisesnake zlins NickR's state serrupticiously
* JonDrake sees Nick arrive, thinks "Hmm... What's up with this?"
* NickR collects the dishes to put in the tub by the door.
* JonDrake thinks that Snake doesn't seem to want Nick to know she's talked to me. He looks away, looking into his book.
* JonDrake can't help glancing though.
* wisesnake feels JonDrake's attention prickling back and forth and pretends not to notice.
* NickR dumps the dishes in the tub, then resumes his accustomed place at Snake's side. It is much easier to keep the proper distance now than a week before.
* wisesnake and Nick leave the cafe and head home
* JonDrake watches them leave through the window and then settles back to his meal. After a time, he finishes and eventually makes his way back to the Center.
Notes:
1) A substantial part of this session was never logged and is therefore lost forever. During that first part, Linn brought Hildie in to the Sime Center for healing, and Hildie was also apparently talked into donating. [return]
2) Yes, JonDrake was present when B'cal's status was discussed in the previous episode. But his Simelan is weak and he was concentrating on Briel at the time, and may not have followed the conversation thoroughly. [return]
Go on to Episode #46: Malpractice
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