Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #71: (11/9/97)
Alea slips on her cloak and slips out of the center.
Alea goes down the slick sidwalk, trudging through the
Snow.
Alea turns left and heads off toward the docks.
Nick is also hurrying towards the docks, although his cloak is a plain brown, not Zeor blue.
Alea sniffles, then sneezes but is determined to find some medication for the center.
Alea: Nick!
Alea is surprised to see another Gen out on a day like today.
Nick looks at Alea in surprise.
Alea: What are you doing out?
Nick: I'm on an errand for Snake.
Alea: Oh.
Alea nods, then rubs at her runny nose.
Nick: What brings you to this area?
Alea averts her gaze.
Alea: I needed some um....help ....
Nick sets mode: +o Alea
Alea: Different...things.....for the center that we dont' ahve right now.
Alea sets mode: +o Briel
Alea sets mode: +o LinnH
Nick: What sort of things?
Alea: Just little things...like well....
Alea whispers.
Alea: Fosebine, sleeping aids...antibiotical needs.
Alea finally turns to face Nick to study his reaction.
Nick studies Alea intently.
Alea [serious]
Alea sets mode: +o JonDrake
Alea: Our center is out of everything and it hasn't been replaced.
Alea: I have got to get some of these supplies.
Nick: I know.
Alea: It's turning into an Emergency.
Alea: And no one taht I have approached has been able to help me.
Alea clasps her cold chapped hands together nervously.
Nick considers Alea's concern, and her greater experience in the Donor's craft.
Alea: I'm getting deseprate.
Alea: Veraik doesn't seem to realize the emergency with other things on his mind.
Nick: I know a source for the items you name.
Alea: You do?
Nick: Yes.
Alea looks relieved.
Nick: Not for huge quantities, perhaps, but enough to tide you over until your own supplies come in.
Alea: Where can I get them?
Nick: Not so fast.
Alea wary.
Alea: What?
Nick: If I'm going to help you with your emergency, it's only fair if you help me in return.
Alea considers...
Nick gestures towards the cafe where he first met Snake.
Alea thinks of how dangerously low they are getting and how they are reaching a critical point.
Alea: Okay.
Nick: You're cold, and so am I. Let's discuss this further over a cup of tea.
Alea: What is it you want?
Alea nods.
Alea goes into the cafe.
Nick leads Alea to a secluded booth in the rear of the almost empty cafe.
Alea sets mode: +o Veraik
Nick calls over his shoulder for the waitress to bring them both tea.
Alea sneezes again.
Alea: Excuse me.
Nick hands her one of the cheap napkins set on the table as a nosewipe.
Alea: Thank you.
Alea: I got a bit too wet yesterday playing in the snow.
Alea shrugs helplessly.
Nick grins.
Veraik is now known as VLurk.
Alea smiles back.
Nick: I used to build snow armies when I was a child.
Alea: Yeah...
Nick: Snake's kept me too busy to do it this winter.
Alea: I'm on sick leave for awhile.
Alea frowns.
Alea: So, waht did you have in mind for a trade.
Nick: Nothing so terrible, I assure you.
Alea: Nick..your evasive answer is making me assume somethign terrible.
Nick: You know I've been studying to be Snake's Donor.
Alea: Yes.
Nick: I've been doing some reading in some books I found, about ways to manage entran.
Alea: Yes/
Alea still wondering what this could ahve to do with what he wants.
Nick: They all agree that drugs are ineffective and dangerous, particularly for Farrises. From what I've seen of Snake, I'd have to agree.
Alea: They are right.
Alea: Drugs are NO WAY to manage entran.
Alea: Why would anyone even want to with a Donor around to help.
Nick: However, the books also mention an alternative way to treat entran--a nageric treatment which is supposed to be quite effective.
Alea blinks.
Alea: Yeah.
Alea: Are you telling me Snake hasn't taught you how to relieve entran yet?
Jon Drake is in the library, spending his time off researching.
Nick stiffens eagerly as his suspicians are confirmed.
Nick: So there IS another way.
Alea: Good heavens yes.
Nick: The books just mentioned it in passing, as if everybody should know about it, but Snake has never mentioned it.
Nick: I don't think she knows it's possible.
Alea eyes widen in dismay.
Alea: I didn't even think....
Alea: With only two months training it is possible she doesn't.
Alea studies Ncik.
Nick: I've got to learn how to do it.
Alea: All you have to do is ask Nick and I'll help you in any way I can.
Nick: Without even the drugs, bad as they are, Snake's not in good shape.
Alea: No, she's not.
Alea: She's almost out of first yera and she's dying because she hasn't had proper training.
Nick: If it weren't for the constant entran, and the drugs she takes because of it, she'd be in much better shape.
Alea: The procedure is actually very simple for entran,
Nick.
Alea: Yes, she would.
Nick: She's even started eating regularly, since Linn started cooking things especially for her.
Alea smiles.
Alea: That's good to know.
Nick leans forward, listening intently.
Alea: I'll have to show you....it'll be easier.
Alea: Let's pretend I am a channel...
Jon Drake looks though the index, finds very little information on the Distect.
Nick nods.
Alea moves around next to Nick.
Alea: Okay...the main thing you can do is be willing to help.
Alea: Your whole field must focus on me, the channel, as willing to help.
Nick focuses on Alea, finding it MUCH easier than when he started just over a month ago.
Alea: This is the position the hands are in...
Alea reaches out and dtakes Nick's arms.
Alea: We don't do a fifth contact point like in transfer for this...but Snake would lay her head on your shoulder...
Alea demonstrates.
Jon Drake pulls out those earlier histories of Zeor to look at their relationship with Rior again.
Alea: She will use your field, while like this, to provide resistance to move selyn between her primary and secondary....
Alea sits back and releases the arm.
Alea: You get your part right and we're halfway home.
Alea: You can maybe explain it to Snake...but the best thing to do would be to have her zlin someone doing it...another channela nd Donor.
Nick thinks it over, trying to reconcile the nonstandard grip with the things he's been picking up when wading through a book on transfer mechanics.
Alea stares up at Nick concerned.
Nick: Well, Snake's pretty good at figuring things out, when she knows they're possible.
Alea: She really should zlin this, Nick...
Alea: Talk to her...feel free to ask me any questions you want about being a Donor to a Farris..I'll be glad to answer....
Nick: If we can't manage it on our own, I'll try to get her to let someone show her.
Alea: If you have problems, contact me.
Alea: Great.
Alea smiles.
Alea: Is that all you wanted?
Nick: For relief from those headaches, she might do it.
Alea: It will give her relief.
Nick: That's the most urgent problem.
Alea: And it'll give you relief.
Alea: Believe me...it's our job to keep the channels from being cranky.
Nick nods, understanding exactly what Alea means.
Alea: And when we know our job, it makes our life so much easaier.
Alea: Which brings me to my problem...
Alea looks questioningly at Nick.
Nick finishes his tea and sets the mug back on the table.
Nick: Let's get your supplies--and mine.
Alea pushes her full mug aside.
Alea: Good.
Nick: This flu epidemic is using our stores at an alarming rate.
Alea stands and sneezes again.
Alea: Don't I know it...
Alea: And between that and the ordering not getting done we are in an alarming condition.
Alea grabs up another napkin and wipes at her raw nose.
Nick reflects that if the conventional supply routes can't restock the Sime Center, it's a good thing that
Snake turned to less conventional suppliers first.
Alea: Our person who use to order was transferred and it was a simple oversight that we forgot to reassign someone to take care of the ordering.
Tarsh is now known as Fise.
Fise argues with the tailor.
Jon Drake finds it a bit difficult to concentrate on the histories due to a rising sinus headache. What little
Fosbine they've been able to buy at the local pharmacies is going for the serious cases.
Nick reflects that from his admittedly mostly second-
Hand knowledge of the Sime Center, this does not surprise him.
Alea: Which way?
Nick leads the way to a drinking emporium named
" Stinky's"
Alea looks around wondering where a drug dealer would hang out.
Alea looks with dismay at Stinky's.
Nick waves to Stinky, mouthing a question.
Alea draws her cloak closer about her, not liking the look of this place at all.
Alea: They have stuff like that here?
Nick nods his thanks as Stinky waves them through a back door.
Alea looks around and wonders how they survive their clients to sell the stuff.
Fise ventures opinions regarding the tailor' ancestry and personal habits.
Alea: This place is awful.
Linn is now known as BugLumps.
Bug Lumps looks up as Nick enters the back room.
Bug Lumps: Why, hello there, Nick.
Alea eyes widen when she sees buglumps...she thinks he definitely looks like he would have illegal things going on.
Bug Lumps is an enormously fat Gen, covered with warts.
Fise storms out of the tailor shop and walks off down the street muttering.
Bug Lumps: You'd be here for Snake's order, I presume?
Nick nods.
Alea wonders if this was smart..coming here...she doesn't like the look of things at all.
Bug Lumps turns his attention to Alea, eying her Zeor blue cloak and Sime Center uniform.
Bug Lumps remembers his last encounter with a Tecton
Donor.
Alea tries to smile.
Bug Lumps: Who's that?
Alea: My name is Alea.
Nick quickly gestures behind his back for Alea to keep quiet.
Alea: I wanted to buy some ... uncontrolled and controlled substances too.
Bug Lumps glares at Nick.
Alea glares back at BugLumps figuring she'll have more luck if she looks harsh and mean too.
Alea sets mode: +o JonDrake
Nick: [BugLumps] Have you been talking about our--
Association--to other parties?
Nick makes a placating gesture, all too aware of
Bug Lumps' two strapping sons.
Nick: Alea has recently done a very great favor for me and Snake.
Baltimore- R. M D. U S. Undernet. Org sets mode: +o BugLumps.
Nick: She has asked my assistance in obtaining some supplies--the Tecton's distribution system seems to be less efficient than yours.
Alea glares at Nick thinking that is NOT what she said.
Alea sets mode: +o Briel
Alea turns to BugLumps.
Alea: The accident on not having enough drugs is my fault...so I seek to remedy the problem.
Alea: Therefore, I came to garon...then to you looking for the substances I require.
Alea: I met Nick along the way and he offered to come here with me...
Alea: So don't go blaming him.
Alea: Now can you help me or not? Or should I go to someone else for help?
Bug Lumps nods, having heard similar stories from gang underlings and desperate Torn By Tentacles fans.
Alea wonders if that nod means Yes.
Alea decides to take it as a yes and pulls out a list of essential medications.
Bug Lumps: That depends on what you want. I warn you, I have no intention of playing the fool when Tormer is taking a personal interest in the vice squad, if you know what I mean.
Alea hands him the list.
Alea: Do not mention that man to me.
Alea thinks of the warrent out for her and shudders.
Bug Lumps raises an eyebrow.
Bug Lumps: I see you've met him.
Alea: Whether I have or not isn't important...I just want to know if you can fill this list.
Bug Lumps feels a bit more comfortable about Alea now that he knows she shares his desire to stay out of Tormer's clutches.
Alea fists her hands on her hips and glares.
Bug Lumps inspects the list, immediately deciding not to fill the requests for Tecton-controlled substances, just in case this is a sting.
Alea: Well? Can you help me or not?
Alea looks at Nick as if to say can he really know anything?
Nick is just glad that BugLumps has apparently decided to suspend judgement on Alea.
Bug Lumps harumphs as he scans the list.
Alea sneezes, ruining her glare.
Briel comes into the lobby with yesterday's reports done and to be filed.
Jon Drake is now known as Ogaea.
Bug Lumps: I can get you some of them, but it will take two days.
Alea: Some of them...two days?
Alea gapes.
Alea: We have to have them now.
Nick takes the list from BugLumps and scans it.
Alea: I should have known..he's as incompetent as he looks.
Alea grabs her list from Nick.
Alea: Is this the only person you do business with?
Nick notices that with some exceptions, the list is pretty similar to the supplies he is to pick up for
Snake.
Nick looks at Alea disapprovingly.
Briel gives the files to the clerk and goes to her office.
Alea glares at Nick.
Alea: Just forget it.
Nick: He's very reliable, when you are polite about it.
Alea: I'll call the Tecton myself and call in favors. I am a Farris after all....
Nick: Now, this list is pretty similar to the items I'm picking up for Snake.
Alea grumbles and turns to leave.
Alea: How nice....
Alea: He can get them for you...
Bug Lumps: You think the Tecton would ship it any sooner?
Bug Lumps: How long ago did you place your emergency reorder, anyway?
Alea shrugs.
Nick watches the mutual antagonism between Alea and
Bug Lumps with growing alarm.
Nick: Stop it, both of you.
Alea: In two days those supplies will be in.
Alea: If I wanted to wait two days I'd have never stepped foot in this pigs sty.
Alea: Thank you, NIck...but I"ll find someone else to help.
Alea turns and goes through the curtain.
Nick shrugs and turns back to BugLumps.
Alea goes through the room doing her best to ignore the people there.
Alea: Two days.
Alea shakes her head.
Nick: Oh, well. I tried.
Alea: I thought all you had to do is go show them money and they were more than willing to sell this stuff to you.
Alea goes out the front door.
Alea starts down the street, sneezing and sniffling as she tromps through the Snow.
Fise looks up and realizes he is in the seamy side of town. How gauche.
Nick collects Snake's order, pays for it, and makes his way back towards home.
Alea rubs at her raw nose then shakes her boots to knock some of the snow off.
Alea: Stupid to get out and then listen to some idiot tell me it was going to be two more days before I could have the stuff the center required.
Alea: Veraik is going to be furious when he realizes just how low we are.
Alea continues down the street, looking around in dismay at being in this part of town after her last encounter down here a couple of days earlier.
Alea looking down at the street so as not to slip bumps into someone.
Alea grabs the person to keep from going down.
Alea: Fise!
Alea's eyes widen in surprise.
Fise's eyes widen in surprise.
Alea realizes she has her footing and releases Fise's arm.
Alea: We have been looking all over for you.
Alea studies fise closely.
Fise: Why?
Alea: You are past due for transfer.
Alea thinks...or was....
Alea: You were also very very sick last time we saw you.
Fise: Well, what is my state of need Sosu Farris?
Alea glances up at Fise.
Alea: Why don't you tell me, Fise[coolly]
Fise: ~~approaching turnover ~~
Alea: It looks like we were worried for nothing.
Fise: Worried about what? How to execute me? have you made up your mind yet?
Alea's eyes narrow.
Alea: No one wants to hurt you, Fise.
Alea: No one.
Fise: That's not what Briel said. Which one of you is the liar?
Alea: From waht I understand, Briel begged you to let her help before you ran off like a thief in the nighti.
Alea: I'd say that makes you the liar, Fise.
Fise: So she's the liar then? Says she wants to excise my laterals *AND* help me?
Alea shakes her head disgusted.
Alea: You just can't let go something that was said in anger, can you?
Alea: She apologized to you for that...but you just can't accept it...
Fise: Ah. since you think I'm I liar, there is no point in my saying anything, is there? You would disbelive it regardless. Good day.
Fise turns to leave.
Alea snags Fise's sleeve.
Alea: Wait a minute.
Fise turns slightly to look significantly at Alea's hand.
Fise: 60
Fise: 59
Alea ignores his look.
Fise: 58
Fise: 57
Fise: 56
Fise: 55
Alea jerks on his sleeve.
Fise: 54
Alea: Stop it.
Fise: 53
Fise: 52
Fise: 51
Alea: Oh forget it.
Fise: 50
Fise: 49
Fise: 48
Alea let's go of his sleeve and turns to go.
Fise: 47
Fise: 46
Alea walks off down the street.
Fise: You still have almost 40 seconds left? Or were you lyning then too?
Alea: Take it how you want to, you lorsh.
Alea: I have better things to do with my time than talk to you.
Fise turns and walks away.
Fise: Then why did you?
Alea decides she is going home and packing then going back to Zeor, she has had it with this place.
Alea pauses.
Alea: Why did I what?
Fise: You really need to get you thoughts better organized, you know.
Alea ~hurt~
Alea: At least I don't run out on the Center when they require help.
Alea thinks that is exactly what she is planning though.
Fise: I'm sorry? I'm suspended, remember?
Fise: And I'm saving them the time spent killing me.
Alea: You were supspended for three days...three lousy days....
Alea: They weren't going to kill you Fise....
Fise: Controller Veriak said nothing about a time limit.
Alea: It's been almost two weeks.
Fise: So I assume it is for life.
Alea: It's in your files.
Fise: Which would be over now if you people were truthful.
Alea: Did you even ask?
Fise: I'm sure you have expert forgers.
Alea: Of course we do.
Alea: Perfect forgers.
Alea: Great forgers.
Alea: They're so good....that I'm able to lie and get anything I want at the Center.
Fise: Why? No one would listen to me. I'm a liar, remember? You just said so.
Ogaea is now known as JonDrake.
Alea: You nkow, Fise...I don't know why I ever cared...or even tried with you.
Alea: You don't want help. You just want to hurt people.
Fise: Well, at least we have that in common. I don't know either.
Alea: Because I'm a total imbecelle and have the unfortunate tendency to care about channels.
Fise: I don't threaten people with excision and attrition.
Alea: I'm stupid, okay.
Alea: Go do what you want...see if I try anymore.
Alea: Just know that Veraik is desperately searching for you.
Alea: And you'll always be welcomed back at the center.
Alea: No one wants you to die out here alone.
Fise: Why? excision blades come in?
Alea turns and starts back up the street again.
Fise: So you want me to die there, in company?
Alea: At least you wouldn't be alone.
Fise: Hoe comforting.
Fise: == Hoe -> How.
Alea shrugs, turning away from Fise so he won't see her tearing up over another failure.
Alea mutters low, "Shenned idiot"
Fise shurgs in turn and walks off.
Alea goes back to the Center.
Fise is now known as gone`
Alea goes wearily up the stairs and into the warmth of the center.
Alea tosses her cloak on the coat rack and then heads upstairs.
Gone is now known as Tarsh.
Alea goes to her room.
Tarsh comes out of his room.
Alea sits down in a chair and cries.
Alea stands and goes to her closest and pulls out a small backpack.
Alea opens her cloest...realizes she still hasn't changed her close back and slams it.
Alea goes to her box and pulls out several sets of clothes and stuffs them in her backpack.
Alea gathers up her brush and pins and tolitries and adds them to the backpack, then sits down to jot two notes...
Alea seals them then goes to her door and slips out.
Tarsh goes down to his office.
Nick is now known as LinnH.
Alea takes the money she had taken for drugs and puts it in an envelope and seals it and hands it to clerk, with one of the notes...
Alea: Please see these delivered to Tarsh
Linn walks into the Sime Center lobby, carrying a small box.
Linn sees Alea with the clerk.
Linn: Alea! Just the person I was coming to see.
Alea smiles at Linn.
Alea: I'm just on my way out...
Alea: Perhaps you'd care to see Tarsh or JonDrake, they're both in.
Alea remembers Linn's adversion to Tarsh and admends that.
Alea: Jon would be glad to see you.
Linn: No, my business is with you personally.
Alea sighs.
Alea: Very well, Linn.
Alea sits her backpack down.
Alea: 'what is it?
Linn extends the box to Alea.
Linn: Nick wanted me to give you this.
Alea: What is it?
Alea takes the box.
Alea starts to set the box down, but being the curious person she is, opens it instead.
Linn: [the box contains about two days' supply of fosebine, antibiotics, decongestants, and other medicines: the legal part of Alea's order.
Alea stares, stunned.
Jon Drake runs across a book entitled _Distect: Threat or
Menace?_
Alea: Why'd he....but they said.....
Alea shakes her head.
Linn: He said to tell you thank you for your instructions.
Alea nods unable to answer.
Linn: And that he'd be in touch if he and Snake can't figure it out.
Alea: Oh.
Linn: He wouldn't say what "it" was, but you look like you understand the message.
Alea: Yeah.
Tarsh comes out of his office.
Alea looks up at Linn.
Alea: Tell him thank you.
Linn: I will.
Alea nods.
Linn starts to leave, and then turns back.
Tarsh comes out to speak to clerk. "Where are the monthly reports from regional?"
Alea is looking through the drugs, mentally calculating how long they might last.
Linn: Oh, and he said to tell you to contact him if your shipment doesn't come in when you expect it.
Alea looks up, surprised.
Alea: Okay.
Alea glances over and sees Tarsh.
Tarsh notices Alea and Linn. "Ale-*"
Tarsh looks at Linn.
Linn looks up and sees Tarsh.
Alea smiles at Linn, trying to encourage her not to panic.
Tarsh makes sure his tentacles are in.
Tarsh: [ to clerk ] "Bring them to my office."
Jon Drake is now known as Clerk.
Alea: It's okay, Linn.
Clerk picks up the box and carries it to Tarsh's office.
Clerk returns to the desk.
Alea goes to clerks desk and gets the envelope she laid there.
Clerk is now known as JonDrake.
Tarsh carefully and slowly turns away from Linn.
Alea: Wait tarsh.
Linn has learned enough to be able to guess where a Sime is in his need cycle, and can control her fear--sort of.
Tarsh stops.
Alea: Linn...look at Tarsh....
Alea: Please.
Alea: Is he out of control?
Linn is very tense, and watching Tarsh like a hawk, but not actually panicing.
Tarsh: "again, my apologies, Miz."
Tarsh does not have a line of sight on Linn.
Alea: He works here day in and day out, Linn....
Alea: He has never attacked anyone.
Alea nods to Tarsh.
Linn tries to beat down her fear, and to keep Alea between them so it doesn't trigger an involuntary attack.
Alea: Thank you, Tarsh.
Tarsh stands there trying to stay hypo.
Linn also holds her ground, trying not to offer too much provocation.
Alea motions to Tarsh.
Linn tries to convince herself that despite past experiences, he's probably just as safe as Garon.
Alea: You can go...I just wanted Linn to see you....I hoped to help her.
Alea picks up her backpack and turns to the office, leaving the two of htem there.
Tarsh: Thank you Alea. Thank you Miz.
Tarsh wlks slowly down towards his office.
Linn's knees turn to jelly as Tarsh leaves the lobby, and she staggars over to sit down on the couch for a few minutes to recover.
Alea thinks she ought to just put those two in a room for a day or two together...the winner is the one who leaves...hoping both come out.
Tarsh carefully goes into his office and closes and locks the door behind him.
Alea counts the drugs and sticks a note in them to
Veraik...then fingers the note to Tarsh.
Tarsh's knees turn to jelly and he staggers over to his couch.
Alea goes back out and gives the note back to clerk to deliver later.
Alea goes back to her office and grabs her backpack and then goes to get her cloak.
Alea pauses.
Linn recovers enough to slip out the door of the Sime
Center, and head for home.
Alea looks back at the Center fondly.
Alea turns and goes out the door, slips around back to see her SnowSime and the Gnome then heads down the street.
Jon Drake is now known as Clerk.
Alea goes to the park to wait for the time for the next train.
Clerk sees that it is slow, so he gets up and takes the note to Tarsh's office.
Clerk signals at the door.
Clerk looks down the hall, watching for any traffic in the lobby.
Tarsh struggles to his feet and goes to the door. "who is it?
Linn passes the park, seeing only one person in the distance enjoying its rustic, and chilly, charms.
Clerk introduces himself.
Clerk: Alea asked me to deliver somthing to you.
Clerk: Would you rather I just slip it under the door?
Tarsh: No, it's all right.
Tarsh opens the door.
Tarsh: Why didn't she just hand it to me?
Clerk shrugs and hands him the note.
Clerk: Well, I gotta get back to the desk...
Clerk turns and heads back to his station.
Clerk is now known as JonDrake.
Tarsh curious, opens the note?
Tarsh reads the note.
Briel leaves her office and heads to the lobby to file some reports.
Jon Drake refiles the books he has been reading and leaves the library.
Tarsh squints at the tiny writing.
Briel heads back down the hallway and sees Jon Drake.
Briel: Hello Jon.
Jon Drake smiles.
Jon Drake: Hello, Brie...
Briel: Has your channel arrived yet?
Jon Drake: No, not yet, unfortunately.
Briel: Oh.
Jon Drake: No supplies, no channels.
Briel: Supplies are getting low.
Jon Drake: I wonder if there's a teamsters' strike going on that we haven't heard about.
Briel: If an epidemic of any sort hit, we'd be in bad shape.
Briel: Most probably the snow.
Briel: It's probably snarling traffic between here and there.
Briel: So, you still willing to work with me?
Jon Drake: Must be. Whe have been having a few cases of enfluenza in the town. It's getting harder to purchase fosbine and other basics in town.
Jon Drake: Yes, Brie. Of course. Why would you ask that?
Briel: Well Kaymeil is due anytime....as soon as she arrives, you'll be assigned to her.
Jon Drake: Will there be enough time?
Briel: Enough time for what?
Jon Drake: I wouldn't want to let her down.
Jon Drake realizes that a part of him wouldn't mind
Kaymeil being late and being forced to be assigned to
Briel again...
Jon Drake knows that that is a selfish attitude, and is a touch guilty about it.
Briel: I wanted you to help me take donations today.
Jon Drake: Yes, I'd be glad to.
Jon Drake: It will give me something more productive to do.
Briel studies Jon curiously.
Briel: What do you mean by that?
Jon Drake: Things have been pretty light the last few days.
Jon Drake: It's been a waiting game.
Briel: Yeah it must have been for you.
Briel: Well, the rest of us have been busy..but you have been at loose ends.
Jon Drake: I guess I'm a little stir crazy. The Gen equivalent of entran, perhaps? :-)
Briel chuckles and shakes her head.
Briel: Gens do not have entran.
Briel: Maybe you should start running or something to expend that extra energy.
Briel smiles evilly.
Briel: Kaymeil likes to run.
Briel laughs.
Jon Drake: Heh! Maybe.
Jon Drake: Maybe I should take matters into my own hands.
Jon Drake: How have you been? Who is your Donor this month?
Briel: I don't have one yet.
Briel: Veraik is working on that.
Jon Drake lets his field show his sympathy and willingness to help support her.
Briel groans.
Briel: Jon....
Veraik goes for a walk, Liorie cape billowing around him.
Briel: You have been working too much with Veraik.
Briel: I am not your channel.
Veraik starts down a street realizes it is the one with the police station and decides to take the long way around.
Briel: I appreciate you help but....shen your field.
Briel: You are already over matching me.
Veraik goes to the park near the docks and zlins Alea's nager.
Jon Drake eases off.
Veraik goes to her. "Hello, Alea,"
Jon Drake: Sorry Brie.
Briel breathes easier.
Briel: Thank you.
Alea glances up guiltily.
Alea: Hello veraik.
Alea pushes her backpack under her cloak so he can't see it.
Veraik: May I sit down?
Alea nods.
Alea sneezes.
Jon Drake: It's hard for me not to respond to your needs.
Briel: I know that...
Veraik sits, zlins she is cold and wraps his cape around her, augmenting to increase his body temperature to warm her up.
Briel: Today is my turnover day....and I'm a bit more sensitive than normal
Jon Drake: I have to admit that I'm still a bit apprehensive about being with a new channel I've never met.
Alea: You shouldn't be augmenting liek that Veraik.
Jon Drake nods.
Jon Drake: I think I had a feeling.
Briel nods.
Veraik: You require warmth.
Briel: Kaymeil is a very competent channel. You'll like her.
Veraik: You're cold. [heavy sigh]
Alea: I'm not as cold as I was yesterday.
Alea: I'll be fine.
Veraik: I felt the backpack, why are you leaving.....Why are you leaving me?
Veraik: I love you. You know that it would be my death if you leave.
Jon Drake: It's that unkown. If it had been Veraik or even Snake, a Channel I've already known, I probably would be less nervous.
Briel: I understand.
Alea sighs.
Alea: I've been thinking about what Trel said and think it's time for me to go back and learn mor about being a competent Donor.
Briel: You'll do fine.
Briel: Besides, to be the best Donor you can be you should be with several different Channels.
Jon Drake: Thanks. It's been a chaotic week.
Veraik: Trel only wants you so he can display his power over people. DOn't fall into that.
Briel: You're going to find it really interesting the way each one has its own way to work and how each transfer is different.
Alea thinks Veraik is probably right but doesn't say so.
Veraik: You are a good Companion, Naztehr. Please don't leave....[under breath...me]
Jon Drake shrugs more amusedly than resignation.
Alea winces at Companion and Naztehr. "Veraik, when you get back to the Center, you're going to find a box of drugs, drugs Nick brought me because I forgot to assign someone to see to ordering them."
Jon Drake: Yeah, just keep the positive in mind.
Veraik: What do you mean, you forgot?
Alea: A good Companion would not continually forget thigns like that..things that could put the entire
Center....
Jon Drake: I'd better check our arms to make sure which of us is in turnover. :-)
Briel: Exactly, Jon...you'll see I'm right.
Veraik: I was the one who should have taken care of that detail. IT was my responsibility.
Alea thinks it is nice of veraik to try to take responsiblity.
Alea: It's not your fault, Hajene.
Alea: By the way, I saw Fise today.
Veraik: Oh Alea. That is so noble of you, but really, you are not to blame.
Briel: Come on, let's go do Donations.
Veraik: Fise? How was he?
Alea: Not good.
Jon Drake: Yes, let's.
Alea: Bitter, angry.
Alea: He is certain we're out to kill him. I couldn't convince him otherwise.
Veraik: Oh. Is he back at the Center? or where did you see him?
Veraik frowns. "Oh."
Alea: I saw him downtown when i was looking for....
Alea glances at Veraik and realizes what she almost said.
Veraik: ....what?
Alea: I didn't even think to ask whre he was staying.
Veraik: With him in that state of mind, you wouldn' have told you anyway.
Alea: I am so angry. I can't stand the man but I always have to ask him how he's doing. what do you mean by that?
Alea: I just hate to see a channel give up.
Alea: I'm a Donor.
Veraik: === you wouldn't - he wouldn't===
Alea: I should have been able to help him.
Alea: And instead, I lost my temper with him.
Veraik: I know but you can not fix anything.
Alea looks off in the distance, the anger and feeling of failure creeping up into her again.
Alea: I'm a Farris.
Veraik: And that is only a human reaction.
Alea: Could be life and death for a channel if I can't help thme...just look at what I did to you!
Veraik suppresses his jealousy.
Veraik: What did you do to me?
Alea: The dependency I created because of my ineptitude could have caused serious, serious damage.
Alea sighs and shakes her head.
Veraik: You created?
Alea nods.
Veraik: Sorry, I think I had a lot to do with that as well.
Veraik: It was my love for you which created that situation.
Alea: Oh veraik.
Alea ~sad~
Veraik gets depressed when he realizes just what he said to her.
Alea doesn't know what to say.
Veraik: Come back to the Center, Alea.
Alea sneezes.
Veraik: I promise not to interfere with you and Tarsh.
Just don't leave.
Alea: But Veraik...it's more than that....
Veraik augments more to increase the heat.
Veraik: Then what?
Veraik: You are not a failure.
Alea unconsciously leans into the heat.
Alea blinks at Veraik.
Veraik: Don't ever think that.
Alea: Then how can you zlin me so easily...I should be able to block everything from you since you 're only a first and not a Farris.
Veraik: Besides, if you leave, you will miss a great transfer with Tramila.
Alea thinks of Tramila.
Veraik: I thought you were looking forward to that transfer.
Alea: I am.
Alea: SHe will just be recalled to Zeor.
Veraik: Tramila said she wasn't leaving. She wants... no she desparately needs transfer with you since you are a Farris.
Alea: Oh, veraik, I just don't know what to do.
Veraik: I know, Alea but don't leave.
Alea shrugs wearily.
Veraik: If you leave, where will Tarsh be and Tramila.
They both need you. More than you will either know.
Alea thinks Tarsh needs her field but doesn't say so...she thinks it's the other way around...she needs
Tarsh.
Alea doesn't like weakness...and wonders when she has let it slip into her life.
Veraik zlins that Alea is still cold and augments just a little more to increase the heat of his body.
Alea sighs.
Veraik: Please come back with me, Alea.
Alea: I'm getting rather warm Veraik...you should stop augmenting like htat.
Alea shrugs.
Veraik: It's cold. [looks around] and I think the temperature is dropping.
Tarsh sets mode: +o Veraik
Alea: I....I don't know.
Veraik looks embarrssed. "I just wanted to keep you warm and healthy."
Alea: Oh veraik...
Alea: Maybe....maybe....
Alea: But perhaps....
Alea shakes her head.
Veraik: Thinks..."and safe, my love."
Alea looks off into the distance, debating.
Veraik: [pleading look in eyes] Please come back. You are needed at the Center. [thinks I need you.]
Alea decides.....no.
Alea: I want to Veraik.
Alea: The center is my heart...
Alea: But, I'm afraid I'm endangering people there.
Veraik: Then come with me.
Alea: Maybe Trel is right....
Alea: Maybe I should go back to Zeor where someone can help me.
Veraik: You belong at the Center.
Alea: I want to belong there....
Alea: Everyone I love is there...
Veraik: Trel is not right.
Alea thinks of Tarsh.
Veraik: You should be with us. Here, at the Center.
Alea: And all of my friends are there.
Alea thinks the only friend she really has is Veraik..on their good days.
Veraik: Yes they are.
Alea: I'm just so tired.
Alea thinks how tired she is of everything.
Veraik: I can zlin that.
Alea thinks how she just would like some sleep..some peace..and to do what's right for a change.
Veraik: Do you want me to carry you back? [hopeful look]
Alea looks up, confused.
Alea: I just said I couldn't go back, didn't I?
Veraik pulls her head onto his shoulder.
Alea sighs.
Veraik: Don't think about it. Just come back to m....the Center.
Alea enjoys the warmth, the feel of protection.
Alea: You know, hajene....
Alea sighs again.
Veraik: What Alea?
Alea: I have to apologize for everything that has happned in the past...I think...well...
Alea hesitates.
Alea: You are a very deara friend to me despite everything we've been through.
Veraik: Enjoys her softness, her sweet smell of innocent.
Alea says the last softly.
Veraik: Thank you Alea. that means more to me than you will ever know.
Alea wonders how he can accept her, but thinks it's enough for now.
Alea drifts to sleep.
Veraik zlins her sleeping.
Veraik: He picks her up and hugs her to him, a tear trailing down his cheek.
Veraik: I love you, Alea.
Veraik slowly turns towards the Center, walking into the moonlight, holding the one who is the most precious to him in all the world.