Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #77: (11/16/97)
Sunday Night...November 16th.
String waggles enticingly in the middle of Alea's room.
Alea is sitting on the bed in the corner holding
Kati/ Kadi scratching her ears.
Alea sees the string and sets Kati down and slips off the bed.
Alea walks across the semi-cleared floor toward the string.
Kati stares intently at the string.
Alea wonders how things keep getting in the floor and sighs.
String drags across the floor as Alea picks it up.
Alea grabs some other trash and heads toward the storage closest to throw it away.
Kati leaps out to pounce on String.
Kati grabs String in mouth and bats at it with front paws.
Alea feels resistance and turns, smiles at Kati, dropping the end of the string.
String stretches between Alea and the kitten, who follows like a dog on a leash.
String flops to the ground.
Alea goes on to the closest and dumps the trash before coming back to scoop up Kati and the string.
Kati drops string and watches it intently.
Alea rolls the string into a ball, leaving just enough string hanging to hold it and takes Kati and the string over to the table. She sits it down to watch
String rolls off onto the floor.
Kati starts and watches string.
Kati is peering over the table edge.
String starts to unravel as it rolls.
Alea gets up and walks across the room to stare out the window.
Wise Snake climbs up the front steps to the house with
Rafe trailing behind... both are covered with snow.
Kati leaps off the table and crouches on the floor.
Alea looks at the overcast sky and the falling snow.
Wise Snake gropes for keys to front door, then tries to insert them with numbed tentacles.
Linn unlocks and opens the door.
Wise Snake: Oh! Thanks.
Linn: Snake, Rafe! You're half frozen.
Wise Snake tries to stomp and shake off the worst of the snow before entering.
Wise Snake: We were down at the food bank healing frostbite cases... nearly froze ourselves in the process.
Wise Snake: Basically just worked our way down the line... all these people waiting in the snow...
Linn takes Snake's new black cape, and Rafe's black-
Lined Zeor blue one, and sets them to dry by the heater.
Linn: It's not a good time of year to be out in the cold.
Wise Snake: At least we have a home to come back to.
Linn remembers how dangerously cold she got the previous day, when she was splashed by the careless ice skater.
Kati pounces on string and shakes it in her mouth, kicking it with hind legs.
Linn: True. I have some soup on the stove. Why don't you two change into dry clothes and have some.
Wise Snake: I was thinking of taking Nick and going back, but maybe I'll wait here and warm up a bit.
Wise Snake: Good idea. [goes to change]
Linn serves four bowls of potato soup.
Wise Snake comes back, puzzled.
Wise Snake: Did you throw out some of my really old clothes? There's all sorts of new stuff in my clothes chest.
Linn shrugs.
Linn: My cleaning rags disintegrated, and some of those things were just falling apart.
Linn: Besides, if you look respectable, you won't scare away the customers.
Nick looks up from the textbook he's studying as they enter the living room.
Wise Snake: Uh... well... some of the customers would be scared off by respectability...
Wise Snake goes back in room and puts on new clothes.
Wise Snake returns.
Linn looks at the effect critically.
Wise Snake: What?
Wise Snake looks to see what Linn is looking at.
Linn adjusts the collar of the shirt so it isn't crumpled, and squares the sweater so it rests properly on
Snake's shoulders.
Linn: There, that's better.
Wise Snake: Do you really think that's going to make that much difference? I mean, they're still going to see it's me.
Nick raises an eyebrow, surprised.
Nick: You look good in that outfit, Snake.
Wise Snake: Oh, Geez.
Wise Snake: All that happens when you start playing with looking good is people are disappointed in you when you can't bring it off.
Wise Snake: Plus, if you're good looking people automatically assume that you are also smart, rich, and know where the train station is.
Linn: Well, and don't you know where the train station is?
Wise Snake: Well, yeah, but,
Wise Snake: I have enough problems without every tourist just off the boat thinking I look safe to approach on the street.
Linn: You're doing quite well lately, and you certainly want your customers to believe you are competent. Which you are. wisesnake laughs.
Wise Snake: Well...
Wise Snake: ~~~ can't help but be complimented by Linn's efforts ~~
Linn sets the soup bowls on the table.
Linn: Come eat while it's hot.
Linn: [in very awkward Simelan] You require hotness.
Wise Snake laughs again.
Wise Snake: [in Simelan] Thank you, kind chest-pillager.
Wise Snake sits at the table.
Wise Snake: [Rafe joins them]
Linn looks puzzled at the last half of Snake's response.
Wise Snake: Are you still frozen? [to Rafe... fusses over
Rafe, zlinning him]
Linn: Did they say what kind of work they had for me?
Wise Snake: I didn't really go into much detail. I just told them you were experienced with both elementary school age children and high school age.
Wise Snake: They said they could use anybody who can work hard and is trustworthy around children.
Linn: Well, I hope I'll be able to do some good there.
Wise Snake finishes up her soup.
Wise Snake: Rafael, you look and zlin beat. Why don't you just go to bed and I'll take Nick out for a while. I don't want you getting sick.
Alea takes Kati and snuggles her, listening to her soft purring and stroking her fur.
Linn: [Nick takes his cue and finishes his soup quickly]
Mostan comes up the street, looking nervous.
You are now known as Briel`
Briel has finished looking in on Tramila and Tamlen and is on her way to find Veraik, charts in hand.
Mostan looks at the sign "Bender Cove Sime Center"
Linn: [Nick] I'll be ready to go in just a minute.
Wise Snake sees Rafael off to bed.
Mostan stands irresolute.
Linn gathers the soup dishes while Nick fetches an extra sweater.
Mostan steels himself and goes into the lobby.
Briel sees the stranger.
Mostan looks around but doesn't see Tarsh.
Mostan: == Tarsh -> Tarsh ==
Briel moves forward.
Briel: Hello. May I help you?
Mostan starts.
Briel glances thinks of the many sick and wonders if he is here to see one of them.
Wise Snake replenishes the medical kit and the contents of her pockets.
Linn: [Nick checks the medical satchel for items requiring restocking, with particular attention to frostbite medications]
Wise Snake beams happily at the sight of Nick double checking her work.
Mostan is a short Sime, skinny even by Sime standards.
Briel pauses at the clerk's desk to lay several of the charts there to be filed when she gets back.
Mostan: I was looking for Tarsh Chutmas. I'm an old friend of his.
Briel zlins closer.
Briel: I see.
Briel turns and lays down the rest of the charts before turning back to the stranger.
Mostan: ~~ a renSime who zlins much calmer than he appears ~~
Briel: I'm sorry, but he's not receiving visitors. May
I take a message.
Wise Snake knows that the time is quickly coming when she will have to repay Nick for his excellent services in the format he demands.. a transfer.
Wise Snake's smile fades.
Linn quickly rinses the dirty dishes, and gets her coat.
Briel: By the way, my name is Briel.
Briel nods her greeting.
Mostan: I'm sure he'll want to see me. I'm a very good friend of his, and it is important.
Mostan looks evasive. I'm ... Mostan.
Briel: I'm sure it is, but I'm afraid that's impossible.
Briel moves away from where she was leaning against the desk, into a more assertive looking position. She allows her nager to back up her stance firmly.
Briel: Perhaps you could tell me what it is about and I can take him a message.
Nick gets his cape, and hands Snake her now-dry black one.
Wise Snake puts it on and checks her look surreptitiously, not sure she wants to know.
You are now known as Alea.
Linn smiles, thinking that Snake would look pretty spiffy if her hair was clean and combed.
Mostan: ~~ an odd effect, like the zlinning equivalent of double vision ~~
Mostan: It's complicated... Do you know when he will be available?
Wise Snake looks like a lawyer... a skanky grease weasel in nice clothing.
Briel: Well...
Briel calculates.
Briel: Anywhere from two days to weeks, Mostan.
Briel: Tarsh is in the infirmary under isolation.
Briel can see no reason not tell this man that.
Alea sets mode: +o NickR
Nick holds the door for Linn and Snake.
Mostan: Isolation? He's sick? What's wrong.
Mostan: ~~ genuine concern ~~
Wise Snake exits once again into the blustering snow.
Briel zlins his concern and sighs.
Briel: Please, let's go in the office over here.
Briel motions to Alea's empty office.
Nick locks the door behind them and follows Linn down the steps into the storm.
Mostan: ~~ doesn't like that idea ~~
Mostan: Allr... Ok.
Briel thinks this person is definitely up to something.
Briel goes into the office.
Wise Snake trudges down the street, zlinning automatically for potential trouble and/or customers, and also to make sure her two Gens don't get separated in the snow.
Mostan follows and takes the chair farthest away from
Briel.
Linn pulls her scarf up over her mouth, and follows
Snake, stumbling as the wind blows her this way and that.
Briel: Tarsh isn't sick, Mostan.
Mostan: ~~ puzzlement ~~
Briel: He is simply under observation. He was exposed to a contagious disease and we're trying to stop the spread.
Briel: I'm sure he'll be out in a day or two.
Nick has to work hard to maintain his customary position at Snake's elbow.
Briel: But, until then, we are, unfortunately not allowing him any contact with anyone else.
Mostan: ~~ distress at mention of days ~~
Creamcoat is a very well dressed lost looking gen.
Briel: Perhaps you would like to leave him a note?
Briel pushes a paper and pen across the desk.
Creamcoat comes up the street slowly in the opposite direction towards wisesnake, nick, and Linn.
Wise Snake notices creamcoat.
Wise Snake: Hello... do you require any assistance?
Wise Snake: [calls out]
Mostan: No, I don't think that's necessary.
Mostan: ~~ Yes it IS! ~~
Creamcoat lights on wisesnake. "Ah! Gracious lady!
Please to be assisting me."
Briel sighs, puts down the pen and crosses her hands.
Wise Snake cocks her head at the interesting accent.
Briel: Look Mostan, let's be honest. You aren't fooling me.
Wise Snake approaches creamcoat.
Mostan: ~~ alarm! ~~
Briel: You seem to think it is imperative you talk to
Tarsh.
Briel zlins the nager and her brow creases in confusion.
Nick wonders if creamcoat is frostbitten.
Mostan clutches the chairs arms, and then over casually folds his arms.
Mostan: I'm sorry?
Mostan: ~~ Oh NO! ~~
Briel gets up and moves around the desk, moving between
Mostan and the door.
Wise Snake: How can I help?
Briel nonchalantly leans against the door.
Mostan: ~~ impulse to bolt ~~
Linn wonders how this wealthy-looking gentleman came to be wandering the less-presentable parts of Bender Cove.
Briel: Why don't you tell me what's going on?
Creamcoat: Is going to place of wagons is.
Wise Snake: Place of wagons? [repeats]
Briel: Tarsh is our Chief Financial Officer here and we tend to be a little bit protective over our employees when someone comes asking about them and lying about their reasons.
Creamcoat: Zlinning center moving?
Wise Snake: One of the shipping terminals? A ferry? A taxi stand? The train station?
Creamcoat nods vigorously. "Place of wagons! Is going am. Came cloth wagon "
Wise Snake glances at Nick and Linn, hoping they don't think she is as out of control of the conversation as she does.
Creamcoat brightens. "Tw--ain, stateayon. Is good."
Wise Snake: Ah!
Wise Snake: Ah, the train station.
Mostan: ~~ guilt ~
Wise Snake: Yes. Would you like us to take you there?
Creamcoat: "Pardon?
Wise Snake shoots an "I told you so" at Linn.
Linn shrugs innocently.
Wise Snake: "I told you so" === "I told you so look"
Wise Snake: Us take you to train station?
Wise Snake: We take you?
Mostan: This doesn't concern you.
Briel: I'll be glad to help you any way I can, but I'm not ...
Briel lifts a haughty eyebrow.
Nick points a finger in the proper direction.
Briel: Excuse me?
Nick: That way.
Briel looks around the office, toward the window as if searching and looks back.
Creamcoat: Ah! is going all? [ gestures in a cirle, looking at all of them ]
Wise Snake questions the wisdom of simply pointing the way to a Gen in a whiteout blizzard.
Briel: You're on Sime Center property. I'd say anything going on in here concerns my until the Controller gets back.
Creamcoat looks the direction Nick pointed.
Wise Snake takes a few steps in the direction of the train station, making a "oh boy, let's go!" gesture for creamcoat to come along.
Nick mimics a train whistle.
Creamcoat follows, beaming. "You very fine Sime. I sure you colomnular lady."
Briel: I've offered to help you any way I can. wisesnake translates this into "upstanding pillar of society" and realizes the man has her all wrong.
Mostan: ~~ waffling hope/fear ~~
Wise Snake: I show you [helpfully]
Wise Snake leads creamcoat in the direction of the Train
Station.
Mostan: It's nothing to do with the center. It's personal.
Briel nods.
Briel: I understand that. And I would take you to him immediately if I could. Actually, I would call him up here and you'd never have to see me again.
Briel: But he is in isolation.
Briel: Now, if you can think of a way to get a message to him other than pen or paper, or through me, fine, suggest away.
Creamcoat: I zlin fine cloak and say I, fine cloak, fine woman.
Briel: Otherwise, I'm your only hope of communicating with him.
Mostan: ~~ weird double zlinnage again ~~
Alea finally goes with Kati over to the table where the food is setting, and making sure there are no bugs near it, sits down to eat.
Nick shoots an amused glance in Linn's direction, and gets a shrug in return.
Mostan looks down in despair.
Briel zlins closer.
Mostan: "I'll have wait then. Don't worry, I'll be all right."
Briel sighs.
Mostan: ~~ NOT! ~~
Briel: Look, Mostan, if it's that important...
Wise Snake: Your perspicuity in the face of obfuscating sensory evidence is singular.
Briel: Are you feeling okay?
Alea breaks off a piece of her sandwich and feeds the pieces to Kati.
Wise Snake: [singularly lacking, she thinks]
Wise Snake beams at creamcoat.
Redkitten purrs.
Redkitten licks the taste of the food off Alea's fingers, then gnaws on Alea's fingers.
Briel zlins again thinking that the zlinning is familiar somehow.
Alea chuckles, low, scratching at Kati's neck before finally giving her another piece of her sandwich.
Creamcoat follows, trying to work out what snake said.
Mostan: Not really. I haven't been well.
Redkitten kneads its tiny needle like claws into Alea's arm as she eats the piece of sandwich.
Mostan: Must be the flu.
Alea gently removes the claws, ignoring the pinpricks of blood and forcing herself not to react so not to disturb the ambient in the room.
Briel: Mind if I do a full lateral contact?
Creamcoat: ~~ hope/fear ~~
Creamcoat: === make that Mostan.
Redkitten starts to get more energy, now that she is fed.
Mostan: Yeah Ok. whatever.
Redkitten scampers about.
Linn is relieved to be temporarily out of the wind as they enter the train station.
Wise Snake points out the ticket counter to the Gen.
Wise Snake: Here you are... Train station.
Briel moves forward.
Creamcoat nods. "Twain serration! Much is welcoming you!"
Nick pulls his hat farther down over his ears, and stamps the snow off of his boots.
Wise Snake smiles.
Nick is very glad that he put on that extra sweater.
Wise Snake: Anytime. Good day...
Briel reaches out for Mostan's arms.
Wise Snake shakes her head and wonders if she is going to be seeing much more of the train station with these new outfits Linn bought.
Creamcoat: Fine Morning! [ bows extravagantly ]
Mostan doesn't extend or withdraw.
Briel wonders why she always ends up with the difficult ones.
Briel pulls a chair up close, then takes his arms in her, leaning forward for full contact zlinning.
Wise Snake leaves the train station.
Briel zlins Mostan's primary system, noting he is past turnover.
Nick and Linn follow Snake back out into the storm.
Wise Snake heads on a new course, in the direction of the children's shelter.
Briel zlins his secondary system and the lousy shape it is in and thinks this must not be a working 3rd order. shudders at the thought though she doesn’t let that show.
Briel zlins no flu though a touch of entran.
Linn fights the wind, beginning to feel numb in fingers and toes.
Redkitten gets a running start and jumps to catch the bottom edge of a curtain.
Redkitten swings there, hind end curled up, looking surprised.
Alea: Oh, no no, Kadi...come here sweetie.
Briel finally sits back, releasing Mostan.
Redkitten turns her head as if to turn away from the curtain and jump down, but her claws are stuck in the curtain.
Redkitten pulls comically away from the curtain, failing to do more than make herself swing back and forth.
Alea hurries over and carefully releases Kati from the
Alea: Come here, darling. We don't want to dot hat.
Redkitten snuggles against Alea's hands and purrs disarmingly.
Briel: Well Mostan, I can say you don't have the flu, but you do have a touch of entran.
Mostan: What? what's that?
Briel: Which, I might tell you, you wouldn't have if you worked your secondary system more.
Mostan: ~~ unrecognition ~~
Alea kisses Kati on the head.
Briel looks at Mostan.
Briel: Your channel's system.
Briel zlins Mostan's reaction.
Briel: You didn't know you are a channel?
Mostan: ~~ mystified ~~ my what system? I can't go jogging in this weather.
Mostan: ~~ !?! ~~
Mostan: No I'm not.
Briel eyes widen in surprise.
Briel: I see.
Mostan: I'm a renSime.
Briel: Who have you been getting transfers from Mostan?
Briel shakes her head.
Briel: I'm afraid not.
Mostan's face goes flat.
Mostan: ~~ Alarm! ~~
Briel suddenly zlins intently.
Briel: One of Tarsh’s friends hmmm?
Briel: So, you've been having Gen transfer, though from the look of you I'd be it isn't doing you much good.
Nick slips on a patch of ice.
Wise Snake augments to catch him.
Wise Snake: Whoop... watch out there, Nick.
Briel: Your transfers are probably running short, aren't they?
Linn starts at the augmentation, than calms.
Briel: You feel, achy, run down, irritable.
Mostan: ~~ Fear! ~~
Mostan glances at the door, then the window.
Briel projects soothing, reaches out and grabs Mostan's hand.
Briel: Don't worry.
Wise Snake tries to stop herself from hurrying to much, travels at a pace the Gens can maintain safely.
Wise Snake: To much === too much.
Briel: Whether you like it or not, that zlinning you agreed to made you my patient.
Wise Snake sets mode: +o Veraik
Briel: Anything you say won't be repeated.
Mostan looks anxious. "Three weeks"
Briel nods.
Briel: That's normal for someone in your condition.
Mostan: On average.
Briel: You should be having Donor transfer, Mostan and getting trained as a channel, not living like you are...I assume you're still living like you were when Tarsh was with you.
Wise Snake leads them on about a twenty minute trudge, finally winding up on the doorstep of the Tamona Geger
Memorial Battered Children's Shelter.
Mostan: ~~ brightens a lot at the mention of Donor transfer ~~
Alea finishes feeding Kati and then takes her into the bathroom where she has a makeshift place for Kati to do her business.
Alea: There you go sweetie.
Alea closes the door and goes back into the infirmary room.
Redkitten paws experimentally at the gravel.
Nick is very glad to be at their destination at last.
Redkitten kicks a bunch of gravel across the floor.
Linn looks around curiously.
Mostan: I .. just .. the channels try, I know, but...
Redkitten steps out of the box, shaking each foot to clear the gravel from between the toes.
Briel: How far from need are you?
Mostan: Fifteen days out from my last. which means about a week, for me.
Wise Snake walks up under an ornate overhang to a dark wooden carved door.
Briel: I don't have the books here, however, they're in my office.
Briel: We should get you scheduled for Donor transfer immediately.
Wise Snake uses the knocker, which is shaped like two arms with the hands clasped together.
Briel: If you'd like to wait and talk to Veraik, then that'll be fine too.
Wise Snake looks at Linn and Nick, waits.
Briel: He's our Controller. He'd probably be more help to you than me.
Briel: I only do his job in a pinch.
Linn and Nick huddle close, seeking shelter from the wind.
Mostan: ~~ uncertain about another person knowing ~~
Mostan: Books?
Prudence H answers the door.
Mostan sets mode: +o PrudenceH
Briel: Keeping track of all the transfers. The center is a large one, Veraik insists we keep everything written down in a book he has.
Prudence H is a matronly Gen of about 45 years of age, wearing a pinstriped old fashioned dress with a lace collar and a stained apron.
Mostan never though of doing it that way.
Prudence H: Why hello, Snake [grandmotherly voice]
Prudence H: Why, who have you brought here?
Linn decides that she likes the looks of Prudence.
Briel: We have three different Donors on your level.
Wise Snake: Ah, this is Linn Haskins, she's the teacher I was telling you about. Linn, this is Prudence Hopewell, the administrator of the shelter.
Mostan: But .. I'm not...
Linn smiles warmly.
Linn: I'm very pleased to meet you.
Briel: I imagine Veraik will assign you to Keli...
Briel tilts her head.
Briel: Yes?
Prudence H: Oh, what a delightful surprise! Please do come inside where it's warm.
Prudence H stands back from the door to let them in.
Mostan: Donors are for Tecton channels.
Linn is glad to accept the invitation.
Briel: Donors are for Channels.
Briel: You are a channel. You require Donor transfer if you don't want to die.
Prudence H: I'm afraid the main room is a bit untidy, the youngest children were enjoying the library earlier and we haven't had time to catch up to things.
Nick follows Snake into the building.
Prudence H apologetically.
Wise Snake eases in a little bit warily, since it is a lot like a school.
Linn runs a practiced eye over the titles.
Mostan: Dying hasn't sounded that bad lately. But I have .. responsibilities.
Linn: I see you have a pretty good collection of books, even if they are well used.
Prudence H leads them down a narrow, dark-paneled hall to the entrance to a large formal library, currently with books strewn all over the floor and chairs.
Prudence H: Oh, dear.
Prudence H: Please, have a seat, if you can find one...
[picks up some books to clear some chairs]
Briel: Well then, it's settled. We'll set up a Donor for your transfer date.
Neek looks up guiltily at Prudence.
Prudence H: Neek! Are you still in here?
Prudence H: I have never before heard of a child who would rather read books than play mud pies in the rain,
Neek: Yes Miz Prudence.
Prudence H sighs.
Neek: I wanted to see what happened.
Mostan: ~~ puzzled ~~
Linn smiles, recognizing a fellow scholar.
Prudence H: Oh, all right then [grandmotherly] but you stay out of sight and hearing, understand?
Mostan tries to see the catch here, things can't be this easy.
Briel: We'll need to start training you on how to handle that second system.
Nick sits on a debooked chair next to Snake.
Neek brightens. "OK! Thanks Miz Prudence!"
Briel: I'm sure Veraik will work out some kind of schedule for you to take donations and train.
Neek picks up a big volume of fairy stories (with difficulty) and staggers off to a table in the corner.
Prudence H takes their cloaks and hangs them in a hallway closet.
Alea goes to the bathroom and opens the door to let Kati out.
Alea: Come on Kadi, hon, come on out and play.
Linn sits on Snake's other side, and rubs her hands together, still trying to return feeling to her fingers.
Wise Snake lounges in one of the chairs, thinking idly the place reminds her of her brother's house... books all over the place, sober little kids hidden here and there.
Prudence H: Would you all like some tea? You must be freezing, the wind has really kicked up out there.
Mostan: Uh.. How much work do I have to do for Donor transfer? Full time?
Linn: Tea sounds lovely.
Briel: You don't have to do work for Donor transfer.
You have to do it to save your life, Mostan.
Briel: Just like you have to have Donor transfer for the same reason.
Nick nods enthusiastic agreement, knowing he's going to get even more chilled than he is now by the time the day is over.
Mostan is a bit confused trying to parse that out.
Prudence H bustles off
Mostan: What does the work have to do with not dying?
Linn looks at Snake.
Alea gets a broom and finishes cleaning up the mess, laughing softly at Kati's antics as she chases the broom.
Linn: I like her.
Briel: Work exercises your secondary system, Mostan, the one you haven't been using.
Briel: It is what is causing you all these problems.
Mostan: It is?
Wise Snake: Yes... SHE'S nice.
Briel: Yes, it is.
Linn raises an interrogative eyebrow.
Linn: But...?
Wise Snake picks up a book and looks idly at the title:
S E E SIMES ZLIN.
Wise Snake: [casually] Which is a good thing, I think.
Wise Snake looks at the book's pictures.
Jon Drake knocks at the infirmary room door.
Prudence H returns shortly with a tea service on a tray.
Alea finishes sweeping the last of the trash into the trash can.
Alea: Come in.
Alea scoops up Kati so she doesn't escape.
Prudence H sets it on a table [pushing books aside, embarrassed] and pours for each of them.
Linn accepts a cup.
Linn: Thank you.
Tarsh looks up at the knock.
Wise Snake: Thanks.
Nick also accepts a cup, wrapping his chilled fingers around the hot glass.
Jon Drake enters with another tray of food.
Jon Drake: Lunch time!
Prudence H pours herself a cup and sits down.
Prudence H smiles at Linn.
Tarsh: Hello Jon.
Alea grins and points at the sandwiches.
Alea: Someone already brought us lunch.
Jon Drake: Hi Tarsh!
Prudence H: So, you are interested in volunteering at the
Shelter? That's so kind... so few people seem to have the time these days, and with the weather the way it is, the children require more help than ever.
Jon Drake: Really?
Jon Drake: Hmm...
Alea: We'd really love the company though....
Alea realizes what she said and looks guiltily at Tarsh.
Tarsh: Yeah, we're out of the gossip loop here...
Alea wonders just how much his field will bother him.
Linn: It's always that way, isn't it? The resources are always least available just when they're required most.
Briel: Anyway, you are guaranteed Donor transfer,
Mostan, no matter what. You can't go on like you are.
Briel sits back in her chair.
Jon Drake sets the tray down.
Briel: Are you sure there's not a message I can send to
Tarsh. As my patient, I now have to keep it confidential.
Mostan: What kind of work is this?
Mostan: Yeah. Hold on.
Jon Drake: I don't know if I could help much.
Mostan goes over to the desk and scribbles, folds, scribbles.
Briel: Taking donation from other Gens, like you've probably seen the other channels do. Giving transfers like you intimated they tried to do with you, except we'd make sure you had renSimes.
Mostan stiffens slightly.
Prudence H: We currently have over fifty children housed here, and only the two of us to care for them...
Briel doesn't miss his reaction.
Linn: Oh, my! You DO require an extra pair of hands, don't you?
Alea: The person who came in earlier said Tamlen was reaching his crisis today. They also told us that
Tramila isn't doing very good either.
Prudence H: Yes, [ruefully] and they are quite a handful,
I'm afraid.
Mostan turns around and gives her a folded note. "Could you give this to Tarsh?"
Prudence H: Snake tells me you have several years of experience with school aged children...?
Briel: Of course.
Jon Drake: I hadn't heard!
Briel takes it and slips it into her pocket.
Mostan zlins Briel for intent.
Alea: Oh, and were you here yesterday when the roaches and ants attacked? Are they having those problems elsewhere? Are they going to send someone else out to spray? It really is a bad problem.
Linn: I taught in Eastcove for twelve years--ten years with the adolescents, and two at the elementary school with the younger children.
Prudence H: Oh! That's fantastic.
Briel ~~honest intentions~~~~concern for Mostan~~
Prudence H: My other helper, Willarene, only works with the youngest children... and the oldest children really are the most exhausting, don't you agree?
Jon Drake wonders how he could have missed all of this.
Linn: Yes, they are always worried about what they'll become when they grow up.
Prudence H chuckles.
Alea snuggles the cat and crosses back over to a chair across the room, motioning for Jon to tell them all the gossip.
Prudence H: Oh, well, in that regard it'll be different from what you encountered in Eastcove... they're worried about that, of course, but no more than whether they are good looking or whether they'll have a date for the dances.
Daddylong runs across the ceiling of the treatment room.
Linn looks around.
Prudence H: Well, would you like a tour of the place?
Linn: I would love one.
Prudence H: The children are outside, playing snowballs.
They'll be in after a while, I'll expect.
Jon Drake: Well, so far, Briel is still without a Donor.
Prudence H rises.
Alea continues to cuddle the cute little kitten as she listens to JonDrake.
Veraik walks down the hall towards the lobby and hears voices coming from Alea's office.
Linn: Covered in show, and ready for a hot drink, I expect.
Mostan: Should I wait in the lobby?
Linn follows prudence, pausing to look back at Snake.
Veraik: [signals at Alea's door]
Prudence H: Johnabeth, our cook, is preparing the hot chocolate even now.
Wise Snake gives Linn the "thumbs up"
Briel zlins.
Briel: Ah, here is Veraik now.
Briel: No, that's fine. Wait right here.
Briel: Come in.
Veraik: Briel?
Daddylong loses its footing and ...
Briel: Yes?
Briel stands.
Veraik: Is exhausted from treating the flu patients.
Daddylong lands in Alea's hair.
Briel: Excuse me please, Veraik, I have to run an errand. While I'm gone, come in and meet Mostan, our new third order channel.
Jon Drake: I'm a bit worried about her.
Alea shakes her hair, feeling something in it.
Alea: I understand.
Veraik: Mostan. I'm Veraik.
Veraik: Veraik zlins Mostan .
Alea: I can't believe they haven't found someone yet.
Alea continues to scratch Kati's ears.
Daddylong clambers clumsily, trying to place its feet among the jungle of hair.
Veraik: What Center are you from?
Briel goes down the hall toward the infirmary.
Alea tosses her hair back over her shoulder.
Nick and Snake leave Linn and Prudence to the tour and head out to look for frostbite victims.
Alea: You know, Jon, if you see Briel, could you ask her to let me borrow some hair pins. It seems I've misplaced all of mine.
Mostan zlins Veraik dubiously.
Jon Drake: I know.
Mostan: This one, I guess.
Briel signals at the infirmary door.
Daddylong flies off the end of Alea's hair and lands on the pillow of one of the beds.
Veraik: Oh. So tell me about yourself.
Jon Drake: I'll see what I can do.
Alea: Thank you.
Briel signals at Tarsh's door again.
Mostan is short and skinny even for a Sime. He doesn't look well or happy.
Alea: They'll find someone soon, Jon.
Alea: I promise you.
Veraik: You....haven't been working as a channel, have you?
Tarsh: Come!
Alea sets mode: +o Tramila
Mostan: Not as such, no.
Briel goes in.
Moth flies in the doorway over Briel's shoulder.
Alea smiles and nods to Briel.
Jon Drake: Briel!
Veraik: Then you have come to the right place.
Tarsh: Good Day, Hajene.
Jon Drake: How are you doing, Briel?
Jon Drake concerned.
Briel nods to the room at large, seeing Jirelle in the corner meditating.
Briel: Hello Tarsh.
Moth flutters loudly toward the lamp and smashes into it... [thud]
Briel reaches in her pocket.
Veraik: We can train you and of course you will get
Donor's transfer.
Briel: A friend of yours is here. Mostan. He asked me to give you this.
Moth takes off again, performing a drunken circle over the lamp's head.
Veraik: Before you know it, you'll feel healthy again.
Briel hands note to Tarsh.
Alea sighs and lets the wiggly little kitten down to play.
Mostan: ~~ uncertainty and suspicion ~~ "I hope that's true."
Moth darts suddenly down at the lamp and smashes into it again [THUD]
Veraik smiles.
Tarsh: Mostan? Here? [ takes the note ]
Alea yawns, stretching, bored stiff in this room, contemplating if she could sneak outside and build a snowGen.
Moth: [a burning smell emits from the lamp, along with a weak fluttering sound]
Mostan: So she was telling me. What's the catch?
Veraik: I trust that Briel has taken all your information..
Moth: [a curl of smoke rises up]
Veraik: We will provide you a room, of course.
Jon Drake: Briel, any word yet on your Donor?
Tarsh reads [ Tarsh - Important. Can this Briel channel be trusted? - M ]
Veraik: Catch?
Veraik: None.
Mostan: ~~ evasive ~~
Veraik: This is the contract the Tecton has with the Gen
Territory.
Briel glances up.
Briel guards.
Briel: No.
Veraik: All Simes are provided selyn....no catches.
Alea collapses back on the bed, dropping her head onto her hand.
Mostan: [ Tarsh was reading silently, sorry ]
Jon Drake: I wish there was something I could do.
Briel: I'm sure they'll find someone soon.
Briel doesn't believe it.
Tarsh zlins Briel carefully.
Dwilin marches up to the front door of the Sime Center.
Dwilin stomps off his boots on the front porch, then enters.
Veraik: So, when can you move in?
Dwilin approaches the clerk.
Mostan: I have to live here?
Dwilin fills out donor paperwork and goes to the lobby seating to wait in line.
Alea begins to swing her rabbit shoe encased foot over the edge of the bed watching the ears flop as she does.
Briel finally glances at Tarsh.
Briel: Is there a reply?
Tarsh looks around for a pen.
Tarsh: Yes, just a moment.
Jon Drake: ~~~reassurance~~~
Veraik: No. But most Channels find it convenient.
Veraik: How old are you?
Briel glances back at Jon, smiling, moving to put herself in between him and Tarsh.
Mostan: When do I have to start?
Mostan: Four.
Veraik: You should start right away. The longer you wait, the more inflexible your systems.
Tarsh write briefly and refolds the note.
Tarsh hold is out to Briel. "Thank you Briel."
Kati jumps up and snatches the rabbit ears.
Briel takes the note.
Briel: No problem.
Briel leaves.
Alea: Oh there!
Alea jumps as Kati almost pulls her shoe off.
Veraik: Four months?
Kati pounces on the ears some more, and gnaws on the fur.
Veraik: ~~suspicious~~
Kati rolls over all silly.
Mostan looks annoyed. "Four Years."
Alea reaches down and scoops up the cat.
Alea: No, no, sweetie.
Veraik: Oh.
Alea reaches back for the pillow case.
Veraik: No wonder your body has been fighting you.
Briel goes back to Alea's office and goes in the door.
Dwilin waits politely, reading a magazine entitled TOOL
A N D TRACTOR.
Briel: Excuse me, Hajene.
Veraik: You can still learn Channel but it will be much more difficult.
Veraik: Yes Briel?
Briel hands the note to Mostan.
Briel: I’ll be right out of your way.
Veraik: I'll talk to you some more once you are settled in.
Veraik: I have to go check on some patient.
Alea grabs the pillowcase and strips it from the pillow.
Veraik: And Mostan......welcome to the Center.
Mostan: Thank you.
Dwilin exchanges TOOL AND TRACTOR for a Sime Center brochure: WHAT IS SELYN AND WHAT CAN IT DO FOR ME?
Alea ties a knot in the middle and then wiggles it at
Kati.
Mostan opens the note, read silently. [ Yes. She's OK, mostly. ]
Kati is startled by the huge toy.
Veraik leaves.
Tarsh looks pensive.
Veraik: Donning his clean suite, Veraik enters Tramila and Tamlen's room.
Dwilin picks up another brochure: WHAT DOES A TECTON
D O N O R DO?
Alea: Any other news, Jon?
Veraik: He dismisses the Third who is with them.
Dwilin reads with interest.
Mostan walks out into the lobby.
Briel: Do you have a reply or can I stop playing courier now?
Mostan is lost in thought.
Jon Drake: Not really, Alea.
Briel goes to the lobby and sees Dwilin.
Mostan: No. That's all right. Thank you.
Tramila: Veraik?
Jon Drake: I really should get back out. Kaymeil wanted me to work with her some more this afternoon.
Briel picks up his chart.
Briel: May I help you, Dwilin?
Veraik: Veraik zlins Tramila .
Alea: Thank you Jon.
Alea: Leave the food. Maybe one of us will be hungry later.
Mostan walks out the door.
Veraik takes a damp cloth and wipes Tramila's brow.
Briel makes a note to fill out a chart on Mostan later.
Tramila licks lips. So dry.
Veraik: I know.
Veraik: I'll get you a glass of water.
Dwilin stands up quickly.
Veraik: -helps Tramila with water]
Dwilin: I'm here to donate, Ma'am.
Tamlen's skin is hot and dry.
Alea sees the cat is interested in the pillow case and drops it on the floor for Kati to play with.
Briel: Great...come this way.
Veraik zlins that Tamlen is awake and goes to him.
Briel rubs at the back of her neck with a tentacle.
Dwilin follows Briel.
Briel goes in the donation room and motions for him to have a seat.
Briel: Is this your first donation?
Dwilin carries the WHAT DOES A TECTON DONOR DO? brochure with him.
Veraik: [zlins the beginning of shaking from the Donor]
Dwilin: No, Ma'am. It's my second.
Briel goes over and picks up a pen before sitting down.
Briel: I see.
Briel scribbles on the paper.
Briel: Your last donation was here too?
Dwilin: Yes, ma'am.
Briel nods.
Briel scribbles some more.
Dwilin's chart says he rated as a GN-1 on his first transfer, which was performed by Veraik.
Veraik controls the shaking with an ambient damping field.
Tamlen stares at the ceiling "medic..."
Dwilin: === transfer === donation.
Jon Drake: You got it.
Veraik mixing a dose of fosebine and helps Tamlen drink it.
Jon Drake: We'll get the tray later.
Briel: Well.
Briel puts the chart down and pastes on her smile.
Briel: Then you know the procedure.
Dwilin: ~~~ positive goodwill ~~~
Tamlen tries to drink starts coughing.
Jon Drake: I'll see you all later.
Dwilin: Yes, ma'am! ~~~ increasing interest ~~~
Jon Drake smiles and heads out of the room.
Alea: Bye Jon.
Dwilin holds out his hands.
Briel slips her tentacles around his arms.
Veraik grabs the ambient, shielding Tramila as best he can.
Dwilin: ~~~ surge of quiet pride and expectation ~~~~
Dwilin remains very still like Veraik taught him.
Briel: You are very enthusiastic. I think I remember you. Veraik mentioned you.
Tramila laterals start to shake with the vibration of
Tamlen's field.
Briel: Let's go then.
Briel waits to allow Dwilin to make fifth contact point.
Tamlen's coughing increases and sets off muscles spasms.
Briel leans forward.
Dwilin leans forward too ~~~ready~~~
Briel waits until their lips touch firmly, then draws.
Dwilin: ~~~pride/strength/gladness~~~
Dwilin remains motionless, allowing Briel to do her work, thinking of how wonderful it is to be serving his community in such a special way.
Tamlen's throat muscles clamp down as he goes into convulsions.
Briel carefully brings the draw to a close.
Briel sits back.
Dwilin opens his eyes.
Dwilin: Thank you! [enthusiastic]
Briel carefully disengages her tentacles, sheathing her laterals.
Briel: I see here Veraik has talked to you about possibly becoming a Donor.
Dwilin: Yes, ma'am [sudden additional interest]
Dwilin: That was back when I hadn't asked my father about it yet.
Briel: Oh?
Briel: And you have asked your father?
Alea lays back on the bed and swings her leg, wishing she could find some way out of this room.
Veraik blocks the convulsions using his field but has nothing left over to protect Tramila.
Dwilin: Yes, ma'am. [a little bit less enthusiastically]
Tramila zlins the convulsions making her laterals shake in response.
Briel zlins Dwilin.
Tamlen's convulsions recede, but air is not getting into his lungs.
Briel: And I take it he wasn't very happy about it.
Dwilin is a strapping young 16 year old Gen, probably several years past Establishment, with a big clean nager and a very positive feel.
Veraik zlins Tamlen's lungs and opens blockages using a field shunt.
Tarsh: What was he asking that for? What is he doing
*here*?
Dwilin: No, ma'am, he was upset at first.
Tramila's body shakes harder.
Alea blinks at Tarsh's voice and looks over at him.
Dwilin: He wanted me to follow in his footsteps in the
Army.
Alea: What?
Tamlen sucks in a trickle of air with a ghastly sound.
Briel nods.
Briel: That sounds like most fathers, Dwilin.
Briel: You said at first. Has he changed his mind?
Veraik works a blockage then augments to Tramila to calm the ambient.
Dwilin's mood lightens substantially.
Tramila faces turns purple.
Dwilin: After I had been gone a couple of months, he sent me a letter saying I was free to live my life the way I want.
Briel: Ah, well then, that's good.
Dwilin: And he said being a Donor is as fine a way to serve as the Army is.
Veraik zlins her lungs and pushes with his field in a valiant effort to open her lungs.
Tamlen lies there sucking air in and out in a wheeze.
Tarsh: Mostan. What is he doing here, asking about
Briel, of all people?
Alea looks oddly.
Alea: Your friend from that group you were in?
Alea: I have no idea why he would be asking about Briel.
Veraik goes to Tamlen and zlins his lung capacity, finding another collapsed vessel, opens it, then rushes back to Tramila.
Briel: You certainly have the selyn for it, and your field shows potential in you too. I'll tell you what.
Let's schedule you to come in two days later than usual next month.
Briel: We'll make sure Veraik is available and can talk to you.
Dwilin grins.
Briel: If you want, we'll get everything taken care of for Donor's school.
Dwilin: That's great! ~~enthusiastic~~
Tramila shakes harder.
Tarsh: Yeah. Mostan was the center of it. He ran things and pushed us.
Alea: I see.
Dwilin: I have been working on a farm just outside of town to earn a living. I'm sure they will let me stay on one more month.
Alea thinks she'd like to get her fingers around Mostan's neck and squeeze the life out of him, but she keeps her nager guarded so as not to bother Tarsh.
Veraik is desperate in trying to stop Tramila's shaking.
Briel: Great, Dwilin.
Tamlen breathes a little easier.
Briel scribbles on a piece of paper.
Briel: However, with this, I don't think you'll need to work if you don't want to.
Briel hands him a voucher.
Dwilin looks at it.
Dwilin: Wow!
Dwilin: Thank you!
Briel: You're quite welcome.
Veraik zlins that Tamlen is breathing easier and concentrates on Tramila.
Alea: I can tell you Briel would never be interested in that type of game your friends play.
Tramila shakes harder and harder.
Tarsh: He was always big on staying away from the trits
-* Sorry.
Alea smiles tightly.
Alea: Of course.
Briel: Go out the door, down the hall to the right...the cashier is on the left side.
Veraik hopes his clean suit will protect him as he climbs on top of her to clean her body and to blocks all field except his Tecton calm field.
Dwilin gets up off the couch and retrieves his coat.
Tarsh: Yeah, so what on earth would he be doing with her?
Briel gets up and goes to the door.
Tramila only knows that the world is vibrating.
Dwilin leaves.
Alea: I don't know, Tarsh.
Jirelle is bored out of her skull and has a touch of entran.
Jirelle looks out the window at the snow and sighs.
Jirelle: What a bummer.
Ghostly shapes form in the snow, pushed by howling wind.
Jirelle sits up, stares more intently at the snow.
Alea glances at Jirelle, noting she is finally done meditating.
Tramila continues to shake.
Ghostly voices seem to ride on the moan of the wind.
Veraik holds on to the Channel, thinking "You're a
Farris. You can't die."
Alea sits up and crosses her legs Indian style, picking up Kadi and dropping her in the pool of her skirt.
Tramila's field begins to respond to Veraik's.
Ghostly forms twine in and out and around each other, made up of wind and driven snow.
Jirelle: Wow!
Jirelle starts to get excited.
Tarsh rolls over on his side panting.
Tarsh: == scratch ==
Tamlen rolls over on his side panting.
Ghostly faces seem to fade in and out.
Ghostly voices form words that can almost be heard, almost understood.
Tamlen stares at the medic working on the Lt.
Tamlen knows he should be doing something...
Veraik blocks another attack but zlins that the shaking is a little less.
Alea: You okay, Jirelle?
Alea looks at Jirelle's animated face and wonders what has her so over awed this time.
Tamlen is concerned for the medic who needs help.
Veraik encouraged projects a strong need to give field with the soothing, calming universe for Tramila.
Tramila locks onto the calm and uses it to balance her systems.
Jirelle: Oh!
Jirelle: Alea, Look!
Veraik zlins blockages in her lungs.
Jirelle points at the snow outside.
Jirelle: Ghosts!
Alea lifts the kitten in her arms and slips her legs over the bed.
Alea hops down and goes over to where Jirelle is standing and looks out.
Veraik: Using a field focus, he pushes to widen the vessels.
Alea doesn't see anything.
Tramila groans.
Tarsh zlins over, curious.
Jirelle: Sometimes I think I can almost hear them speaking... like just now.
Alea smiles gently at Jirelle.
Alea: Really?
Tarsh: My mother talked about ghosts sometimes.
Jirelle: Really? [turns to Tarsh, interested]
Jirelle: Could she see them?
Alea sighs and goes back over to her bed with Kati.
Jirelle: Do you know that Donor, Zilla? She sees them.
Alea crawls back up onto the bed and begins to play with
Kati, teasing the end of her skirt against Kati's paws.
Tamlen knows that the Lt is doing better, somehow. But the medic ... where is his helper? he should have help.
Veraik zlins what Tamlen is trying to do and augments to him.
Veraik: Tamlen...Tamlen.
Tamlen tries to crawl over to help the medic.
Veraik: Stay still.
Tamlen: What? Knives, how is the looie?
Veraik augments to pick Tamlen up and gently place him on the bed.
Veraik covers Tamlen, projecting calm.
Veraik: It's all right Tamlen.
Alea smiles softly at Kati as she tugs on the him of her skirt.
Veraik: You are safe.
Tarsh: She said that the Pen was haunted. That every time she went there, there were more Gen ghosts ... screaming.
Jirelle: Wow!
Jirelle: Wow.
Jirelle: That must have been intense.
Tramila shakes with the loss of Veraik's field control.
Alea listens to the conversation, thinking how sad it must have been for Tarsh to experience that.
Jirelle: Did they call her name? You know, the ones who.... who she...
Alea thinks she isn't surprised that after Tarsh's mother saw him safely changed over that she gave up and died.
Alea stretches out on the bed, propping her head on her hand and gathering Kati close.
Veraik: Everything is fine, Tamlen.
Veraik: Just stay in bed.
Tarsh: After Unity, the Pen was made into the Sime
Center. But she said you could still almost zlin them.
Veraik: Sleep if you can.
Tamlen: Wake me for my watch, promise?
Veraik zlins that he has stopped shaking and that his lungs are much better.
Veraik: I promise, Tamlen.....I promise.
Veraik puts Tamlen asleep.
Jirelle: Gosh... I wish I could see ghosts.
Jirelle: Real ones, I mean.
Alea realizes Kati is asleep and carefully lays her down on the sheet, sighing.
Jirelle: Sometimes I hear them.
Tarsh: She ... said ... later on, they started calling her. At the center, and then even at home...
Alea heart is heavy at Tarsh's story.
Veraik goes to Tramila and controls her fields, noting that the field currents are not a violet as before.
Jirelle sighs sadly.
Jirelle: Your poor mother...
Jirelle: They say that there are no happy souls... that ghosts are always in torment.
Tarsh: You wouldn't want to see these ghosts. She would have done anything to get away from them...
Veraik: He projects calms while he opens as many blockages as he can zlin and chasing those that appear when one that he had been working on was open.
Tramila responds, locking onto the life line.
Tarsh: She talked about them more and more just before she died. She wouldn't go to the special transfer camps at the end. She said she didn't want any more following her home.
Alea shudders at the image.
Jirelle nods, sadness in her eyes.
Tamlen whistles as he sleeps.
Tramila finally breaths easier.
Veraik startles then laughs when he realizes what Tamlen is doing.
Tamlen: Sometimes I wonder ... did she become one of them? Were they free when she...
Alea thinks only a short time more and she'll be out of here.
Veraik sits back and blankets the ambient with calm...tired from the intensity of the near fatalities.
Alea: You're mother is at peace now, Tarsh.
Veraik looks at Tamlen and smiles, thinking how wonderful it is to have the Donor singing...even in his sleep.
Tamlen: I hope she is with Father. She loved him so much...
Tamlen: == make that Tarsh ==
Alea: She is...[whispers softly]
Tarsh looks over at the window. These things always happen when I'm in need and I can't cry...
Alea watches the kitten snoring, hearing Tarsh's words and tries to guard her field even more.
Veraik relaxes, thinking he should be helping out with the flu victims but knows that he simply had to take the time to assure himself that both Tamlen and Tramila were free from the shaking and that he had enough rest time to regain his strength after a hard fought battle.
Jirelle goes to the other end of the room, as far as she can from the heavy ambient.
Alea thinks only a few more days and he'll be able to cry.
Veraik gasp.
Jirelle is now even more bummed than before.
Veraik: He breathes for a minute then calms himself.
" Turnover." He gulps.
Alea is glad Jirelle stopped talking about ghosts.
Tramila responds to Veraik then calms.
Veraik: At least, it didn't happen while Tramila was shaking so hard.
Veraik get the extra sheets and sick gowns.
Veraik: He changes the bedding and his patients clothing/
The Snow blows past the windows, rattling the glass.
The Snow is driven over the buildings, hissing along rooftops and along eaves.
Alea gets up and goes to the windows.
Veraik: Placing the soiled items in a bag along with his own suit, Veraik leaves the room, taking the bag with him to the incinerator to burn.
Alea: Looks like we're going to have a white out.
Veraik gets his Liorie cloak and goes outside to sit next to the Gnome.
Parnul stands at the window of his apartment and looks out at the snow.
Parnul worries that Lowren is out there with Nally doing something or other.
Veraik covers himself against the blinding snow and sits on the bench, breathing and thinking.
Parnul hopes they hole up someplace warm and stay there until things clear up.
Veraik: So much flu and now the shaking plague. "Please
Gnome. Make it only be Tamlen and Tramila.'
Parnul realizes he finds that idea disturbing for some reason.
Alea: I hope no one is fool enough to get out in this mess.
Parnul thinks to himself. "Why hasn't he brought Nally by here she not want to face a demon that she used to play with in the sandbox?
Alea watches the snow thinking it looks really cold.
Veraik stands and walks away, passing the room that Tarsh and Alea have been confined to.
Alea gasps.
Veraik sets mode: +o wisesnake
Alea: And he says I'm an idiot!
Alea: My heavens, Tarsh...look at that, Veraik is outside.
The Snow rages past Parnul's window casement.
Veraik: Liorie cape flapping in the wind and snow.
Alea shakes her head in disgust.
Alea: He should be committed.
Alea: His Donor should be with him.
Alea pauses.
Alea: Who the shenned IS his Donor this month.
Veraik augment to walk as if nothing is blowing and pushing at his body.
Parnul reflects that that extra caulking was a good investment.
Veraik goes around the corner to the front of the Center and enters.
Veraik: He goes to his office and contacts the Tecton about Briel.
Veraik: Briel's Donor.
Veraik: Frowning, he replaces the phone then grabs Briel.
Briel jumps.
Veraik: Briel's chart to scribble a few notes.
The Snow creeps up along the window, as if to gradually block the view...
Alea realizes she has wandered to close to Tarsh again and moves back over to her corner of the room.
Alea thinks she hates this corner.
Alea feels like she has five feet of space.
Tramila wakes up. "Tamlen?"
Alea swears if she ever gets out of this room she is going to go outside and stay outside for two days, just so she can feel the freedom of movement again.
Parnul watches his view being taken away by the Snow.
Everything is always taken from him.
Tamlen wakes up. "What? Is it my watch?"
Tramila nudges Tamlen with her field.
Tramila: Tamlen? Are you all right?
The Snow is whisked away by the wind, clearing the window, then begins to build slowly again, like the sands of an hourglass, in an endlessly repeating cycle.
Tamlen focuses on Tramila. "I'm ... I think I have to go to sick call Bags."
Tamlen: Any of the other guys got it?
Tramila attempts to get out of bed.
Tramila: I don't know.
Tramila: She finally succeeds then goes to him.
Tramila: Tramila zlins Tamlen .
Parnul realizes that the snow is like selyn, coming and going in a pattern. Was this the sort of thing they were always going on about in English? A metapi?
Tramila: You are so weak.
Parnul never saw the point to all that artsy stuff.
Alea wants out.
Tamlen: ~~ temperature finally going down, mind very confused dehydrated~~
Tramila gets a glass of water and brings it to Tamlen.
Alea smiles, thinking on two days..what would two days hurt if she didn't get near anyone.
Tramila: She helps him to raise his shoulders and places the glass at his lips.
Alea slowly sits up on her bed and looks around for a cloak.
Parnul sips at the water.
Parnul feels wet on his tongue and drinks more.
Parnul: === last two Tamlen ==
Veraik walks down the halls towards Alea and Tarsh's room.
Alea walks nonchalantly across the room, dropping the cat near Jirelle who is meditating.
Tramila zlins Tamlen and is pleased with his progress.
Alea looks in the storage closest and finds a old gray
Veraik signals at Alea and Tarsh's infirmary door.
Tamlen looks around. "where is this? Division?"
Alea slips the cloak on and walks toward the door, not looking at Tarsh or Jirelle, hoping they don't notice.
Tramila: You are at the Bender Cove Sime Center. You are safe Tamlen.
Alea walks right tot he door and opens it.
Alea grins in triumph and darts out.
Tamlen: Simes? This new alliance deal?
Veraik: Hello Alea. Going somewhere?
Veraik sets mode: +o wisesnake
Alea stares...looks down the hall and runs.
Alea: Be back in thirty minutes.
Alea calls over her shoulder.
Veraik: Alea!!! No!!!
Veraik: You'll exposed people!!!!
Alea shakes her head.
Alea goes out the back door into the frigid snow.
Tramila projects a soothing calmness for Tamlen, putting him to sleep.
Tramila: She then gets herself a glass of water and goes back to bed, exhausted.
Tamlen relaxes into sleep.
Alea gasps, but breathes in the frigid cold, leaning back against the wall in relief.
Veraik hits head on the wall in frustration and cries even though he is past turnover.
Tarsh looks up at Alea's absence.
Tarsh walks over to look out the window.
Wise Snake: Alea.
Tarsh sees a big pillar of snow and a small one.
Alea blinks.
Wise Snake is covered with blown snow.
Wise Snake is wearing a black cape.
Wise Snake: You shouldn't be outside without anything to wear.
Tarsh realizes the small one must be gnome.
Alea eyes widen, she starts to reach out and stops.
Alea: Snake, what are you doing out here?
Wise Snake: Waiting for you.
Alea [shivering]
Wise Snake smiles.
Alea: I don't understand.
Wise Snake shakes her head.
Wise Snake: No.
Wise Snake: I happened to be here, and then you appeared.
Alea: Yes.
Wise Snake removes the black cape, and offers it to Alea.
Alea shakes her head, smiling.
Tamlen projects his field out to support Tramila in his sleep by trained reflex.
Alea: It looks good on you.
Wise Snake: You'll freeze out here without it. Put it on, or go back inside.
Alea wraps her arms around her, feeling her feet going numb.
Alea: Why don't you come inside too?
Tramila smiles in her sleep and relaxes with the calming field.
Wise Snake wraps the cape around Alea and guides Alea toward the Center's door.
Alea: Don't touch me Snake.
Alea tries to pull away.
Wise Snake: Shhh... I'm not going to hurt you.
Veraik calms himself, wipes his eyes then gets a clean suite and enters Tarsh and the absent Alea's room.
Wise Snake urges Alea gently toward the indoors and warmth.
Alea: No...I've been exposed to shaking plague.
Alea ~~distress~~
Alea: I'm not suppose to be out here even.
Veraik: Tarsh?
Alea: Oh shen, snake.
Wise Snake [sudden chill]
Wise Snake: It's all right.
Tarsh: Hello Hajene. How are Tramila and Tamlen?
Wise Snake: It's all right, Alea. Let's just get you back inside.
Alea: My isolation will be up in two days...but...
Veraik: They’re out of the woods. How are you feeling?
Wise Snake: You aren't going to be helped by catching pneumonia on top of it.
Alea goes inside.
Tarsh: I'm in need, and bored, but otherwise I feel Ok.
Wise Snake closes the door behind them, shakes the snow off of herself.
Alea slips the cloak off and hands it back to Snake with numbed fingers.
Wise Snake takes it back.
Alea immediately steps as far away from Snake as she can get.
Wise Snake: Where were you supposed to be?
Veraik adjust the fields.
Alea: In room six.
Wise Snake: Why don't we go back there now.
Veraik: Well. it won't be much longer.
Alea: Of course.
Wise Snake zlins Alea, so she'll be able to recognize the illness again in the future.
Alea ~~caught~~
Tarsh relaxes the way he won't let himself do with Alea.
" Thank you Hajene."
Veraik: If you do not have any more symptoms by noon tomorrow, you will be released from here.
Wise Snake follows Alea at a distance.
Veraik smiles.
Wise Snake doesn't zlin any particular illness; frowns.
Tarsh: That's good to here. Alea is going stir crazy in here.
Alea: I apologize profusely Snake for running into you out there.
Veraik: I'm proud of you Tarsh. Not many renSimes could have stayed in a room with a Farris Donor and they are in need the way that you have.
Veraik: You're a good man.
Wise Snake watches Alea back to Room 6
Wise Snake: Go on... go back in.
Tarsh: Thank you Hajene. Do you what Mo -*
Alea: Again, Snake...I am sorry.
Alea ~regret~
Tarsh: Never mind.
Wise Snake: I'm sure nothing will occur. We barely contacted one another.
Wise Snake: [thinks: And I don't think you have it anyway... but doesn't say anything]
Veraik: Veraik zlins Tarsh .
Alea turns but pauses.
Veraik: Says nothing but nager says 'curiosity'.
Alea: You know, Snake...that black looks real good on you.
Wise Snake grimaces.
Wise Snake: So people keep telling me.
Alea smiles softly at Snake.
Tarsh: Is Briel Ok, Hajene?
Alea: Accept it.
Wise Snake smiles lopsidedly.
Veraik: Yes. Why do you ask? Is there something wrong with her?
Wise Snake: Go inside, Alea.
Alea nods and goes back into the room to face the music.
Tarsh: No, I was just wondering about something. It's not important.
Veraik: I see.
Veraik: Veraik zlins Alea .
Veraik: Alea?
Alea ~~guilt~~
Alea nods.
Veraik: What?
Alea: Snake is here.
Tarsh: By the way something Alea said. Is Fise still working here?
Veraik: Does she want to see me?
Wise Snake puts the cape back on, then continues down the hallway, toward the Lobby.
Alea: I don't think so.
Veraik frowns, thinking about Snake.
Veraik: If you saw her, then you exposed her, Alea.
Alea: On the other hand, she might want to show you what she is wearing.
Wise Snake enters the lobby and makes a stop at the filing cabinets.
Alea: Go find her Veraik. I think you'll be proud.
Alea: She headed toward the lobby.
Briel comes out of Alea's office and sees Snake.
Briel: Snake!
Wise Snake pulls out the files of various channels and
Donors who are 2-3 weeks from transfer date.
Briel looks out at the blowing snow and can't believe snake came to the Center.
Wise Snake looks up.
Veraik smiles. "All right."
Wise Snake: Hello, Briel.
Veraik leaves and goes to the lobby.
Veraik: Snake?
Wise Snake's eyes dart to Veraik's.
Wise Snake: Hello, Veraik [different voice]
Veraik: [ zlins proudness]
Veraik: You're looking well.
Alea nods to Tarsh and goes back in, stopping by Jirelle who is still meditating and grabbing the kitten and then on to her corner of the room.
Veraik: Is there something wrong? The weather isn't the best to travel in.
Alea: Sorry about that Tarsh.
Wise Snake shakes her head.
Alea ~~embarrassment guilt~~
Wise Snake: I don't mind the weather, but it is hard on the Gens. I had Rafe out for twelve hours, and Nick for another five.
Wise Snake: They can't work as long when it's this cold.
They're both at home.
Veraik zlins Snake with curiosity.
Veraik: I see.
Veraik: Is there something I can help you with?
Wise Snake: ~~~ ordered field; difficult to tell exact condition ~~~
Wise Snake: Perhaps. I'm still doing the research.
[indicates files]
Briel sets mode: +o Tarsh
Veraik: The files are under lock and key.
Briel: We haven't kept them locked, Veraik since all the illnesses.
Briel: Too much trouble.
Veraik: Veraik zlins Briel .
Briel rubs wearily at her neck with a tentacle.
Veraik: And frowns.
Wise Snake: I'm not planning on removing them from the area.
Veraik: What was it that you were looking for, Snake?
Wise Snake: The statistics of the channels and donors currently on active staff.
Wise Snake: Donors == Donors.
Alea releases the squirming kitten onto her bed and crawls back up onto her bed.
Veraik: [Curious] Why do you require that information?
Wise Snake: If I find the right combination of people, and the timing could be worked out, I might have a proposal regarding a rearranging of transfer assignments this month.
Veraik: Oh. And what might that be?
Briel hears that and looks up.
Wise Snake: [cautious] Well I haven't done the research yet...
Alea climbs up on her bed and forces her field neutral so as not to bother Tarsh.
Veraik: You have distanced yourself from the Center,
Snake.
Wise Snake: But it would involve giving over Rafe to another channel, and taking my own transfer off Nick after a partial off someone else.
Veraik: You are no longer authorized to view the files.
Wise Snake looks faintly surprised.
Veraik: Why don't you just tell me and let me help you.
Wise Snake: Well.
Wise Snake puts the files down.
Veraik: Oh.
Veraik: [curiosity]
Veraik: That's some plan.
Briel hears Snake's words and turns and walks away.
Veraik: But who would that other Donor be?
Briel goes into her office and locks the door.
Wise Snake: The other Donor... or channel... is what I have yet to decide. I have not seen the stats on most of the people currently on staff.
Veraik: What are the stats on Nick? Perhaps I can help you to decide if it is feasible.
Wise Snake's expression becomes guarded.
Briel stares at the wall in her office, not seeing it, wondering who in the world she might be able to find if the Tecton's Donor can't get through because of all the snow.
Briel had been still secretly hoping that she could work something out between Veraik and Snake about Nick.
Briel shudders.
Wise Snake: Production wise he currently would match
Briel, or probably you. His top delivery speed has not yet been measured.
Veraik nods.
Wise Snake: I feel that the chances are good he could be stretched to match me given time and careful use.
Wise Snake: But I want his first transfers to be very precisely handled. The only reason I am willing to risk it this soon at all is because he is becoming quite insistent on the subject.
Veraik: Really.
Veraik: But you are being cautious for his first transfer, is that it.
Veraik: I approve.
Veraik: But why the shut?
Veraik: Why doesn't Nick just take transfer from a mid-
Range First until he builds up his selyn supply?
Wise Snake: It's very simple. Neither of us wants Nick's information in the Tecton files.
Veraik: Also, if she transfer rate is too low, you could seriously damage yourself.
Veraik: Oh. [anger] Why not?
Wise Snake zlins Veraik's anger.
Veraik: Also, if the transfer rate is too slow, you could seriously damage yourself.
Wise Snake: Not for only one or two months. By then his speed will have increased.
Wise Snake: For all we know, he is already close to speed.
Veraik: But do you really want to take that chance?
Wise Snake hesitates.
Wise Snake: Yes.
Veraik: You do....[disappointed] Even if it kills either you or him.
Wise Snake zlins Veraik's disappointment; keeps her own expression controlled.
Wise Snake: No. No killing. That is why the partial.
Veraik: I won't only allow a partial with one of my
Donors or Channels IF I or perhaps Tramila were not monitoring it. If I didn't, I wouldn't be much of a
Controller.
Briel comes out of her office and sees someone new.
Briel: Hello, who are you[to PLURK]
Briel zlins figuring with the ambient up front, they would have missed a freight train entering.
Briel sees the renSime is in need.
Briel is a low first order disjunct channel.
Wise Snake: I would consider a monitor of the first part.
Veraik: Oh?
Briel smiles, showing in her field that she is willing to serve.
Briel: My name is Briel. And you are?
Veraik: But not the part with Nick, is that it?
Veraik: The Tecton will find out about Nick sooner or later Snake.
Wise Snake's eyes glitter.
Veraik: If you want more, then I suggest that you take it up with Trelane, your Sectuib.
Wise Snake: It will, yes. But not until it is too late to steal him away.
Briel: Are you due transfer Plurk?
Veraik: He is the only power that I know of that can help you keep Nick hidden from Tecton eye's.
Wise Snake's eyes and nager go instantly stone cold at that name.
Veraik: Do you really think that you could steal a Donor away who projects a high First order nager?
Veraik: Someone, even one of your closest, most trusted of people will turn you and your Donor in sooner or later.
Veraik: I won'.
Veraik: You know I won't.
P Lurk: I am new here...how do I schedule transfer?
Briel smiles patiently at Plurk.
Veraik: Help me but it is true.
Briel: How many days are you from your transfer Plurk?
Veraik: I told you years ago that I won't always be there for you and I will.
Veraik: No matter how many times you reject me.
Wise Snake's eyes narrow.
Veraik: [Veraik zlins of pain and disappoint for hi failure with Snake.]
Wise Snake: So will you demand his information of me?
Briel: I will gladly schedule a transfer for you, or serve you now if you require it.
Wise Snake: I would rather use the Center's personnel than someone off the streets.
Veraik: ==== The above line should be: I told you years ago that I will always be there for you and I will.
Wise Snake [thinking that someone off the streets would likely result in someone getting killed after all]
Veraik: Then you are going to have to trust me.
Wise Snake: So you insist on doing paperwork on Nick, and you will not let me choose the other person.
Veraik: The paperwork..yes. But I think that we should both look over the files and decide who together. After all, I have more experience in these matters than you do.
Briel zlins Plurk again and sees he is really lower than he should be.
Wise Snake looks haunted.
Wise Snake: Nick will not agree to that.
Briel: Actually, Plurk, zlinning you, it looks like you have two days left, maybe three.
Veraik: Why not?
Briel: If you will come with me, then we will schedule you right away.
Briel: How does that sound?
P Lurk: I’m ready, then.
Briel: Great.
Briel goes down the hall, motioning to her office.
Briel: I am so sorry about all the confusion.
Briel: We have a flu epidemic going on.
P Lurk: This all seems so structured...you obviously have a system...
Briel is surprised.
Briel: Well, yes, we do.
Wise Snake: He has told me he doesn't want his information on Tecton file.
Briel goes into her office and motions Plurk to a chair.
Wise Snake: It is a matter of personal tastes. A desire for privacy.
Veraik: Veraik zlins wisesnake .
P Lurk follows.
Veraik: Has he done something wrong?
Wise Snake: ~~~ restraint ~~~
Wise Snake: Nothing that I am aware of.
Briel: Actually, the center is set up quite simply. We have an infirmary, which is filled right now.
Wise Snake: His parents were private people, and so is he.
Briel: Then we have transfer rooms...donation rooms.
Briel: A school.
Wise Snake: He simply doesn't want the government, or anybody else, to store his personal statistics anywhere.
Briel pulls out a piece of paper.
Veraik zlins a quiver which says that there is probably more to it than that.
Briel: My name is Briel. I cover for Veraik, who is our controller.
Briel: He's busy right now.
Briel pushes the paper and the pen across the desk to
Plurk.
P Lurk What do I need to sign?
Briel: Just fill this out please.
Wise Snake: As for myself, I am not willing to risk his discovery too soon.
P Lurk: Well, OK..
Wise Snake: Later, it will not matter, but now is dangerous.
Briel: This is a basic form.
Briel smiles at Plurk.
Briel: It tells us your transfer history, name address, things like that.
P Lurk Is there anything I should know first?
Briel: Not at all.
Briel: Either Veraik or I will give you your transfer.
Veraik: Well. I can always send his records through via the land down under before they get redirected to the proper authorities. Is that enough time?
P Lurk: So reassuring...and simple...the Tecton takes care of us?
Briel chuckles.
Briel: Well...
Briel: That's debatable.
Briel: Some say yes, some no.
P Lurk signs the form.
Wise Snake frowns.
Briel: Great.
Briel nods at the form.
Wise Snake: Why would you do that, yet not simply do as I ask?
Briel fills out a card, with the time and date on it.
Briel: Were you raised in Sime Territory or out
Territory?
Veraik: Because Snake, my way allows me to still be without Tecton laws and tenants. Yours doesn't.
Wise Snake: Ah.
Within Tecton laws and tenants. Yours doesn't.
P Lurk: Out Territory.
Briel: Really?
Briel: I am from out Territory originally too.
Briel: Unfortunately, I didn't make it here before I killed.
Briel: I have lived here every since though.
Wise Snake: ~~~ a blackness that is not despair; a hardness ~~~
Wise Snake: Well.
Veraik looks at Snake, waiting for her answer.
Wise Snake: Since the one point I cannot move on is also un negotiable with you, we seem to be at an impasse.
P Lurk: I was shielded from the Sime Gen polarity by my parents.
Wise Snake: I will inform Nick it is impossible for him to be qualified this month.
Veraik frowns.
Veraik: Why don't you talk to him first about it?
Wise Snake: It has been discussed many times.
Wise Snake: That particular point has, in fact, been the only way to sober him on the subject when he'd start insisting.
Veraik: Tell him what I said and let him decide once again after you have presented my proposal.
Briel: Wow, really.
Briel: That's great.
Briel hands Plurk his card.
Briel: This is your day and time to come back.
P Lurk: Thanks, I will try to be more prepared then.
Briel: You don't have anything to prepare for.
Briel smiles at him.
Briel: Just show up.
Briel stands.
P Lurk: Thank you, I'll be back.
Briel goes to the door and opens it
Briel: I'll walk you out.
Briel: There are certain areas that a renSime doesn't want to wander into this close to transfer.
P Lurk Follows Briel out.
Briel goes to the front door.
P Lurk: Oh, where?
Briel: Down another hall...
Briel: There are usually Simes there to block accidental intrusions.
P Lurk following, with some concern.
Briel: But with the way everything is, you can never tell.
Wise Snake smiles thinly.
Briel: Don't worry. We never have had an accident yet.
Wise Snake: Rest assured, it will be discussed.
P Lurk: Never tell what?
Briel shields her field to hide the whopper of a story she just told.
Wise Snake: He will try to get me to come back and argue with you about it, and ultimately decide he can live another month or several months without knowing Transfer.
Briel: Never tell if that Sime is actually where they are suppose to be, guarding the entrance to the door.
Veraik: Good. Tell him that I'll send the records so far away that it may take a year for them to arrive at
Tecton HQ.
Briel: That's the reason I am escorting you personally to the front of the Center.
Briel smiles again despite her own need.
Veraik: If he wants to talk, my door is open.
Wise Snake wonders why Veraik always makes her feel angry and pushed around when they talk, while saying words that seem so kind.
Wise Snake: I'll bet.
Briel: Thank you again for coming.
Briel tries to ignore snake and Veraik across the room.
Wise Snake leaves the files on the desk and passes around
Veraik toward the door.
Veraik: [sad] That is the best I can do, Snake.
P Lurk: I thank you for making this so easy...
Briel zlins Snake.
Briel: No problem.
Briel: Be careful out in that snow.
Veraik: Are you going to be all right?
P Lurk leaves via the front door.
Veraik: The storm is really bad.
Wise Snake: ~~~ angry ~~~
Briel goes hypo.
Briel: Snake.
Wise Snake: I'm sure I will be fine. [clipped voice]
Mouse runs across the floor in front of Briel.
Briel: Well shen.
Briel augments and stomps on the mouse.
Briel: We have GOT to call and exterminator, Veraik!
Briel: Tomorrow!
Wise Snake looks extremely surprised.
Mouse: Ekkkkk ----dies---
Briel grimaces at the mess.
Briel looks back at Snake and nods.
Veraik: What was that?
Briel: It seems we have rodents and roaches and all kinds of snakes in here.
Briel: Do you have any idea where they might have come from?
Briel: A Mouse, Veraik.
Veraik: I thought we got rid of that problem months ago.
Briel: A nasty stinking rodent that has been plaguing us for three days now.
Briel: Apparently not.
Briel: The exterminator needs to come back out.
Wise Snake suspiciously "this place has always had rats and roaches. And in the winter it is natural to have mice."
Briel: But SNAKES?
Veraik: I'll call them tomorrow.
Veraik frowns.
Briel: Someone deliberately released things in here.
Wise Snake beginning to get angry again.
Wise Snake: What are you talking about?
Briel: I feel like we've come under some curse.
Briel: I'm thinking distect. We did have a young distect Sime here the other day.
Veraik: Now Briel. I'm sure it isn't that bad.
Briel: Striped snakes, black snakes,
Briel: Roaches, mice, rats, cats in heat.
Briel: Spiders.
Briel: Bats.
Wise Snake: Cats in heat?
Briel: You name it..it's been here.
Briel: Yeah.
Wise Snake: [dubiously]
Veraik: Calm down, Briel.
Briel: Meowing outside the window.
Wise Snake realizes the Sime Center is just as chaotic as it was when she fled it months before.
Briel: Maybe it's one of the anti-tectonist groups in the area.
Veraik: We'll get it taken care of tomorrow.
Briel: I don't know.
Briel: But snakes DO NOT live in this type of weather.
Wise Snake: Snakes?
Briel: Someone is out to cause problems.
Briel: Yes, snakes.
Briel: Dozens of them we've found so far.
Wise Snake: Dozens of snakes?
Briel: Alea had one crawl up her skirt.
Wise Snake shakes her head, finding it hard to believe.
Briel: Jon drake had one in his pants.
Briel: One of our donors....
Briel shakes her head.
Veraik: Sorry Snake. I was unaware of the problem until now. I have been caring for the flu victims and of course our two shaking plague victims.
Wise Snake: I found one of your shaking plague people out wandering around in the back garden on my way in here.
Briel: Have you ever zlinned shaking plague, snake?
Briel: Who?
Briel concerned.
Wise Snake: At least she told me she'd been exposed...
Alea.
Briel: Oh.
Briel rolls her eyes.
Briel: Yeah.
Briel: No, Tramila and Tamlen are down with the actual plague.
Briel: If you get a chance, you should zlin it so you'll recognize it if you ever are near a case.
Wise Snake's expression and nager flicker with a remarkable, but indefinable, range of emotions in a very short time.
Wise Snake: Tramila has shaking plague?
Briel: Very bad.
Briel turns to Veraik.
Briel: Is she still hovering at death's door or not.
Veraik smiles. The crisis is over Briel, Tamlen and
Tramila are on their way to recovery.
Briel: Oh great.
Briel feels the chill at the door.
Briel is reminded of the flu victims.
Briel: I have got to get back to work.
Briel starts to step away, lifts her foot and shakes the shoe again, zlinning the bottom.
Briel: Disgusting.
Briel: [to clerk]get someone to clean this up. And call an exterminator. I want him here TOMORROW.
Wise Snake tightens her nager.
Briel: I'll see you later Snake.
Wise Snake exits the Center, scowling.
Briel goes off down the hall muttering.
Veraik frowns. "I probably should too. The flu has the
Center lined up with illnesses to be treated."
Veraik sighs heavily, feeling pain.
Alea broodingly stares at Tarsh who looks like he is guarding his field like a person leaning against a flimsy door that is keeping out an ocean of water
Alea thinks two more days...two more days and he won't have to guard....and neither will she.
Veraik: Even though, he is not Snake's parent, he stills feels like a father to her.
Alea picks up Kati and pets her.
Veraik goes to the infirmary.