Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #75: (11/14/97)
November 14th -- Friday!
Nally skates carefully around the pond in the park, holding
Lowren's hand.
Lowren skates awkwardly, trying to keep up.
Nally tries to keep Lowren from falling down, without being obvious about it.
Lowren is embarrassed at his poor showing.
Linn is wandering past the booths, seeing if there are any bargains she missed yesterday.
Parnul walks into the fair, glowering.
Lowren: You're so good at this.
Nally: It's just like roller skating, really.
Nally: Do you remember that summer when all the girls were mad about skates?
Nally: Until Serra fell and broke her ankle, and the grownups took them away.
Lowren: Yeah. you all were spending all your time on them.
Lowren: We boys argued if this was a good thing or not...
Parnul spots the tecton banner.
Nally: And what did you decide?
Lowren blushes "I didn't like it. None of you had any time to talk to us."
Lowren: "Other guys said that was the best part."
Parnul comes into the tent and zlins around.
Nally: Nate used to try to push us, so we'd fall down.
Briel is putting together bags for free give aways...but turns at Parnul’s entrance.
Parnul: ~~ hard need for a renSime ~~
Parnul: Is this just for donations?
Briel zlins Parnul.
Briel: Not in your shape it's not.
Lowren: Yeah he was one of them.
Lowren: Who liked it, I mean.
Briel motions toward another sectioned off part of the tent.
Briel: We can go back here for your transfer...
Nally notices that as Lowren thinks more about the conversation, his skating has become more confident.
Nally: Do you miss your friends from home?
Parnul nods and follows Briel.
Briel sighs, wondering how this renSime got in such hard need.
Briel goes around the corner of a tent and motions for Parnul to sit.
Lowren: Yeah. When I first got here I was so lonely. I didn't know anyone, didn't speak the language...
Parnul: ~~ irritation under the need ~~
Nally: You speak it very well, now.
Lowren: And everything is so ... different here.
Nally: I know.
Briel seats herself.
Parnul goes hyper conscious as he takes the other seat.
Lowren looks away. "Thanks."
Briel projects, offering, holding out her arms at the same time.
Lowren: I tried to find Parnul, and then he got hurt trying to find me. I felt so guilty...
Parnul reaches for Briel.
Nally: He got hurt? You didn't tell me about that.
Lowren: I thought all I could do was get people killed.
Briel meets Parnul’s reach.
Lowren: He heard I was looking for him and came to find me.
Jon, the Donor we met yesterday, was showing him to my hotel when they were attacked.
Lowren: He got stabbed in the back twice.
Parnul lashes his tentacles around Briel's arms.
Nally gasps.
Parnul extends his laterals in this "Gen" field.
Briel intertwines laterals with Parnul.
Lowren: He ... he almost died. Jon saved him till the channels got there.
Parnul surges forward for the fifth contact point.
Briel allows, it meeting Parnul's urgent need.
Parnul starts a fast draw. (for a renSime).
Briel feeds the emotional need, projecting the desire to give and joy at giving.
Nally: He did?
Nally looks at Lowren with widened eyes.
Parnul rises at the pleasure/joy.
Lowren: Yeah. Parnul was [Simelan] voiding selyn [English] ... losing life stuff, and Jon gave him enough to survive.
Nally: Without a channel?
Nally: I thought that made a Gen die?
Lowren: No, not if the Gen is a Donor. They know how not to be afraid. Don't ask me how...
Parnul draws his fill of selyn.
Briel feeds her own feelings of satisfaction from transfer into her transfer to Parnul.
Parnul revels in the satisfaction.
Briel allows Parnul to end it.
Parnul breaks contact and leans back as he goes hypo.
Linn takes a short by the lake, and pauses to watch the skaters.
Briel sits patiently, waiting, willing to listen if Parnul requires it.
Nally: Simple craziness?
Lowren: They aren't supposed to do it for renSimes ordinarily.
Lowren: I don't know. They talk about how it feels good some how. Almost like -*
Nally: Why not?
Lowren stops blushing again.
Nally considers.
Nally: Well, donating to a channel doesn't hurt, but I can't see how something like that could feel _good_.
Lowren: RenSimes aren't supposed to get selyn that way. Then they might want to try it on other Gens.
Lowren: Like when a dog kills a chicken, and gets a taste for blood, y'know?
Lowren: I don't see it either, but they say it does. When they give a channel his [ Simelan ] transfer.
Parnul looks worried.
Briel: You okay?
Parnul: Where is he? I'd have been worried sick if not for the need.
Linn moves closer to the edge of the pond for a better view, noticing a "Thin Ice" sign to one side, where a stream enters the pond.
Briel sits back and crosses her legs, zlinning Parnul.
Parnul: It's Lowren. He's been getting in real late, and being distracted.
Briel: You know, I might be able to help if you gave me a name.
Briel: Oh.
Parnul: ~~ concerned and annoyed at a perceived betrayal ~~
Nally thinks about it, then shakes her head.
Parnul: He's not telling me something, I can zlin it.
Briel: Parnul, I saw Lowren yesterday and the day before.
Nally: Naw, they must just be crazy. You know, like those people who want to be hit with whips and stuff.
Briel: He was in donating...and then was here yesterday with a friend.
Briel: Perhaps that friend has kept him preoccupied...
Lowren: Yeah, I suppose so. But the tecton couldn't work without them. Channels can't give transfer to other channels.
Briel: She was very pretty.
Briel smiles gently.
Parnul: He Was? heh. Is that was it is?
Briel nods.
Briel: I would imagine.
Parnul: ~~ thinking about pretty girls bringing up urges ~~
Parnul: Was she Sime? Nah... Lowren wouldn't...
Briel lifts an eyebrow at the unfinished question but doesn't comment.
Briel: I think she was from his hometown...a friend of his.
Briel: Nally, was her name.
Parnul: What?
Parnul: Nally? From Hamish?
Briel: Yes.
Parnul: What's she doing here? she Sime?
Briel: Grew up with him she said.
Briel: No, no...she
Nally: It takes all types.
Briel tries to decide just what to say without saying too much and violating her principals.
Lowren: I'm cold. Want to get something hot to drink?
Briel: She's Gen and came to visit. I think she'll be here for a few days.
Parnul: *Nally*? Coming to Demonland? I can't see that.
Briel smiles again.
Nally: What a good idea. Do you think any of those booths have spiced apple cider? Ice skating always make me want hot cider.
Briel: She is here. Was excited to finally find Lowren.
Parnul: She was always the little apple polisher at Sunday school.
Briel isn't the least bit surprised to hear this.
Lowren: Let's see. that sounds real good.
Briel: She seemed very nice.
Briel thinks, except that she thought Simes were demons.
Parnul: Wait ... she was _looking_ for him? After his father cast him out? Not bloody shen likely.
Briel shrugs.
Briel: Well, she came to the Center, excited, throwing herself into his arms, saying she had finally found him.
Parnul looks thoughtful.
Briel: I would say that we could easily draw the conclusion she had been looking for him.
Briel: And I saw her with him yesterday.
Nally steers Lowren expertly through the other skaters, swerving to avoid one particularly reckless skater who seems determined to set a speed record, despite the crowds.
Briel: When they both came by here.
Parnul: What did they get up to after I changed over?
Parnul: That sly dog...
Briel zlins Parnul again.
Parnul: ~~ admiration for his friend's lotharioism ~~
Linn watches a would-be speed skater careen around the pond under augmentation, barely missing a young Gen couple.
Lowren almost falls as he sits down on the bench to take his skates off.
Briel: I wouldn't be surprised, Parnul, if Lowren is still here somewhere.
Briel: As a matter of fact, I imagine I'll be seeing him as we still have something of his that he will have to retrieve.
Briel: Would you like to leave a message?
Nally pretends to ignore Lowren's awkwardness.
Parnul: No, I can always get him at home tonight. if he comes home...
Briel chuckles at Parnul's words.
Briel: Good. good.
Parnul: I'm forgetting my manners. Thank you, Hajene, for an excellent transfer.
Briel pushes to her feet.
Briel: You're quite welcome.
Lowren mutters some mildly improper words as he struggles with frozen laces.
Linn sees with alarm that the speed skater, looping around the pond again, is about to run down a party of five who are holding hands.
Linn yelps as the skater, swerving at the last moment, skids onto the thin ice and falls through, splashing her liberally with freezing water.
Briel stretches wearily, sighing.
Nally feels obligated to show her disapproval of Lowren's language with a slight frown.
Briel: If I see Lowren, I'll mention I saw you.
Nally: Oh, look there!
Lowren sees the accident jumps up in his stocking feet and look around for a rope or ladder.
Nally points to the speed skater, who has gotten to his feet and is wading ashore, cursing a blue streak.
Parnul: Thank you, Hajene, that's very kind of you.
Briel nods.
Linn, who was already chilly from spending the morning outside, starts to shiver.
Lowren relaxes seeing that no one is in danger, then wonders why his feet feel so cold...
Nally finishes tying the laces of her boots, than hands Lowren his own.
Parnul: Did you require me to sign anything or...?
Lowren: Huh? Oh! Thanks Nal.
Lowren sits down and tries to get his boots on.
Linn heads off towards the larger tents, hoping that one of them will have something hot to drink and shelter from the wind.
Briel flushes.
Briel: I am sorry Parnul. I didn't even fill out a paper on you.
Lowren finishes his boots and stands up. "Did we want to turn the skates in, or are we coming back?"
Briel crosses the room and gathers up the emergency transfer slips and fills one out...then picks up a book and fills out another line, bringing the paperwork back.
Briel: Sign this slip, the yellow copy will be yours, then sign the book for our permanent records please.
Nally weighs the fun she has skating with Lowren's obvious insecurity on the ice.
Nally: We'll find a tent with dancing this afternoon.
Nally remembers that Lowren actually dances acceptably well.
Parnul signs as requested and folds up and pockets the yellow copy.
Briel initials the book and takes it back over to the small table.
Lowren smiles. "Great! Been a while."
Briel: Parnul...
Lowren: Let's find the cider...
Briel: You might want to be a little more careful about allowing yourself to get into such 'need' again...it's not good to push yourself that far.
Nally: I smell cinnamon that way.
Nally points to the right.
Parnul: Yeah. I was brooding about Lowren and lost track of time. Nally.... hmmmm.
Briel turns and leans against the table.
Briel amused at Parnul's preoccupation with Nally.
Lowren follows Nally's nose.
Parnul: And they say you lose your old life when you come in....
Briel: The past always has a way of catching up with you.
Briel: Whether that life was in or out Territory.
Parnul: So it would seem.
Briel zlins her patient again.
Nally discovers that the source of the cinnamon scent is an apple turnover booth, but there is hot tea to go with them.
Parnul: ~~ nostalgia, resentment, loneliness ~~
Briel goes over and sits down
Briel: You know, Parnul, why don't you enjoy the day at the fair.
Briel: Take the rest of the day off work and live it up. Maybe you'll run into some friends...even Lowren.
Lowren tries to eat carefully like he was taught at Miz Fiona's, instead of just stuffing it in like he used to.
Parnul tries to get his mind around this alien concept "day off".
Nally approves of the improvement in Lowren's etiquette.
Parnul: Well, this is the fun time of the month...
Parnul: I suppose I'd better have fun while I can...
Briel nods.
Briel: Exactly...go out, enjoy yourself..re-experience life ...
Might be just the thing.
Parnul: Thank you again Hajene.
Parnul makes a respectful tentacle gesture and goes out.
Linn is shivering so hard she bumps into a strange Sime coming out of the Tecton tent.
Linn: Oh, excuse me.
Briel waits until Parnul is gone then stands to go back to work.
Parnul: Oh! I'm sorry, ... Miz.
Parnul: I wasn't zlinning where I was going.
Linn: Haskins. Linn Haskins.
Parnul: Glad to meet you Miz Haskins. [ starts to offer hand but stops and bows ]
Parnul: Parnul Redan, at your service.
Lowren sips at his tea. "Nally, why ... why did you come looking for me?"
Linn: I don't suppose you know where I could get something hot to drink?
Linn: I got an unwanted shower just now, as you see.
Linn is starting to get seriously chilled.
Parnul zlins Linn.
Nally: I couldn't let you go on, thinking your Dad still didn't want you.
Parnul: They may have some tea here, Sime centers always do.
Linn tries to keep her teeth from chattering too loudly.
Parnul zlins around at the booths.
Linn: What a good idea. I seem to have chosen the one part of the fair that doesn't have hot drinks.
Parnul: Yes you did. [ concerned ] come on in.
Lowren: But why you and not someone else?
Briel zlins Linn immediately.
Linn enters the Tecton tent as Parnul holds the flap open.
Briel stands where she is, not wanting to frighten Linn.
Parnul carefully closes the flap to minimize drafts.
Briel: Hello, Linn. What happened?
Briel retracts her tentacles and goes back behind the other flap and retrieves a towel and blanket.
Nally: Your father couldn't leave the farm, with no one to look after the stock. And I was worried about you.
Parnul: Hajene, Could I trouble you for some tea for this poor chilled lady?
Briel notes that Linn doesn't seemed as frightened of Parnul as she has always been of Briel.
Briel: Of course.
Parnul sees Briel is doing other useful things and goes to get the tea himself.
Linn: I was over by the pond, and got splashed by a skater who fell through some thin ice.
Briel nods.
Briel: Here is a towel and blanket.
Briel carefully offers it.
Linn: Thank you.
Briel wishes she had a Donor with her today...but accepts that she doesn't and simply girds herself to see this through.
Linn takes the towel and blanket just as carefully, takes off her soaked coat, dries her wet skirt as well as she can with the towel, and wraps the blanket around herself.
Parnul brings Linn a mug of steaming trin.
Briel would offer to help warm her but knows how that would go over with Linn.
Briel zlins her, concerned.
Lowren: Oh.
Lowren looks a bit disappointed. [ So it wasn't because she liked me special then... ]
Linn takes the tea, careful to avoid touching Parnul's tentacles, but her hands are shaking so badly that she spill it on herself.
Briel gasps, jumping forward to jerk Linn’s skirt off her legs so it won't burn her.
Briel reaches for the mug to keep Linn from spilling any more.
Linn starts at the sudden movement, than regains control when she sees that Briel's grab was aimed more at her legs than her arms.
Briel shakes the skirt to cool it off, then slips a towel under her skirt before dropping the skirt
Nally: I used to think of you, after you left, and wonder whether you were lonely. Or whether you'd found someone special.
Nally shoots a glance at Lowren, to see how he reacts to the mention of special acquaintances.
Parnul didn't know what to do when Linn spilled. Guiltily catches himself looking at Linn's legs and looks away.
Briel goes across to the sink and pours half the tea out and then returns with the mug.
Linn sighs, looking down at her skirt.
Briel: Here you go, try this, Linn.
Linn: Oh, well. It was pretty much soaked, anyway.
Lowren reconsiders his evaluation of Nally's motives.
Parnul goes over to the stove to stoke it.
Lowren doesn't react to the mention of specials.
Nally is careful to keep
Parnul speculates about the coal business.
Briel moves back to work on the bags and allow Linn to warm up, without her hovering.
Parnul gets the stove drawing well.
Lowren: I was lonely, and was wondering if I still owed Father my obedience. That's why I didn't just get a job in town.
Linn finally manages to curb her shivering long enough to drink some of the tea.
Nally makes a sympathetic noise.
Lowren: I didn't think Mom agreed with him, and I wondered about everyone else...
Briel wanders into the small back room and digs through their supplies, and pulls out the tecton uniform that she brought there just in case.
Briel comes back out.
Briel: Linn, perhaps you'd like to change into this instead of returning home.
Parnul looks over at Linn to see how she is doing.
Nally: Some did, but most thought your Dad was being a little unreasonable. You weren't a Sime, after all.
Lowren: Yeah. I also felt guilty about missing church, but they don't have CotP here, obviously.
Briel: It's dangerous for you to go around like you are.
You're likely to catch pneumonia again.
Lowren: I found a place called the Church of Unity. I went there a few times.
Linn wonders if Snake would find that a positive or negative development.
Parnul remembers to go put some coins in the tea kitty.
Nally: A church, out here? what do they teach?
Linn: Thank you, it is a long way back.
Linn takes the clothes from Briel and looks around for a place to change.
Briel: You can use the transfer room.
Briel motions to the curtain.
Linn hesitates, then goes behind the curtain.
Lowren: Well, they have both Gen and Sime members, and they say that Simes aren't inherently evil, that god means for Simes and
Gens to live together without killing or murdering.
Nally blinks at this astonishing dogma.
Lowren: It is the kill that is from the ... underworld, not changeover.
Linn was right, there is a "tentacle chair" behind the curtain.
Lowren: The kill is how Simes are lured into Sin.
Nally: In Hamish, they're the same thing.
Lowren: Only because there are no channels to serve them.
Lowren: They say that people of good will should provide for their children's need.
Parnul goes over to Briel and whispers to her "Is she going to be OK going home like that? Without augmentation to stay warm?
Linn turns her back on the tentacle chair and slips into the uniform pants, which stop several inches above her ankles.
Briel: I think so.
Briel: However, maybe if you walked her home....or to her friends, if she's here with anyone, that might help.
Linn holds up the shirt, and decides that it would never button, and is short sleeved to boot.
Linn is shivering again, since the heat from the stove doesn't really reach back here.
Nally shakes her head.
Nally: What a strange religion.
Lowren: Yeah, but how could God have made Simes helpless to keep from sin?
Linn puts her damp shirt on again, and returns to the main part of the tent.
Alea gets out her sketch pad and sketches scenes she sees out her window.
Briel turns and looks at Linn, trying not to show her surprise.
Briel: Why don't you get closer to the stove, Linn.
Parnul zlins Linn, concerned.
Linn stands right next to it, still shivering.
Linn: I can't seem to get warm.
Lowren: I'm probably not telling it right, I've only gone a few times...
Jon Drake knocks on the infirmary door.
Briel goes over to Linn and sits down next to her.
Nally: We were always taught that changeover is a punishment for sinners, which makes that a circular argument.
Briel: Well Linn, I'll share my Sime warmth...that should help a bit.
Jon Drake slowly enters the room backwards, carrying a tray.
Briel is not going to touch Linn and scare her.
Alea turns from her sketching surprised.
Alea: Jon?
Jon Drake sees Tarsh laying down asleep.
Lowren: I always wondered why all the important sins came in childhood, but Father would whup me when I asked things like that...
Linn wraps the blanket around herself again.
Jon Drake: [quietly] "Lunch time"
Alea nods and goes across the room.
Alea slips quietly into a chair.
Jon Drake: How do you feel?
Alea shrugs.
Parnul fiddles with the stove.
Alea: Fine, I suppose.
Nally: You always were one for asking hard questions.
Jon Drake: Are you hungry?
Tarsh mutters in his sleep "Zray ... Please ..."
Alea glances at Tarsh then back at Jon.
Lowren: Yeah. And they aren't getting easier.
Alea: He uh, talks in his sleep.
Tarsh: Zlin that primo...
Briel sighs.
Briel slips an arm around Linn and rubs gently.
Jon Drake nods, saying nothing.
Briel: I'm just trying to help you warm up Linn so don't panic.
Jon Drake sets out the trays.
Jon Drake: Would you rather I...?
Alea: Please, stay.
Lowren: They still have those dances at Lang's on Friday's.
Alea reaches out and takes his hand, to keep him from leaving.
Nally smiles.
Nally: Yes. But they aren't as much fun since you left.
Tarsh: Bloody Tecton jackboots....
Alea: Actually, this looks quite....appetizing, though I feel like all I've been doing is eating and sleeping.
Alea blinks at Tarsh's words, then flushes.
Briel augments, trying to raise her body temperature, thus help
Linn warm up.
Linn tenses a bit, but holds still.
Jon Drake: Ok.
Lowren changes the subject, afraid to offend Nally.
Linn tries to judge how close to need Briel is, and how good her control is today.
Alea: How are Tramila and Tamlen?
Alea: Any signs of improvement?
Alea: Trouble swallowing, or breathing yet?
Tarsh slips deeper into sleep and starts to snore gently.
Jon Drake: Well, you have to get your strength up.
Jon Drake says nothing about Tarsh's outburst.
Alea looks at the food and wishes she could go cook her own food.
Briel zlins Linn's body temperature rising.
Briel continues to briskly rub Linn's arms, carefully keeping her tentacles retracted.
Linn starts shivering in earnest as she starts to come out of hypothermia.
Briel decides Linn isn't going to lose it so she motions for
Parnul to move up and stand on the other side of her, engulfing her with warmth on three sides.
Parnul moves up to the other side of Linn and augments his body temperature.
Linn isn't quite as nervous about Parnul being close to her, since he's never lost control and stalked her.
Parnul: It usually get this cold around here?
Briel shakes her head.
Briel: Not that I've read about....of course, I'm new here.
Briel: Linn?
Jon Drake: They've had a difficult time of it, but they are fairly stable right now.
Linn: It's been a few years since we had this much snow.
Alea wonders what Jon means by that and why Veraik hasn't been in and draws her own conclusions...her appetite flees.
Alea: Anyone else come down sick yet?
Parnul: We always got a lot more snow back home, but that was up in the hills and away from the coast.
Alea picks at her vegetables.
Alea: How is Kaymeil working out.
Alea doesn't see anything appetizing on her plate.
Alea wishes she had something tasty to drink over than trin tea.
Alea: You know, just because we're in isolation doesn't mean they have to send us the same food, the same drink. It's the exact same thing each meal.
Linn also includes a sniffing form for Alea to fill out, promising a cooking upon completion.
Jon Drake: Other than the flu? Not that I've heard.
Jon Drake: We're spending some time together, but so far she seems to have her own projects that she's working on without me.
Jon Drake: What would you like?
Alea glances up.
Alea: Huh?
Alea: I want something different..anything.
Alea: What was that stuff you gave me that had strawberries in it?
Alea: Now that was good.
Alea: Maybe the cook would make it up in the kitchen. After all, she has promised to do that as long as I don't set foot in there.
Jon Drake: If you like, I can see if I can pick something up at the festival.
Jon Drake: If you were better, I could treat you to one of those garlic steak sandwiches I promised you.
Briel notes Linn's temperature is now within safe ranges.
Briel: Looks like your skirt has dried too.
Linn: Yes, I feel much better now.
Linn checks her coat, which has also pretty much dried.
Jon Drake: I don't know if Tarsh would appreciate bringing such an aromatic delicacy into his room.
Alea gets up and begins to pace.
Parnul: Can I give you a lift home, ma'am?
Jon Drake: Strawberry Daiquiri?
Briel smiles that Parnul has offered help. She gathers Linn's wet clothes and puts them in a bag and brings them back.
Alea: Was that what it was?
Alea: Sure. Sounds great.
Alea paces to the window and looks out, wishing she could go outside.
Linn: I wouldn't want to inconvenience you...
Jon Drake: I don't know if they'd have many strawberries at hand. Especially this time of year.
Parnul: It would be my pleasure.
Linn: That's very kind of you, then.
Jon Drake: I'll see what I can do.
Alea: True.
Alea sighs.
Alea traces a drop of moisture on the window.
Lowren nods.
Alea: You know, if I could just go to the kitchen I could find something....
Parnul goes to the flap and offers some kid a tip to go get a cab.
Jon Drake: Let me go talk to the staff.
Alea: You can take my food. Leave Tarsh's. He might be hungry later.
Lowren: Did You want to go see if the dancing has started?
Briel lays out the packages of freebies outside on their table for passerby’s.
Jon Drake: No, you should try and eat something. If you still cannot, then I'll take it.
Jon Drake heads out.
Nally: Oh, yes!
Alea sighs at the stubborn Donor's words.
Alea thinks he shouldn't treat other Donors that way but goes back over to the food and sits down.
Lowren: Let's go then.
Alea forces two more bites down, then is back up and across the room again, staring out the window.
Linn allows Parnul to help her into the cab, and gives him
Snake's address to pass along to the driver.
Parnul gets into the cab with Linn.
Parnul: As the Cab drives along, Parnul sees Lowren walking hand in hand with a woman who must be Nally.
Lowren: Lowren sees Parnul in a cab with some woman.
Lowren: [ both watch the other go past. ]
Jon Drake returns some time later with a pitcher of a dark red frozen slush.
Jon Drake: Ok, here you go.
Alea looks at Jon and smiles.
Tarsh wakes up. "Wha?"
Alea looks over at Tarsh.
Alea: Oh...
Jon Drake: [the slush is much darker than the earlier one]
Alea thinks that's the way it's suppose to be and takes the pitcher.
Jon Drake: I had a devil of a time to find a suitable fruit in season.
Alea: Oh?
Alea: This isn't strawberries?
Jon Drake: Wait!
Alea pours a cup ...
Alea turns back, surprised.
Jon Drake: No... I couldn't find strawberries.
Tarsh works his mouth, not liking the taste.
Jon Drake gets a couple of cups.
Tarsh: Morning Alea, Jon.
Alea: Hello, Tarsh.
Jon Drake: Good morning, Tarsh.
Jon Drake: In any case, Tarsh wouldn't have been able to have some if they were strawberries.
Tarsh: How are Tamlen and Tramila?
Tarsh: What is in it then?
Alea takes the cup she has just poured and hands it to Tarsh.
Alea: Just after lunch.
Alea: Jon brought us food.
Alea motions to the table.
Jon Drake: It's made from pomegranate.
Alea turns to Jon for another glass
Alea looks curiously at the liquid.
Jon Drake hands her another.
Alea: Never had pomegranates...
Alea sniffs it and smiles.
Tarsh takes the cup, careful not to touch Alea.
Alea: This is certainly different.
Jon Drake: It was fascinating to watch a Sime extract all the berries, with nary a stain at all.
Alea realizes what she did and jerks the cup away from Tarsh.
Tarsh: This Simesafe?
Alea: I'm sorry.
Alea eyes wide with dismay.
Alea: Jon, pour him a cup please.
Jon Drake: Certainly.
Tarsh stifles a feeling of offense. After all, she's right.
Jon Drake pours a cup.
Alea takes the cup and drops it in the trash, her heart beating a mile a minute.
Alea: I forgot about the touching....
Alea stays across the room.
Tarsh: We have to be careful. I don't like it either.
Alea ~~guilt~~
Alea: According to Jon, Tramila and Tamlen are holding their own.
Jon Drake nods.
Tarsh: Good to hear that.
Alea tastes the drink and smiles.
Alea drains her glass, thinking that was much nicer than the same bland food.
Alea smiles gently at Jon.
Alea: Thank you so much, Jon for doing this. I know you don't have to and probably feel like an errand boy, but you'll never know how much these little things mean.
Jon Drake: That's Ok.
Alea goes over and takes Jon's hands.
Alea: Promise to keep us informed on Tramila and Tamlen's condition?
Jon Drake: Don't worry. I will.
Alea kisses him softly on the cheek, pausing to whisper.
Alea: "You know, at one time I thought we were going to be enemies, but I think now, that you have turned out to be a dear friend."
Jon Drake: I hope so, Alea.
Jon Drake: Everyone could use a friend.
Alea smiles at Tarsh who is still eyeing his glass then back at
Jon.
Alea: Thanks again.
Jon Drake: You're welcome. Just get better.
Alea stares at JonDrake, glad he can't zlin the fear in her nager.
Alea: We will.
Alea ~~fear/determination~~
Alea: We will.
Jon Drake: You can count on it.
Alea releases Jon's hands and steps back to let him leave.
Jon Drake: Now you two shouldn't drink too much of that.
Jon Drake: It can go to your head very easily.
Alea shrugs, thinking they don't have much else to do.
Alea: Don't worry, we won't.
Alea steps back, sighing at being isolated again.
Jon Drake: I'm going go see if Kaymeil needs something yet.
Alea nods.
Jon Drake: I'll try to check in later. Bye.
Jon Drake smiles reassuringly.
Alea: Bye.
Alea ~sad~
Jon Drake: Cheer up. I'm sure you'll get a clean bill of health soon!
Jon Drake: Then I'll take you to the fair.
Alea turns to look at Tarsh, remembers almost touching him earlier and moves across the room as far as possible, wondering how much longer it's going to be before one of them comes down with symptoms.
Jon Drake: How's that?
Alea: That sounds great, Jon. We'd love it.
Alea looks at the calendar and counts the time left...