Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #58: Right Stuff, Wrong Environment (10/26/97)
Alea finishes dragging the boxes out of the conference room and stacking them in the bathroom in Veraik's office.
Alea brushes a stray strand of hair back and straightens her dress then goes back into the office.
Alea: Well, this room is certainly big enough for a Donor's relaxation room.
Alea looks at the drab white walls, remembers she promised Veraik she wouldn't paint anymore, and gets two renSimes to paint it Zeor Blue for her.
Alea goes from room to room, collecting furniture for the room, gathering much of the lobby furniture.
Alea orders all the furniture to be reupholstered white thinking she can't get in trouble for that.
Alea then borrows rugs from several of the rooms as throw rugs for the carpet.
Rache sits at a desk in the library, reading her way through the 'open' reports on the Center, trying to get herself acquainted with the Center that way.
Rache tosses a report at the wall in a fit of temper. "This makes no sense!"
Alea frowns at the bright floral drapes. She takes them down and then finds some Rior orange to put up.
Alea shrugs.
Alea: Veraik won't be in here. He'll never know.
Rache has a quick, ashamed, look around the room. Were there any Simes in zlinning range to be upset by her field?
Linn opens the door to the Sime Center and peeks around it.
Alea finds a hot plate (from Veraik's office) and brings it into the huge room, then some other things like tea and snacks. She even borrows tables and table cloths from the kitchen.
Linn sees that Tarsh is not present -- which is a big relief -- but that half of the furniture is gone as well, which is confusing.
Alea looks at the kitchen witch and grabs it too, thinking it'll add a nice touch.
Alea goes to her office to find her artwork and hang it in there.
Alea: Oh hello Linn!
Rache retrieves the report, and goes back to her study. Well, actually, she sits and rests her chin on her hands, thinking.
Alea goes forward, smiling.
Linn: Hello, Alea.
Alea: What brings you here?
Linn: Why is all the furniture gone?
Alea looks around innocently.
Linn holds out a stack of catalogs.
Alea: Oh, there's still plenty here... we haven't been as busy lately.
Alea takes them.
Alea: What are these?
Linn: Veraik mentioned that he wanted to have recreational materials for the kids at that place he's setting up near my school.
Alea: Oh!
Linn: I thought he might find these useful.
Alea: Goodness.
Alea looks down at the catalogues.
Alea: I believe he's over there now.
Alea: Permits or something.
Rache returns the reports to their proper homes, and walks out of the library towards the foyer. Surely the First in charge of the Center will be back sometime soon.
Linn: There's always some nonsense or other to deal with.
Alea: Yeah.
Alea: Would you like some tea?
Linn: Thank you, I'd love some. It's cold out there today.
Alea sees Rache approaching.
Alea: Have you met our new Donor?
Rache stops dead at the entrance to the lobby, looking at the sudden absence of furniture.
Alea looks curiously at Rache's reaction.
Linn: I don't believe so, no.
Alea: I bet tramping through the snow doesn't help.
Alea: Rache, this is Linn. She's a teacher over in Eastcove.
Alea: She is our first teacher over there to teach about changeover.
Alea smiles at Linn.
Alea: Rache just arrived yesterday.
Linn: Oh?
Rache looks at Alea. "Um. Something appears to be misplaced."
Alea blinks innocently.
Alea: Oh... well, the lobby was entirely too crowded. I think it looks so much better now.
Rache puts her disturbance aside and walks over to Linn, smiling. "Hello. I'm truly pleased to meet you."
Alea asks clerk to bring some hot water to her office then motions Linn and Rache toward it.
Linn looks around at the barren room and decides that she'll never master In-T tastes in decoration.
Rache: Alea, it may not be my place to mention it....
Linn follows Alea and Rache, walking only a little stiffly.
Alea blinks.
Alea: Yes?
Rache: But where will donors or renSimes sit when they come in?
Alea: Oh.
Rache smiles at Alea, obviously waiting for Sosu Farris to come up with a brilliant solution.
Alea looks around, and frowns, then brightens.
Alea: We usually take them right back. There's usually not much of a wait.
Alea: Four chairs should be enough for that.
Alea nods.
Alea: I'm sure Hajene Veraik would agree.
Alea nods for emphasis.
Rache rubs her chin. "Are you sure, Sosu Farris? What if someone brings their children?" Her innocence is patently false.
Alea: Oh, no one brings their children here.
Alea pushes the door open to her office, accepts the hot water from the clerk and then goes inside.
Alea: Oh, and please have someone collect all the art from the storage room and hang it in the new room. [to the clerk]
Rache sighs and gives Linn an 'I tried' look, then restores her expression to her usual Tecton-standard imperturbability.
Linn wonders why there always seems to be long and animated discussion in Simelan when she's visiting here.
Alea: Now Linn.
Alea sets the books down on her desk.
Alea: About that tea.
Alea goes over and mixes up three cups of hot tea and brings them back, not spilling a drop.
Linn: Yes?
Rache stands against a wall, watching Alea.
Alea: What was it you wanted?
Alea frowns, handing the cups of tea to Rache and Linn.
Linn, having no idea that Alea is famous for spilling hot tea on herself, accepts a cup without surprise.
Alea settles herself behind her desk.
Rache takes her tea, speaks to Linn. "I'm sorry, I forgot you probably don't speak Simelan. Please accept my apology."
Rache's English isn't that good. Not that bad, but slow and accented.
Linn: That's quite all right. I've gotten used to it lately.
Alea glances at Rache's English and smiles.
Alea: Your English will get better.
Rache nods. "Probably."
Linn reflects that between Snake trying to tutor Nick, and Rafael's refusal to speak anything but his weird native language, she's gotten used to not understanding what's going on.
Alea: So, how is the teaching going?
Alea: Have you started back yet?
Alea sips her tea, enjoying the warmth.
Rache looks at the catalogues that Alea presumably put down before making tea, drifts over to them.
Rache picks one up, with a querying glance at Alea and Linn.
Rache: May I?
Alea: Hajene Veraik is setting up a teaching center about changeover in Eastcove.
Alea nods.
Alea: Those are to help him choose things for the center.
Alea: Veraik is truly excited about this project.
Alea: He credits you -- secretly of course -- for opening the door to this.
Linn: I think it has such potential.
Linn leans forward to point at a particular item.
Linn: This game is very popular with the ten-year-olds this year.
Alea: I'll tell Hajene that.
Linn: [to Alea] He could have done this years ago, if he'd ever thought of it.
Alea shakes her head.
Alea: It wasn't the right time. We had no connections. No, now was the right time.
Alea: Besides, it is Veraik who fought to get this Center here.
Alea: The next logical step was to go into Eastcove.
Alea smiles and sips her tea.
Linn shrugs, holding her own teacup to warm her chilled hands.
Rache studies the game, frowning, then looks up at Linn. "We need to provide kids with Sime role models."
Rache: Make it clear to them that life doesn't end at changeover.
Linn shakes her head.
Rache: Why not?
Linn: Not at first. Give it a few months before you start bringing in Simes.
Alea takes a deep breath, thinking: oh, boy.
Rache shrugs. "We can tell them rather than show them, if you prefer."
Linn: Let the parents inspect the place, get used to the idea, and decide that it's harmless before you start waving a red flag in the Anti-Tectonists' faces.
Alea nods.
Alea: On the border it's a little different.
Alea: Believe me... we have learned that.
Alea looks at Linn her face full of their past struggles.
Rache: Um. What did you two think I meant?
Rache looks at Alea and Linn. "About the role models?"
Alea: People on the other side of the border are very adverse to the idea of Simes at all.
Rache looks distressed, waiting for an answer. Checks in her mind that she's speaking English, rather than Simelan. Yes. Hmm.
Alea: If we start bringing toys like that in there... we'd find every avenue of help we are receiving blocked.
Alea: Plus, it could endanger lives.
Alea: Linn was almost killed over this.
Alea: Veraik and I ended up with some major problems too.
Alea: And with the problems... it would be much too easy for the city of Eastcove and those right here in the area who don't trust us, to cause major problems for the Center.
Alea: That is why we are proceeding so slowly.
Rache: All right. I don't speak well in English, it seems. I did not intend bringing Simes in unless you wanted to. Just to provide the kids with role models. With the certain knowledge that people in-Territory live lives the same as people out-territory.
Alea: No.
Alea: That's what I mean. Toys, not real people.
Alea: Not a good idea.
Alea: Not to mention, it's illegal..
Rache: Bring in bits of artwork, stories, pottery, tools. Stories would be the most helpful. Bring in English translations of the newspaper.
Alea: The only thing we are allowed to take in are things to do with the changeover classes.
Alea: The dolls for educational purposes only... not for recreational.
Rache rolls her eyes. "So be creative."
Alea: Our goal is to get in there and get stuff set up.
Alea: Not to push the limits and get our throats slit in the night by a mob.
Alea smiles.
Rache holds her hands up, in a 'peace' signal.
Linn: There will be plenty of time for such creativity once the community decides you're harmless.
Alea: Exactly.
Rache: Please. I only wanted to throw in a suggestion.
Rache sets her tea down. "I'm sorry." She turns and starts to walk out of the office.
Alea: And they're good suggestions.
Alea: Please don't leave Rache.
Alea: It's just that we haven't even started the classes yet.
Linn: And there won't be any students for them, if you provide the Anti-Tectonists with enough ammunition to start a scare.
Alea chuckles.
Alea: Hey, they worry me!
Linn: They should.
Linn frowns, remembering.
Alea: You know, neither Tarsh nor Veraik will even allow me to walk the streets at night by myself.
Alea shakes her head.
Alea: It's not like I can't defend myself.
Alea says this with Farris arrogance and strokes the black on her collar.
Linn reflects that walking alone at night in Sime Territory is usually much safer than doing the same thing in Gen Territory, since Simes don't sleep much.
Briel allows the cold water to run over her arms before finally turning the faucets off and getting out to dress.
Briel: Jon?
Briel: Wake up.
Jon Drake rolls over.
Jon Drake: Hmmm?
Jon Drake opens his eyes, smiles.
Jon Drake: Good morning.
Briel: Time for work... you have a few minutes.
Rache studies the pair, then shrugs and leans against the wall, sipping her tea.
Rache points at the catalogues. "You two were busy with those. Go ahead."
Alea: Rache is a second level Donor, Linn. She is about the same level as Jirelle, if you've ever met her.
Alea smiles at Rache.
Jon Drake stretches and gets out of bed.
Alea: Of course, now that you've been injured, I probably won't ever get out of the Center..
Alea frowns at the thought.
Linn is starting to wonder if it was really such a good idea to blackmail Veraik into setting up this children's center, in return for her silence about his providing her with unwanted Simephobe therapy.
Jon Drake looks at Briel and wonders how long she's been up and about.
Alea: We really should find some way to protect you.
Briel quickly combs out her hair and then slips on her socks and shoes.
Alea sighs and looks at Linn.
Jon Drake gets up and goes to the bathroom to start the shower.
Alea: At least you allowed Hajene Veraik to heal you.
Linn wonders if her selfish desire to take the pressure off of her and her classes will result in these innocents getting hurt.
Rache blinks. "Injured?"
Alea glances at Rache.
Alea: Oh dear....
Linn looks at Rache.
Alea: Of course you wouldn't have any idea what's going on.
Alea looks to Linn to explain.
Rache looks at the pair, confused.
Linn: Yes. A week ago, four Anti-Tectonists beat me and left me for dead in an alley, because they didn't approve of my teaching my students about what a Sime Center offers.
Rache winces. "But you're a Gen...." Her voice trails off.
Linn: Yes.
Briel goes to the window and looks out over the desolate land -- the blacks, grays and whites of winter -- and wonders when everything turned so bleak.
Jon Drake looks at his image in the mirror, splashes water in his face to banish the sleep in his eyes.
Linn: Would you really want to see what they'd do to a Sime?
Rache: Sorry. In-T, almost no one will hurt a donating Gen.
Alea shudders.
Rache: I forgot it... wasn't the same here.
Linn recalls that exceptions exist, two of them being employed by this Sime Center.
Jon Drake brushes his teeth while waiting for the shower to warm up.
Briel goes over and jerks the bathroom door open part way and then returns to the window.
Jon Drake looks over his shoulder, realizes what just happened.
Jon Drake sees that it is warm enough.
Jon Drake: Briel?
Briel relaxes a bit.
Briel: Yes?
Briel continuing to stare out the window.
Jon Drake: Do you want to come in and talk while I shower?
Alea: There is a lot of hostilities both on this side of the border and the other side.
Alea: It seems there are rogue channels as well as others that have caused problems.
Jon Drake steps into the shower.
Briel: No. I'm fine.
Briel does move over closer to the door though.
Rache: Look, I didn't say a thing about bringing Simes to the classes.
Jon Drake talks above the water.
Jon Drake: Have it your way... How long have you been up?
Alea: We know you didn't, Rache.
Alea: Why do you think we think that?
Rache sighs. "I'll get out of your hair so you can do whatever it is you came here to do. I'm sure that arguing with me wasn't on your agenda."
Alea looks confused.
Briel says absently "I've had about 27 minutes of sleep".
Jon Drake frowns.
Jon Drake: Only 27 minutes?
Briel nods.
Briel: Yes.
Briel realizes he can't see a nod.
Jon Drake has finished washing his hair and washes his body.
Alea: Anyway....
Alea: Yeah, you might want to be careful out on the streets.
Alea: If Tarsh didn't warn you, then I will.
Alea: Your field will attract them from miles around.
Jon Drake feels that with that information, he shouldn't dawdle..
Rache: Because you keep talking about it. [She quotes] "do you think I want to see what they'd do to a Sime" [shakes her head] No. I don't. I didn't say a word about it. Now, if I leave, you can go ahead with what you were intending to do, without trying to get through to me whatever it is you want to say.
Rache: Because whatever you're saying, I'm not understanding it.
Alea thinks they are going to be in big trouble if there is a Donor this touchy.
Alea: Honest Rache... we are just talking.
Jon Drake quickly finishes washing, rinses and steps out of the shower. He towels himself dry.
Alea: You know, talking politics.
Jon Drake: Briel, that isn't enough sleep, even for a Sime.
Alea: The Center is very involved in everything going on right now.
Briel shrugs and runs a hand through her hair.
Briel: I'll be fine.
Alea turns back to Linn.
Linn can well understand the frustration of trying to get one's point across in a foreign culture, when one isn't really fluent in the language.
Jon Drake comes out of the shower and walks to Briel.
Alea: Anyway... how are your injuries?
Alea: I noticed you are still a bit stiff.
Jon Drake: Briel, turn around. Let me look at you.
Linn: I'm well enough.
Briel turns around and stares at Jon.
Alea: Good.
Alea: Veraik will be very happy to know that.
Rache sighs and walks out, shaking her head.
Jon Drake looks Briel in the face.
Jon Drake looks for signs of fatigue over and above approaching need.
Jon Drake: You still need to get some rest.
Jon Drake: Later today, I want you to lay down and try to take a nap.
Jon Drake: You don't need to spread yourself so thin.
Briel shrugs.
Briel: I'm fine.
Jon Drake takes his hands in Briel's, projecting comfort.
Linn finishes her tea and sets down the cup.
Alea: She's new, Linn. I think the language might be the problem.
Alea smiles.
Jon Drake: Well, be careful. It's my job to help you take care of yourself.
Alea: She's a very sweet girl.
Briel relaxes.
Briel: And you are.
Jon Drake nods.
Linn: I can certainly understand language difficulties.
Jon Drake: OK.
Alea: I bet you can.
Linn stands.
Alea: I'm sure Veraik will appreciate these magazines.
Jon Drake: Well, I'll just get dressed and get to work.
Linn: Well, I really should be getting back. Please pass those catalogs on to Veraik, and tell him that I will be in touch with him if he has any questions.
Briel nods.
Jon Drake: The faster we get going, the sooner I can get you to rest.
Alea: I sure will.
Jon Drake goes to the drawers set aside for him and begins dressing.
Linn walks with Alea to the almost-empty lobby.
Alea ignores the missing furniture.
Alea: Be careful walking home Linn. It's dangerous out there.
Linn shrugs.
Linn: One can't hide all one's life.
Alea: No, but one can learn to be careful.
Alea: Come to us if you require anything.
Jon Drake puts on the fresh uniform and checks to make sure that everything's in order.
Jon Drake: OK, let's get you some breakfast!
Briel groans.
Linn buttons her coat, wraps her scarf around her hair, and prepares to brave the storm.
Briel: Breakfast.
Briel turns up her nose.
Alea: Bye.
Linn: Goodbye, Alea.
Jon Drake is resolute.
Alea watches Linn leave, concerned...
Jon Drake: No arguments. At least something.
Briel glowers at Jon.
Briel: Tea.
Briel: And toast.
Jon Drake: Fruit.
Briel: Tea and fruit.
Jon Drake: I won't make you eat oatmeal this time.
Rache sits off in a corner at the cafeteria, munching on something she scarcely tastes.
Briel turns and strides toward the door, slowing to wait for Jon to stay close with her.
Jon Drake heads down the steps with her.
Briel goes into the cafeteria, getting a small bowl of fruit and a cup of tea.
Jon Drake gets his own, more substantial breakfast.
Briel: I don't like fruit.
Briel sips her tea.
Rache looks up at the newcomers, smiles a greeting.
Briel waves with a tentacle.
Briel: Please join us.
Briel zlins Rache.
Rache: If you don't mind?
Jon Drake: No, not at all.
Rache has recovered her equanimity, and is simply a hungry Donor. Solid sort of feel at the core, but with a haze around it.
Alea returns to the new Donor rec room and pushes all of the boxes from the hall into the storage room.
Rache picks up her plate and comes over.
Briel fingers her fruit and finally picks up a piece and eats it.
Rache munches on her food, then remembers her manners and pauses. "Hi. Rache ambrov Ahlvastin. Donor Second."
Briel: Briel.
Briel nods absently and picks up another piece of fruit.
Briel: You're the new kid, then that arrived yesterday?
Briel wonders if they all arrive with such enthusiasm.
Rache nods, the question hitting just after she had taken a spoonful of breakfast.
Jon Drake radiates hunger.
Briel glares at Jon.
Briel: Lay off, JD.
Briel finishes off her fruit.
Jon Drake smiles and gives one of those "Moi?" looks.
Rache smiles.
Briel: Have you met with Veraik yet, Rache?
Rache lets her hunger show in her nager as well. Oops.
Rache: No, he's not been back apparently.
Rache: From wherever he is.
Briel absently takes a piece of Jon's toast and begins to nibble.
Briel: Oh, that's right... he's in Eastcove today.
Briel: That man is stretched way too thin right now.
Jon Drake smiles.
Rache wrinkles her nose. "He'd better have a good Donor, then."
Briel: Alea is his Donor.
Briel says that as if that should answer everything.
Rache masks her reaction carefully. Then says softly "Why isn't she with him?"
Briel finishes off the piece of toast.
Briel pauses with her tea to her mouth.
Briel: Take that up with Alea and Veraik. I think....
Briel shakes her head and doesn't finish.
Jon Drake: So Rache, how have you found it here so far?
Rache lets that conversation drift off into nothingness, and answers JD. "It's unusual."
Jon Drake smiles knowingly.
Briel finishes her tea and sits back.
Rache: I've met Tarsh and Alea so far. Not many others, yet.
Briel refrains from saying what she'd like to say.
Briel: There are others, a bit more... conventional.
Briel: Veraik is very Tecton. You'll like him.
Jon Drake watches Briel's body language and works to adjust the ambient accordingly.
Rache allows her relief to show, and smiles. "I'm sure I shall."
Briel tries to think if there is anyone else there.
Rache sets her toast aside, putting it towards the center of the table, then picks up an apple and cores it, slices.
Briel: Tramila ambrov Zeor is a new channel. You might enjoy watching her work too, if you get a chance.
Briel gets up and gets her some more tea and returns to the table.
Rache sets some slices of apple into the center of the table with the toast, and chews on one of the slices. "What Seconds do you have here, may I ask?"
Briel: What was your job before you came here?
Briel absently reaches out and takes a piece of apple.
Briel: Well, there is Jirelle. She's a... sweet person.
Briel thinks, flake.
Briel: And there is Fise, but he's a Third.
Briel thinks, and a jerk.
Briel: The Center is new. We still have people being transferred in as we grow.
Rache: I've been roving. Most recently at [largish in-territory center], which -- have you ever been there? -- used to be something else entirely. My room there was literally a janitor's closet before they converted it.
Rache shudders. "Overcrowded."
Rache nods.
Rache: So there's only one Second, and a Third here at the moment? 2
Jon Drake: Maybe it's time to expand on the place.
Briel: Yes, plus three firsts and then the regular staff.
Briel: And the Donors.
Briel: This is my first assignment since my House.
Briel: I'll be here for awhile..
Rache: Is it terribly hard, being out-T? 1
Briel: Well... here it is.
Briel: There is a lot of tension right now.
Jon Drake: I'm from the other side of the border. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Briel: I'm sure it's not as bad other places..
Rache: You are?
Briel sighs.
Rache: Are we saving many kids?
Jon Drake: Yep. I lost my half brother to the fear and hatred over there.
Rache closes her eyes, requires her disobedient nager to remain still.
Jon Drake relaxes. It's too close to Briel's transfer to be thinking about this.
Jon Drake: So, where are you from, Rache?
Rache speaks brightly. "So. Who wants to hear the gossip from in-T...."
Rache grins at the other Donor, as their words cross each other "Originally? Ahlvastin."
Alea gleefully finishes her job and then goes back to her office for tea.
Alea frowns when she realizes her tea is cold, but knows better than to try making hot tea while her arm is still healing from the kitchen burn.
Jon Drake thinks good thoughts.
Rache: Do either of you know it? Perspective is the ideal. You can work it all out, if you see the problems from the right viewpoints.
Rache natters on for a while about Ahlvastin, until the ambient is brighter.
Briel thinks she only sees things from one viewpoint right now, and nothing looks bright.
Rache: Our Companion First -- Deann -- insists that the motto is 'she'll be right, mate', or something. It's a phrase from her territory -- she's also from out-T originally. Weird woman, but she's damn good at her job.
Rache: Though which lorsh decided on purple and gray for the House colors, I'll never know. No matter what you do, they don't look right. And no Perspective will sort that out.
Briel thinks gray is a dismal color.
Briel thinks it reminds her of outside... all white and black and gray.
Jon Drake: Actually they can look pretty nice together under the right circumstances.
Jon Drake puts his spoon down.
Rache watches Briel, frowning slightly.
Jon Drake: Well, Briel. ready to get working?
Jon Drake: I hope you don't mind us abandoning you. [to Rache]
Rache shuts her mouth on her chatter, letting her own Donor handle the morose channel.
Rache: Of course not.
Jon Drake gets Briel's dishes and takes them to the sink.
Briel blinks seeing her Donor leave her.
Briel glances at Rache.
Briel: Oh, um... nice talking to you.
Rache smiles reassurance at Briel, letting her field support the channel.
Rache: Nice talking to you, as well.
Briel gets up and moves after Jon.
Briel: Never enough time to get all the work done.
Briel: It'll be nice to have your help.
Rache radiates assurance and confidence and reliability.
Rache: I hope so.
Jon Drake: Briel, want a refill on the tea before we go?
Briel: No.
Briel: Let's just go get to work.
Briel yawns.
Jon Drake: OK. Let's go.
Briel glances sharply at Jon, wondering when he started leading.
Jon Drake: See you again, Rache.
Briel decides it's not enough to gripe about and goes along beside him.
Rache waves.
Jon Drake: Enjoy your day.
Rache: I will.
Rache settles to eat and consider matters, once JD and Briel have gone.
Notes:
1) Rache seems to have some confusion as to whether Bender Cove is in-T or out-T. [return]
2) This is very unlikely. Canonically there are exponentially more 2nds than 1sts, and exponentially more 3rds than 2nds, with Firsts being extremely rare. However it is safe to say that at this point in the game, there was a preponderance of 1st order characters and not enough people willing to play low order characters. For best results, just assume there are dozens of additional, lower order personnel that just don't come "on screen" too often. [return]