Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Bender Cove Township Scenario

Episode #47: Attrition, Excision, Poison (10/15/97)

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Alea fixes her hair with a new clip, gathering it on top of her head and allowing it to fall softly down the back of her head. She puts on one of her new dresses, admiring how she looks. According to Fiona... looks are important

Alea decides she will follow Fiona's advice and hopefully improve her gracefulness

Alea looks at herself, thinks she still looks like she's put on weight in her waist and wonders why the woman thinks dressing nice and walking with a book on her head will impress people

Briel signals at Veraik's door

Veraik returns from his task and goes straight to his bedroom.

Briel seeing Veraik isn't back, takes the key he gave her and goes into the office, to place the newest reports

Veraik looks at his PlaySime then takes a long, hot shower.

Alea decides nothing is going to help her clumsiness so she goes on downstairs to find Veraik

Alea walks down the stairs, trying to stand straight and walk slow... she finds this really boring

Veraik finally finishes, dries off, then puts on a fresh Tecton uniform.

<Veraik> Hope this day is better than the last.

Veraik goes to his office.

Briel turns to leave Veraik's office until he returns

<Veraik> Hello Briel.

Briel smiles and nods

<Briel> Veraik

<Veraik> Won't you come in?

Briel goes back into his office

<Briel> I must talk to you about some things that have happened while you were gone, Veraik

Veraik points to the reports on his desk then sits at his desk. "Is there anything new or different about the reports today? I zlinned distress in you."

<Veraik> All right.

Briel goes over and drops into a chair, sighing. She leans back and props her feet on his desk, rubbing a tentacle at the back of her neck

<Briel> It's that new Third Order that just reported here not too long ago

<Veraik> [something between a smile and a frown] yes. Fise, is it? What about him?

Briel gestures toward the desk

<Briel> There's a report there on it, but I thought you'd better hear it from me

<Veraik> yes?

<Briel> Evidently, he handled a donor roughly... the donor struggled against him... and he abruptly ended the transfer. It was a mess

<Veraik> Did he burn the donor? [very concerned...looks at report and augments to read the entire report]

Alea keeps her back straight, not turning her head, trying to look "graceful" as she goes to Veraik's office

<Briel> yes, there was a slight burn

<Briel> I finished the donation and tried to soothe him

<Briel> I don't think Fise realizes, on the border like this, the consequences of his actions

Briel shudders and retracts her tentacles completely

<Briel> if the townspeople hear of this... Eastcove....

Briel shudders again

Veraik adjusts ambient to enclose his true feelings about the matter.

<Briel> I'm afraid I was angry and told him, in detail....

<Briel> including that they would likely attack and make sure we had no laterals to hurt them

<Veraik> and to make Briel more comfortable.

Briel drops her feet and leans forward

<Briel> But the worst part... he wasn't repentant!

Briel turns sheepish

<Briel> in my anger... I uh, threatened, to excise them for him, before letting him hurt another donor

Veraik shakes head. "All right. Thank you for telling me about the incident."

Alea pushes open Veraik's door, without signalling and walks in, trying to look regal and graceful.

<Alea> hello, hajene... Alea sees Briel

<Alea> Oh, Briel.

Alea smiles

Veraik stands and zlins then relaxes. "Hello Alea."

Briel frowns at Alea

Alea goes over to the chair next to Veraik's and sits down, sitting very straight and proper, concentratring really hard on that

Briel forces her attention back to Veraik

Veraik turns to Briel. "I will want to see him so please leave word at the front desk to arrange a meeting with him."

Briel nods "how is the search coming for new schools to work in?"

Veraik zlins the pain Alea is having in trying to have an overly straight back.

<Briel> And for your work at Linn's school?

Briel winces and glances at Alea in dismay

<Veraik> I've arranged for the Tecton is purchase the adjacent house to the school where Linn works.

Briel nods

<Briel> that's good

Veraik adjusts the ambient then goes to Alea and rubs her back while he continues to talk to Briel.

Alea jumps and glances up at Veraik

Alea tries to keep her back straight like Fiona said, but slowly relaxes under Veraik's massage

<Veraik> I really don't have the available staff to teach the classes right now so I plan to do the teaching myself.

Veraik zlins and smiles as the pain subsides.

<Briel> That might be for the best, considering how upset Linn is with me.

<Briel> It might make a difference to have you there

<Veraik> Since Alea is my support Donor, I plan to take her.

Alea realizes she hasn't been keeping her attention on Veraik and focuses on him

<Veraik> A pregnant Gen may help the feelings of secuirity among the students and the parents.

Veraik relaxes with Alea's attention.

<Briel> well, that hardly seems fair to the other Donors who have been neglected lately

<Briel> For instance, you are suppose to be traning Jon and Zilla will require your help and we have two or three others...

<Veraik> Neglected? What are you talking about Briel?

<Briel> perhaps you want to consider rotating them

<Briel> in training

<Veraik> Hummmm

Briel hastily backtracks, realizing how that sounded

<Veraik> Too many Simes may make it too intimidating but I WILL keep what you have said in mind.

Alea focuses on Alea, wondering why Briel might be helping her out. She's suprised, but glad

Alea done with her introspection, looks at Briel

<Veraik> As for the other project, I have decided to put in on the back burner until Linn's project is well established.

Briel nods

<Veraik> Once that one has taken ahold, I think I will have fewer problems getting the same kind of school established near the rest of the schools.

<Briel> good idea

<Veraik> Now, the next part of Linn's project is to have changeover classes here.

<Briel> the Tecton made a good choice when they picked you to open this Center

<Veraik> Since we've had the Center burnt and rebuilt too many times lately, We really haven't started that project yet.

Briel looks condemningly at Alea

<Veraik> Why... thank you.

Briel. [blush]

Alea widens her eyes in innocence, thinking it's not her fault... completely

Veraik zlins Briel then stares at her until she stops abusing his Donor.

Briel smiles at Veraik

<Briel> it's true.

<Briel> And you should know it.

Briel bluntly

Briel wonders why he defends the screwup Donor

<Veraik> So in that light and concerning how much I have to do, I have decided that you are going to be in charge of establishing the changeover classes at this Center.

Veraik quickly adjusts ambient to protect the one he loves.

Briel smiles in delight

<Briel> I'd be honored Veraik

<Veraik> Great. Just keep me informed of your progress.

<Briel> of course

Alea realizes she is slumping in the chair, sits back up straight

Briel sees it and decides now is a good time to leave

<Veraik> [Looking at both Briel and Alea] Who do you think would be best for the advertising end of the project? JonDrake or Tarsh or both?

<Briel> If you have nothing else, Veraik...

Briel miserably sits back down Alea 's smile softens

Briel sees the smile and barely keeps from rolling her eyes

<Briel> Both

<Briel> It would do Jon Drake good and I think Tarsh has more experience

<Veraik> All right, we will have them work on it together.

<Briel> he could head it up and my Donor could learn a lot from him.

<Veraik> And Jon is Gen so he can be the Gen T liaision.

<Alea> would there, um, be much, Gen contact in this?

Alea looking suddenly concerned

Alea shifts uncomfortably, but keeps her hands folded and her back ramrod straight

Veraik turns to Alea. "Why do you ask?

Alea realizes she can't say anything in front of anyone or she'd be betraying Tarsh's confidence

Alea shrugs

Alea looks around

<Alea> Would anyone like some tea?

Alea stands and wonders over toward the hot plate to make tea

Veraik zlins but decides to ask later.

Briel stiffens at Alea's words and looks to Veraik

<Veraik> Alea. If you want tea ask. Do NOT make it yourself.

Alea deflates, but is glad the subject has been averted

Veraik goes to the hot plate.

<Alea> of course, hajene

Alea wanders over to the window to look out Briel sighs in relief

<Briel> I really don't want any. If that's all, Veraik, I have some things I should be doing

Veraik makes the tea and calls over his shoulder. "So Briel, I think that is all unless you have any questions."

Briel grins

<Briel> great

Briel gets up and strides to the door

<Briel> I'll be in my office

Briel leaves

<Veraik> All right. If you have any questions, don't hesistate.

Alea straightens her shoulders, concentrating on walking slow

Veraik finishes the tea and takes a cup to Alea. "What was that all about? Tarsh and his Gen problem?"

Alea studies her feet as she crosses over to the desk

Alea stumbles at Veraik's words

<Alea> uh... Alea grabs the tea, but misses and knocks it onto Veraik

<Veraik> I see you're working hard to learn what they are teaching you at Fiona's....ahhhhh. [spoken too soon]

Alea grimaces

<Alea> I'm sorry, hajene

Alea hurries across the room and grabs a cloth

Alea dashes back and begins to mop up the front of his shirt and trousers

Veraik grabs a towel and wipes his pants then goes to a drawer and takes out a fresh Tecton tunic. Alea follows behind, still trying to wipe up the stains as he moves

<Veraik> It's all right, Alea.

<Alea> I really didn't mean to do that... Alea makes more swipes, biting her lower lip Veraik strips off the soiled one and puts on the new one.

<Alea> I wasn't watching where I was walking

<Veraik> I know. Just sit down and tell me about Tarsh.

Alea stops wiping, looks sheepishly at Veraik, then goes over to the sofa and flops down ungracefully

<Alea> nothing

<Alea> I just wanted to know if there would be a lot of Gens around

Alea has problems telling Veraik anything when Tarsh is uncomfortable about this even though she and veraik have discussed similar things before

<Veraik> [finishing unspoken question] Because of Tarsh's problem?

Alea looks up innocently

<Alea> oh, that's right. You did say Tarsh had a tiny little problem, didn't you

Alea hopes Veraik has forgotten that she knows about the problem

<Veraik> That is why we are going to have Jon do the Gen interface and Tarsh be in the background helping and teaching Jon.

<Alea> of course, hajene

Alea nods

<Veraik> Tarsh has a big problem Alea. You know that and I know that so stop pussy-footing around.

Alea turns her gaze away and shrugs

<Alea> he's doing better

<Veraik> oh he is? Could have fooled me.

Alea turns back, distressed

<Alea> He is trying

<Alea> He wants to be better

<Alea> And you said you were going to help him!

<Alea> you are, aren't you. You're not going to send him off?

<Veraik> Alea I will help him I promise, but he is going to want to help himself as well.

<Alea> He DOES

<Alea> he really does Alea thinking he'd better not say he is going to send him off

<Alea> if you'd zlin him, you'd know

<Alea> but all you ever do when you are around him is provoke him Alea mutters the last

<Veraik> I have but he is renSime. He says he wants help but until he rejects a Gen nager, he is in danger and Gens will be in danger.

Alea gets up off the sofa and goes back to the window to stare out at the cold bleak day

<Veraik> And Alea, I promise NOT to send him away.

Alea shrugs, thinking Veraik doesn't really care

<Alea> you'll have to convince Tarsh of that, not me

Alea again mutters it

<Veraik> It doesn't matter whether he learns here or not. The point is he must learn.

<Veraik> And with you here, he has more motivation to learn.

Alea shrugs

<Alea> if you say so

Alea turns toward Veraik, studying him, deciding to change the subject Veraik sighs heavily because Alea never believes him. [wishing she could zlin his truth]

<Alea> how much have you augmented, Veraik? How soon will your transfer be this month?

Veraik encloses nager. "Not very much"

* Alea sighs, disgusted

<Alea> I may be a clutz, but I AM a Farris, Hajene

<Alea> Don't lie to me 1

* Veraik frowns and changes the subject. "How are you doing at Fiona's?"

<Alea> and how are you doing before this transfer

* Alea looks stubborn and crosses her arms, digging in her heels

<Alea> You forget, hajene... my system tells me when I am around you, just how much you need me

* Veraik takes reports from desk and opens it. "Have you checked Michaeli's file? He may be a potiential Donor."

<Alea> have you been having needmares again? Should I be sleeping with you again?

* Veraik leers at Alea. "If you want to."

* Veraik is thinking about his PlaySime and wanting to trying a new position.

* Alea , realizing just how that sounded, stiffens

<Alea> I mean, HAJENE, that if you are having needmares again, I would share the room with you

<Alea> and that attitude is not going to put me off my original question

<Veraik> [playful, disappointed look] I'll be fine. So what about Michaeli?"

<Alea> you've augmented too much plus everything that has happened

<Alea> you're getting close to transfer, I would imagine

<Alea> but your new Donor isn't here yet

<Alea> unless you are planning to use JonDrake this month

* Veraik thinks Alea doesn't know the half of it but refuses to say anything.

* Alea thinks that would mean she'd probably be with Briel

* Alea sighs

<Veraik> I'm scheduled for Simone this month.

<Alea> then I guess I'll just shadow your every move until Simone gets here since you won't admit that you're past turnover

* Alea thinks that is what he wanted her to do anyway

<Alea> did you want me to find Fise or Jirelle for you, hajene?

* Alea goes to the door to look for them

* Fise is sipping tea in the lobby

<Veraik> yes please

* Alea sees the... channel... though she uses that term loosely with him

* Alea slips out the door and goes over to Fise

<Alea> excuse me

* Veraik groans when Alea leaves.

* Alea taps her foot, waiting for Fise to acknowledge her

<Fise> "Yes?"

<Alea> Hajene Veraik would like to see you

* Fise walks over to Veraik's office with his tea.

* Alea follows

* Veraik is thinking that Alea REALLY has no idea what he is going through to train her since she is the type which only learns by example. and that example entails that he augment like crazy so that SHE decides that what a channel requires is constant Donor support.

* Fise signals at Veraik's door.

* Alea reaches around him and pushes it open

<Alea> go on in

* Veraik opens the door. Come in Fuse... Alea.

* Veraik signals Alea to the chair for his maximum support.

* Alea thinks Fuse... yeah... fits him better than Fise... Short Fuse... she snickers

<Veraik> Sit down Fise.

* Alea goes over to Veraik and sits by him

* Fise comes in and sits down in the best chair not behind the desk.

* Alea still smirking, focuses her nager attention on Veraik

<Veraik> Fise. [pulls reports towards himself] I understand that you burned a donor yesterday. [looks and zlins stern]

<Fise> ~~ isn't zlinning ~~ "That's what he claims, yes."

* Alea glances at the report Veraik is looking at wondering just how bad the burn was

* Alea wonders why Fise never uses his tentacles and if maybe that is why he screwed up with the donor --- out of practice

<Veraik> Briel checked the donor and stated in the report about it that you did indeed burn the donor, if only minorly... HOWEVER.

* Alea knows that tone of voice and is glad it's not directed at her this time

<Veraik> We are in a border town

<Veraik> Border town Sime Centers cannot tolerate that kind of publicity.

* Veraik zlins Fise

<Veraik> What do you have to say for yourself?

<Fise> ~~ irritated but not particularly angry or afraid no contrition at all. ~~

<Fise> "He was complaining about things taking too long. There's just no pleasing some people.

* Alea is shocked by Fise's attitude

* Alea aches in sympathy for the untrained Gen

<Veraik> What kind of attitute is that Fise?

* wisesnake lurks in the vicinity of the Sime Center

<Veraik> Gens are our resource for life.

<Fise> "I'm Sorry?"

* Alea sees Veraik getting agitated and concentrates fiercely on soothing him

<Veraik> You abuse them and you will die.

* Alea eyes widen in horror

* Alea suddenly wonders if Veraik has gone insane like Snake too

<Veraik> On a border town, if you abuse a donor, the Gens will attack

<Fise> "That wasn't in the brochure."

* Alea thinks maybe it would be best if she left... to avoid the fallout

<Veraik> Which brochure is that?

* Alea glances at the door thinking she might just make it with all of his attention on Fise

* Alea thinks she could go find Briel, or one of the other Channels to come see to Veraik

* Veraik zlins Alea.

<Fise> "The one all about the joys of working for the Tecton and the horrors of channel's transfer."

<Veraik> [adjusts ambient]

<Veraik> I know that brochure but Fise, as a channel, what choice do we have?

* Alea wonders if Fise just has to tempt Veraik like this

<Veraik> We either learn how to be a Channel and be the best one we can be OR we get sick.

<Veraik> You didn't want to be a Channel?

<Fise> "Exactly."

* Alea thinks, score one for Veraik, why else would he walk around refusing to augment, keeping his tentacles hidden and not zlinning

* Alea looking at her bare arms, is suddenly jealous

<Fise> "Of, course, The Tecton rigs it to maximize entran by saying that."

<Veraik> Then I will release you when your duties as a Channel.

<Veraik> No one is making you be a Channel. That is your choice.

* Veraik augments to go to file cabinet.

* Fise snorts.

* Alea stares in disbelief at Veraik, thinking what that will do to his systems if he doesn't practice as a channel

* Alea sees Veraik augment and frowns, thinking he is doing entirely too much of that

<Veraik> Pulls out and form and augments to fill the entire form out.

<Fise> "Any more lies your Controllership?"

<Veraik> Lies? Hardly.

<Veraik> Sign this.

<Alea> er... hajene... he has to work....

<Veraik> Oh and one more thing. I will give you Channel's transfer this month. After your transfer, you will be free to go wherever you want to go.

* Alea wondering if all the augmenting has hurt his brain

* Veraik glares at Alea.

<Veraik> It is his choice, Alea.

* Alea subsides but decides to maybe call some help about this

<Veraik> The Tecton never MAKES someone practice being a Channel.

* Fise takes the form, crumples it up, and lobs it towards the wastebasket (missing). "Not after the last time I signed one of these forms."

* Alea stares in shock at Fise

<Fise> "Of course not, they just murder the ones who don't."

* Alea turns and concentrates solely on Veraik, hoping to soothe him

<Veraik> Fine. But if you are going to be a Channel, act like one. The Tecton has places for Channels like you and they are not pleasant to live in.

* Alea blinks at that, but doesn't take her attention from Veraik thinking soothing, quiet, sleepy thoughts

<Fise> "That frigid bitch Briel threatened me with both attrition and excision. That does seem to be rather contradictory. Have you made up you mind yet?"

* Alea swallows

<Veraik> I have.

* Veraik grabs another form.

* Fise looks around at the Center ostentagiously. "I noticed."

<Veraik> I am placing you on suspension.

<Alea> uh, hajene, perhaps you might want to discuss this later...

<Alea> let me go find Jirelle or um...

* Alea shrugs

<Alea> someone else

<Veraik> In addition, I have decided that your next transfer will be delayed by three hours (thinking it was only going to be one originally)

<Veraik> also, you will be in constant supervision until your attitude towards donors has changed.

<Fise> "So it will be excision, then, I take it."

* Alea shudders at the word, increasing her focus on Veraik

* wisesnake starts to go around the block again, then without warning veers toward the Sime Center.

<Alea> I'm sure Briel didn't mean that Fise

<Alea> and of course, Veraik doesn't mean that either

* NickR follows.

* Alea tries to soothe them both with her words and nager

<Veraik> No excision but you are going to regret every minute of your delay when it is time for your transfer.

<NickR> Do you want to check with Hajene Veraik about whether he has a Donor for you?

<Fise> "So lying to me is Tecton policy, then? Would you care to put that in writing?"

* wisesnake mutters something under her breath

<wisesnake> No... yes... I don't know.

* NickR is getting better at not being so jealous that another, "real" Donor will have Snake this month.

* wisesnake goes through the front door of the Center

<wisesnake> (after opening it)

<Alea> of course not, Fise

* Alea says soothingly

<Alea> I imagine, well, Briel is a bit jumpy about kills...

<Alea> and she would of course be jumpy about a situation that might put her in a position to kill again

* Veraik takes a breath. "WHY do you think that the Tecton has lied to you?

<Alea> hence, the word getting out about bad donations and burns

<Fise> "You've just contradicted yourself. Which of your statements was a lie, the first, or the second?"

* wisesnake approaches the front desk clerk, looking a bit wild

* NickR sees Snake's upset and tries to calm her.

<Fise> "She just said that both Briel and you told me things you didn't mean. So either you and Briel were lying, or she was. Who was lying?"

* wisesnake tries to smile at the clerk [not a reassuring effect]

<wisesnake> Excuse me, is Veraik in?

<Alea> lying?

<Alea> I didn't lie

* wisesnake fidgets

<clerk> "I believe he is, Hajene."

<Alea> I said sometimes we... exaggerate... in our fears

* wisesnake starts

<wisesnake> Oh?

<wisesnake> He is?

* NickR lays a hand on Snake's arm and steps up his efforts to calm her down.

* clerk is a bit nervous at Snake's smile.

* wisesnake takes a few deep breaths and leans on Nick

<wisesnake> Look, ah, can you let him know Snake is here?

* Veraik calms down. "No one lied."

<Fise> "Either you were telling the truth and Briel and Veriak lie to me, or you were lying yourself. Which is it?"

<Veraik> We all see things which are truth to yourselves.

* Alea thinks she'd just like to slap Fise and get it over with... but knows losing complete control would only hurt Veraik, so she forces herself to stay calm

<clerk> "Of course. Just a moment."

<Alea> would you like some tea, Fise?

* Alea stands and goes toward the tea

* clerk goes to Veriak's door and signals.

* Alea veers to open the door

<Alea> yes?

* wisesnake looks at NickR, then down at the floor

* Veraik encloses nager and doesn't say anything about tea to Alea. [hopes she spills it on Fise this time]

<Fise> "Well Controller, this you have just admitted that you live in your own little fantasy world, I'll leave you to it." [stands up]

* Alea looks impatiently at the Clerk

<Alea> well?

* Veraik pushes new transfer card to Fise.

<NickR> Snake, don't worry so much. We've got a while to get this settled.

<clerk> [whispers] "Snake is here asking to see the Controller."

<Veraik> Believe what you wish.

* Alea stiffens and looks at Veraik

* Alea slams the door

* Fise walks out the door, brushing past Alea and the clerk.

<Veraik> Send them in Alea. [wipes tentacle]

<Alea> uh, hajene?

<Alea> of course

* Fise bangs into the closed door. [Bam!]

* Alea jumps

* Fise glares at Alea.

* Alea grins at Fise

<Alea> oh, did you want out?

* Alea innocently

* wisesnake tries to listen to Nick

* Veraik thinks that he may like to excise Fise's tentacles himself.

* clerk mutters "Was that a no?"

* Alea crosses her arms and leans against the door

* Alea crosses her ankles waiting...

* NickR tries to be confident, hoping it's contagious.

* wisesnake 's fidgeting ceases for the time being

<Alea> you know, Fise, I was going to fix you tea

* Fise looks around for a window.

<Alea> I mean, if you don't want it... that's fine

<Alea> of course, some people don't like tea

<Alea> but me... I love tea

<Alea> I thought all people In Territory loved tea

<Alea> are you from In Territory?

* Alea 's grin widens into an innocent smile

<Fise> "Oh is it poison besides excision and attrition. Isn't that going to be hard to schedule?"

<Alea> not at all, dear. I can fit you in any time

* Alea stands and reaches for the door to let him out

<Fise> "If you were paying any attention with that bubble head of yours, you would have noticed that I came in with my own tea. But that didn't fit in with your plans, did it?"

* wisesnake starts moving about restlessly

* Alea shrugs and grins very bubble headed looking

* clerk comes back to the front desk, looking nervous. "Controller Veriak is in a meeting at the moment. Would you like to wait, or shall I take a message?"

* wisesnake nearly explodes

<Alea> I can rearrange any plans to accomidate you

* Alea pulls open the door

<wisesnake> A meeting.

* wisesnake sighs

<wisesnake> We'll wait.

* Fise walks out the door and through the lobby.

* Alea reaches out for Fise's field, smiling sweetly

* Alea sighs, frowning

* wisesnake looks up suddenly as somebody comes out of Veraik's office

* Alea thinks just a minute more and she could have slammed him

* wisesnake meets Fise's eyes

* Alea looks out and motions to Snake

* Fise stops to look at wisesnake. "Do I know you?"

* Alea is now glad he is gone... thinking even a little slam would have been awful after what she witnessed with Briel

* wisesnake studies Fise intensely

<wisesnake> I don't think so.

* Fise looks wisesnake over.

* Alea decides she wouldn't have even been able to do a small slam... she just doesn't have it in her to purposely hurt a channel

* wisesnake is a short, rat-faced mangy looking channel with bright shining pale eyes

<Fise> ~~ very irritated at those back in the office, but that is already fading ~~

* Fise thinks she has nice eyes but otherwise unimpressive.

* Alea motions again to Nick and Snake and then crosses back over to veraik

<Alea> I'm concerned about you, hajene

* Alea studies him

<Alea> you're augmenting too much

<wisesnake> [to Fise] Excuse us. [lingering stare]

<wisesnake> Nick!

* NickR follows Snake into Veraik's office.

* Alea seats herself by Veraik, focusing entirely on Veraik

* wisesnake enters Veraik's office, still thinking about the strange 3rd Order channel

* clerk relaxes now that Snake is gone.

* Fise walks on out the door.

* wisesnake looks over her shoulder, belatedly

<wisesnake> Who was that channel?

<Veraik> Snake? Nick?

* wisesnake looks at Veraik

<Veraik> His name is Fise. He's a Third Order, as you probably zlinned.

<wisesnake> His problem is very interesting... a motor control lag, with something else... I couldn't quite zlin it...

<Veraik> That's more that I got.

* NickR makes a mental note to ask for a translation of this diagnosis later.

<wisesnake> It would be interesting to get a deeper reading on him sometime.

<wisesnake> It was almost as if he were... a not-quite-third order channel.

<Veraik> Yes he is just border line. But he is one. [frowns]

* Alea wonders, with as bad a shape that Snake is in, how she can zlin anything near that

<Veraik> So you are here about your Donor. Correct?

* wisesnake looks at Veraik

<wisesnake> Yes.

<wisesnake> Has there been any change?

* NickR is careful to keep his support of Snake steady.

* clerk busies herself with paperwork.

<Veraik> He will be here on the 5pm train.

* NickR figures that if Veraik had a Donor, they would have been notified.

<wisesnake> Really? The 5pm train?

<Veraik> That was the earliest he could arrive with such short notice.

<wisesnake> That's great. Is he expecting me to pick him up at the station?

* wisesnake looks all excited

<Veraik> His name is... [shuffles paper]... [blinks] what? Oh, yes. if you want to.

* NickR tries to see the arrival of the new Donor as a learning opportunity. He hopes whoever it is, is a better teacher than B'cal.

* Briel finishes the paperwork that requires Veraik's signature today

* wisesnake fidgets more than ever

* Briel gathers it up, goes to the lobby and drops it on the clerk's desk

<Veraik> Ah here it is... Rafael Domingus Farris de la Fuente en Carmen ambrov Zeor.

* Briel absently goes to the window, wondering if maybe she should go for a walk

* clerk says a rather insincere "Thank you."

* Briel glances back and flushes at how rude she was

<Briel> I'm sorry. Please see that Veraik gets those, if you would.

<clerk> "Of course Hajene."

<Veraik> I believe that he likes to be called Ra..fa..el.

* NickR makes a mental note of the pronounciation, hoping to get on the man's good side.

<Veraik> He has promised to be your Donor for the next two months. Hopefully you will have Nick [looks to Nick] trained by then.

<clerk> "very good Hajene."

* Briel nods to the clerk

<Briel> thank you. I really appreciate all the work you do here. Sorry if we sometimes take you for granted.

* Fise walks along muttering to himself. "Very good Hajene. Anything you say Hajene."

<Fise> "Lying shuven lorshes."

<clerk> "Well you all do have a lot to worry about."

<clerk> "I try to do what I can."

<Briel> as you do

* Briel smiles

* Briel nods thinking she is modest

<Briel> of course

* Briel turns back to the window contemplating the dismal world outside

* wisesnake seems mystified by the Donor's name

<wisesnake> Who is he? I never heard of him. You said ambrov Zeor?

<Veraik> yes. he's from the Latin devision of the Tecton

<Veraik> And I understand that he doesn't spend that much time at Zeor.

* wisesnake has a very funny feeling about this

* NickR thinks that given his knowledge of Snake's needs and prejudices, this guy is sounding better and better.

* wisesnake isn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth either

* Veraik stands. So you are going to pick him up at the train station at 5pm. [zlins Snake]

<NickR> We will.

<wisesnake> ~~~ in bad shape but good at hiding it ~~~

<wisesnake> Yes.

* Alea shifts, having sit so long, doing the dutiful thing and keeping her attention on Veraik

* Veraik zlins Nick [zlin of hunger... need hunger]. I'm sure you will

* wisesnake 's eyes narrow

* Veraik blinks and turns to Alea. [smiles]

* NickR feels a brief but inexplicable (and very much unwanted) attraction towards Veraik.

* Alea notes Snake's action and focuses again on Veraik

* wisesnake feels a less than brief, and very unattractive, bit of jealousy

* Veraik goes hyper and zlins Alea. Takes comfort that she is there for him.

* NickR is very glad when the attraction to Veraik ceases.

* Alea decides to stand... wincing as she straightens. Reaches out and takes Veraik's arm to increase her support

* wisesnake decides Veraik's last statements were intended as a dismissal

<Veraik> Nick? Take care of Snake until Rafael gets here. [zlins Nick again, thinking what it would be like to have an untrained Farris rated Donor... almost licks lips]

* wisesnake takes Nick's arm firmly

<wisesnake> He will, I'm sure.

* wisesnake yanks Nick out the door

* Alea sees Veraik's reaction to the Donor and is surprised

* Veraik turns to Alea's pain then he encapsulates her pain from the ambient.

* wisesnake hauls Nick through the lobby and out the front door

* Veraik continues to zlin Nick as he leaves.

* Alea eyes narrow, thinking he is much closer to transfer than he is telling her

<clerk> "Goodbye Hajene."

<NickR> What was that all about?

* Veraik turns to Alea.

<wisesnake> That... that... Veraik was...

<NickR> He was doing something, I know he was.

* wisesnake sighs

* Fise has calmed down and sit down for a little something at a sidewalk cafe.

<wisesnake> Yes, he was doing something.

<Veraik> Please lie on the couch and allow me to heal your back pain.

<Alea> I'm fine, hajene

* wisesnake lets go of Nick's arm, since she was squeezing way too hard

* Alea brushes off his comment

<wisesnake> He wanted you for transfer.

<Veraik> ALEA. Lie Down.

<Alea> I wish you'd tell me, though, just how close to transfer you are

<wisesnake> Your body responded, naturally.

* NickR looks surprised.

* Alea sighs

* Alea goes over to the couch and lies down on her tummy

<NickR> when he's got a trained Farris Donor?

<wisesnake> Uh... Alea is...

* NickR concludes that channels' tastes must be even more peculiar than he'd assumed.

<Alea> you realize Nick is still untrained and couldn't satisfy you

* Veraik zlins and works at kneading the knots out of her back.

* Alea mumbles into the couch

<wisesnake> [diplomatically] Alea is pregnant. She won't be available too much longer.

* Alea wonders why she is always getting back rubs on Veraik's couch

<Alea> you don't want Nick, Veraik

* Veraik influences Alea to sleep

* Alea waits for him to agree

* NickR looks up at the reasonably clear sky.

<NickR> The weather isn't too bad today. I don't feel like just sitting around waiting for five. Why don't we go tell Miz Haskins the good news? She was very concerned about you.

* Alea guards her nager, refusing to go to sleep

<Alea> don't try it, Veraik

* wisesnake darts a strange look at Nick

<Alea> I am NOT going to go to sleep

* Veraik deepens the ambient for sleep.

* Alea rolls over and looks at him, warning him with a look

<Veraik> Ouch

<wisesnake> Go Out Territory?

<Alea> you do that, it gives me permission to give you a nageric slap

<Alea> so, what'll it be?

<Veraik> What are you doing with your nager, Alea? That hurt.

* Alea smiles and shrugs

<Veraik> oh all right.

* Alea sits up

<NickR> Since Hajene Veraik came through for you, I'd rather not have her breathing down his neck. And she would, too.

<Alea> you do not want Nick, Veraik

<Alea> He is untrained

<Veraik> [goes to desk and pulls out a PlaySime and a PlayGen... starts to compare the pictures in each]

* wisesnake 's eyes narrow...

<Veraik> [mumbles] Nick has a very interesting nager.

<wisesnake> Since when have you gotten to know Linn?

* Alea gets up and follows him

<Alea> Veraik?

<Alea> Don't ignore me

* Alea eyes narrow

<Alea> interesting nager

<Alea> what, like Fise's?

<NickR> I don't, very well. But I've run across a few teachers like her before.

<wisesnake> Ah.

<wisesnake> [uneasy]

<Veraik> Not like Fise's Not at all. Just different, interesting. I think Snake will be surprised one day.

<NickR> I've seen her face down B'cal and Veraik for you, when she thought you were in trouble. What she's done once, she'll probably do again.

<Alea> you ought to get your Donor here soon, hajene

<wisesnake> All right, all right. But let's not go out-Territory in broad daylight, and show up on the doorstep of a school, all right? I'm feeling somewhat optomistic right now and don't want to throw away my life just yet.

* Alea thinking she doesn't want Nick anywhere NEAR here from now on

<Alea> and avoid Nick

* Alea can imagine what Snake would do if Veraik decided Nick would be a good Donor and tried to convince him to join the Tecton

* Alea thinks, on second thought, she could NOT imagine

* Veraik turns the page and tries to zlin the paper of the two Sime women in transfer position with no clothes on and in a very provocotive position.

* Alea sees Veraik still staring at the magazine and sighs, disgusted.

* Alea goes to the door and leaves

<wisesnake> We can wait a little and try to catch her at Ola's.

<wisesnake> Or, better yet, on her way to or from Ola's.

* Briel goes down the hall back to her office, deciding to stay inside today until it's time for her to take donations

* NickR reflects that the delay probably won't do too much harm, since Linn is likely to visit Ola before heading for the Sime Center.

<NickR> It won't be too long before school is out.

* wisesnake chafes, bordering on entran and resisting yet more time spent not working.

* NickR is familiar enough with the symptoms of entran by now to diagnose the cause of Snake's restlessness.

<NickR> Look, after we pick up Rafael, we'll have a shift at the Post Office.

<wisesnake> Ucch! No. I can't take him there.

<wisesnake> Shen, that'll have to be rescheduled, won't it.

* wisesnake thinks

<NickR> Then I'll be with you. You need the work -- unless you want to see how good he is at entran outfunctions?

* wisesnake looks at Nick

<NickR> However, if he's going to be with us for two months, he's going to have to learn what you do sometime. Not all of it, maybe, but a good part of the actual work.

* wisesnake patience over frustration

<wisesnake> Look, as you well know I do a lot of other things and I don't think it's necessary to expose him to the worst of it right off the bat.

* Alea pushes Veraik's door closed in frustration

* Alea thinks she'll go for a walk

* Alea glances at the clerk, who is working, then around the lobby, deciding if she should sneak back in for her cloak

<NickR> He'll be tired after the journey. He won't think it anything more than simple courtesy if you give him the evening off to rest and take me along instead.

* Veraik looks at the closed door that Alea just went through and tries to imagine Alea in that position.

* Alea decides to just go for a walk through town

<NickR> You shouldn't give up work because you're afraid that Rafael might find out about it.

* Alea goes to the front door, pausing at the clerk's desk

<Alea> please tell Hajene Veraik that I'm going out for tea. I'll be back in an hour

* wisesnake looks confused and resentful, aware that Nick is manipulating her but having lost track of his original goal.

* Alea goes out, minus the coat, thinking the walk will keep her warm

<wisesnake> Of course not... but...

<NickR> If you don't want to confront him with the Post Office first thing, that's fine. Like I said, I'll be glad to help you. I've done it before.

* Alea realizes it is very chilly out so she steps up her pace

<NickR> For that matter, you've done it alone, when you had to.

* wisesnake considers

<wisesnake> True...

<wisesnake> But that was when I was pre-turnover.

* Alea goes down past the docks, walking, enjoying the freedom

* Veraik sees Alea leave the Center without her coat and he shakes his head, thinking that it is going to be a really hard month on him but that Alea is just going to have to learn that she must handle matters responsibly.

<NickR> You're not much past turnover now, and you'll be a lot less stressed knowing Rafael is waiting for you back in our apartment.

* Veraik thinks about Snake, Alea, and Fise.

* wisesnake freezes, thinking about another Donor going missing out of the place

<wisesnake> Shen, I can't let that guy out of my sight!

* Alea goes up and down the streets clearing her head

* NickR stops too, wondering what he said.

<wisesnake> It's going to be you, and then when you have to sleep, he'll start. Then in the middle of the day it'll be the both of you.

* Alea stops to buy some tea at a small tea shop and then continues down the street

* Alea wonders, as she sips, if she should try to find out just where Veraik's Donor is for this month

<wisesnake> If he disappeared like B'cal... [shudders]

* Alea wonders who she is going to be assigned to and why she hasn't been told yet, worried they haven't assigned her to anyone

* NickR idly wonders just what happened to B'cal.

<wisesnake> I know, if we make sure his sleep time doesn't overlap yours, and mine happens during his, then he'll never be awake when we're both asleep...

* wisesnake babbling

* Veraik calls the Tecton and asks if they have heard anything about B'Cal. "A ransom note?"

* Alea finishes her tea and drops the cup in a canister on the street.

<Veraik> Oh and about Alea's assignment?

<Veraik> Yes... yes... Very well then.

* Alea realizes that hasn't warmed her up any

<NickR> Snake, stop worrying about it so much. We have every reason to believe that B'cal left of her own free will. Whatever happened to her happened afterwards.

<NickR> With the new locks on the doors and windows, no one's going to be able to get in without making enough noise to wake the dead.

* Alea tucks her hands against each side and walks a bit faster

<wisesnake> yes, yes, of course.

<NickR> Here, why don't we walk towards Ola's? Miz Haskins should be heading there soon, and who knows, we might find someone who could use healing on the way.

* wisesnake tries to look externally calmer; inside performing a rapid-fire series of reschedulings to try to fit known work obligations into a theoretical new 2 Donor schedule, and

* wisesnake distracted

<wisesnake> What?

<wisesnake> sure.

* wisesnake follows Nick

* Alea wishes she had her coat... realizes she shouldn't have left without it. Suddenly realizes she hasn't sewn the border and isn't wearing anything to indicate she is a Farris

* NickR heads obliquely towards Plum Street.

* wisesnake ...into a theoretical new 2 Donor schedule, and fit all meetings and paperwork into the hours they are asleep so she is at home to watch them, and...

* Alea decides she is glad Veraik has been so distracted. Vows to go back to the Center and right up to her room and remedy the situation

* Veraik turns another page of his PlaySime thinking that he hasn't found himself a post partner for this month.

<wisesnake> Hey... there's that channel!

<wisesnake> That guy.

* wisesnake veers toward a small cafe, zlinning with insatiable curiousity

* NickR follows, glad that Snake is distracted from her worries about Rafael's safety.

* Fise is eating a pastry with some wine.

<wisesnake> What did Veraik say his... Fise! Yeah, that's it... Hello, Fise. [stops in front of him]

* Veraik goes to look for Briel, thinking that she may like to meet him afterwards.

<Veraik> [thinking that Alea, Briel, Zilla and himself in bed would be sensorship overload.]

* Briel is in her office, feet propped on her desk reading past reports

* Fise looks up. "Oh Hello. May I help you?"

* Veraik signals at Briel's office.

* wisesnake zlins Fise

* Briel gets up and answers the door

* Briel zlins Veraik

<Briel> Yes?

* Briel abruptly stops zlinning

<Veraik> Hello Briel [smile is closer to leer]

<Veraik> May I come in?

<Veraik> [looks around]

<Briel> of course, Veraik

<Fise> ~~ Calm now, wondering what Snake wants ~~

* Briel goes back over to her desk and picks up the reports on the selyn donations for the month

<Briel> how may I... have a seat

* wisesnake takes the opportunity to zlin Fise really thoroughly

* Veraik closes the door. May I? [indicates chair]

* Briel nods

* Veraik sits and contemplates.

<Veraik> [hesitates] I....

<Briel> it looks like our donations are steadily rising

* Briel turns a page in the report

* NickR has learned enough by now to get himself into a reasonable approximation of the proper spot to block the surrounding fields and give Snake a clear zlin.

* Briel glances up over the report, raising an eyebrow in inquiry

<Fise> ~~ Fise's systems are unimpressive even for a 3rd. It's not clear if he ever augments. ~~

<wisesnake> huh.

* wisesnake comes duoconscious

<wisesnake> oh.

<wisesnake> Excuse me for zlinning.

<Fise> "Do you find me interesting?"

* Veraik thinks about Briel is a lacy negligee. Oh that's good. The Tecton will be pleased.

<wisesnake> Well ah... your problem is rather interesting...

<Briel> I'm sure they'll be pleased

<Fise> ~~ he clearly doesn't use his secondary more than the absolute minimum. He makes no effort to control the ambient around him. ~~

<Briel> the Center is slowly becoming a success

<Fise> "Which problem did you mean?"

<Briel> now if we could be certain the people around here accepted the Center

* Veraik smiles. "That is going to make a few very upset."

* Briel sits down the folder and stretches

<Briel> yes, I suppose it will.

* Briel folds her hands on her desk and interlaces her tentacles

<wisesnake> Well, it looks like a combination of factors... the motor control lag is the most obvious, but... there's...

<Briel> there is always going to be a few upset

<Briel> like those who didn't want you starting this place

<Veraik> I know but I think they are slowly accepting that we are here and are willing to help.

<Briel> if you say so

<Briel> after zlinning that Hays fellow that Fise burned, I'm worried that they won't continue to come here

* Briel taps the papers with her tentacle...

<Briel> that'll tell us

<wisesnake> If I had to guess, I'd say some kind of nervous disorder is tying up your system, almost a communications problem, slowing everything way down. It might be related to the other.

* Fise 's eyes start glazing over at all this stuff. He never paid attention in class, why start now.

* wisesnake wishes she knew the technical terms for what she zlinned, forgetting that Fise probably doesn't know them either

<Veraik> Yes it will.

* wisesnake notices Fise is bored

<wisesnake> Uh... well.

<Veraik> [sits back and contemplates tentacles as he winds and unwinds them, trying to find a way to ask Briel for what he came here to ask]

* Briel nods and sits back, waiting for Veraik to get to the point of his visit

<wisesnake> I guess it's not my problem, seeing as how you're Tecton and I'm not. Thanks for putting up with my curiousity...

* NickR wishes he understood the implications of what Snake just said.

<Fise> "I'm not sure what you mean. My only problem is with the Tecton."

* Alea hurries up the road, past several shops, only wanting to get back to the Center and out of the cold

<wisesnake> What makes you think that?

<Briel> would you like some tea?

* Briel stands and goes to the tea pot across the room

<Fise> "They can't decide what to do with me. Excision, attrition or poison is what they say, but then they admit they lie to me as policy."

* Veraik zlins and his eyes follow Briel. Yes. Thanks.

* wisesnake 's eyes flicker but she makes no other comment, just looks at Fise curiously

* Briel pours two cups of tea and takes one back to Veraik

* Veraik undresses Briel with his mind. "Thank you"

<wisesnake> Well... [at last]

<wisesnake> I confess I'd be interested in hearing what you did that got you threatened with excision... I never managed to push them that far.

* Briel sips her tea

<Briel> who is giving you transfer this month

* NickR thinks that the punishments Fise mentions seem extreme, not to mention a bit imaginative for Veraik.

* wisesnake is 85% sure Fise wasn't serious, or that the person who threatened Fise wasn't serious

* Alea hurries down the street and then stops dead, seeing Snake standing there

* Alea wonders how she accidently manged to find her

* Fise gestures. "Some donor was pissed because no one told me he was there and he had to wait. Then everyone freaked out about it."

<Veraik> Simone

* Briel nods

<Briel> impressive. Just how did you manage to get him

* Briel thinks she wouldn't want him. Wouldn't even qualify for him

* Briel takes another sip of her tea

* Alea nods to Snake

<Veraik> [rubs tentacles over eyes] Simone will be passing through and needs a transfer, I'm just in the right place at the time time I guess.

* NickR suspects that Fise left out the most significant parts of the incident.

* wisesnake zlins her way through the mishmash of lie, self-deceit and omission in Fise

<Briel> I just bet Simone is thrilled with that

* wisesnake sees Alea and is surprised

<wisesnake> Hello, Alea.

* wisesnake hesitates, then goes ahead and zlins Alea

* Alea stays steady, not fearing Snake like Zilla did

* Alea reluctantly turns and nods to Fise

* wisesnake gets done and becomes thoughtful

* Fise ignores Alea.

<wisesnake> So, uh, Fise, you were saying... the Tecton threatened you with excision for being late for somebody's donation?

* Alea notes the way he ignores her and is relieved

* Alea nods to Nick

* Alea blinks at Snake's words and turns incredulous gaze on Fise

<Veraik> I'm sure. I hope I can give him the kind of transfer he deserves but frankly I'm worried.

* NickR is a bit surprised to see Alea wandering around town alone, instead of with her channel, but nods back in greeting.

<Fise> "basically, yes. They stuck a bunch of extra junk on it and bullied me into signing false vouchers too."

<Briel> I can see why

<Veraik> But at any rate, whether I can get him post or not, **I** will be post.

* Alea shakes her head in disbelief wondering if Snake would mind her slapping him now....

<Briel> of course, you will, Veraik.

* Briel chuckles

<wisesnake> hmmm...

<Briel> I just can't wait to see Simone's face though when he has to serve someone other than a Farris

<Briel> It's going to burst his ego

* Veraik laughs "Yes I think you are right."

<Veraik> And so [stretches tentacles out] I'm going to require a post partner. Any suggestions?

* Briel thinks, tapping a tentacle on her lower lip

<Briel> hmmm....

* Briel brighens

<Briel> Yes. I have the perfect idea

* Briel smiles

* NickR sees Alea's reaction, and is now sure that Fise is leaving important parts of the story out.

<Veraik> Oh and what is that?

<Briel> I think Jirelle will be great for you

<wisesnake> Well I have to confess you are much better at bringing out the worst of the Tecton than I.

<Briel> she is rather in awe of Firsts

* Veraik zlins disappointment. "Oh"

<Fise> "We all have our talents."

* Briel zlins his disappointment

<wisesnake> I've never been threatened with anything worse than attrition... unless of course you count Veraik's disappointment in me.

<Briel> well, there is Keli too

<Briel> she seems rather partial to you.

* wisesnake seems to be enjoying this conversation in a self-inflicted-damage sort of way

* Alea agrees one hundred percent with Snake's observation. Fise brings out the worst in everyone... Tecton or not

<Fise> "I must point out they they may not be serious about any or all of them, since they are liars. Indeed, they can't do all three, can they?"

* wisesnake ponders

* Alea simmers at Fise's words

* NickR is curious about just what would trigger such extreme penalties from the Tecton.

<wisesnake> Perhaps they could perform one of them with such artistry that you beg alternately for the other two?

<NickR> [to Alea, quietly] Just what did the guy do, anyway?

* Fise considers. "A definite possibility."

* Alea forces her anger aside and turns to Nick

<Alea> burned a donor during a donation

<Alea> broke off the donation and was going to let him go out furious and spread the word to everyone in this border town

* NickR is astonished.

* wisesnake looks absolutely incredulous

<Veraik> Yes I suppose either of your suggestions would do.

<wisesnake> Burned a donor?

<wisesnake> Fise did?

* Alea nods

* wisesnake is frankly amazed such a thing is even possible

<Briel> whoever

* Briel shrugs

<Briel> why are you so worried, Veraik?

<wisesnake> But....

* Veraik raises. Well I'll think about it. [zlins depressed]

<wisesnake> But could he even have helped it? With his condition...

<Veraik> What?

<Alea> evidently, he was too impatient to do the job properly

<Alea> according to others present

* Alea shoots Fise a dirty look for lying

<Briel> yes, why are you so worried.

* Briel zlins him

<Briel> you still have a few days before transfer

<Alea> he was sloppy and lazy and didn't care that he had hurt the donor

<wisesnake> It's possible he doesn't have enough control, under the circumstances.

<Veraik> I have a high level Farris Donor coming to serve me. Isn't that enough?

* JonDrake comes down looking for tea and his Channel--not necessarily in that order.

* Alea realizes her anger isn't quite under control and takes a deep breath marshaling it

<Alea> oh, please, Snake. He doesn't want control. He admitted he never wanted to be a channel.

* wisesnake darts a glance at Alea

<wisesnake> Veraik admitted he hadn't even zlinned Fise's problem.

<wisesnake> Perhaps he should be given a second chance.

* wisesnake looks at Fise

<Alea> Snake, he is still working at the Center

<Alea> why do you think he isn't

* wisesnake looks at Alea in confusion

<Alea> The only thing Veraik did was give him a temporary suspension until he can decide if Fise is going to endanger anyone else

<wisesnake> What?

* Fise has returned to his wine while they listen to Alea's lies.

<wisesnake> Where do excision, etc. fit in?

* Alea sighs

<Briel> my point exactly... you have a good Donor... why are you worrying about after

<Alea> Briel was um... upset, from what she told Veraik.

<Alea> She was thinking how the town would react if word got out that the Center was burning donors

<Alea> she told him that the town would excise their laterals, thus, putting a stop to it -- or something like that

* wisesnake smiles at Alea's words

<wisesnake> Briel.

<Alea> then she threatened him, that because the town would come after ALL of them, not just him, that she would gladly, um, excise his laterals for him if he burned another Gen

* Veraik goes to the door.

<Alea> yes, Briel. You know how certain things overly irritate her..

* Briel stands

<Briel> Veraik

<Veraik> I'll be fine. Really.

<Veraik> What?

* NickR is relieved to discover that the Tecton isn't so far gone that it's murdering channels for being late.

<Briel> if you want to talk....

* Briel zlins him, concerned

* Veraik encloses nager so Briel can't zlin him.

* Briel is surprised at Veraik's actions

<Briel> I'm here if you want someone to listen.

* Briel studies him.

* Veraik waves a tentacle and disappears in a flash of augmentation.

* Alea shoots another exasparated look at Fise

* Briel shakes her head at his augmentation

* clerk jumps back holding Briel's paperwork for Veraik.

* Alea 's nose is turning red from cold

<wisesnake> Fise... you should ask Veraik to look into your problem. Not your Tecton problem, the one I told you about. It might help you relate to yourself, and others, a little better.

* wisesnake pulls off her cloak and offers it to Alea

* Alea thinks the only problem with Fise is that he is a self-centered, egotistical jerk who only cares about himself and no one else... but she doesn't say so

* Alea shakes her head

<Alea> no, I'm on my way back to the Center

* Alea tucks her hands further under her arms

* NaztRafe gets off the train and looks around.

* Fise looks at Snake. ~~ Do I really look that stupid? ~~

<wisesnake> ~~ oh yeah ~~

<wisesnake> Oh, come on. You're making all the poor Simes freeze.

* Alea smiles her thanks to Snake... sincerely

* Alea reluctantly takes it

<Alea> thank you, hajene

* Alea to Snake

* wisesnake smiles back at Alea, about as sincerely as one ever sees Snake smile

* Tarsh gets off the Train looking depressed.

* NaztRafe takes his bag and starts to walk in the direction of the Sime Center thinking it was a good thing that he memorized the map before coming here.

* Alea wraps the cloak around her grateful for how warm it is

* NickR looks into the tea shop and sees the clock.

<NickR> Snake, if we're going to meet Rafael, we'd better hurry.

* Alea takes that as her cue to leave

* Tarsh zlins that NR is likely a Donor and goes up to walk next to him. "Looking for the Sime Center?"

<Alea> she slips off the cloak and offers it back to Snake

* NaztRafe shifts the bag in his hand. [bur the weather is getting colder]

* wisesnake looks confused

<wisesnake> What do you mean? It's not quite three.

* NaztRafe stops. "¿Que?"

* NaztRafe grins. "¿Quien es usted?"

* wisesnake thinks this is Nick's way of trying to hurry the conversation along

<Tarsh> "You're a Donor, aren't you? Are you looking for the Sime Center? I can show you the way."

<wisesnake> Well... okay...

<NaztRafe> Donor? [nods] Si, Senor

<NickR> I know. But they rearranged the train schedules this week. Didn't you read the papers?

* wisesnake accepts the cloak back from Alea

<wisesnake> The papers? Of course not!

<Alea> thank you, again, Snake

* NaztRafe walks on.

* wisesnake nods at Alea

<wisesnake> What is this about the train schedule?

<NickR> Well, the five o'clock is now the three o'clock, and it sometimes arrives early.

* Alea sticks her hands back under her arms and hurries off

* wisesnake slightly panicky

* Tarsh shrugs and follows along.

<NickR> We'll get there in time. Come on.

<wisesnake> You mean when Veraik said Rafael was arriving on the 5pm train he meant slightly before 3pm????

* Tarsh shifts his duffle to his other shoulder.

<NickR> Well, since there isn't a 5 pm train any more, I have to assume so.

* Veraik goes to his office, wondering when Alea will return.

* wisesnake follows NickR, zlinning him anxiously for signs of deceit... nothing

<wisesnake> shen

<wisesnake> this is crazy

<wisesnake> you're giving me a heart attack, Nick

* Alea hurries down the street to the Center

* NaztRafe looks at the renSime. "¿Estas bien?"

<NickR> I thought you knew. It's not only been in the papers, but two copies of the new schedule showed up in the mail. Twice.

* Tarsh considers trying to speak Simelan VERY LOUD, but decides not to.

<NickR> You used one of them as a coaster for your tea this morning.

* wisesnake clutches her hair briefly in her fists and tentacles, then releases it looking even more tattered than before

* Tarsh has an idea and pulls out his wallet.

<NaztRafe> ¿Aqui esta? ¿Es cierto? El Centro de los Simes. ¿Si?

<wisesnake> I don't have time to memorize every train schedule that comes out.

* JonDrake moves up the corridor to see if Briel's around.

* Tarsh shows Rafe his Tecton ID.

<wisesnake> That's what I keep the schedule around for, is so I can look things up.

* Briel rubs a tentacle at the back of her neck to relieve tension

* NickR makes a mental note to compensate for Snake's singlemindedness when underworked.

* Briel is beginning to think that Veraik is purposely causing problems for his system

* NaztRafe looks and nods. "Ahh..Si Si Estas del Tecton. Muy bien."

<Tarsh> "Si! Cetros of los Simes. *I*" [points to self] "*TAKE* *YOU* " [points to Rafe] "*THERE*" [points toward SC]

* wisesnake zlins

* NaztRafe nods. "si. si. Simes. Me gusto mucho."

<wisesnake> Look - [points at train crawling away among the hills in the distance]

<wisesnake> It's come and long gone!

* NickR spots Tarsh talking to a stranger as they enter the station.

* Briel sighs and files the reports, gathering the ones the clerk will file in her own files

* Tarsh is sure he didn't just hear Rafe say he likes to eat Simes.

* wisesnake zlins the person Tarsh is talking to

<NickR> That's early, even for a train.

* JonDrake decides to check Briel's office.

* NaztRafe turns back to see who just zlinned him.

* Alea goes on down the street and sees the Sime Center up ahead... thinks she'll not leave again without her coat. It's going to take her hours to warm up

<wisesnake> Oh, I'm a nervous wreck. The guy is going to have a field day.

<Tarsh> "Si. SIMES. Transfer." [holds arms out in transfer position]

* wisesnake steels herself to receive nagging, and advances cautiously

* NickR projects calmness.

* Briel slaps the folder closed, Veraik's problem on her mind

* wisesnake feels a litle more calm as she approaches the two

* NaztRafe nods a big nod "Si Si Me gosto mucho"

* JonDrake signals at Briel's door.

* NickR assumes, from Snake's reaction, that the stranger is Rafael.

<Briel> why the shenned is he doing this to himself

* Briel glances up

<Briel> come

* wisesnake darts a glance at Tarsh, then studies Rafael

* JonDrake enters...

* Briel smiles in relief

<Briel> Jon

<JonDrake> You look stressed. Anything wrong?

* Tarsh notices Snake. "Snake! Do you speak this Genlan?"

* JonDrake moves over beside her.

<Briel> glad you're here

<wisesnake> Hello. [to Rafael] Are you Rafe ambrov Zeor?

* JonDrake steps behind her and attempts to massage the tension from her shoulders.

* NaztRafe of South American decent. Olive skin, black hair, perfect skin. Tall and Skinny for a Gen but is filled out. His body language is male, latin, gorgeous, and sexy.

* Briel is surprised, but allows it

<Briel> thank you, Jon

<JonDrake> Just relax...

<JonDrake> I'm here for you.

<Briel> it's Veraik

* Briel sinks down into her chair

* NaztRafe nager says that he is ready for transfer and is safe, delicious, and desireable.

<JonDrake> What happened?

* NickR looks at Rafe and wonders why some guys get it all.

<Briel> he is doing crazy things

<Briel> that channel is going to make me pull out every last hair on my head

* JonDrake thinks wryly "So what else is new?"

* Briel reluctantly relaxes under Jon's ministrations

<JonDrake> No, that wouldn't be good...

* JonDrake continues to massage...

<NaztRafe> Me nombre is Rafael Domingus Farris del Carmen ambrov Zeor.

* wisesnake blinks

<JonDrake> You need to try and take it easy, you're only a couple of days from Turnover, right?

<Briel> yes, yes

* Tarsh tries to figure out how much of that is his real name.

<NaztRafe> Es usted Senorita Culebra?

* Briel waves a tentacle helplessly

<wisesnake> Snake.

<NaztRafe> ===NOTE: Culebra means Snake===

<Briel> no, Veraik is doing strange things... he's augmenting when he shouldn't.

<wisesnake> === note: Snake isn't "senorita" anything. ===

* Veraik wishes that Alea was back in his office and near him.

<Briel> He came to me asking questions about his post like he was nervous...

<Briel> but he's got a good partner... one that overmatches him.

<Briel> I just don't know

<NaztRafe> Es.sssssnauuuuk

* Alea hurries up the steps of the Center and rushes inside

* wisesnake eyes Rafe nervously

<JonDrake> Do you think he's trying to cut himself closer to get the most from his Donor?

* Alea leans agains the door in relief, trying to soak in the warmth of the Center. She ignores the curious look of the clerk

* Briel shakes her head

<JonDrake> Just a thought.

<Briel> that crazy nut, Alea?

<Briel> he'd be a fool if he did

<JonDrake> He's got Alea this month?

* NickR thinks that Rafe's pronounciation sounds amazingly like a cross between an angry kitty and a hungry hog.

* Briel shakes her head

<Briel> no, you're right. He's got Simone

<Briel> see what I mean. Veraik's actions are going to drive me to drink

<JonDrake> I've heard that he's good at his job...

* Alea goes to Veraik's door, hoping to slip in... that he's still reading his magazine

<wisesnake> Maybe you'd better stick to "hey you"

* wisesnake laughs, trying to hide her nervousness at the strange beginning

* NaztRafe points to Snake... esSnaaaaaack. ¿es bueno? ¿Si?

<JonDrake> Just close your eyes and relax.

<JonDrake> Would you like some tea?

* Veraik zlins Alea.

<Veraik> You're frozen Alea.

* Briel does as Jon asks

* wisesnake flicks a hand nervously

<wisesnake> Si... whatever

* Alea just a bit cold

* Alea smiles, thinking darn, he's not still reading

<Veraik> [Gets a blanket and wraps it around her] I'll get you a fosebine and a tea to warm you up.

<Alea> I just, um, went out for a quick walk

<Alea> Snake gave me her cloak

<Alea> But I gave it back before I came back

* Veraik mixes a double fosebine and gives it to Alea. Drink it.

* JonDrake lets his fields extend through Briel, relaxing and supporting her.

* Alea waits until Veraik's back is turned and dumps it in a plant

<Alea> I'm fine really

<Veraik> Snake? Oh.

* Alea nods

* Veraik zlins and mixes her another.

<Alea> yes

* Tarsh asks Snake "Is he your Donor this month, then?"

* Veraik waits patiently until she drinks it.

* Alea sighs that I didn't get away with it

<wisesnake> I.. yes.

* Alea drinks it

<Briel> thank you, Jon

<Briel> I'm fine now

* JonDrake slowly eases off.

<JonDrake> Sure?

<Briel> Veraik has been acting strange for a week now. He has me worried

<JonDrake> Good.

* Veraik zlins Alea for problems

* wisesnake feels painfully isolated by the fact that the guy doesn't speak anything she knows and has made no attempt to engage her field.

* JonDrake sits down beside Briel.

<JonDrake> We've seen so little of him.

<Briel> I think it maybe be that his Donor isn't here yet and he's with... well, it's been two and a half months almost that he's had to be in close contact with Alea. I imagine he's worried his Donor isn't going to make it on time

* Alea guards her field

<Alea> I'm fine, hajene

* wisesnake tries to avoid falling back too much on Nick, to avoid insulting the new Donor

<NaztRafe> "Usted es Senorita esssnnnnnaaaack. ¿Correcto or no?

<JonDrake> It's hard to tell what's going on inside him.

* NickR sees Snake's distress and edges slightly closer, just in case.

<wisesnake> Mi nombre es Snake.

* Veraik zlins Alea then goes to wrap the blanket tight. "You'll be fine."

<Briel> Normally it's not

* wisesnake painfully patient; only one "Snake" instead of shreiking it several times

<NaztRafe> Ahhh que bueno

<Briel> I've known Veraik awhile

<Briel> and I don't know what he's up to

* NaztRafe unleashes a power nager, full of promise for a truly spectacular transfer.

<JonDrake> Have you tried talking to him?

* Briel snorts

<Briel> you try to talk to that channel when he doesn't want to talk

* NickR feels Snake suddenly stop leaning on him, and blinks at the sudden desertion.

<Briel> he simply stares for a moment then augments away

* wisesnake flinches, then stands steady

<Briel> enough to make anyone a nervous wreck

<Briel> of course, he didn't used to be that way

<JonDrake> It sounds like he really needs a good Donor.

* Veraik hands Alea her tea with an extra herb in it to help prevent illness.

* Alea takes a small sip and smiles

* Alea the taste makes her stomach suddenly turn and she jumps up and dashes for the bathroom

<Briel> yeah...

* JonDrake hopes he's being a good Donor to Briel.

* Veraik sighs. [forgot that she was a Farris] I'm sorry Alea. I forgot that you were allergic to that herb. Please forgive me.

* wisesnake makes a mental note to ask the guy to take it easy on the sudden transitions... someday when she can communicate at a level above cave man speech

<Briel> although he was post after Alea last time

* Briel truly wonders how that Donor can keep her mind on anything long enough to give transfer

* Alea comes out of the bathroom, shaking, smiling weakly

<JonDrake> I've heard that Alea is trying to clean up her act.

<NaztRafe> ¿A Donde vas, Senorita Culebr... Essnake?

* Briel shrugs

<Briel> whatever.

<Briel> As long as I'm not stuck with her

<Veraik> Well I guess you got rid of any bugs you may have had.

<wisesnake> NOSOTROS vamos al um, mi casa

<Briel> I'm just worried that it's affecting Veraik

<wisesnake> a la mi casa?

<Veraik> Are you up to some food now to replace what you just got rid of?

* JonDrake radiates ~I'm here for you~

* wisesnake tries to think of where she picked this stuff up... probably the street as a little kid

* Alea studies him warily, thinking if he made a mistake with the tea

<Alea> no

* NickR is glad that Snake seems to have a few words of Rafe's language.

<Alea> I'm not hungry.

<NaztRafe> Su casa? Que bueno que bueno Vamos?

<NaztRafe> Pero Quien es el?

<NaztRafe> [points to Nick]

<wisesnake> el?

<wisesnake> [points at nick]

<Veraik> Veraik zlins Alea.

* NickR assumes the guy is asking for an introduction.

<NickR> I'm Nick Reckage.

<Veraik> Are you sick? You're always hungry?

<Briel> how are you lessons with Hajene Veraik coming along

* Alea shrugs, hoping her stomach doesn't choose that moment to grumble

<Alea> I'm fine

<Alea> did you have donations to do, or are you off right now?

* Alea is certain he was scheduled soon

<JonDrake> We've been able to work in some work. I think I'm learning more everyday.

<wisesnake> El um, estudiar a Donor... uh

* wisesnake realizes she never learned any words having to do with teaching or schools... figures

<NaztRafe> Nick...ah [nods head] Nicholas Soy Rafael.

<NaztRafe> Con mucho gusto.

<NickR> Not Nicholas. Just Nick.

<Briel> good to hear

<JonDrake> You don't have to worry about me, I assure you.

<NaztRafe> Neek OK [proud that he said a good word]

<Briel> I'm not worried

* Briel looks over at him surprised

* Briel zlins him

<Briel> Jon, come over here and sit down

<Veraik> Donations? Oh I finished them when you were out [thinks its a good thing she doesn't zlin]

* Briel goes over to the sofa

* Alea was certain they weren't scheduled for them... she studies him, wondering if he is lying to her again

* JonDrake sits down.

<Alea> let me just go check the board

* Alea gets up and goes to the door

<NaztRafe> [looks around] Vamos

<Briel> I'm sorry if we had a problem last transfer

* wisesnake realizes Nick will not be deprived of any conversation by the appearance of the new Donor... sighs

<Briel> what we did was wrong and that's what caused the problem.

<wisesnake> Ok, vamos

<Veraik> [Veraik has faked the charts]

* NaztRafe goes with Snake.

* NickR sees that Rafe is ready to go, and leads the way out of the train station.

* JonDrake nods...

* wisesnake follows

<Briel> I tend to react to overeagerness and sharp emotions a bit more intensely than some, simply because... well, I've been overprotected at my house after my disjunciton

* NickR selects a somewhat roundabout route to their apartment, avoiding the worst of the slums.

* wisesnake realizes what Nick is doing and grins to herself

* NickR hopes that Snake appreciates the trouble he's going to to make Rafe think they're respectable.

* Alea goes out to the board

* NaztRafe looks around as he follows. [attention firmly in place for Snake.]

* Alea sees that Veraik evidently changed places with someone and frowns, wondering why he would do that when she was gone

* Alea thinks he is purposely trying to avoid working with her

<JonDrake> Was it difficult for you?

* Briel stares at Jon

<Briel> what do you think?

* NickR sees the block of stores behind their apartment, and decides to go around rather than take his usual shortcut through the alley.

* Alea frowning, goes back into the office

* wisesnake hesitates, then follows

<alley> ~~great pain, slightly muted by hypothermia, from the alley~~

* Veraik is working on papers when Alea returns.

* wisesnake hesitates, then slows

<wisesnake> Wait...

* NickR stops.

* wisesnake turns back toward the alley, zlinning cautiously

<Alea> okay, Veraik, what's up?

* NaztRafe follows Snake without a word.

<alley> ~~the nager seems familiar~~

* wisesnake enters the alley, zlinning for the injured person and anybody else who might be there

<JonDrake> I guess I have a hard time really understanding.

<Alea> why are you avoiding working with me?

<Veraik> [Still looking at paperwork] "What do you mean. 'What is up?'"

<Briel> you will never have to know

<alley> ~~there is no one present but a crumpled, pretty much unconscious Gen~~

* Briel says it heartfeltly

* wisesnake goes to the Gen

<Veraik> I'm not avoiding you Alea. I am always working with you.

<Alea> it's obvious you waited until I left and then rushed out there to work without me

<Linn> ~~It's Linn, badly beaten~~

<wisesnake> shen!

<wisesnake> [alarm turns into fear]

* NaztRafe supports Snake.

* JonDrake offers empathy.

<Veraik> Alea, you left.

* Briel closes herself off from the empathy

<Alea> yes, and we weren't scheduled for those donations for a few more minutes either

<Veraik> How can I work with you if you are not present?

* NickR remembers the scolding Snake gave him for interfering with B'cal, and stays back.

* wisesnake zlins Linn's injuries

<Alea> nice try, hajene

<Alea> but when you go work BEFORE you are scheduled, then I'd say you were purposely avoiding me

<Veraik> Why won't you ever believe me, Alea?

<Veraik> Is it all about you?

* Alea stiffens

<Alea> of course not, hajene

<JonDrake> Well, the important thing is the future, right?

<Veraik> I was not avoiding you.

<Alea> if you say so

* Alea guards her field against Veraik zlinning

<Veraik> In fact, I like to work with you.

<JonDrake> We've both come from dea.. difficult times, but we're going to make it work.

* Alea goes over and sits down in the chair, nodding curtly, knowing he is lying to her about something

<Briel> I already have, Jon.

<Briel> I'm disjunct.

<Briel> And working here is only temporary

* JonDrake feels suddenly alone.

* Veraik adjusts nager so Alea doesn't feel the slight amount of entran he has built up.

* JonDrake relaxes and focusses again.

* Briel reacts to Jon's actions and sighs

<Briel> I didn't mean it like that. I'll be here for transfer with you... at least two times

* Briel smiles

* JonDrake smiles back, relaxing.

* wisesnake comes back duoconscious

<JonDrake> So, what do we have on our plate today?

<Briel> no more than two, though, you realize. We don't want to build up a dependency

<wisesnake> She's been badly beaten, and exposure's gotten to her too. She can be moved... let's get her inside where it's warm.

* JonDrake nods, with a little understanding.

<Briel> I'm scheduled for two transfers, a round of donations... and then some other minor things

* Garon` stops and looks down the alley.

* NickR nods and prepares to help Snake lift Linn.

* wisesnake zlins Garon at the end of the alley

<wisesnake> Hey!

<wisesnake> Garon...

* NaztRafe moves in concert with Snake, always sensing the right place to be.

<Garon`> "hi Snake!"

* Garon` comes over "how are you -" [stops and zlins]

* Alea sits, wondering why Veraik insists she stay here when he has no need of her in this insulated room... when he won't talk to her... when he is lying to her. She decides to make that call later to the Tecton about his Donor

<wisesnake> Yeah. Do you know what happened here?

<Garon`> "what happened?"

* wisesnake zlins to determine whether Garon is genuinely ignorant or just playing stupid

<Garon`> ~~ just a bit confused ~~

* Veraik goes to Alea. Thank you for being here.

* Alea smiles tightly

<Alea> of course, hajene

<Garon`> "I saw a bunch of guys running off zlinning furtive a while ago."

<wisesnake> Yeah? Who?

<wisesnake> Nick, Rafe, please take Linn inside. I'll be in shortly.

<Garon`> "Didn't recognise any, but they were dressed like out-t Gens. all Gens, by the way."

* NickR motions for Rafe to help him carry Linn.

* Alea stands

<Alea> if you'll excuse me, Veraik

<Alea> I should go change into something warmer

* NaztRafe takes Linn's head and shoulders.

* Linn moans as the movement jostles her inuries.

<wisesnake> Is that so. Would you recognize them if you zlinned them again?

<Garon`> "some woman I didn't know seemed to be leading."

* Alea slips out of the room

<Veraik> yes I'm sure you would feel better afterwards.

<wisesnake> Oh yeah, did she zlin like this? [imitates Forrest's daughter's field]

* NickR takes Linn's legs, and leads the way towards the apartment -- back door, this time.

* Alea goes upstairs and changes into one of the warm woolen outfits she bought thinking she isn't going back down there right now

<Garon`> "yeah I thinks so. They saw me and they all spiked a little fear.'

<Garon`> "Yeah, kinda like that. But real mean."

<wisesnake> How long ago was this, anyway?

* Garon` zlins Linn. "hey is that that nice friend of yours?"

<wisesnake> Never you mind that. How long ago was this?

* NickR fumbles to unlock the back door without dropping Linn.

* NaztRafe follows Nick into an apartment.

<Garon`> "96 minutes"

<wisesnake> shen

* Alea grabs her cloak and decides to go walking again...anything to avoid the tension with Veraik

* NickR leads the way to the guest bedroom, where they had origianlly planned to put Rafe.

* Tarsh comes walking down the street towards the Center.

<wisesnake> I never thought I'd hear myself say this about someone who lived in Gen Territory but... I'm gonna have to do something about that woman.

* NaztRafe helps Nick place her on the bed

* Alea wraps her cloak around her and heads out the door

<wisesnake> Thanks Garon, I owe you one. Now I have to go...

* Garon` sucks air through his teeth. "Leaning on someone out-t? You watch yourself. They got their own rules over there."

* Alea decides to go to the park... a favorite place of hers

<Garon`> "Ok. I'll see you. Hope your friend gets better."

<wisesnake> Yeah. Thanks.

* wisesnake stares after Garon

* wisesnake turns and hurries to the apartment and enters, locking the door behind her

* Tarsh comes up to the door, looking at the ground.

* Briel goes over and picks up some books

<Briel> I want you to study these, Jon

* NaztRafe goes to his Channel and blankets his nager over Snake.

* JonDrake looks them over.

<Briel> these should help you for the next session with Hajene veraik

* wisesnake accepts Rafe's support and goes to zlin the injured Linn

* wisesnake tries to focus on Linn instead of anger at what was done to her; draws on Rafe's strength, banishes personal emotion.

* NickR decides that the best thing he can do is find Snake's medical kit, such as it is.

* NaztRafe is always in the right spot for Snake. Support, helping, and silent.

<Alea> Tarsh!

* Alea stops on the steps, smiling

* Alea 's smile fades as she notes the dejected set of Tarsh's shoulders

* Tarsh looks up. "Hi Alea."

<Tarsh> "I'm back."

* Alea nods

<Alea> I can see that

* Alea moves forward, concerned

<Alea> how did everything go?

<Tarsh> "None of them would listen."

* Alea slips her arm through Tarsh's and squeezes

<Alea> I'm sorry

* wisesnake takes Linn in a full transfer position and loses awareness of everything else, drawing her consciousness down into the core of Linn's physical being

* Alea pushes the door open

<Alea> let's get in out of the cold

<Tarsh> "And things aren't going well. The usual shortage."

<Tarsh> "Ok."

* NickR finds the bag and digs out all the bandages, some soft cloths, a jar of pre-mixed fosebine, and other possibly useful (and legal) portions of its contents.

<Alea> oh

* Linn stirs, arms twitching vaguely.

* Alea frowns

* Alea goes inside

* clerk greets Tarsh.

* Tarsh comes in and returns clerk's greeting

<Tarsh> "How has this place been running without me?"

* NickR brings the supplies to Snake, trying to remember what he's learned about not disturbing the ambient, and sets them down by the bed.

* Alea looks at clerk, waiting for her to answer

<clerk> "Pretty good, except for the double voucher yesterday."

* JonDrake looks up from leafing through the book.

<JonDrake> Thank you. Very much.

* Briel staring out the window

* JonDrake smiles.

* Briel nods

<Briel> of course

* wisesnake , in healing mode, gives some attention to each of the most serious injuries, to ease the pain and stop the loss of strength

* Briel smiles back

<Alea> I have some papers in my office that you should sign, Tarsh. I was going to bring them down to you later

<Alea> IT's the papers concering your promotion

* Tarsh "Tell me about it tomorrow, OK?"

* clerk nods in agreement.

* Tarsh turns back to Alea. "Really? Ok. Let's go see 'em."

* Alea leads the way to her office, going inside

<Alea> I've stopped locking the door..that way I don't have to worry baout having a key

* Linn responds to Snake's projection, throwing off the chill and fighting towards full consciousness.

* Alea smiles

* Tarsh comes in.

* Alea goes over to her desk and rumagages through the papers, finding the forms

<Alea> just the regular paper work

* Alea motions for him to have a seat

* NickR sees the dirt ground into Linn's bruised face and fetches a basin of warm water from the kitchen.

* Tarsh reflects that he might as well have skimmed the Locksmith money for all the good that did.

* Tarsh sits down.

* Alea gets a pen and holds it and the papers out to Tarsh

* Alea continues to study Tarsh, concerned

* Tarsh takes the papers in his hand and the pen in a tentacle.

* wisesnake concentrates upon Linn's general health, going deep within to gather the individual threads of cause and effect and reweave the breaks, heal the body's systems to help Linn heal herself

<Alea> you know, Tarsh....

* Alea hesitates, wondering if she should bring it up or wait...deciding it'd be better to hear it from her

* Tarsh looks up from reading the papers. "hmm?"

<Alea> I don't think your friends have anything to worry about from here

* Linn 's eyes open, somewhat glazed as she tries to figure out where she is and what's happened to her.

* Alea takes the chair next to him

* JonDrake looks out of the window to see what Briel is looking at.

<Alea> Veraik was talking to me today about your condition.

<Alea> He thinks he can help you...without anyone else ever finding out.

* JonDrake looks back to Briel.

* Tarsh looks worried. "What does he know?"

* Briel shrugs

<Briel> I like the winter

* Alea tries to soothe him

* wisesnake comes duoconscious and pulls away as Linn comes conscious; knowing the Gen would want to give permission for any more.

<JonDrake> Oh?

<Alea> evidently Snake told him everything

* clerk looks angry.

* clerk tries to get the figures to add up right.

<JonDrake> Want to go get some tea before doing donations?

* Linn finally manages to get her eyes focused.

<Linn> Snake?

<Tarsh> [worried] "Everything?"

* Alea blinks at Tarsh's worry

<Alea> yes, everything

<Alea> But he understands

* Alea reaches out and touches Tarsh's hand, unconsciously projecting a soothing nager

* Linn winces as the movement of speech hurts her bruised face.

<Alea> you forget, Veraik has been working in Centers for over ten years now

<Alea> He's faced this problem before

<JonDrake> Briel?

<Tarsh> "How many proto Distect has he stepped on then?"

<Briel> hmmm?

<Alea> I don't understand, Tarsh.

* Alea wary

<Tarsh> "he's broken up rings like this before then?"

<Alea> I - I don't know

<wisesnake> It's all right, Linn [soothing]

* Linn lifts a hand to her face, trying to remember why she thought she was tied up a moment ago.

<wisesnake> You ran into some trouble. We found you outside, in the alley.

<Alea> I mean, he has helped people who have had Gen dependencies, like yours

<Tarsh> "how often does it work?"

* Alea pulls back, unsure

<Alea> well, from what Veraik says, he's never lost one he's helped

<Linn> I was going to see Alice at Ola's, and then...

* Linn tries to remember past the confusion.

* Briel glances over at Jon

<Alea> if the person wants to break the cycle, Veraik says he has been able to help them

* wisesnake continues to project Need to encourage Linn's body to heal

<Alea> and he doesn't send them off to camps, like you've heard

<Linn> I think there were four of them. Three men and a woman. They wore masks so I couldn't identify them.

<JonDrake> Let's go get some tea or something before taking care of donations.

* Briel nods

<Briel> good idea

* Briel stands, stretching again

<wisesnake> The woman was Forrest's daughter, most likely...

<Briel> lead the way

* JonDrake opens the door.

<Linn> Forrest's daughter?

* JonDrake leads Briel down the hall.

<Linn> What makes you think that?

<wisesnake> Somebody I know saw them run away and thinks he recognized her nager from a similar one I projected.

* Briel is amused by Jon's actions but doesn't comment

<Tarsh> "I still don't know. I don't see what could help..."

* Alea sighs

<wisesnake> This guy... he is not exactly trustworthy, but he does love to spill the truth when he knows it.

<Alea> you won't even try... maybe just talk to him?

* Alea suddenly realizes what she is doing with her field and slowly flattens it

<Tarsh> "Well, maybe."

* Alea nods

<Alea> I think he'll help Tarsh

<Tarsh> "I hope so."

<Alea> I don't think he'll be antagonistic when it comes to this

<wisesnake> Come to think of it, I should have told him who I thought it was... he'd have Forrest's and his daughter's names spread all over Bender Cove by sunrise

* Alea wonders why she thinks that since he has been so far but doesn't say that

<Tarsh> "that will be a change."

* Alea chuckles

<JonDrake> I think it's time you had a little snack.

<Linn> Oh. [doubtfully] Well, that would explain a lot. They said they wanted me to stop teaching my classes, or having any association with the Sime Center. They said they would track me down if I didn't obey, and they said they knew where I live. They did, too: they told me.

<JonDrake> Sit down.

<Briel> is that all you Donors ever think about, is food

<wisesnake> Where did they grab you? Right back here? In this alley?

<Alea> well, yeah, you're right.

<Alea> But when it comes to the wellfare of the Center, Veraik will probably consider you a vital part and want you better

<Linn> I was passing by the mouth of the alley, and they came up behind me and hustled me out of sight before I knew what was happening.

<JonDrake> Well... not _all_ the time.

<Tarsh> "plenty of papershufflers around."

<wisesnake> This alley?

<Alea> yeah, but you're the only one who is making a profit for us

* Linn starts to shiver as she warms up enough.

* Alea refers to the stamps

* Briel zlins Jon and thinks he and Veraik are too much alike in some ways

<Alea> though he probably doesn't realize how it's happening

* Linn looks around.

<Alea> well, it doesn't matter

<Linn> If this is your place, it was the alley behind here.

* Tarsh is uncomfortable talking about profits and who is getting them.

<Alea> talk to him, if he can't help you, we'll find another way

* wisesnake tucks the blankets more tightly around Linn, frowning and thinking grim thoughts about Linn's connection to her

<Tarsh> "All right.

* Alea is ont sure if she is happy or not... if it gives him a chance at help though

<Alea> great

* Linn

* Linn 's shivering grows worse, aggravating her bruised ribs.

* JonDrake is digging in the fridge...

<Alea> why don't you go on to your office...

<JonDrake> You know.....

<Alea> I'll line up something with Veraik

<Alea> is that okay?

<Tarsh> "Let's put that off till tomorrow, OK?"

* Alea reaches out and takes his hand again, concerned

<Tarsh> "Yeah.

<Alea> fine

<JonDrake> one of these days I'm going to have to take a trip to a Gen restauant.

<Briel> why?

* Briel looks surprised

* Alea stands

<wisesnake> Linn... would you let me help you?

<JonDrake> Don't get me wrong, but there are times I really crave meat.

* Tarsh waves the papers. "I'll get these back to you."

<Alea> great

* Tarsh gets up and gives Alea a quick hug.

<clerk> "later."

* clerk goes to the door.

* Alea hugs him back, hoping she is doing the right thing by convincing Tarsh to talk to Veraik

<Alea> yeah

* Alea nods

<JonDrake> Any preferences this afternoon? I have to admit, I'm getting a little tired of cheese and fruit.

<Tarsh> "I'll see you." [heads out the door.]

<Briel> I'm not hungry...

<JonDrake> Uh huh... of course...

<JonDrake> I know. Salad sounds good.

* Linn looks at Snake, decides that tentacles are warm as well as scary, and that her current assortment of bruises is no fun, and nods.

* Alea sinks back down in her chair, praying she hasn't made a mistake

<Linn> All right.

<Alea> Veraik, so help me... don't screw this up.

<Briel> if you say so

* Briel walks with Jon to look over the salad

* JonDrake pulls out various vegetables, the best he can manage in winter...

* Briel eyes perk up and she lifts a piece of lettuce, nibbling on it

<JonDrake> Would you like to cut the radishes?

* Briel sees some kale and pulls that out too

* Briel wrinkles her nose

<Briel> I can't eat radishes

* wisesnake goes into healing mode once again, concentrates on bringing Linn's system back into balance and helping the worst injuries as best she can.

<JonDrake> Oh. Ok. No radishes. Thank you.

* JonDrake puts the radishes back.

<Briel> well, I can eat them but I break out in hives and swell up

* Briel shrugs

<Briel> your choice.

<Briel> If you want to learn about healing a channel we can try it

<JonDrake> Yuck. No. No radishes. I'm glad you told me.

* JonDrake laughs!

<JonDrake> Maybe later.

<JonDrake> Anything else I should know about here?

* Briel finds some more vegetables and quickly sets about slicing them

<Briel> certain types of tea I don't particuarly like... but I'm not allergic

<Briel> however, I do have a couple of other things... no big deal... I'll let you know if I run across one of them

<Briel> I'm not a Farris, after all, so you don't have that many worries

<JonDrake> Ok.

* Briel fixes one large salad and a smaller salad before tossing everything back into the fridge

* Briel takes the small bowl and goes to a table

* JonDrake takes the larger bowl and joins her.

<JonDrake> Hot tea? Iced water?

* Briel doesn't add anything to it, but picks out different pieces popping them into her mouth

<JonDrake> Iced Tea?

<Briel> water, please

* Briel shudders

<Briel> ICED tea

<Briel> must be an out Territory thing

* JonDrake nods.

<JonDrake> It's especially good in the summer.

* Briel wonders who would dare ruin their tea by making it cold

<Briel> if you say so

<JonDrake> That and lemonade.

* Briel clearly does not believe it

* wisesnake first holds her laterals over linn's outer wounds, projecting Need to spur healing, and then takes Linn in a full transfer position to encourage her entire body to work for improvement.

<Briel> oh, well, there's another thing i can't have...lemons

* JonDrake gets a couple of waters and choses a nice dressing.

* JonDrake frowns

* Alea finally rises and decides to go for that walk, planning to talk to Veraik later....

<JonDrake> I guess that gets rid of iced tea with a slice of lemon...

* Alea goes back out the door, down the steps and out to the park

* Briel grins sheepishly

* JonDrake sits down.

<Briel> sorry, I'm not really allergic to lemons.

* JonDrake smiles in victory.

<Briel> I just said that

<JonDrake> Hah! Trying to pull one over on me eh?

* Briel sheepish grin is replaced by a smile

<Briel> fraid so

* Linn had closed her eyes to avoid the sight of Snake's laterals, so she is not prepared for the transfer contact.

* JonDrake is feeling really happy.

<Briel> just to ruin your day... thinking you had to change everything to come here

<JonDrake> There really wasn't that much to change.

<Briel> of course there was

<Briel> you had to learn our language

<JonDrake> My out-territory life changed a couple of years ago when they murdered my half-brother.

* Briel smile fades

<Briel> I'm sorry, Jon

<Briel> I didn't know that

* JonDrake shrugs.

* Linn 's eyes pop open in startled alarm, and she reflexively tries to jerk her arms free.

* Briel pushes her salad back

<JonDrake> I was still a little kid. Kane went into changeover.

* Briel knows instantly where this is going

* Briel sympathizes with him

<JonDrake> I had a girl, we were sweethearts, until...

* Alea huddles deeper in her coat as she cuts through a dark alley

* wisesnake jerks her head back from the fifth contact, but clings reflexively to Linn's arms, handling tentacles clenching to protect the positioning of the laterals

* Briel sighs and stands

<Briel> come on... let's go to the transfer room and work on some of your exercise Veraik assigned you

* `Unknown is huddled in a dark secluded area...

* Alea comes out of the alley and into the park

<JonDrake> Ok.

<wisesnake> Linn... Linn, it's okay. [pleading]

<JonDrake> Let's go.

<wisesnake> Linn, it's just me, Snake. You know I wouldn't hurt you, don't you?

* Alea thinks she'll walk through the park while she contemplates how to impress upon Veraik the urgency of the situation

* Linn regains just enough control to make herself stop struggling.

* Briel goes down to the transfer room and goes inside, ready to help Jon Drake with his lessons

* wisesnake retracts her laterals and unhands Linn as soon as it's safe

* `Unknown is still, unmoving...

<Linn> What were you...???

<wisesnake> It's all right. You don't have to do anything you don't want to.

* wisesnake breathing hard

* JonDrake is still, unmoving...

* Alea follows the twisting paths, noting how many of the trees have lost their leaves

* Alea is thankful for the many bushes that block the chill of the wind

* Alea wonders if Veraik will keep his word... thinks he has so far... though he is really upset with them right now

* `Unknown is in a huddle at the base of a tree off the path.

* Alea wonders if Tarsh has a good reason to fear going to Veraik

<wisesnake> Linn?

* Linn tries to calculate how long it's been since her last donation. She discovers that addition is beyond her skills just now, but she's fairly sure that it's way too soon for the next one.

* Alea pulls her cloak closer, shaking her hair as a leave gets lodged into it

* Linn looks at Snake, calmer now that Snake has let go.

* Alea follows the curving path around toward the southwest corner of the park

* `Unknown moans weakly in pain, hands under him, clutching his stomach.

* wisesnake leans cautiously, then more firmly, on Rafe's silent support.

* Alea listens to the moan of the wind and shivers, thinking how soft and low it sounds

* wisesnake keeps her hands safely to herself for the time being

* Alea slips on the slick leaves and grabs at one of the bushes, trying to keep from falling

<wisesnake> Are you all right?

* `Unknown is still, trying find the energy.

* Alea wrenches her back...wincing in extreme pain

* `Unknown feels something, something penetrating his pain.

* Alea unconsciously grabs her at her stomach, just a little unsettled by her near mishap

* Linn grimaces.

* Alea glances down at the leaves and thinks she'd better be a bit more careful

* `Unknown dimly feels something different than this empty pain...

* Alea steps back out onto the path, brushing the dirt and limps from her cloak

* Alea rubs her lower back and grimaces

<Linn> I'm still hurting, if that's what you mean, although I expect you already know that. Otherwise -- please, warn me before you do that.

* `Unknown feels something hot and inviting in this cold wind.

* wisesnake looks upset though she's trying to hide it

<wisesnake> Do what!

<wisesnake> You said I could heal you.

<wisesnake> I've done it before... more than once.

* Alea totters back out and starts to walk - slowly - again

* Alea her nerves a bit shot, still smiles when she doesn't tumble to the ground

* Linn sees Snake's upset, and struggles to find a way to explain the inexplicable.

* `Unknown feels a warmth, still so far, too weak to move.

* Alea picks up her speed, ignoring her back and the pain since there are no Simes in the area.

<wisesnake> Did you know you could have hurt me by jerking back like that?

<wisesnake> [inquiring, not accusing]

* Alea decides she'll go ahead and go to the small cafe on the other side of the park and rest and maybe pick up some pain medicine before going back to the Center

<Linn> What?

* Alea thinks, that way, no one will realize she hurt herself -- again

* `Unknown feels the strange heat pulsing in a sharp, confusing cycle.

* Alea gets lost in thought again, worrying and fearing that Veraik might really be setting Tarsh up

* Alea gets scared...

<Alea> what if he is?

<Alea> would you do that, Verak?

<wisesnake> By jerking away while I was placing my laterals. You could have hurt me, it was just blind luck you didn't.

* Alea mutters to herself

<Alea> "Probably Would"

* `Unknown hears the sound of a voice.

* Alea berates herself for fearing that

<Alea> of COURSE he wouldn't.

* `Unknown wonders if someone is here to help.

<Alea> He's TECTON

* Alea sarcastically

<Alea> yeah, manipulative... whatever pleases Veraik...

<Alea> What Veraik wants, Veraik usually gets

* Alea feels guilty for that, because he could have done much worse to her

* wisesnake shrugs

* `Unknown feels the sound is associated with the heat, maybe this is someone bringing it to help him...

* `Unknown fades in and out of consciousness and something else.

<wisesnake> Well, it was okay. Nothing happened.

* Alea glances ahead and sees the cafe in the distances

* Linn blinks, trying to absorb the new information. The idea of Simes having vulnerabilities is new to her.

* Alea rubs at her back again

<wisesnake> I guess you could say we surprised each other.

* Alea thinks the bench over there is the one she sat at the night after... when she got soaked

* `Unknown feels he must get up, must go to the warmth, but it is so... difficult to even move.

<Linn> I'm glad. I wouldn't want to hurt you, even if you do scare me silly sometimes.

* Alea thinks perhaps she ought to sit down

* `Unknown feels a sharp piercing pain in his arms!

<wisesnake> I scare you silly?

* wisesnake surprised

* Alea decides maybe she ought just go back to the Center and admit to her accident

* wisesnake thinks she has always tried to be as gentle with Linn as possible

* Alea decides that is the best course of action. She turns, and slips on the leaves again, going down and skinning a knee

<Alea> Ouch!

* wisesnake thinks, as opposed to some other people who she genuinely tries to scare them silly

* `Unknown feels the heat even more, as strong as the pain!

* Alea falls onto her elbow

<`Unknown> AAAAAAAHHH!

* Alea pulls her leg out from under her, struggling up when she hears the yell

* `Unknown feels the white heat, springs up and jumps for it.

* Alea is startled. Jumps up, she runs to see if someone is hurt

* `Unknown isn't even aware of his tentacles, bloody from breakout.

<Linn> I know you don't mean to.

* Alea stops, trying to backpedal as someone jumps out of the bushes at her

* `Unknown only knows that life is before him.

<Linn> And you do it much less often than the other Simes I've met.

* Alea sees him zlinning and throws her arms up, hesitating

* `Unknown leaps, knocking them both over.

<wisesnake> Really?

* wisesnake is pleased

* Alea feels her head hit the sidewalk and the ambient fills with pain

* `Unknown 's tentacles lash out clumsily at first, striking here and there in confusion.

* Alea sees stars

* Alea reacts after only a moments hesiation... she can't shen him, not knowing if he is a channel or not

* Alea allows him to take her arms

* `Unknown finally locks on to the arms, grabbing roughly.

* Alea projects willingness to give

* NickR is wondering why these obvious facts seem to be news to Snake, when she can zlin.

* `Unknown 's tentacles wrap tightly around the forearms.

* `Unknown 's face forms a bestial sneer as he pulls this feast before him, making fifth contact...

* Alea wonders if there is any help around, but decides it's too late

* `Unknown is lost in the feeling of selyn flow...

* Linn is glad to see the hurt puppy look gone from Snake's face.

* Alea projects joy and allows him to draw

* `Unknown pulls as savagely as he can.

* Alea gives him joy

* `Unknown pulls faster, faster, filling the aching void.

* `Unknown feels himself rising higher and higher, lost in the sensation.

* Alea feels the unknown renSime reach his pinnacle of selyn draw

* Alea projects joy and satisfaction

* `Unknown reaches peak...

* `Unknown crests, then falls, going from hyper to duo to hypo to unconscious in a moment.

* `Unknown once again becomes very still...

* Alea opens her eyes, seeing the body lying on top of her

* Alea is frustrated because she knows it's a renSime and someone is going to be really ticked when she gets back to the Center

* Alea tries to nudge the Sime

<Alea> uh, excuse me

* `Unknown is barely moving.

* Alea gives him a slight nageric nudge

* `Unknown is wet, cold despite Sime metabolism.

* `Unknown stirs slightly.

* `Unknown moans quietly.

* Alea tries to stimulate the Sime with her field

<Alea> come on, wake up... you can do it

* `Unknown begins to stir...

* wisesnake zlins Linn, decides the Gen will survive without the extra work Snake had wanted to do on her; and leaves her to sleep

* Alea wonders why this renSime is so sluggish

* `Unknown relaxes, moves to a dozing state, slowing coming awake.

* wisesnake thanks Rafe for his help and suggests that he get some sleep, and begin work with Snake again in the morning.

* Alea patiently waits though she is starting to get cold on the wet ground

* `Unknown 's eyes flutter open and closed, open again.

* Alea smiles

<Alea> are you okay?

<`Unknown> [Genlan] Wha...?

* Alea switches to his language

<wisesnake> Uh.. gracias por el er... supportivo um,

<Alea> are you okay?

<`Unknown> Wha...where am I?

<Alea> in a park in Bender Cove, Sime Territory

* `Unknown is intially shocked.

<`Unknown> SIME!?

* Alea wiggles again, trying to give him a hint

<Alea> yes, Sime Territory

* `Unknown 's hand passes before his eyes, he sees his own tentacles.

<`Unknown> AAAH!

* wisesnake hacks out a crude approximation and the Donor goes to bed in Nick and Snake's bed

* `Unknown tries to back away from his own hands.

* wisesnake and Nick leave for a night of working the streets and the Post Office.

* Alea reaches up and catches his hand, afraid she's going to get socked in the jaw or poked in the eye

<Alea> shush, it's okay

<Alea> you're fine

`Unknown begins to remember....

<Alea> everything is fine

`Unknown remembers the long walk, stumbling though the

cold and rain.

`Unknown remembers a warmth, running at it.

<`Unknown> Wait!

`Unknown looks around frantically for a body.

<Alea> what?

`Unknown is certain that he killed someone. The body must be here somewhere.

Alea holds his hand, concerned

<Alea> what's the matter?

<`Unknown> There's no one here. Didn't I...?

Alea is confused

<Alea> didn't you what?

Alea wonders if someone was with him

<`Unknown> I, I killed someone, didn't I?

Alea tries to lift up and grunts when he doesn't move

<`Unknown> Where's the body?

<Alea> killed?

<Alea> no, no

<Alea> When you changed over, you attacked me

<`Unknown> No? But...

<Alea> I'm a Donor... a Farris

<Alea> I gave you "transfer" [simelan]

`Unknown is confused.

<Alea> uh,

`Unknown is slowly understanding.

<`Unknown> You mean I didn't?

Alea looks patiently at Unknown

<Alea> no, you didn't

<Alea> by the way, my name is Alea

`Unknown sighs..

Alea smiles patiently wondering when unknown is going to get the hint and let her up

`Unknown is now known as Fenris

Alea thinks probably after she is blue and in her grave

<Fenris> I'm Fenris.

Fenris begins to smile.

<Alea> nice to meet you Fenris

Alea starting to tremble from the cold

<Fenris> I didn't... I didn't...

Fenris seems overjoyed.

<Alea> no, you didn't

Fenris looks down.

Alea smiles, glad he is so happy over the events, glad he's not going to get the chewing out she did

<Alea> you're perfectly fine

Fenris looks to where he and Alea are touching.

Alea smiles brightly at him

Fenris 's eyes seem to change.

Alea looks down at their arms, wondering what he is seeing, if he is zlinning, doubtful since he just had transfer

Fenris 's brown eyes are getting darker, not that Alea would notice in this dim light.

<Fenris> You... saved... me....

<Alea> so, um, Fenris... since you're doing great....

<Alea> well, I wouldn't say that

Alea chuckles

<Alea> The Sime center is only a block away

<Alea> You probably might have made it

Alea thinking it very doubtful that he would have

Fenris lets his tentacles relax, they start caressing Alea...

<Alea> so, um, Fenris...

<Alea> uh!

Alea looks back at his tentacles and grimaces

<Alea> why don't we just go back there now

<Alea> you know, it's rather cold down here on this cement

Fenris 's tentacles move all over Alea. He would definitely like to go THERE...

Alea thinks, why does this always happen to her... she always gets the strange ones....

Alea smiles weakly

Fenris is no longer thinking with his larger head....

<Alea> un Fenris...

<Alea> you should let me up

<Alea> Gens don't like the cold

Fenris takes her in his arms and rolls over on his back...

<Alea> oh dear

<Alea> Fenris, we should go back to the Sime Center and let a "channel" [simelan] check you out

Fenris is looking at Alea's face, her neck, the hint of open blouse...

Alea eyes narrow

<Alea> It might be advisable for you to release me, Fenris

Fenris is lost in his appreciation of the female Gen form...

Alea rolls her eyes and wiggles to try to get loose

Fenris takes the wiggle as encouragement.

<Alea> Fenris?

Fenris seems to pause, but for a millisecond...

Alea sighs in relief

<Alea> Now let's just release me, Fenris

<Alea> we'll go back to the Sime Center

<Alea> I know you're happy

<Alea> that's normal after transfer

Alea smiles

<Alea> we'll talk all about that on the way back....

Fenris attempts to release her buttons with his uncordinated tentacles, not very successfully.

Fenris is still lost in his post reaction.

Alea gasps and tries to slap the tentacles away

<Alea> okay, Fenris, I hate to do this...

Alea thinks she just really REALLY hates to do this...

Alea decides to try a little nageric slap first before doing anything really bad

<Alea> Fenris!

Alea uses her field to nudge him sharply

Fenris reels back with the shock. He's only a baby renSime afterall...

Alea reaches and cups his cheek making him look at her

Alea smiles apologetically

Fenris 's head is suddenly clearer, if throbbing.

<Alea> let go of me

<Fenris> Uh, yeah.

Alea waits

Fenris is confused.

Alea sighs

Fenris doesn't know how he got onto his back with Alea on top of him.

<Alea> I'll explain everything to you on the way to the Sime Center... just let go of me, okay?

Fenris lets his hands and tentacles drop.

<Fenris> What are you doing on top of me?

Alea pushes back, head, body, knee, elbow... everything aching

<Alea> it's a long story

Alea stands up, groaning as she does

Fenris seems to dimly remember.

Fenris blushes.

<Alea> Veraik is gonna be really mad at me for this

Fenris tries to help her up.

<Alea> no no, I'm fine

Fenris seems a little uncoordinated for a Sime.

Alea lays a hand protectively over her stomach

<Alea> just follow me...

<Fenris> Ok...

<Alea> I'll take you to our local Sime Center and we can have the controller explain everything, Okay?

Fenris notices Alea shivering in the cold.

<Fenris> Ok.

Fenris doesn't have a very large vocabulary just now.

Alea starts off down the sidewalk, the renSime in tow

Fenris offers her his jacket.

<Alea> shakes her head, pulling her own cloak closer about her

<Alea> so, just what do you know about Simes?

Fenris offers her his jacket, dirt and leaves on the back, bloody breakout fluids on the sleeves.

Alea shakes her head again

<Fenris> Not much. My Mamaw said I should run this way when I got sick.

<Alea> I can see this is going to be a long, long story....

<Fenris> I didn't know what was going on.

Alea escorts him back to the Center, thinking Veraik is really going to love this

Notes:

1) It has been asked why Alea Farris, a Gen, believes she cannot be lied to. Alea's player explains this is simple arrogance on Alea's part. [return]

Go on to Episode #48: Sins Come Home

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