Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #65: Fits and Starts (11/2/97)
Alea comes down the stairs and goes to the Donor rec room.
Alea goes in and looks around. Zeor blue walls, tables with pristine white table cloths at one end of the room and nice comfy furniture to sit on at the other. And the orange drapes.
Alea: This looks really nice.
Alea glances to the small hotplate near the "kitchen" area, next to the wall that this room shares with Veraik's office and decides to make tea.
Alea gets some water and puts it on to boil.
Alea goes to the small fridge and pulls out some snacks, then fixes a cup for tea.
Alea fixes herself a plate of vegetables and other small finger foods, then pours hot water in her cup.
Alea carefully carries everything down to one of the comfy couches and begins to eat.
Alea picks up the Tecton Star and begins to leaf through it, reading up on all the gossip.
Alea realizes she is famished, wonders when the last time she ate was.
Nick is also preoccupied with food, as he selects various items from the shelves of the corner grocery store.
Nick consults a list as he tries to avoid substituting baking powder for powdered sugar again.
Alea looks at the latest picture of the Sectuib in Zeor.
Alea sees the slight scarring from the fire that shows up, and sighs.
Alea: Well, Sectuib, I wonder how you took my defection to Bender Cove?
Nick is faced with the additional challenge of trying to buy goods labeled in Simelan, when his list is in English.
Alea looks at the large crowd around him and realizes she recognizes very few of the people.
Alea: Has it been so long that I no longer know who your friends are... or you wife's friends?
Alea shakes her head sadly, a small thread of loneliness working its way through her.
Nick wonders what Linn intends to make this time.
Alea thinks of Sectuib's wife -- something she hasn't let herself do much -- and wonders just what she hasn't found out about her death that happened here.
Alea: I suppose I'll never know unless I ask, and that's something I won't do.
Linn is cleaning the apartment vigorously, something she frequently does when upset.
Nick finally finds the salt, and is dismayed to learn that there are six different grades of the stuff.
Nick: How the blazing shen can they make six different kinds of sodium chloride?
Briel walks down the street
Nick reflects that his long-ago introductory chemistry class seemed to think that sodium chloride was a crystal with sodium and chloride atoms -- not much room for variation.
Briel passes the grocery store on her way to the docks and pauses, zlinning Nick inside.
Jon Drake: Need to get something from the store, Brie?
Briel shakes her head at Nick's field and decides to go in.
Nick's frustration rises as he reads the labels, trying to find out what distinguishes the various products.
Briel grins at Jon and thinks yep.
Briel: Maybe.
Briel turns and goes in.
Briel: Hello Nick.
Briel zlins Nick.
Nick looks up, relieved.
Briel: Having trouble?
Jon Drake: Hello, Nick.
Nick: Hello, Briel. I don't suppose you know anything about salt, do you?
Briel: Sure. What's the matter?
Nick: Linn wanted something called "stone salt", and I don't see anything like that here.
Briel: Oh, well, it wouldn't be right here.
Nick: It wouldn't?
Briel goes down the isle and around the corner.
Briel: I think this is what she would be wanting [calls over the aisle]
Briel holds up a bag of rock salt.
Briel: What in the world does she want this for?
Nick walks around to meet Briel, holding out his basket for the bag.
Briel looks inside as she drops the rock salt in.
Nick: I don't know, but as long as it means not having to eat my own cooking, I'm all for it.
Briel chuckles.
Briel: I hate to cook too. Glad the Center fixes our meals.
Briel: Is Snake home today? I was on my way to visit her.
Nick: I'm not sure if she's back yet. She had a few errands of her own to run.
Nick: I don't suppose your expertise extends to identifying varieties of squash?
Briel shrugs.
Briel: I've worked overseeing kitchens before.
Briel: What do you want?
Briel goes over to the fresh produce.
Briel zlins Nick again.
Nick hands Briel the list, pointing to an item.
Briel: I see someone has taking your field down.
Briel: Ah....
Nick: I'm not sure what it is. English is a weird language.
Briel digs through several different varieties to hand Nick the one he wants. She checks it, makes sure it's as fresh as vegetables will be in the winter and then hands it to him.
Nick looks at the vegetable, trying to see where the resemblance is to either butter or nuts.
Briel: I think it's named for the color and shape.
Briel looks amused at Nick.
Nick points at a smaller squash, yellow with a hook at one end.
Nick: Actually, that one is closer to the color of butter.
Nick points to another, rounder gourd.
Nick: And that one is shaped more like a nut.
Briel: If you say so.
Briel: I'm glad I didn't have the job of naming them since they all look different to each of us.
Alea realizes she is out of food and lays the article about the Sectuib in Zeor aside.
Nick shakes his head in exasperation.
Nick: I'm glad I'm not studying to be a chef.
Briel: Why didn't Linn do the shopping?
Briel glances at Jon wondering why he is so quiet.
Nick: She had another errand.
Alea gets up and goes to the small fridge and realizes someone has been raiding it. Too chicken to go raid the kitchen's fridge, she decides to go to the store for more vegetables.
Briel: Ah.
Briel frowns.
Briel: Well, I had really wanted to talk to Snake today. You say neither one is home?
Nick: Well, Linn may be back by now. I don't think she planned to be gone long.
Briel nods.
Briel: How is she feeling?
Jon Drake is still standing near Briel, but he has taken to look at the items on the shelves.
Nick shrugs.
Nick: She's pretty much recovered from the beating, particularly since Snake started working with her.
Briel sighs.
Briel: Good. I'm glad to hear that.
Briel: I might just go by and check on her.
Briel turns to go.
Jon Drake refocuses his attention.
Nick: I think I've got everything. Let me pay for these, and I'll walk over with you.
Briel: Sure.
Briel: I wanted to talk with Snake about your transfer next month. And hers too. I really wish she was there.
Nick takes the full basket to the counter, where a taciturn clerk adds up the bill.
Nick fishes out a few bills to cover the tab, pockets the change, then picks up the basket again.
Nick: Let's go.
Jon Drake is oblivious to the flirting, feeling a strong sense of false security.
Briel follows.
Briel: So, tell me. Do you know if Rafe will be here next month for Snake's transfer?
Nick shrugs, leading the way around the corner.
Briel looks at Nick expectantly.
Nick: That's what Veraik says, but he's lied before.
Briel shrugs, refusing to get into it with Nick about Veraik.
Linn, having cleaned the public areas of the apartment, prepares to cook up a storm.
Briel pauses.
Briel: Look, Nick, just tell Snake I'd like to talk to her about what she wanted for this transfer. Tell her we might can arrange it for next month. I should get back to the Center.
Briel turns back toward the Center.
Briel: If she's interested, we'll talk.
Briel sees no reason to talk to an uncooperative Nick.
Nick: Sure.
Briel turns and leaves.
Wise Snake approaches the house looking extremely smug.
Jon Drake is a bit confused.
Nick looks after the two, wondering what caused the sudden change in plans.
Alea grabs her cloak and bundles up before slowly making her way out of the Center and toward the store up the street.
Briel: Come on, JD. I'll check Linn later.
Wise Snake walks in the front door and immediately notices something is wrong.
Briel: I want to talk to Veraik about Rafael.
Jon Drake: Brie? Weren't you going to pick up anything at the store?
Jon Drake: OK.
Nick shrugs and continues on with the basket of food.
Briel looks at Jon.
Briel: No, whatever gave you that idea?
Jon Drake shrugs.
Linn is vigorously pounding pastry, sending up clouds of flour.
Wise Snake approaches the kitchen cautiously.
Jon Drake lets it drop, a strange feeling of portent in his stomach.
Nick folds the list, and only then notices the items on the back.
Nick: Shen!
Wise Snake peeks into the kitchen cautiously.
Nick turns and starts plodding back to the store.
Briel goes into the Center, tossing her cloak at the coat rack as she passes.
Linn finishes abusing a chunk of dough and begins to roll it thinner with a tall water glass.
Wise Snake realizes she is being ignored and tiptoes away from the kitchen, wondering what's got into Linn.
Linn looks up at the movement, and realizes Snake has returned.
Alea goes to the park and slowly makes her way through the fresh snow.
Linn: Oh, Snake. You're back.
Briel goes to Veraik's office.
Briel: Oh, that's right. He's not here right now. Well, shen.
Briel glances at Jon and shakes her head. Goes on down the hall to her office.
Wise Snake hesitates in the act of turning away. Linn seems upset about something and besides, the cleanliness of the house is weirding Snake out.
Linn squashes the dough one more time, then picks up a knife and begins to cut it into squares.
Wise Snake: Uh... Linn?
Linn looks up at Snake.
Linn: Yes?
Briel: I had hoped we could talk to Veraik today. I guess we'll have to wait just a little longer.
Briel: So, I suppose we can just get to work.
Jon Drake: Sounds good to me.
Wise Snake: Is everything... okay?
Linn sets down the knife and gives Snake her full attention.
Briel writes out a note, prints RE: Transfer on the front and hands it to Jon.
Briel: Slip this under Veraik's door please.
Linn: I went to check on Sandy and her friends today.
Briel turns and pulls out some files that should have been done already but she still hasn't finished.
Linn: Your patient has made a remarkable recovery.
Jon Drake: Right away.
Wise Snake: He has?
Jon Drake: I'll be right back, Brie.
Briel nods.
Jon Drake takes the note with him and goes out the door into the hall to Veraik's office.
Wise Snake seems genuinely surprised.
Wise Snake: I thought he would be down and out for at least a week.
Linn: Yes. He was well enough to explain at great length who burned him--and why.
Wise Snake looks slightly taken aback.
Wise Snake: Oh.
Alea stops by the cafe on the opposite side of the park, exhausted.
Linn: Yes.
Jon Drake pauses at Veraik's door.
Alea orders warmed strawberry wine to warm her up.
Jon Drake is admittedly curious about this note.
Wise Snake avoids looking at the knife on the counter.
Linn is not pleased with Snake.
Jon Drake thinks that on the other hand, Briel did fold it over.
Wise Snake tries to think of something to say and can't think of anything.
Jon Drake gives in to curiosity and opens the note.
Linn: Nick told me how upset you were over some channel who hurt a donor over at the Sime Center. Don't you think that was a little hypocritical, under the circumstances?
Wise Snake goes out into the living room and sits down.
Wise Snake tries to remember what Linn is talking about now.
Linn follows Snake into the living room and sits down beside her.
Alea sips her wine, relaxing back in the warmth of the cafe.
Wise Snake shields herself.
Wise Snake: What are you talking about?
Jon Drake knows more Simelan than he did two months ago. What he manages to read is like a stab in the heart.
Jon Drake wonders why Briel doesn't want him anymore.
Linn: According to Nick, the man wasn't badly injured, and the channel made a genuine mistake. You, on the other hand, intended to burn Sandy's friend.
Wise Snake shakes her head.
Wise Snake: Are you talking about Fise?
Jon Drake realizes that he must return to his duties with Briel, no matter what.
Wise Snake: He didn't make a mistake. He has a nerve disorder.
Linn: Nick didn't remember the man's name.
Jon Drake takes a few deep breaths.
Wise Snake: And as for Sandy's friend, he paid me to burn him, and paid well.
Jon Drake swallows the lump building his throat, even dabs at his moist eyes.
Jon Drake tries to set his nager back in control.
Jon Drake turns around and returns to Briel's office, calm and in control.
Linn: I know he did. He was quite proud of it.
Wise Snake shrugs.
Wise Snake: So what is the problem?
Wise Snake slightly resentfully.
Briel glances up, zlinning.
Briel: What's the matter with you, JD?
Jon Drake flushes, uncomfortable. Part of him wants to run, part of him wants to take Briel in his arms and convince her somehow.
Briel: Well?
Briel pushes her papers aside, and waits.
Linn: Snake, you said yourself that Sandy and the other Torn By Tentacles fans are kids in trouble. They require help to get their lives together, not assistance in self-destruction.
Wise Snake's eyes narrow.
Wise Snake: Don't twist my words.
Linn: Besides, what happens on the day you miscalculate a little bit, and end up hurting somebody a lot worse than either of you intended?
Linn: Somehow, I don't think that's a skill they taught you in channel's school.
Wise Snake: [defensive] The 'calculations' are not so fine as all that. And my control is excellent.
Wise Snake: Anyway, they are far better off coming to me than to try taking on a renSime in Fast Eddie's, which is their alternative.
Wise Snake: Or going to one of the lesser channels, none of whom have either the experience or the control to do what I can do.
Linn sighs.
Linn: I know.
Wise Snake: Besides, I require the money.
Wise Snake: And I am not in a position to turn down work, of whatever kind.
Linn gets a glimmering of what it must have cost Snake to refuse Linn healing, quite apart from having to share the pain.
Linn: I know you're not.
Wise Snake is confused by the mixed message Linn's nager is sending.
Alea orders a second glass of the strawberry wine, enjoying the warmth it gives her.
Linn: Still, I wish you didn't have to stave off entran by burning kids who are too dumb to know they're playing with fire.
Wise Snake: They aren't kids, Linn, they're fully adult... and they know they're playing with fire. Do you think Sandy's friend got more or less than he bargained for?
Alea thinks about the picture of the Sectuib she saw in the paper, of the article about Zeor, and drinks that glass down.
Wise Snake: I think not.
Wise Snake: I think he got exactly what he wanted.
Wise Snake fidgets.
Linn realizes that Snake is too young herself to recognize adolescent irresponsibility as the childish behavior it is.
Wise Snake zlins the new condescension in Linn's nager and becomes genuinely annoyed.
Alea orders another glass, trying to remember why she's out here in the cold in the first place. Thinks it's much smarter to stay here where it's warm.
Wise Snake: Well what would you want me to do?
Wise Snake: Say no to their money? Say no to their work?
Wise Snake: What should I do instead, Linn?
Linn: Snake, I want you to promise me that if you ever get enough alternative work, you'll stop burning Torn By Tentacles fans.
Wise Snake fumes.
Wise Snake: Well that's hardly fair... what do you consider acceptable alternatives?
Wise Snake: What else must I give up to satisfy you, and in what order?
Alea finishes another glass and waves blearily at the waiter for another.
Wise Snake: It isn't easy, Linn. It's not like I enjoy working at the Post Office and slithering through fish gutting sweatshops zlinning for hand injuries.
Wise Snake: How about junct style transfers, Linn, should I stop doing those too?
Wise Snake: What about healing criminals who can't be seen in Gen Territory hospitals or in Sime Centers?
Wise Snake: What about selling drugs?
Alea spills some of her strawberry wine and looks despondent over it.
Linn is starting to realize why Veraik was so insistent that Snake return to the Sime Center.
Alea sniffles.
Wise Snake jumps up and roves restlessly around the room, which seems much different now that it's clean.
Alea: I spilled my wine!
Alea doesn't notice the looks of the people around her as she starts to cry.
Wise Snake: And the real question is, if I stopped doing everything, if I just fell off the face of the earth, would the city be a better place?
Alea: It made the white table cloth all red. Veraik's gonna be really mad.
Alea doesn't realize Veraik isn't going to see the table cloth.
Linn: That's a question for the philosophers, not an historian like me.
Wise Snake snorts.
Wise Snake: I think it would be a worse place.
Alea begins to sob, while asking for another glass... before she realizes there is still a glass in front of her.
Wise Snake: Maybe I just have more ego than I know what to do with, but I think I'm making Bender Cove a better place by doing the things I do.
Wise Snake: I would rather know those Torn by Tentacles fans are coming to me than see them getting killed by renSimes.
Jon Drake: It's not important Briel. Who do we have first on today's schedule?
Briel: No, what is it?
Briel comes around the desk and leans against it.
Wise Snake: And I'll tell you something, Linn... once they've had it once, they never have to have it again. Not one of those people has come back demanding a second one. If they'd gone to Fast Eddie's, chances are there wouldn't have been any second chance for anything afterward.
Wise Snake circles the room tensely.
Linn: So that was why Sandy was so surprised when I said I'd donated to you twice.
Jon Drake: Well, I've been thinking about us.
Wise Snake laughs shortly.
Briel: Us?
Briel confused.
Wise Snake: You don't have to do it again, you know.
Wise Snake: [bitterly] If you still don't want to donate, you don't have to do it anymore.
Jon Drake: With all the time we've been together, all that we've shared....
Briel: Yes?
Briel: What's your point?
Linn gets up and steps into Snake's path, forcing her to stop.
Wise Snake stops.
Linn: But I do want to.
Jon Drake is finding it hard to hold back.
Briel sighs exasperated, and plops her hands on her hips.
Briel: What is it?
Jon Drake: Have I failed you in some way?
Wise Snake zlins Linn warily.
Briel: No. No you're fine.
Jon Drake: ~~Anguish~~~
Linn: ~~some apprehension, and genuine desire and trust~~
Jon Drake: Why do you want to get rid of me?
Briel: I think you've been fine. As a matter of fact, I told Veraik in the note that I thought you were fine and you'd be a good Donor for the next person you are with.
Wise Snake's wariness lessens somewhat.
Wise Snake: Oh.
Briel: It's Tecton rules, Jon.
Wise Snake: Well you still can if you want to.
Briel: That's the way it is. I thought you knew.
Jon Drake is confused.
Linn holds out her arms.
Jon Drake: No, I don't understand.
Briel shakes her head stupidly.
Briel: I thought you were studying the books I gave you.
Briel rubs at the back of her neck.
Linn: Just don't give me the Torn By Tentacles version by mistake.
Briel: Look, JD... we're only allowed two transfers together.
Wise Snake laughs uneasily.
Wise Snake: I don't make those kinds of mistakes.
Briel: The Tecton frowns on more because they worry about transfer dependencies. Just look at Veraik and that twit if you want a good example.
Wise Snake ~~nervous~~
Briel: She tempted him into transfer and now Veraik is an absolute mess.
Briel begins to pace.
Jon Drake: Two transfers? But we've really had only one in any case.
Linn is not reassured by Snake's obvious apprehension.
Briel: You were assigned me for two transfers.
Wise Snake: Sit down, then.
Briel: The first one was a disaster, true... but that still counts.
Wise Snake sits back down on the couch.
Jon Drake has read some about transfer dependencies, but didn't make the connection.
Briel: At any rate, you'll have to talk to Veraik about that.
Jon Drake frowns. Thinks it's not fair.
Briel: Besides, you overmatch me. I'm sure Veraik will want to find you someone closer to matching him, like you...or ... well, Snake wanted you.
Briel: I suggested he contact Snake, see how that'd work out for a month.
Jon Drake is not sure what to think.
Linn sits next to Snake.
Briel: Don't worry. We'll find you a channel. Your selyn won't be wasted.
Briel smiles.
Wise Snake holds out her hands.
Jon Drake: I don't know.
Briel: What is there to know? You're a Donor. You took the Tecton oath. This is the way it works.
Briel pauses in her pacing and faces Jon, wearily rubbing at her neck again.
Jon Drake: I'm sorry, Brie.
Linn places her hands in Snake's.
Wise Snake slides her hands up to Linn's forearms and her tentacles emerge to seal the hold.
Wise Snake pulls Linn toward her and makes a fifth contact.
Jon Drake: I don't want to cause you any pain either.
Briel: For what, Jon?
Wise Snake takes Linn's donation.
Jon Drake: I have troubled you.
Alea is offended when the waitress refuses to serve her another drink, insisting she's had a bottle already. She stands unsteadily, pays her bill and, after running over three tables, makes it to door.
Briel: No, I'm not troubled.
Wise Snake releases Linn.
Briel: I just wish you felt more open to discuss these things.
Linn sits back, glad that she managed to hold together.
Briel: What is it with Donors. You, Nick. You mention transfers and you both act like I've stood up on a soap box and started posing nude. I've never seen two Donors so missah about transfer.
Linn: I think those practice session are working.
Briel shakes her head and goes back to her desk.
Briel: You were my Donor, JD. You should feel free to ask me anything.
Wise Snake gets a wad of bills out of her pocket, counts them out, and hands them to Linn.
Briel seats herself.
Jon Drake nods.
Linn looks at the bills in surprise.
Wise Snake: Selyn is worth money, didn't you know that?
Alea grabs at her cape, trying to hold onto it despite how warm she is now. It's her Zeor blue one and she doesn't want to lose it.
Jon Drake: OK, Brie. I will work to understand. You have just come to mean so much to me.
Alea straightens and promptly trips over the hem and falls into the snow on the sidewalk. Looking around, she wonders how she got down there. Standing, she dusts off her cloak again and then starts to walk South.
Wise Snake: Anyway, you'll require money if you are away from the school much longer.
Briel: And you're a dear too, JD.
Briel smiles.
Jon Drake manages a smile.
Linn: True.
Briel: Don't worry. Veraik will make sure someone is there for you this next month.
Wise Snake: I gave you half In and half Out territory money. Let me know if you want any of it changed.
Jon Drake: I'm afraid to lose you, to lose what we have.
Briel: JD... we're working here. We'll see each other everyday. It's not like we will be able to avoid each other. If that were possible, don't you think I'd avoid Alea?
Wise Snake: Also I was wondering if you want me to try to get you some kind of work at a school or a children's shelter here in Bender Cove, in the meantime.
Briel: Don't worry.
Linn considers that if it takes much longer to convince the two remaining Anti-Tectonists to give up terrorism, she'll need a new job.
Jon Drake smiles.
Linn: Well, if you hear of anything... It may be a while before I can go home safely.
Jon Drake relaxes a bit.
Jon Drake takes a few cleansing breaths.
Wise Snake: People are always talking about how thankless the jobs at the children's shelters are. They have a hard time keeping good people there because it's such miserable work. But I think maybe it's just that people stop caring, and then they leave.
Alea wonders aimlessly through the cold snow, not paying attention to anything except her own thoughts. She doesn't notice almost getting run down or the way people are staring at her drunken path.
Jon Drake: OK, Brie. I'll remember.
Briel smiles.
Briel: Great.
Briel: Until then, why don't you go ahead and take the rest of the day off. Maybe go relax. I can zlin you're still bothered.
Jon Drake: No, I'll be OK. I'd rather keep busy.
Jon Drake thinks to himself ...and stay near you.
Nick, on his way home with the groceries, notices Alea stumbling around in the snow.
Briel: Fine.
Briel hands him several folders.
Briel: Then we should get all of this done.
Wise Snake reaches out while they talk and takes one of Linn's hands in her hand, with tentacles.
Linn: It sounds like a worthwhile project.
Jon Drake takes the folders, eager to get on with it.
Alea looks into a store window and blinks at the pretty red outfit all glittery and metal.
Alea wonders how something like that stays on...wonders if she should try it on.
Wise Snake's tentacles play about idly.
Linn looks down at the tentacles calmly, remembering how impossible that seemed even four days ago.
Alea wonders what all the little metal links are for
Alea hears a cough and turns to see who is sick.
Alea frowns at the person hurrying past.
Alea: If you go to the Sime Center, they'll help you!
Alea doesn't realize she yelled it so loud until someone growls at her to quiet down.
Nick sees Alea talking with one of Garon's less savory buddies, and decides to intervene rather than bring the Tecton's attention to his street.
Nick goes over to Alea, grasping her arm.
Alea blinks.
Alea: Oh, hello Nick.
Nick: I'll take care of her [to Garon's buddy]
Alea smiles.
Alea: Oh, but....
Alea looks back at the other guy.
Alea: He said he was going to take me where it was warm.
Alea smiles sappily.
Nick: Hello, Alea.
Nick: He's busy. I'll take you to a warm place.
Nick waves Garon's friend on his way.
Alea: I was going to go....
Alea frowns, trying to remember.
Alea: Home.
Alea nods, remembering reading the article on Zeor.
Alea: I was on my way home.
Alea thinks a minute.
Alea: But I don't live there anymore.
Alea: No, I was hungry and going shopping.
Wise Snake reaches out with her other hands and touches Linn's throat with fingertips, and a couple of tentacles.
Alea begins looking through Nick's groceries.
Alea: Yeah, like this.
Alea pulls out a small yellow vegetable and looks at it.
Nick realizes that Alea is in no condition to go all the way to the Sime Center, and starts to lead her to Snake's apartment.
Alea: No no no....
Alea sees the way they are going.
Alea: It's too cold down there. I want to go home.
Alea looks around, doesn't know where she is and sees the clothing store.
Alea: I'll just go in there Nick.
Alea: Veraik's gonna be mad because I made another mess.
Alea confides in a loud whisper.
Linn holds her ground.
Nick: Alea, come with me.
Alea: No.
Alea shakes her head.
Alea: Veraik will be really mad. I'm not suppose to really be gone.
Alea: I'm fine.
Wise Snake smiles.
Alea smiles.
Alea starts to nibble the yellow vegetable.
Alea frowns.
Wise Snake moves closer, slides the hand lightly down Linn's shoulder to her other arm.
Alea drops it back in the bag, not liking the taste of it.
Wise Snake zlins Linn.
Alea: You know, Nick, I don't want to be a Donor anymore.
Alea: I want to be a channel.
Alea hooks her arm through Nick's and leans over against him.
Nick: You're hungry. I'm sure you'll feel much better after you've eaten. Why don't you come and have dinner now?
Nick finally gets Alea moving towards the apartment.
Alea: Yeah... a channel. I was supposed to be a channel, but something happened.
Alea: I think I'd be a good channel.
Wise Snake teases her hands and tentacles up into a real forearm hold.
Alea chatters.
Alea: But I'm not a channel. I don't know why. But I'm a Donor.
Alea: I would have been the Sectuib's Donor... but then well, someone else came there and I left.
Alea: I wrote him a note the other day, [whispers loudly]
Alea: Don't tell Veraik.
Alea: He is blackmailing me. No more notes or he'll expose Zeor.
Linn feels some apprehension, but no worse than in their later practice sessions, and she gets it under control quickly.
Wise Snake pulls Linn close to her.
Alea nods for emphasis.
Linn does not resist.
Alea: But I just had to talk to Trel. He'll understand even if Veraik doesn't.
Wise Snake touches her lips to Linn's.
Nick: Of course he will.
Nick leads the way up the steps and fishes for his keys.
Alea smiles up at Nick.
Alea: You're so nice, Nick.
Alea: You remind me of Tarsh, did you know that.
Alea: Except he is renSime and I love him.
Wise Snake deep-zlins Linn.
Linn holds still, apprehension warring with trust.
Alea: You haven't yelled at me yet.
Alea: But you know, some of the stuff I really did to make them mad. that was my job. Veraik thinks I do it all...
Alea sighs long squeezing Nick's arm.
Wise Snake explores Linn's selyn system, teases a little bit of extra out, that formed in the last few minutes.
Alea is distracted by a purple and orange dress and turns toward the shop.
Alea: I wonder how that would look?
Alea looks at the dress and frowns.
Alea: But I don't think it covers that doll very good... so it certainly wouldn't cover me.
Wise Snake withdraws her laterals, leaving a moist substance on Linn's skin (again).
Alea: Still.
Alea grins.
Nick grabs Alea's arm and pulls her into the apartment.
Alea looks around, shocked.
Alea: Well, you didn't have to do that. All you had to say was you didn't like it.
Wise Snake's concentration is broken.
Alea removes her arm from his grasp, rubbing it.
Alea stumbles and falls into the wall and slides down it.
Wise Snake looks up, shocked by the change in the ambient.
Alea: Ooops.
Alea blinks.
Wise Snake lets go of Linn and gets up hastily.
Alea: Oh, hello Snake.
Wise Snake circles around behind the couch and studies Nick and Alea from a safe distance.
Alea: Now Nick, this isn't the Center. I specifically said I was going to the Center.
Alea pushes herself up.
Wise Snake: Nick... I... what...?!
Alea shakes at her Zeor cloak, trying to straighten it out.
Nick: I thought it would be better if she didn't get herself murdered on our doorstep.
Alea gasps.
Alea's hand goes to her throat.
Wise Snake: Murdered... what?!
Alea: Murdered?
Nick: She was already arguing with one of Garon's buddies.
Alea looks around.
Wise Snake looks a little wild.
Alea: Someone was going to murder Linn?
Wise Snake: You'd better tell me exactly what was going on, and tell me now.
Alea: Oh Linn.
Alea starts toward her.
Alea: Wasn't that nice of Nick to think of you. You know, he reminds me of someone at the Center who is always nice.
Nick: I found her wandering around on the street, drunk, yelling things at the passersby.
Nick: Garon's pal Ozzie took offense.
Nick: I thought it best not to leave her in his tender care.
Alea pauses and turns back to Nick.
Wise Snake: Egads, she's nearly frozen.
Wise Snake comes closer, emboldened by Alea's very low field state, and zlins the Donor's condition.
Nick steps into position at Snake's side, not trusting Alea to cooperate in her current condition.
Alea smiles at Snake.
Alea: I was going to be a Channel like you, Snake.
Wise Snake grimaces.
Wise Snake: I doubt it.
Alea face drops.
Alea: I'm a Farris.
Alea points at the black she always wears on her collar.
Alea: Where's your black?
Alea: You know, I'll sew it on if you want me to. You know I can sew, sorta.
Alea beams.
Wise Snake shudders.
Wise Snake: Don't remind me.
Wise Snake: Come on, let's get you into a bed.
Wise Snake: Nick... would you?
Alea looks at Snake confused.
Alea: But I have to get back to the Center.
Wise Snake gestures at the "guest" room.
Alea: Veraik's gonna be really upset.
Wise Snake: Uh... I'll send a messenger over to the Center to let Veraik know where you are.
Wise Snake: Veraik would be even more upset if your well preserved corpse was found frozen in the street somewhere.
Alea: But I'm not a corpse and I'm not cold.
Linn comes forward to help, taking Alea's hand to lead her towards the bedroom.
Alea: I feel really warm right now.
Linn: You're half frozen.
Alea frowns.
Alea: But I feel warm.
Wise Snake: She's drunk as a skunk.
Wise Snake lip curls. "Strawberry wine if I'm any judge."
Alea gasps belatedly.
Alea: You think I'm drunk?!
Alea pulls her hand away from Linn and turns on her heel.
Linn: Come, let's get you into a tub of hot water. That will thaw you out.
Alea: Excuse me.
Alea goes toward the door.
Nick blocks her.
Wise Snake watches Alea warily.
Alea blinks at Nick.
Alea: Excuse me, Nick.
Alea waits for him to move.
Nick: Alea, you can't go running around until you're warm.
Wise Snake glances at Linn, then looks at the bathroom and shrugs.
Alea sighs.
Alea: I am warm.
Alea: Sort of.
Wise Snake: Drunk [supplies Snake]
Nick takes Alea's arm and walks her back towards the bathroom.
Alea frowns at Nick.
Alea: She's calling me drunk.
Alea: Tarsh wouldn't like it if he knew.
Alea: Veraik probably wouldn't care.
Alea: But I care.
Linn gestures behind her back to tell Snake to shut up.
Alea: I don't drink.
Alea: Well, not normally.
Alea: And only a little bit.
Wise Snake falls silent, begins to look increasingly annoyed.
Linn: Come on, you'll feel much better when you're clean--just look at the mud on you.
Alea: You know, Nick, you sure are warm.
Alea slips her arm up under his shirt.
Alea: Wow, you are warm!
Alea turns to Linn.
Alea: Are you that warm too?
Alea reaches for Linn's shirt to see.
Linn grasps Alea's other arm and helps Nick lead her into the bathroom.
Wise Snake sits down on the couch, annoyed.
Alea: Why is everyone always undressing me and putting me in showers?
Alea: Veraik, Tarsh, you, Jon Drake.
Alea: You know, Linn... I don't mind you.
Alea: But....
Linn stops Alea's hand.
Linn: No, dear, we're not too warm, you're too cold.
Linn: Come now, get those wet clothes off, and we'll get you warm.
Linn turns the hot water on and begins to fill the tub.
Alea casts a narrow glance at Nick.
Wise Snake fidgets, then gets up restlessly and approaches the bathroom door.
Alea suddenly stops.
Wise Snake: What kind of a Sime Center lets its Donors go around in this condition anyway? Veraik should be ashamed of himself.
Wise Snake: [growls]
Alea: I don't want to undress.
Alea frowns.
Wise Snake stops short of actually entering; hesitates, then slinks into the adjoining hallway.
Linn: Perhaps you'd better wait outside, Nick.
Alea: I don't want you in here either, Linn.
Alea wraps her arms around herself stubbornly.
Wise Snake goes into the "guest" bedroom (Linn's) and makes it ready for the unwelcome guest.
Linn: I'm afraid you're stuck with me, Alea. Your fingers are too stiff for the buttons.
Alea steps back clumsily.
Linn: Here, let me help.
Alea: No, really, I'm fine.
Alea grabs the door and hurries out.
Alea: As a matter of fact... I'll just be going.
Alea hurries toward the front door, weaving toward it.
Nick intercepts her.
Nick: Alea, you should warm up and have a nap before you return to the Sime Center.
Alea: Excuse me Nick.
Nick leads Alea back to the bathroom.
Alea: Please, I just want to go home.
Alea: I'm fine. Really.
Nick: You can go home as soon as you're warm and rested.
Alea doesn't feel fine. Her stomach is really upset.
Nick hands her off to Linn, still inside the bathroom.
Alea sighs, slides down the wall.
Nick then shuts and locks the bathroom door.
Alea: I think Nick is right. I'm tired.
Alea: And I feel sick.
Alea curls up on the floor and closes her eyes.
Linn: I know you do, dear.
Wise Snake prowls the apartment.
Linn sees that Alea is no longer mobile enough to bathe and turns off the water.
Linn: Nick, I think we'd better just put her to bed.
Nick unlocks the door, and the two carry Alea to the guest room and put her to bed.
Alea grabs her Zeor cloak, making sure they don't take it.
Linn fetches a bucket from the kitchen and leaves it beside the bed, thinking that it's likely Alea will require it sooner or later.
Nick and Linn leave Alea to sleep off the strawberry wine. Nick does not forget to lock the bedroom door behind him.
Wise Snake sits back down in the living room, her mood thoroughly ruined.
Linn and Nick return to the living room.
Wise Snake notices the bag of groceries lying forgotten.
Linn: I expect she'll sleep most of the night.
Wise Snake: I can't believe Veraik would let her out in that condition. I mean she just miscarried a few days ago.
Linn: Oh, the poor thing.
Wise Snake: I realize Alea isn't the best loved employee at the Sime Center, but a life is a life! And she is Veraik's Donor.
Linn: No wonder she didn't want anybody to see her undressed.
Wise Snake remembers Veraik tricking Alea into transfer dependency.
Wise Snake: Most assuredly, Veraik's Donor.
Nick wonders if Snake will be that protective of him when he's a real Donor, not just a trainee.
Wise Snake wonders if the groceries have to be put away or anything, then decides they're the experts.
Linn follows Snake's gaze, and sees the basket.
Linn: Oh, the groceries. Did you find everything, Nick?
Nick: I think so.
Wise Snake: What's with all the cleaning and cooking and stuff? [nervously]
Wise Snake: It's all strange here now.
Linn lifts the basket, quickly inspecting the contents.
Wise Snake thinks especially with Alea there.
Wise Snake gets up and walks into the hallway, pauses outside the guest room door.
Wise Snake opens the door, slips inside.
Alea is sick and throws up.
Wise Snake: Whew.
Wise Snake: [disgusted]
Alea crawls back under the covers and closes her eyes.
Wise Snake goes to the side of the bed, carefully avoiding the bucket.
Alea blinks, opening her eyes.
Alea: Snake?
Nick grimaces in Linn's direction, then follows Snake into the room, not willing to cope with a sick channel as well.
Alea smiles sweetly.
Wise Snake narrows her eyes.
Wise Snake zlins Alea.
Wise Snake frowns, thinking.
Alea frowns at Snake's look.
Wise Snake rests on Nick's field automatically.
Alea: What's the matter?
Alea tries to project concern.
Wise Snake toys with the idea of stealing Alea away from Veraik and retraining her properly.
Wise Snake thinks it would be an awful difficult job.
Alea: I miss Tarsh, Snake.
Alea: He's gone right now.
Alea: He had to go see some friends.
Alea: You should come back, you know.
Alea: We miss you at the Center.
Alea: Well, I don't know if Briel misses you. But she probably does.
Alea is lying.
Alea: But that doesn't matter.
Alea eyes Nick.
Alea: You look warm.
Alea reaches up and grabs Nick's hand.
Alea: You are very warm.
Wise Snake reaches out and separates the two hands.
Alea frowns at Snake.
Alea touches grabs her hand.
Alea: You are very warm, Snake.
Alea scoots over then tugs hard on Snake.
Alea: Lay here so I can warm up.
Wise Snake: Alea, you are very ill - [breaks off as Alea clutches her hand]
Wise Snake: All right, all right, take it easy.
Alea sighs and lays back down.
Alea: I'm fine.
Alea pulls her cloak closer in her arms and settles back down.
Wise Snake pulls aside the covers and slides into the bed with Alea.
Alea snuggles up closer.
Alea: You're very warm.
Alea sighs contentedly.
Alea: Not as warm as Tarsh.
Alea: But warm.
Wise Snake reaches for Alea's hands.
Wise Snake: Let me help you.
Alea lays passively.
Alea: Whatever, Snake. I'm fine now.
Alea keeps her eyes closed.
Wise Snake takes Alea in transfer position.
Alea blinks thinking if Snake is going to take transfer it'll kill her.
Alea wonders fuzzily if Snake has suddenly decided she wants to be junct.
Nick pushes the odiferous bucket aside, moves a chair into a support position, and sits down.
Wise Snake goes into healing mode and studies Alea's condition minutely.
Linn takes the groceries to the kitchen and begins disposing of them properly.
Alea is partially healed, Veraik having done a good job of sealing off the bleeding and selyn leakage.
Alea lost a lot of blood though during the miscarriage.
Wise Snake catalogues a long list of health problems beginning with the overexposure and miscarriage and stretching back through weeks of bumps, bruises, cuts, burns, and transfer problems.
Alea thinks of how nice it would be to have transfer with a Farris.
Wise Snake begins an intensive healing work, starting with the worst of it.
Alea thinks that this is a Farris here and her nager smiles with that information.
Wise Snake becomes utterly absorbed in what she is doing, oblivious to the outer world.
Alea revels in being this close to another Farris, even if it is only for healing.
Wise Snake forges health, new cells from old, nerves alive, strength dawning where before was only exhaustion.
Nick waits patiently, offering steady support.
Alea concentrates on Snake, trying to encourage her.
Wise Snake projects a Need like the one she felt this last time when she was so late, inspiring every particle of Alea's existence toward rejuvenation, the fight for strength and health.
Alea responds.
Alea feels her body temperature rising as she warms up.
Wise Snake shudders at the feeling of a Farris Gen's response to her simulated Need.
Nick sees Snake shudder and increases his support.
Briel finishes her paperwork, slips out of her office and to Alea's bedroom to check on her, but finds her gone.
Briel: Well, shen.
Briel goes to Veraik's office to tell him.
Briel has a search done of the Center and grounds to make sure she's not there.
Briel tells Veraik she is going to go to Snake, ask her if any of her people have seen Alea.
Wise Snake seeks deeper, identifying each separate nerve and impulse to herself, trying to penetrate into what Alea is... why she is what she is....
Briel grabs her cloak and heads out the door.
Briel: Why the shenned can't that Donor stay where she's put?
Briel grumbles as she starts down the street.
Wise Snake is awash in a haze of sparkling thought, reaction and action of nerves too numerous to comprehend simultaneously... it is a giddy feeling to be within another's soul.
Alea wonders if Snake is done yet.
Wise Snake finds the place where the nerves come together wrong and some thoughts and impulses are forever mislaid.
Linn hums to herself as she prepares pastry fillings.
Briel comes up to Snake's door.
Wise Snake [but Alea herself prevents her from interfering]
Briel signals.
Wise Snake sighs and comes out of healing mode, releases Alea.
Linn answers the door in a cloud of flour.
Linn: Briel!
Briel: Hi Linn.
Briel: Is Snake here? I um, have to talk to her.
Wise Snake puts Alea to sleep.
Linn: Yes, although she's pretty busy just now.
Linn: Why don't you come in and wait out of the cold?
Wise Snake slips out of the bed.
Nick raises an interrogative eyebrow.
Wise Snake: I put her to sleep. She requires a lot of rest.
Wise Snake thinks about Alea's problem, shakes her head.
Briel: I have to ask Snake if any of her people have seen Alea.
Linn steps back so that Briel can enter the apartment without getting within easy grabbing distance.
Wise Snake: She requires more than that, but... well.
Wise Snake: Come on, we can leave her, she should be fine for the night.
Briel: It seems she has slipped off and we are well, worried about her.
Nick nods in understanding.
Briel slips inside.
Wise Snake: And we seem to have company... [uncomfortable]
Linn shows Briel to the living room.
Briel notes Linn's actions and ignores them.
Nick: Oh? Who?
Briel: This place is certainly clean.
Wise Snake: Briel.
Wise Snake slips out the guest room door.
Briel zlins Snake and Alea.
Briel: Thank goodness.
Briel: Is she okay?
Briel goes toward Snake.
Wise Snake: I guess it depends on your definition of okay.
Wise Snake: [doubtful]
Briel: Oh, well... yeah....
Briel shrugs.
Briel: You know Alea. She has a tendency to do her own thing.
Briel: Which includes, turning the Center upside down by slipping out and going for a walk.
Wise Snake: If you consider a Farris Gen operating at about 80% the ability she was trained to, with several months of accumulated bumps and scrapes and a recent miscarriage, who is caught in a transfer dependency with a channel not her equal, and is drunk as a skunk and nearly got hypothermia, "okay," then, yes.
Briel zlins Snake.
Briel: Drunk?
Briel sighs.
Wise Snake: ~~~ despondent ~~~
Briel: I didn't know Alea drank.
Briel concerned for Snake.
Wise Snake: What is Veraik thinking, letting her out in this weather, in this condition?
Briel: He didn't let her out in this condition.
Briel: She was in her room.
Nick sees Snake's depression and places a consoling hand on her shoulder.
Briel: We went up to check on her and she had slipped out.
Wise Snake shakes her head, unable to see how this could happen if people were really paying attention.
Briel goes past Snake and into the room Alea is in, to zlin her.
Briel: She looks better. You must have done a good job, Snake.
Briel is impressed.
Wise Snake says nothing.
Briel: They're worried sick back at the Center.
Briel turns to Snake.
Wise Snake thinks about the one piece of healing that no permission was given for.
Wise Snake: Yeah.
Briel: I take it your transfer didn't go as good as you wanted it this month.
Wise Snake shrugged.
Wise Snake: I guess Rafe did an okay job.
Wise Snake: Well there weren't any aborts anyway.
Wise Snake: ~~~ okay physical health, lousy emotional health ~~~
Briel nods.
Briel: That's a start, I suppose.
Briel turns and gathers the sleeping Donor in her arms.
Briel: Thank you, Snake for your help.
Wise Snake: You're just going to carry her out there like that?
Wise Snake: [doubtful]
Wise Snake: It's snowing.
Briel: With her cloak and my body temperature, I can get her back and keep her warm.
Briel: Not bad.
Wise Snake shakes her head.
Wise Snake: Whatever you say.
Wise Snake: It's none of my business.
Briel: Besides, Tramila wants her back where she can be with her constantly.
Briel hesitates.
Briel: If Rafe isn't working out....
Wise Snake: That sounds like Tramila. She always did go for ignoring the barn door until after the horse has escaped at least once.
Briel: There is always Jon Drake, though he doesn't match you.
Briel chuckles.
Briel: Tramila is a Farris. I have no fondness for any Farrises, as you know.
Briel: But she's trying to do her job.
Briel shrugs.
Wise Snake: I guess I lived through one of Rafe's transfers, chances are the second one will go better.
Briel nods.
Wise Snake: It will be my first time to get the same Donor twice in a row.
Briel: Fine.
Briel starts toward the door, then pauses.
Briel: By the way, it looks like you're doing good work with Linn too.
Wise Snake's eyes dart in Linn's direction.
Wise Snake: I'm trying.
Briel nods to Linn.
Briel: She didn't run when I walked in. I'd consider that a great improvement.
Briel smiles.
Linn wonders what Snake and Briel are saying about her, and wishes she understood more than a few words of Simelan.
Briel goes to the door, with the sleeping Alea in her arms.
Briel: Thank you, Snake.
Wise Snake opens the door for Briel.
Briel slips out the door and heads back toward the Center, augmenting.
Wise Snake closes the door.
Wise Snake shakes her head again.
Nick: Well, at least it wasn't the disaster it could have been.
Wise Snake: Well, needless to say, the Center isn't stabilizing anyway. [to herself]
Briel hurries up the steps of the Center and goes inside.
Briel takes Alea back up to her room and tucks her into her bed, adding two extra blankets.
Wise Snake shivers and uses Nick's field.
Briel finds someone to sit with Alea.
Linn decides that a distraction is in order, at least until Snake wakes Rafe for the evening shift.
Nick puts a protective arm around Snake.
Linn: Snake, the fillings are ready. Have you ever made tarts?
Wise Snake looks at Linn incredulously.
Nick grins, remembering how much fun it was to help his mother with the baking.
Alea snuggles down under her covers, the familiarity of the bed finally relaxing her.
Wise Snake: Have I ever made tarts? What, are you joking?
Nick: Oh, come on, Snake. It'll be fun.
Linn: With your help, they'll be ready when Rafe wakes up and wants breakfast.
Wise Snake: ~~~ reluctant ~~~
Wise Snake: ~~~ very finetuned awareness of imminently being made a fool of ~~~
Wise Snake: How about you two enjoy yourselves and I'll watch.
Nick: I'll do the quality control part.
Nick projects hunger, grinning.