Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #79: (11/18/97)
Wise Snake sits in the living room, looking over some papers and waiting for Nick to wake up.
Wise Snake squints at some fine print on a contract.
Wise Snake: Who thinks of these things?
Nick finally wakes, and stumbles to the bathroom.
Wise Snake: "Contract not binding if signee not sixteen natal years of age or older?" Sheesh.
Linn comes out of her room, fully dressed and awake, and goes to the kitchen to make tea.
Wise Snake: Must have stolen the wording off a Gen Territory contract.
Wise Snake scribbles a note.
Linn brings Snake a cup of tea.
Linn: What are you looking at, Snake?
Wise Snake: Oh... thank you. [takes tea, still looking at contract]
Wise Snake: This is the construction documents for the permanent Sime Center.
Wise Snake indicates a huge roll of blueprints leaning in a corner.
Linn: Permanent Sime Center?
Wise Snake: Didn't you know? That building Veraik and Briel and them are in right now was only supposed to be temporary.
Wise Snake: Although at the rate things are going, it'll be in use for a while.
Linn: I thought you didn't want to go back to the Sime Center.
Wise Snake looks up, surprised.
Wise Snake: This has nothing to do with that. The contract to build the new Center was put to public bid a few weeks after the fire that destroyed the old Center.
Wise Snake shrugs.
Wise Snake: There is no law preventing Tecton employees... or ex-employees, for that matter... from bidding on Tecton projects.
Linn: You want the contract to build the new Sime Center?
Wise Snake laughs.
Wise Snake: No...
Wise Snake: I am handling a few documents for other people, however.
Wise Snake: I don't think I should commit to any projects lasting an amount of time measurable in years, at this stage.
Nick joins Linn and Snake in the living room, still in his bathrobe, but at least marginally coherent after his shower.
Nick nods at the blueprints.
Nick: How do they look?
Wise Snake: Eh... my honest opinion?
Linn goes to get Nick some tea.
Nick: Why not?
Wise Snake: It seems a bit ambitious. The design was the result of an architectural contest...
Linn: And the winning archetect paid more attention to artistry than practicality?
Linn hands Nick his tea.
Wise Snake: Call me old fashioned but I don't know if this part of town is ready for a "Soaring glass enclosed atrium" and a "cantilever suspension construction throughout"
Wise Snake: It'll look like someone dropped their diamonds in a big pile of.. um..
Wise Snake: .. of the surrounding neighborhood.
Nick: A high-ceilinged glass atrim in a place with winters like this? Why don't they just make the lobby a patio and have done with it.
Wise Snake: Well, I don't claim to be an expert. I'm just handling the paperwork.
Wise Snake: Can you believe this contract says all signees must be 16 natal years of age or older?
Linn: I suppose they wanted to give out-Territory firms a fair chance at the contract.
Wise Snake: Hmmm... I guess so.
Nick finishes his tea, and takes the mug--and Snake's empty one--to the kitchen.
Wise Snake notices Linn certainly has at least one of them well-trained.
Wise Snake: How was the children's shelter?
Linn: You were right, they could certainly use the help, although they're doing a remarkable job, considering.
Linn: I told them I'd be over this morning.
Nick goes back to his room to dress, now that he's awake enough to find an outfit that matches, at least vaguely.
Wise Snake: I went to the Center last night, after I brought Nick back here.
Linn: Oh?
Wise Snake: Tried to get some information on their current Donors and channels for maybe doing a partial so Nick can get transfer this month.
Wise Snake feels fairly confident that Linn will get the gist of that.
Linn can tell that Snake isn't satisfied with the outcome of the conversation.
Linn: And did you?
Wise Snake: Umm.. no.
Wise Snake: Veraik said I was no longer authorized to read the files.
Linn: Nick will be disappointed.
Wise Snake: I dunno... Veraik made a kind of offer.. I don't think Nick will go for it but we'll see.
Nick returns, dressed for the day's work.
Nick: You don't think I'll go for what?
Wise Snake: I talked to Veraik about options for you this next month.
Nick: And? Is he inclined to be reasonable?
Wise Snake laughs shortly.
Wise Snake: I suppose that depends on your definitions.
Wise Snake: He will not allow the use of any of the Sime Center staff without himself or Tramila there to monitor, and all information - including yours - taken down in the official Tecton records.
Wise Snake: I explained your disinterest in becoming a file in the Tecton system.
Nick is disappointed.
Nick: Well, so much for that idea.
Wise Snake: His answer to that was to propose sending your records to Tecton Central by such an involved route that it will have passed through the hands of every Sime Center official from here to Down Under before finally arriving there about a year from now.
Wise Snake: He seemed fairly sure you would agree to it...
Nick: I don't see that it would help to have half the Tecton get their tentacles on my file, instead of just Tecton Central.
Wise Snake: I suppose it's possible the others who see it won't be centrally placed enough to do serious damage with the information very quickly.
Nick: Given twenty Controllers, even of out-of-the-way Centers, what's the chance that none of them know someone who knows someone?
Alea: Z.
Nick: I'm no more willing to risk that than you are.
Linn puts on her heavy winter coat.
Wise Snake: Well you're free to go talk to Veraik about it if you want to know more. I didn't find his attitude very encouraging myself.
You are now known as Alea-afk.
Linn: I'm off to the shelter. I'll see you this evening.
Wise Snake: Good bye...
Emiles: Hi.
Alea-afk changes topic to "Bender Cove: Sime~Gen Roleplaying"
Alea-afk sets mode: +o Briel
Wise Snake: I have been thinking about it... there is another alternative we haven't talked about yet.
Linn is now known as Meri.
Kati pounces on the sleeping Alea's face.
Kati bats at a piece of hair.
Kati lays down on Alea's ear and starts to chew it, purring loudly.
Alea groans and blinks sleepily.
Alea: Hello sweetie.
Kati gets bored and scampers down the bed.
Kati pounces on Alea's feet.
Alea pushes herself up to a sitting position.
Kati decides to be an Explorer Kitten, and descends to the bedroom floor.
Alea pushes the covers down and slips her feet out of bed to the bare floor.
Kati waddles across to Alea's dresser and jumps up on the chair.
Kati peers at Alea through the back rungs of the chair.
Alea stands, stretching, wincing at the cold floor.
Kati pokes a paw through the rungs, but can't quite reach Alea.
Alea notes Kati's action and goes to shower.
Kati jumps up onto Alea's dresser.
Kati tests a hairbrush with a cautious paw.
Kati discovers that the brush will move if swatted, and swats it onto the floor.
Kati is alarmed at the clatter, and rushes to the edge of the dresser.
Kati peers down, checking to confirm the source of the noise.
Kati soon gets bored with that and starts to explore the other objects on the dresser.
Alea comes out of the shower and goes to her closet to dress.
Alea sets mode: +o Briel
Kati discovers that a box is too heavy to move, but the small glass figurine shoots off the dresser with even more speed than the hairbrush, and lands with a satisfying smash.
Alea jumps and turns.
Alea: Oh no!
Alea hurries over to the figuring, and bends down to pick up the pieces.
Kati looks totally innocent.
Kati reaches out to bat Alea's hair as it comes within range.
Alea winces when she steps on a peace of broken glass and plops down on the floor, groaning.
Alea carefully picks out the glass and wipes at the blood.
Kati jumps down onto the chair, peering at Alea through the rungs of the chair.
Alea: Kadi dear...you have to be more careful.
Alea scoops up the glass and dumps it in her trash can.
Kati decides that Alea wants to play, and jumps down onto the ground.
Briel goes to the deferment suite and signals.
Kati crouches for a moment, hiding behind the leg of the chair, then pounces on Alea's bare feet.
Alea jumps again, then chuckles.
Alea finally picks up Kati.
Alea: Can you wait until I get dressed first?
Tarsh: Come.
Kati grabs Alea's big toe with both sets of front claws, rakes her other toes with the back claws, and bites down hard.
Alea stands, with Kati in her arms, wincing at the pain to her toe, and stands.
Briel goes inside.
Briel: Good day Tarsh.
Briel: How are you doing?
Briel zlins Tarsh.
Kati pauses to gaze up at Alea, looking totally adorable.
Alea goes over and grabs some undies and bra and then a skirt and top.
Alea pauses to scratch Kati on the head, nuzzling her against her cheek.
Kati grabs Alea's hand with claws and teeth, purring loudly.
Tarsh: ~~ well into need ~~
Tarsh: ~~ intil lower than normal ~~
Alea tosses Kati onto the bed and quickly dresses.
Alea has a feeling her toe is going to bleed for awhile.
Briel goes over to Tarsh and sits down by him.
Tarsh: I'm ....
Kati jumps down from the bed and wanders off to sharpen her claws on a convenient canvas.
Tarsh: As well as can be expected.
Briel: I bet you'll be glad to be out of isolation soon.
Tarsh: ~~ brooding about something ~~
Briel: Want to talk about it?
Tarsh: You've met Mostan.
Briel: Yes.
Tarsh: Things haven't worked out for him either.
Briel: I would imagine not since he is a channel.
Tarsh: Huh?
Briel projects Gen as she sits by Tarsh, working to raise intil.
Tarsh: Is that what he meant about staying here?
Briel: You didn't know he is a channel?
Tarsh relaxes at the reassuring Gen field.
Briel: Yes.
Briel: He'll be here for awhile.
Tarsh: He was talking in riddles yesterday. And I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have.
Tarsh: A Channel? They said he was renSime when he changed over.
Briel: He is a third order.
Briel: A third order who hasn't been using his secondary system.
Briel: That's why it hasn't been working out for him.
Briel continues to project a strong steady Gen field.
Briel: When he came in and I examined him, I realized it.
Tarsh: He told us that after a while, channel's transfer stopped working for him. That it would happen to all of us sooner or later.
Briel shakes her head.
Briel: Not true. It stopped working for him only because he is a channel.
Briel: My friend back at my Householding has been a renSime fifteen years now, never had a moment's problem.
Briel reaches out and takes Tarsh's hand increasing contact
Briel: Think, Tarsh. How many renSimes do we have here that receive transfer everyday?
Tarsh: We thought he went first because he was so sensitive.
Briel: It's never "stopped working for them".
Briel: Well, channels are more sensitive, aren't they.
Briel smiles.
Tarsh: He said he was always sick until he started with...
Tarsh: And then he got better immediately.
Briel: With Gen transfer.
Briel: Yes, I bet he was.
Briel runs a finger carefully down Tarsh's arm, along the side of a lateral sheath.
Tarsh:'s lateral glands start to secrete more ronaplin.
Briel: Just relax.
Briel: Now that we've discovered his problem, I would surmise that things are going to go much better.
Tarsh: But he couldn't get on with his ... I suppose they were "Donors", weren't they?
Tarsh: They got mad at him and wouldn't anymore.
Briel: Since he didn't kill them, I would imagine they must have been.
Briel: Oh.
Briel lifts an eyebrow.
Tarsh: We never had any of our Gens hurt. Mostan always decided who was ready to transfer with whom.
Briel increases her desire to give transfer, allowing her excitement to help Tarsh show in her field.
Briel: His sensitivity allowed it.
Tarsh's laterals start to emerge as he responds to Briel-Gen.
Briel: He could zlin and match, thank goodness for you all.
Briel moves her hands up Tarsh's arms, stroking the sheathes gently, encouraging Tarsh to respond.
Briel: Anything else you want to talk about?
Briel ~~sympathy~~
Tarsh: It was so hard being near Alea for this last week...
Briel: I zlinned as much.
Tarsh: I knew I had to not zlin her, but ...
Briel: Yeah...but...
Briel: Her field can even bother me...
Tarsh: I've tried to suppress my need, which worked as well as it usually does.
Tarsh sighs and stretches his arms straight out.
Tarsh: The Gens don't know how good they have it, do they?
Briel: Well, we don't think so.
Briel finally reaches out with her field and locks onto Tarsh's bringing them both into synch.
Tarsh: ~~ puzzled at 'we' ~~
Tarsh: Aaahhhhh.
Tarsh drifts up towards hyperconciousness.
Briel: Gens of course, think renSimes and channels are the lucky ones. Or most I know do.
Tarsh: Why? Channels, I understand. you get all the breaks.
Briel slides her hands up his arm, taking them in transfer position and simply holding them.
Briel: With those "breaks" Tarsh comes a whole other set of problems and responsibility.
Briel works to allow the bright warmth of a Gen field engulf Tarsh.
Tarsh laterals slide out involuntarily.
Tarsh's eyes go blank.
Briel ~~Gen need to give~~
Briel intertwine laterals.
Tarsh's hands grasp her arms.
Tarsh: ~~ rising intil ~~
Tarsh zlins Briel-Gen deeply.
Briel continues to project need to give, working to project high Gen field.
Tarsh pushes into the wonderful field.
Briel ~~aching need to give~~
Tarsh reaches the source of selyn and draws at it greedily.
Briel meets his need perfectly matching him with the resistance Tarsh needs.
Tarsh pulls harder to increase the draw even through the resistance.
Tarsh: ~~ selyn is wonderful but not quite right somehow ~~
Briel apmpliing and feeding back experience to Tarsh.
Briel feels hesitation and realizes after ten days in isolation.........
Briel ~~Alea~~
Tarsh: ~~ FOUND IT! ~~
Briel remembers the field surrounding her yesterday and tries to project that to Tarsh.
Tarsh redoubles his draw from Alea-gen.
Briel ~~joy~~
Tarsh: ~~ savors Alea-selyn ~~
Tarsh: ~~ Joy ~~
Briel allows herself to soar as Tarsh approaches threshold of his satisfaction projecting satisfaction and happiness.
Tarsh soars as need is banished.
Tarsh draws his fill of Alea-gen.
Briel ~~joy, completion, satisfaction~~
Tarsh slows and stops his draw in bliss.
Briel sits still and allows Tarsh time to adjust.
Tarsh breaks lip contact as his eyes track again.
Briel sets mode: +o JonDrake
Briel sits still.
Tarsh stares at Briel. ~~ Betrayal! ~~
Briel sits back.
Tarsh carefully withdraws his tentacles.
Briel: No, Tarsh.
Briel shakes her head, zlinning him.
Briel: Don't feel that way.
Tarsh: [ stiffly ] Thank you Hajene. That was ... wonderful.
Tarsh: ~~ nager at odds with words ~~
Briel smiles sadly.
Tarsh: That was extremely convincing. Most skillful.
Briel: You had Alea in the only way possible. Be glad.
Tarsh: Yes.
Briel: I'm glad to know that.
Tarsh releases Briel's arms.
Briel sighs.
Briel: Would you like some tea or anything before you go?
Tarsh gets up and turns away.
Tarsh: [ choked ] No, no thank you.
Tarsh: ~~ grief ~~
Briel stands and goes to wash her arms.
Tarsh starts sobbing.
Briel: I'm sorry, Tarsh. I wish ...
Briel goes back over to Tarsh, touches his back.
Tarsh turns and puts his head on Briel's shoulder.
Briel wraps her arms around him.
Briel: It's got to be hell, Tarsh...I'm so sorry.
Tarsh shakes with tears.
Tarsh: "Father... "
Briel strokes Tarsh's back, allowing him to cry, to talk, to work out his post reaction.
Alea finishes dressing and sits down to play with Kati, whom, she notes, has demolished one entire corner of a small bag she had in her floor.
Alea: No, no no, sweetie, you can't do that.
Tarsh: Why didn't you come back? What did I do?
Alea flops back on the bed with Kati Kitten on her tummy and grabs her paws, playing.
Briel: What happened, Tarsh?
Briel soothing, quietly, encouraging him to talk.
Tarsh lifts his face with tears running down it.
Tarsh: My Father... He went away to a special camp ... his transfers ...
Tarsh: He never came back. He'd *promised* to come back.
Briel fishes in her pocket and swipes at Tarsh's face with a hankie she has.
Briel ~~concern~~
Tarsh: ~~ grief and despair ~~
Briel: Your father was semi-junct?
Tarsh: Mother loved him, and without him she couldn't...
Tarsh: Yes. From before the treaty. He ...
Tarsh: I don't think he liked channels... if he had had a choice...
Tarsh: Mother said she was glad when the channels came, but dad ...
You are now known as Briel`
Briel: It was your father's choice, Tarsh, to live or to die, to accept channel transfer or not. You can't blame yourself.
Tarsh: They never thought they'd have any children. And he didn't get to see me grow up all the way...
Briel: It wasn't your fault, Tarsh.
Briel: You know, eventually all semi-juncts die. Their systems just can't take it after awhile. I'm sure your mother knew this.
Briel: You have to accept liking channels or not, to live or to die, was his choice...perhaps he preferred to go on instead of stay in the life he was in.
Tarsh: She only made it till I changed over. Then she just gave up and let the ghosts take her away.
Briel: I'm sorry Tarsh.
Alea finally lifts Kati off her stomach and goes over to scoop up a bowl..which she fills with fresh water.
Tarsh puts his head back down and continues sobbing.
Alea puts down the water and goes to the kitchen for more scraps.
Briel continues to soothe Tarsh.
Briel is now known as Briel.
Nick: [Kati decides that she doesn't like the bowl just where it is, tries to move it with one paw, and spills the water all over the floor.
Alea goes to the kitchen and gets scraps for Kati.
Nick: [Kati shakes her dampened paw, licks it indignantly, and then settles down to drink from the spill.]
Alea sets mode: +o Kati
Briel projects soothing caring comfort.
Alea takes the scraps, noting how nervous the cook is about her being in the kitchen and sighs, then leaves and heads back up the hall toward the stairs, humming happily to herself.
Tarsh's sobs subside.
Nick: [Kati looks at the puddle spreading over the floor, tests it with a paw, then loses interest and hides under the bed.
Tarsh steps back. "Thank you Briel."
Briel nods.
Briel: No problem.
Briel steps back.
Kati crouches as she hears Alea's footsteps approaching.
Tarsh: I'd better get my stuff back upstairs.
Alea starts up the stairs.
Briel: Good idea.
Tarsh begins gathering up his clothes. ~~ sadness ~~
Briel: Tarsh...it'll all work out.
Briel zlinning.
Nick: [Kati's hind end wiggles.]
Jon Drake heads over to the cafeteria to get something to eat.
Alea goes to her room with the scraps.
Alea: Here we are Kati.
Alea looks around, wondering where the kitten got to now.
Nick: [Kati peeks out from behind the bedspread, then pounces, wrapping herself around Alea's ankle.
Mostan is in the cafeteria swirling tea and looking at toast.
Alea trips, staggering.
Jon Drake apparently just missed Alea.
Alea [bowl of scraps into the air]
Kati scampers away to hide under the dresser, and Alea just misses her, too.
Alea windmills, swinging her arms wildly.
Alea smiles as she forces herself upright...
Alea: AAARRRGGGH!!!!
Alea foot hits a puddle and her shoe slides.
Alea flies, out of control across the room....toward the dresser, crashing into it.
Alea: Ooomph!
Kati mews in terror, running across the room to hide under the bed again.
Alea [Crash, shatter, ping...all of dresser contents on top go flying as Alea tries to grab something to steady herself]
Kati waits until it's quiet, then peeks out.
Alea falls heavily to the floor, wincing in pain as her head connects with the corner of the dresser.
Alea sits there staring stupidly.
Alea: Ouch.
Jon Drake heads back to his office.
Kati sees the food scraps on the floor, and runs out to pounce on them.
Alea feel something squishy under her hand and looks down.
Alea: Here are your scraps, Kati[lifts her hand from some of the misc. scraps scattered on the floor]
Tarsh sets mode: +o Mostan
Kati starts gobbling hungrily, purring loudly.
Alea pushes herself painfully to her feet and goes back to the bathroom to wash her hands.
Kati: /me finishes eating and waddles over to scale the bedspread.
Kati sits down in the exact geometric center of the bed and starts to clean herself.
Mostan wonder if that was another Donor who just looked in.
Alea sets mode: +o Briel
Alea finishes washing her hands and then goes to the drawer where she stashed the new hair pins she bought and pins her hair up.
Mostan sets mode: +o JonDrake
Tarsh gets all his things together and heads back for his room.
Alea: Now there Kati, what are you doing?
Alea looks over to where Kati is cleaning herself and smiles.
Alea begins to pick up the mess on her floor.
Alea gathers everything that's not broken and puts it in the top drawer of her dresser.
Kati curls up and goes to sleep, purring.
Alea gathers the scraps and puts them on Kati's plate.
Alea wipes up the spill and refills Kati's water dish.
Alea finishes and leaves her room.
Alea goes down the hall to the stairs.
Tarsh starts up the stairs with his arms full.
Alea sees Tarsh.
Alea: Hi!
Alea: I take it you've had transfer?
Alea notes all of the misc. stuff he is carrying and the fact that he is now out of the deferment suite.
Tarsh looks sad. "Yes. Brief did very well."
Alea ~~concern~~
Alea: What is it Tarsh?
Tarsh: Just memories. My family.
Alea takes some of the books Tarsh is carrying and turns to walk with him.
Alea: I'm sorry.
Tarsh trudges on up.
Jon Drake walks across his office and gets himself a cup of tea.
Jon Drake looks at the clock, wondering when Kaymeil will return.
Tarsh: All hitting me at once. especially with auntie Baw yesterday.
Tarsh: Hey, where did her cake end up?
Alea: Oh Tarsh.
Alea thinks and shrugs.
Alea: I have no idea.
Alea: Maybe the Donor lounge.
Alea grins.
Tarsh: Where?
Alea: The lounge for the Gens next to Veraik's office.
Alea: Any food left laying around usually ends up there.
Briel leaves the deferment suite.
Alea: If not there, then someone probably put it in the conference room or the kitchen.
Tarsh: I want some of that. It's mine.
Alea: Of course. We'll hunt it down. Who knows, maybe someone put it in your room, if they knew it was yours.
Tarsh arrives at his door and tries to get at his keys .
Alea: Here, let me help.
Alea slips her free hand into Tarsh's pocket for his keys.
Alea snags the keys and pulls them out, slipping the key into the lock.
Tarsh smiles a little at the contact.
Alea pushes open the door and steps back.
Jon Drake is now known as Piotr.
Kati is now known as LinnH.
Tarsh goes in and dumps his stuff on the bed.
Alea follows and sets everything on the chest.
Piotr is out in the town buying food and supplies.
Nick waits in the living room for Snake to finish her shower.
Tarsh looks around for cake-like objects.
Alea: You know, I bet it's down in the conference room where I put your Aunt Baw yesterday.
Linn putters around, straightening the living room.
Tarsh: You met Auntie Baw?
Alea: Not officially.
Piotr finds the variety in this side of town very sparse.
Alea: Well, with all of the animals and everything running around and her seeming just a bit nervous, I thought it prudent to escort her to someplace quiet and make her some tea.
Tarsh: I was going to introduce you when all that trouble started.
Nick smiles, remember yesterday's selyn-movement exercises.
Alea: Oh really?
Alea smiles.
Alea: She seems like a nice old lady.
Tarsh: You're always so considerate.
Nick is beginning to feel just a little bit more like a real Donor.
Tarsh: My father's kid sister.
Alea: Really?
Alea ~~sympathy~~
Alea: She must be really special then.
Alea: A connection to your father...
Tarsh: Yes. She would come take care of me when mother was sick.
Alea: That was nice of her.
Piotr buys enough food for the two of them and heads back to the flophouse.
Alea: Shall we go see about that cake now?
Tarsh: I was never sure if she escaped to the border, was taken, or didn't establish till after unity.
Alea nods.
Alea: That was a hard time.
Tarsh kisses Alea. "Let's. It's wonderful."
Piotr stops for a moment to look at the whorehouse he's seen that renSime seems to have some business in.
Alea goes out the door toward the stairs.
Tarsh follows.
Wise Snake finally appears.
Mostan is now known as Garon`
Piotr is not sure what that Gen woman who sticks out like a sore thumb in this neighborhood has to do with this, but it makes him very curious.
Nick smiles, anticipating another practice session.
Biglizard sits in the middle of conference room table.
Alea stops in front of the door.
Garon comes out of the door smoothing his hair and straightening his clothes.
Linn: You look wonderful, Snake.
Alea: I had your aunt in here yesterday, Tarsh. She enjoyed some tea and chatted on about all kinds of inconsequential things.
Tarsh: Should I wait out here?
Alea: No.
Alea: This is just he conference room. The Donor room is down the other hall..near Veraik's office, though he doesn't realize I've turned that old conference room into a rec room yet.
Alea smiles.
Wise Snake: Tell me again what possesses people to get all wet on a day this cold?
Garon breathes in the bracing air.
Garon trots down the steps to the street.
Nick grins.
Tarsh: Oh. Ok then.
Nick: The hot water warms you up so much you don't feel the cold.
Alea pushes the door open and goes in.
Tarsh follows in.
Nick is feeling disgustingly optimistic.
Biglizard tail swishing back and forth, laying on the table next to a half eaten cake.
Alea: Oh ugh.
Alea stops and stares at the ugly thing.
Piotr walks around the building, scoping out entrances and exits.
Tarsh tries to grab lizard by the throats.
Garon walks down the block.
Biglizard makes an awful noise and scurries away.
Wise Snake: Is that how it works? [shivers]
Alea: That exterminator should be found and shot.
Tarsh chases biglizard.
Tarsh: You little...!!!
Biglizard turns, feet slipping on the smooth table top and goes flying off into the floor.
Nick notices that Snake's hair hasn't been properly dried.
Alea: I ... oh dear...
Alea clasps her hands together in worry.
Alea: It didn't eat it all...
Wise Snake goes into the kitchen and investigates the fridge.
Alea wonders if it even ate any or if humans were the cluprits..surely a lizard couldn't eat THAT much.
Linn: There's toast, cereal, or fruit.
Biglizard scurries toward the door and out it.
Tarsh trips over biglizard and falls flat.
Alea: Oh dear.
Linn: Or you could have some of the apple pie from last night.
Alea hurries over to Tarsh.
Alea: Are you okay?
Tarsh has the wind knocked out of him.
Piotr eventually heads back to the flophouse with the groceries.
Tarsh gasps.
Alea bends down next to Tarsh, hovering in worry.
Alea: Are you hurt.
Tarsh sucks in air.
Piotr unlocks the door and walks in.
Tarsh flaps his hand at Alea in a dismissive manner.
Alea runs her hands over his ankles, thinking he must have hurt one.
Piotr: Good morning, Jules.
Alea: A clumsy Sime? I don't think so.
Jules Dist [sitting up in bed looking better]
Jules Dist: Good morning Piotr.
Tarsh breathing becomes more normal.
Piotr: Feel up to some breakfast?
Alea can't find any swelling or broken bones, sits back.
Wise Snake: Mmm... maybe some toast.
Tarsh: I'm all right. That excised little vermin!
Jules Dist: Some tea and toast?
Tarsh sits up against the wall.
Alea: As I said, the exterminator should be shot.
Alea: We'll never be rid of all the ... things ... that are loose in here.
Alea stands and goes over to the cake.
Tarsh: Was that one of his targets or his tools?
Linn: Tea also? It would help you warm up.
Alea cuts off the bad part of the cake.
Piotr: It will just take a few minutes.
Alea: I have no idea.
Tarsh pulls himself up.
Alea retrieves to plates and forks, then picks up the shining knife and begins to cut the cake.
Alea saws carefully, slicing at a piece for Tarsh.
Wise Snake: Sure.
Linn goes to the kitchen and puts on the kettle as Snake rummages in the fridge.
Jules Dist: Of course. Do you, um...want some help?
Alea saws back and forth, further down into the cake....
Alea moves a plate over and allows the cake to fall over on the plate.
Alea: Here you go.
Piotr: No, not at all.
Nick: Could I have a cup, too?
Alea hands the plate out to Tarsh.
Wise Snake stopped rummaging in the fridge as soon as Linn started bustling about.
Tarsh takes the plate. "Thank you."
Piotr starts the water and begins to prepare the toast.
Alea saws at another piece thinking blueberry chocolate sounds different.
Piotr: You seem to be doing much better, Jules.
Tarsh closes his eyes and inhales the smell of the cake.
Linn sets the tea things out, and puts bread in the toaster.
Jules Dist: I'll be ready to leave in a day or two.
Piotr: So soon.
Piotr returns with the tea and toast.
Alea finishes with her piece and then slips out of the room and down the hall, quickly returning with two glasses of milk.
Jules Dist: Thank you.
Jules Dist takes the toast and tea.
Jules Dist: I have to get back to my people.
Wise Snake has a seat to wait.
Jules Dist: I have to let them know about my...friend.
Jules Dist: They'll be worried, wondering where I am.
Piotr examines Jules' ribs, one of the last of the remaining _physical_ injuries.
Piotr: Yes, I understand.
Tarsh: Mother always chided Baw for buying chocolate, it's so expensive.
Alea sets down a cup by Tarsh and then takes a seat herself.
Linn reaches for the kettle as it whistles and pours the three cups, then deftly fishes the toast out of the toaster and onto a plate.
Linn: Here you go.
Tarsh: How did you know? [ glancing at the milk ]
Jules Dist: Why do you stay around here? You obviously don't belong.
Alea: What else do you drink with cake?
Nick wanders in from the living room to claim his own cup.
Piotr darkens.
Alea takes a bite...
Wise Snake thinks Linn really knows how to handle a kitchen.
Alea and thinks the lizard must have surely done something to spoil the cake it tastes so awful.
Piotr: I still have a debt to settle.
Wise Snake has some toast and tea, pondering life.
Alea's eyes widen.
Linn sips a cup of her own, thinking that she's starting to learn to like trin.
Tarsh starts on the cake.
Alea tries to smile with a mouthful of..."scchhhus maee.
Alea gets up and hurries out of the room.
Jules Dist: I see.
Linn notices that Snake's now-clean hair is falling in her eyes as it dries.
Jules Dist sips her tea and nibbles on a piece of toast.
Tarsh savors the taste from the past.
Alea goes across the hall and spits the cake out, nearly gagging.
Alea: Ugh!
Tarsh takes another forkful.
Alea thinks that is the worst thing she has ever tasted in her life.
Wise Snake tosses her head, sending the hair temporarily back where it belongs.
Linn: You know, Snake, your hair is getting long enough to braid.
Alea takes a deep breath, goes back in to the conference room.
Alea: Sorry. I'm back.
Wise Snake frowns, lost in thought.
Piotr: When my tribe was destroyed, I vowed to do strike out against Simes who would kill.
Wise Snake's face twitches as a small alarm bell goes off in the external-stimuli-monitoring-department.
Wise Snake: What?
Jules Dist remembers the recent attack on her and her Gen and sighs.
Tarsh puts down his glass, leaving a white mustache.
Piotr: I am but one man, and there are so many.
Alea sits down and grins at Tarsh, trying not to laugh as she sips her own milk.
Piotr sighs.
Piotr: So very many.
Linn: Your hair. It's long enough to braid.
Linn: That would keep it out of your eyes, too.
Tarsh: Great, isn't it!
Jules Dist: You'll never get revenge on them all. You ought to come, meet my people. There would be someone there for you.
Jules Dist: You could help someone there instead of trying to destroy the entire world.
Alea: Uh, yeah.
Piotr: I am bound by my oath.
Wise Snake: Uh...
Alea thinks the milk is absolutely wonderful and let's Tarsh believe what he will about what she is answering to.
Wise Snake thinks that sounds like a perfectly frightening idea.
Linn: Let me show you.
Tarsh: She invited us for dinner next Wednesday if you want to come.
Alea: That would be wonderful!
Alea smiles, brightening.
Linn fetches a hairbrush and a few ribbons.
Alea suddenly wonders if her cooking is anything like this cake and vows to eat before they go, just in case.
Tarsh: You can meet the rest of the family then.
Alea: You have more family?
Alea eyes are wide with surprise.
Nick grins at the alarmed Snake and shrugs with amused helplessness.
Tarsh: It's all on her side.
Wise Snake gulps her tea and looks very alarmed.
Piotr: I wish I could set it all aside sometimes.
Jules Dist: Your tribe would rather you be out there than helping others. We have a couple of gypsies in our group...
Piotr is surprised.
Linn comes back and starts to brush the tangles out of Snake's mop.
Piotr: Really?
Alea: Still, it's family.
Alea: I wish sometimes I had some left.
Linn radiates contentment as she concentrates on the task.
Alea thinks about the chance she'd had and lost with her half-sister...thinking her brother-in-law is the only one really left...close in relation, that is.
Piotr stands up, pacing the floor.
Jules Dist: Yes. Similar to your looks. I have no idea just where they were from though. They don't share much.
Piotr: I don't know.
Piotr gestures out of the window.
Wise Snake flinches and starts at every pull and tug.
Piotr: What are your people doing about those out there?
Jules Dist: What do you mean?
Jules Dist guarded.
Wise Snake thinks she got Linn out working with kids JUST IN TIME....
Nick tries to calm Snake, worried that her jumpiness will remind Linn she's in need at an inopportune moment.
Piotr: Every day, junct Simes are killing.
Linn finishes brushing the snarls out, and decides that it will take some major effort to contain that lock in front.
Jules Dist: You don't have to tell me.
Jules Dist ~~bitterness Grief~~
Tarsh: You don't?
Tarsh looks saddened for Alea.
Wise Snake wilts under the pressure of Nick's calming urge and Linn's obvious girding-up for battle.
Linn starts a French braid, neatly containing the wayward Farris cowlick.
Piotr looks out of the window, into the cold, gray day.
Alea: NO, I don't.
Nick looks on curiously, trying to figure out how Linn manages to keep all the pieces in place.
Piotr: I have a little puzzle Jules.
Piotr: A mystery that has me perplexed.
Jules Dist: Really?
Tarsh: I'm so sorry. All those other Farries aren't relatives?
Alea: Distant relatives, so I suppose you could call them relatives.
Alea smiles.
Piotr: I've been watching a renSime. He feels very shady to me.
Piotr: I have watched him come and go from an old building, which seems to house a whorehouse.
Piotr: He is not there for pleasure.
Jules Dist: What else do you go to one of those places for?
Jules Dist shrugs.
Piotr: I have also seen a Gen woman going in and out. A woman who has no business in this neighborhood.
Piotr: These two have been seen together.
Linn finishes the braid and ties the end neatly with the ribbon.
Piotr: Something is going on there.
Linn: There.
Linn steps back to admire her handiwork.
Tarsh: I wonder what it was like for the ancients, without families always being broken up by the border.
Jules Dist: If you say so.
Piotr: Something doesn't feel right. I have seen this building in my dreams lately.
Alea: It must have been wonderful.
Wise Snake projects a beaten-dog pleading.
Piotr: I have tried to look within, but I awake before I finish my exploration.
Wise Snake: Well?
Nick: It looks good on you, Snake.
Tarsh: Like Auntie Baw. She was father's little sister, and had to go out-t when she established.
Linn nods agreement.
Alea: That's so sad.
Tarsh: If Unity hadn't come along, Father would never have known what became of here, and vice versa.
Wise Snake, suspiciously, gets up and goes into bathroom to see self in mirror.
Alea: It's sad, but true. In Householdings, it's different, though, Tarsh.
Tarsh: I never thought of that. You get to keep your kids regardless, don't you?
Piotr mumbles.
Alea smiles softly.
Alea: Yes.
Piotr: Something down below, in the basement or something.
Piotr: I don't know...
Piotr: Jules, once you are ready to go outside, could I get your help with something?
Wise Snake fails to return from bathroom.
Tarsh: How wonderful.....
Jules Dist: What is that, Piotr?
Alea: Yes, it is, never having to worry about where your children are, or if they're safe, or loved...
Nick begins to be concerned when Snake doesn't return.
Piotr: I wish to check out this building, but sensitive as I may be, I cannot zlin.
Nick goes to the bathroom door and signals.
Nick: Are you all right, Snake?
Piotr: I was wondering if you could try and zlin into this building for me? I could try and increase your range with my field.
Jules Dist: I.. would have to see the building. But I owe you for helping me so, yes, I will try to zlin it for you.
Piotr: Thank you Jules.
Jules Dist eyes droop.
Jules Dist: I think I should rest....
Piotr: We may do this tomorrow or later.
Piotr: Yes, now you must rest.
Piotr moves over to Jules.
Jules Dist: Thank you.
Piotr adjusts his field to help her to enter into a deep, restful sleep.
Jules Dist sleeps.
Piotr thinks that her estimate is very optimistic at this point.
Tarsh: What I've read about junct society says that family's didn't last usually.
Nick listens for signs of life from the bathroom.
Piotr holds the ambient and moves to put the rest of the groceries away.
Alea: Oh. What a shame.
Jules Dist is now known as Briel.
Piotr is now known as JonDrake.
Tarsh: And Mother came over the border. She never talked about her family back there.
Alea: It was probably too painful for her.
Alea ~~sympathy~~
Tarsh: So I have may have more family out there, but there's no way to tell.
Alea: I'm sure we could find out if it's that important to you.
Tarsh: I don't see how. It was decades ago.
Alea: We might be able to trace your mother's name. They keep records differently than we do here.
Tarsh finishes his cake.
Alea: With the ability to go out-Territory, we could go to your mother's home town and look into it.
Alea sets mode: +o Briel
Tarsh: I'm not sure if I can remember it. Maybe Auntie Baw knows.
Alea: Yeah. We can check with her Wednesday night.
Alea squeezes Tarsh's hand.
Alea: There might be hope.
Alea sets mode: +o NickR
Alea sets mode: +o LinnH
Nick gets concerned, and opens the bathroom door to peer inside.
Wise Snake is peering out the bathroom window, breath (and laterals) steaming up the glass. "Do you suppose Mr. Pzistwhal is ever going to shovel his back walk?"
Tarsh: Hope?
Nick: Not until his arthritis stops bothering him.
Alea: To find some of your distant relatives if you are interested.
Alea: ?me shrugs.
Wise Snake walks out of the bathroom.
Tarsh: Out-t families rarely acknowledge their Sime kids even now. Much less grandchildren from the distant past.
Alea sighs, releasing Tarsh's hand.
Alea: You're right.
Linn is waiting in the living room, obviously anxious about whether Snake likes the new hairdo.
Wise Snake sits down at the desk and pages through some paperwork.
Alea: I only thought you might want to check birth and death records, things like that if you really had a desire to know.
Alea: Perhaps it's best not to even do that.
Alea reaches out to gather the two plates--hers still full--and carry them to the sink.
Tarsh: I never considered it before.
Tarsh is lost in thought and doesn't notice Alea didn't finish hers.
Linn looks at Nick, who shrugs helplessly.
Alea stacks the plates and forks and picks up the two glasses and goes to the sink.
Alea dumps her cake, wondering where they're going to find the dead lizard, for surely it'll die after eating that cake, and then rinses the dishes.
Nick goes to restock the medicine satchel.
Alea stacks the plates and glasses in a small basket for the maid later and returns to the table.
Alea leans back against it, staring down at Tarsh as he's lost in thought.
Tarsh takes Alea's hand.
Alea smiles.
Tarsh: Thank you Alea.
Alea: For what?[smiling though a bit confused]
Tarsh: Listening. Being here.
Alea: Oh.
Wise Snake: ~~ doesn't know how to deal with the hair thing so is not dealing with it ~~~
Alea shrugs.
Alea: No problem. I like listening to you. And I love being with you, though not so much in the isolation.
Alea grins.
Tarsh: Yeah.
Tarsh: Do you know how T & T are doing?
Alea: I heard Tamlen is actually up moving around.
Linn looks at Snake crouched over her paperwork, then goes to wash the breakfast dishes, feeling a bit hurt.
Alea: Tramila has reached her crisis and is past..she should be up in a couple of days.
Tarsh: Why does he bother with those exercises at his age?
Alea: Who, Tamlen?
Nick returns with the restocked satchel.
Tarsh: Yeah. I've seem him out in the back before he got sick.
Nick: Is it flu or frostbite tonight?
Tarsh: Looks like the kind of stuff we did in First Year camp.
Alea: How else is a Donor going to keep up with his Channel if he doesn't exercise?
Alea: Simes are lazy. Pure and simple.
Tarsh: I suppose so.
Alea: We, of course, have to keep in shape so we can keep up with a Sime when he decides to augment.
Alea smiles superiorly.
Wise Snake: Hmmm... I sort of had something special in mind for tonight.
Tarsh: Is That how you do it?
Nick raises an interrogative eyebrow.
Alea chuckles and shakes her head.
Alea: Well, we certainly don't do it by sitting on our duff like you Simes do and using your ability to augment when the mood strikes you.
Wise Snake fishes yesterday's newspaper out from under the pile of papers.
Wise Snake: [Eastcove paper]
Tarsh laughs.
Nick: ~~curiosity~~
Wise Snake: Look at this little article here... they said some people had to wait in the emergency room for over eight hours at the hospital in Eastcove... some of them never did get served.
Nick: You think you might be able to persuade some of them to let you treat them instead?
Tarsh stands up.
Wise Snake: It's worth a shot! I mean, look here, it says this woman waited five hours with her son who had a broken leg.... I'm sure she was ready to try new something radical and different after about 3 of those hours.
Wise Snake: Try new something ===== try something.
Alea: Now you stand.
Alea smiles.
Alea: What? Did I make you feel guilty standing here while you sat?
Alea: Made you feel old...decripted...feel ... Sime.
Tarsh: Err... No.
Nick leans over Snake's shoulder to skim the article.
Tarsh: That isn't how you make me feel.
Alea: Oh.
Tarsh: In point of fact.
Nick: Well, it sounds like it has possibilities.
Nick: But how do you plan to get around the retainer laws?
Nick: You can't treat patients when you're wearing the things.
Wise Snake shudders.
Alea simply raises an eyebrow.
Wise Snake: Of course not... I had in mind something a little more... freewheeling.
Nick: Oh?
Nick: ~~interest~~
Tarsh brushes the eyebrow with ventral tentacle.
Alea's look softens.
Wise Snake: I remain in hiding... you do the talking.
Nick considers, then nods.
Wise Snake: When you've convinced them, take them to a place they know is safe, and I will follow.
Wise Snake: I realize it's more than a little risky, but just think of the potential for interesting learning experiences!
Tarsh twists Alea's hair in his tentacle.
Wise Snake's eyes are alight with a little adrenaline at the thought.
Tarsh jerks back as a pin springs out. "sorry."
Nick thinks that this sounds like more of an adventure than combing dockside for half-frozen bums.
Alea chuckles.
Alea picks up the pin.
Alea: I only wear these to irritate the controller.
Tarsh leans over to retrieve it.
Alea bumps Tarsh as they both try to get the pin.
Nick: It's worth a try.
Tarsh stops still.
Tarsh: You go ahead.
Nick: Who knows, we might get some interesting cases that way.
Alea retrieves it, and removes the rest from her hair.
Alea: Since Veraik isn't here, I suppose it doesn't matter if they're in or not.
Tarsh: I always used confusing forms to annoy controllers.
Alea: Good Idea, I never thought of that.
Alea: Of course, I'm no good with forms.
Tarsh observes Alea's form.
Tarsh: _*I*_ like it.
Alea smiles.
Alea: I'm glad to hear that.
Alea reaches and curls her fingers around a tentacle
Alea: I want to apologize, Tarsh, for the...well...the problem of having to share a room for ten days.
Tarsh puts his hands on Alea's hips. "You on the schedule this afternoon?"
Alea: No. I'm still off for a few days.
Tarsh: Not your fault. That Tamlen guy.
Alea sighs.
Alea: I suppose it's no one's fault.
Tarsh: Days? hmmmmm.....
Alea looks up, eyes gleaming.
Alea: Yeah.
Alea runs her fingers down Tarsh's arms, stroking them softly.
Tarsh nudges from side to side. "Shall we dance?"
Alea slides her hands up to his shoulders.
Alea: I'd love to.
Alea moves with Tarsh.
Nick checks the satchel one more time, to make sure, and slings it over his shoulder.
Tarsh dances around the table with Alea.
Wise Snake checks one last bit of paperwork, then shoves the heap of papers further back on the desk to stave off imminent landslide toward the floor.
Wise Snake rises.
Alea sighs moving along to the silent music.
Nick thinks that if he can't give his channel transfer yet, going out to work with her is the next best thing.
Nick grabs his cape and throws it over his shoulder, then holds the black cape chilvaroulsy to help Snake into it.
Tarsh cuddles up against Alea as they dance.
Wise Snake dons cape.
Alea slips a hand behind his neck, stroking it, laying her head close against him where she can feel the beating of his heart.
Nick and Snake make their way to Eastfield General Hospital.
Tarsh joins his hands in the small of her back, breathing in the smell of her hair.
Wise Snake: Have you been to Eastcove much, Nick?
Nick shakes his head.
Nick: Aside from Linn, I don't know anyone from there.
Alea sighs softly, so glad for the contact again, glad transfer is past so they don't have to worry for awhile.
Tarsh: I missed your touch so much...
Alea: You'll never know how much I missed yours.
Alea strokes his shoulders.
Wise Snake leads the way, taking little-used back roads and making sure to walk like a Gen.
Alea settles back into his close embrace.
Tarsh slides his hand up and down her back.
Leela sitting in a corner huddled in her coat, an occasional moan escaping.
Wise Snake stops in an overgrown backlot across the street and a little ways down from the emergency entrance to the hospital.
Alea arches, stretching in delight at the soft caress.
Wise Snake: I'll wait here. I can zlin the entrance clearly. All you have to do is talk somebody into getting channel's healing, then get them to bring you somewhere private. I will follow you.
Nick nods, listening intently.
Wise Snake: Whatever you do, don't do anything to get yourself arrested... I'd have a heck of a time getting you out in less than a couple of days.
Wise Snake: Keep in mind that most of these people haven't had much contact with channels, so what you are proposing will be quite startling to them.
Wise Snake: Not to mention, quite illegal.
Nick: I'll try to pick ones who appear...flexible.
Cranz: [ leans over to kiss Alea's throat ]
Wise Snake: Exactly. [thinks translation: Desperate]
Cranz: == make that Tarsh. ===
Nick leaves Snake behind and makes his way to the Emergency waiting room.
Nick looks around the waiting room, looking for desperately flexible individuals.
Wise Snake lurks in the thick brush, staying out of sight and zlinning Nick's progress until he disappears.
Cranz clutches his stomach.
Leela is a short woman wrapped from nose to knees in a big furry coat, her eyes filled with extreme pain.
Cranz is a plump young man in casual clothes.
Cranz sour smell of vomit comes from the wastebasket next to him.
Cranz's sandy hair is in disarray.
Alea runs her hands up into Tarsh's hair, sighing softly at the silky feel as she runs her fingers through it.
Nick decides that the young man is less likely to freak out at the prospect of being treated by a channel.
Nick walks over to Cranz.
Leela groans, doubling over, face contorting painfully.
Cranz rocks forward and back.
Nick: Is the service slow again, tonight?
Cranz: [ tightly ] Yes. I've been here for hours. I'm sick but they are too busy.
Nick turns to Leela.
Nick: You too, ma'am?
Cranz: Nurse said something 'bout ptomaine.
Alea: Yesssss[hisses]
Alea: ==er...Leela===
Nick: It really isn't right for you to have to wait so long.
Nick: Not when you require healing.
Tarsh kisses his way up Alea's neck.
Leela: No, no...I can't wait!
Nick: Have you ever considered an alternative physician?
Nick: One you wouldn't have to wait for?
Leela: Anything!
Leela: An-nee-thing!
Alea: Ummm, yes...
Nick looks at Cranz questioningly.
Nick: And you, sir?
Cranz: Cripes yes. any thing for these cramps.
Nick: Would you be interested in being treated by a competent physician, not associated with this hospital, at a nearby location of your choice?
Leela gasps, the groans before relaxing.
Cranz: If it ain't too far. New doctor in town?
Nick: In a way. She practices in Bender's Cove.
Tarsh bites at her ear with his lips.
Cranz: Cripes. I'd need a visa to go there.
Alea moans in pleasure and runs her hands down Tarsh's neck to his chest, stroking her way down to his sides
Nick: For tonight, she could come to you.
Nick: If there is some convenient location you know of, where we wouldn't be disturbed?
Cranz: How much she asking? I don't have too much on me.
Leela huddles back into her coat, moaning low.
Cranz looks over at Leela.
Nick: For this initial visit, there would be no charge at all.
Cranz: I can handle that.
Alea rocks back and forth with Tarsh, moving more in a standing position than dancing around the room.
Nick: And you, ma'am?
Leela pushes herself up to her feet.
Cranz suddenly turns to throw up into the basket again.
Leela: Yes, please. I've been here ten hours now.
Leela grumbles.
Nick offers an arm to each invalid.
Leela: How difficult can it be...anyone can do it.
Tarsh: Alea [ kissing cheek ]
Leela takes Nick's arm and leans heavily on him.
Nick: Does either of you know of a place where you could be treated, without being disturbed?
Cranz pulls himself up on Nick's arm and stands bent over.
Alea: Oh, Tarsh...[turns her head to capture his lips]
Nick starts moving them towards the door.
Tarsh kisses gently but thoroughly.
Leela clasps her coat tightly against the cold, keeping up over her face and mouth.
Alea: Ten days is a long time to be locked in the same room, knowing I am hurting you with my field and unable to hold you or comfort you.
Cranz: Jemmmy's. A friend's place two blocks from here. He's works nights and I know where his key is.
Nick: That will do nicely. Which direction is it?
Alea nibbles on his lower lip.
Cranz: North. No, south of us here.
Leela: South. It's south.
Nick starts them moving south.
Leela: Where are you from[to Cranz]the other side of the ocean?
Leela groans again, tightening her hold on Nick's arm.
Tarsh: [ mumbles ] I know.
Nick makes an encouraging noise, aware of a Sime nager lurking behind them.
Leela says a very colorful string of words before gasping.
Cranz: Yeah. How'd you know?
Leela realizes the sick man is talking to her and looks at him incredulously.
Leela: All men are pigs.
Leela moans.
Nick looks around as they enter the second block, trying to spot an unoccupied house.
Leela: Be a little sarcastic and they take you seriously.
Leela: Men...
Leela grumbles again.
Nick nods at a darkened building.
Nick: It that your friend's house?
Wise Snake follows at a discreet distance, staying well out of sight of any who might be watching.
Cranz looks up at it. Brushes at eyes. "Yeah."
Nick: Where's the key?
Cranz: Look for a loose shingle behind the milk can.
Nick gropes behind the milk can for a minute, and finally withdraws the key.
Nick: Here it is.
Nick opens the door, and helps Cranz and Leela inside.
Wise Snake approaches the building, keeping to the shadows.
Nick leaves the door unlocked, and assists his two prospective patients to sit on the living room couch.
Cranz stumbles in and looks for a container for when he'll need it.
Leela groans again, low, bending forward.
Alea leans against Tarsh and holds him closely.
Nick sees the patients settled as comfortably as is practical.
Nick: It will only be a moment.
Nick steps out to look for Snake.
Wise Snake is lurking just outside the door.
Wise Snake: Well?
Nick: They claim to be willing to try just about anything.
Wise Snake: Good.
Wise Snake: How much have you told them?
Nick: Just that there is a physician from Bender Cove who is willing to treat them for free, and now.
Nick: I'm not sure how much of that they took in.
Wise Snake: Ah.
Wise Snake slides past Nick and enters the house.
Nick leads Snake back to the living room.
Tarsh picks up Alea in his arms and leans over to kiss her.
Wise Snake enters the living room and sees the patients.
Nick: This is Hajene Snake. She's willing to treat you, now, and for free.
Cranz sits on the floor by the couch with a trash can from the kitchen beside him.
Alea slides her hands around Tarsh's neck enjoying his Sime strength.
Leela: Oh thank the stars...
Leela looks up and sees the young child...doesn't care how young she is or if she's a real doctor or not..just that there is finally help.
Nick is glad that Snake looks so respectable, clean and in her new clothes and hairstyle.
Wise Snake approaches Leela first.
Alea: I thought I was going to have to do this myself.
Wise Snake: Hello.
Alea: ==leela==
Nick falls into his customary working position, unslinging the satchel.
Leela: Hello.
Wise Snake: I am here to help...
Wise Snake zlins Leela without making a huge production out of it.
Nick waits for the diagnosis.
Leela tosses her coat off and you see she is definitely pregnant.
Leela: I've never...seen...so many woman having so many ... babies....
Leela gasps and bends back over as another contraction hits.
Wise Snake jumps to steady Leela.
Alea: That man seems to know Jemmy brought us to this house...
Leela: I'll be fine for a few more minutes...might want to check him.
Leela thinks minutes...maybe less..but not hours like at the hospital.
Nick helps Snake assist Leela to sit on the couch.
Wise Snake: Do you want to lie or sit down over here? [indicates couch]
Wise Snake zlins Leela again, determines everything seems to be going fine.
Leela: Sitting is fine.
Wise Snake helps Nick assist Leela to sit on the couch.
Wise Snake: I'll be right here if you require anything.
Leela nods.
Wise Snake starts to turn away, then pauses.
Wise Snake: Are you going to want a pain killer?
Leela shakes her head.
Leela blowing harsh choppy breaths with another contraction.
Wise Snake grimaces internally, but simply nods and turns to go to Cranz.
Wise Snake kneels by Cranz and zlins his condition.... sick as a dog.
Cranz is propped up in the corner where the couch meets the wall.
Nick does his best to mute the patients' pain without obscuring their nagers so much that Snake can't work with them.
Cranz: ~~ no field to speak of ~~
Alea moves to Tarsh's chin, nibbling, kissing, her way over to his ear which she takes into her mouth and worries it with her teeth.
Tarsh: Mmmmmmmm ....
Tarsh carresses Alea nape and knees with his tentacles.
Cranz sets mode: +o wisesnake
Leela leans back, relaxing.
Leela: That one wasn't' so bad..though they're coming right on top of each oth..othe....[gasp]
Leela leans back forward.
Alea gurgles with laughter.
Alea: Not the knees.
Tarsh: Ticklish?
Alea shakes her head no, even though it's obvious.
Wise Snake: Ah...
Wise Snake: Nick... this kid is in changeover. [quietly]
Tarsh sits Alea down on the edge of the table.
Nick: Have you got enough selyn for him? You did say you were doing transfers today.
Wise Snake: What's your name? [to Cranz, gently, as she gently pries his arms away, trying to get a deeper reading on his condition.
Cranz feebly tries to take of his heavy coat. "it's my stomach..."
Cranz: Cranz.
Wise Snake: Cranz, don't be afraid. You're going to be just fine. I'm here to help you.
Alea laughter fades and she smiles back up at Tarsh, lovingly.
Cranz: Didn't eat anything funny...
Wise Snake: Cranz [softly] you're in changeover. You're going to be a Sime.
Wise Snake: I'm here to help you through it.
Wise Snake: You'll be just fine.
Leela moans again, grasping her knees.
Leela: I hate men...this is all his fault.
Tarsh reaches over to rub her shoulders. "Forgive me for tickling?"
Alea: There's nothing to forgive.[sighs under his ministrations]
Cranz: Can't be. I was 16 last month made it through.
Wise Snake: Sometimes people change over late... you're a special case, Cranz, but I'm here to help you. You'll be just fine.
Wise Snake: Nick, have you ever delivered a baby?
Nick: No.
Wise Snake: [thinks: Shen]
Leela: I hate men...they should all be taken out and tossed in the ocean.
Leela: Not worth the money it takes to feed and clothe them.
Leela moans loud.
Nick: Oh, well, we wanted something different.
Cranz: But I'm too *fat*.
Wise Snake: Nick, I want you to stay by Cranz here and be supportive. Don't promise... just support. Can you do that for me? I'll be back as soon as I can.
Nick: Certainly.
Wise Snake: Whose house is this?
Tarsh slips one hand onto her belly as he kisses her again.
Nick settles by Cranz, letting his nager calm him.
Nick: A friend of Cranz's.
Wise Snake thinks.. [shen]
Leela wipes at her face, swiping the hair out of it, looking at the young girl slightly unfocused.
Wise Snake approaches Leela again, zlins carefully.
Wise Snake: I'm sorry, I didn't ask your name earlier...?
Leela: Leeeela...
Alea smiles at Tarsh...
Cranz feels better now that the nurse is here, though he's not sure why...
Nick looks at Cranz's arms, which are covered by a flannel shirt.
Wise Snake pokes head through a doorway, finds kitchen, pushes table out of the way.
Wise Snake returns to Leela.
Cranz reaches to scratch his left arm. "Itches"
Nick: That shirt must be uncomfortable. Would you like for me to help you roll those sleeves up?
Leela groans doubling over again.
Leela: Oh...oh my.....
Nick: Don't scratch.
Wise Snake: All right, Leela, we gotta go in the kitchen now... okay? I'll help you.
Leela moans, waving an arm grabbing her left knee..."Oooh...nooooooo"
Cranz: Why are they itching?
Cranz try to unbutton cuffs.
Wise Snake helps Leela into kitchen where the place won't get wrecked by what's about to happen.
Nick helps Cranz unbutton the cuffs, then rolls the sleeve up carefully, revealing reddened, swollen tentacle sheathes.
Leela grips Snake's hand.
Leela: I'll strangle him, I tell you, if I ever find him. I will!
Leela: OH! Oooooooooh!!!
Wise Snake lowers Leela to the floor, gripping her hand.
Cranz looks at his arms.
Wise Snake: I know... I know.
Wise Snake: It'll be over soon.
Leela goes to her knees, squatting and grabbing at them with both hands....
Cranz: ~~ horror (but faint from low field strength) ~~
Leela: OH...this hurts....
Nick: You'll be fine, Cranz.
Nick's support mutes the horror.
Cranz: They _can't_ be! I'm _fat_, I'm *16*, It's not FAIR!
Alea looks at the table and then at Tarsh. "Why don't lock the door, Tarsh. I don't think we're going to make it to the room."
Tarsh grins like an idiot. "right away, dear."
Nick: Life isn't fair.
Nick thinks of having to wait another month for his first transfer.
Tarsh augments to the door [ Click ] augments back.
Leela: I...feel...I think I ...the baby is moving...
Wise Snake zlins what is going in the next room with some concern.
Leela lifts her skirt to see if she can see....
Tarsh: Miss me?
Leela cries out...
Wise Snake: Nick... [calls out] if I'm not back when it happens, lead him in here! Don't touch him yourself.
Wise Snake: Shen.
Alea: I'm near dying from loneliness.
Leela: I can't see!
Leela: Look...can you see it yet?
Wise Snake crouches by Leela, still gripping her hand.
Nick: It's still stage six, Snake. There's a little time yet.
Leela: My water already broke hours ago....that's why my underwear is gone...oooOOOHHH!!!
Wise Snake: Yes, Leela... keep pushing. I'm right here with you. [guiding baby's head with other hand and tentacles]
Leela grabs at her knees again.
Cranz stares at one arm then the other, hoping they will go away.
Wise Snake had noted the lack of underwear and reflected that Leela certainly came prepared.
Nick looks at Cranz's arms.
Leela screams like a banshee.
Nick: Those tentacles are developing quite nicely.
Leela: Oh MEN DIE AND BE TOSSED INTO THE DEEPEST DEPTHS OF HELL FOR PUTTING THIS ON US!
Leela reaches and grabs Snake's head.
Cranz: [ sobbing ] "Nice? what's NICE about it?"
Leela: Don't get near men...do you hear me! NEVER!
Leela: Aaaarrrgfh!
Wise Snake is ready to freak out but tries to be calm for Leela.
Leela: They have their FUN and leave you to DIE being split in half by their fun! oh god I'm going to DIE!!!!
Tarsh: Well, I'll try to save you from that...
Nick: Why, it means you're growing up at last.
Wise Snake: No, you're doing just fine. I know it hurts. But it's coming along just nicely. I can feel one of the baby's shoulders now.
Leela groans loud, baring her teeth in an otherworldly fashion, her eyes rolling as she pushes.
Wise Snake thinks, and ALL YOUR PAIN TOO.
Cranz: I *was* grown up. I had my rifle and everything!
Leela: Aaaaauuuuuugggggghhhhhh!!!!!
Nick: You were still a child.
Leela: Kill me! Just kill me...get that demon from hell out! NOW!!!!
Wise Snake: [baby shloops out into Wise Snake's hand]
Cranz's arms jerk.
Leela falls back against the floor, exhausted.
Cranz: HUUUUNNNHHH!
Nick: Snake, you'd better get out here. He's just started stage seven.
Wise Snake makes sure the baby is breathing.
Leela: Oh, look at him.....
Cranz pants, face slick with sweat.
Leela smiles sweetly.
Leela: Isn't he just soooooo beautiful.
Leela: My precious little son...
Leela coos.
Nick: Relax, Cranz.
Wise Snake hands the baby to Leela, finds a knife she hopes is clean enough, and cuts the cord.
Alea: I hope so.
Alea leans back on the table, pulling Tarsh with her...
Wise Snake pushes the rest of the placenta out.
Wise Snake: Um... Leela... are you okay to be left for maybe ten minutes?
Wise Snake: I'm really, really sorry to do this to you.
Tarsh slips a hand behind Alea's head as he leans over her.
Wise Snake hastily washes off her arms.
Leela: Oooh eetsy weetsy little angel.
Wise Snake turns the water off and runs into the living room.
Leela smiling stupidly at baby and talking in a high "baby" voice.
Wise Snake projects caring-Gen.
Cranz: [ convulses ] GGnooofff!
Nick slips off to the side as Snake takes over.
Cranz turns to follow nick.
Leela: Oooh, you are mama's special wecial itty bitty baby who is going to grow up and be such a good fine strong man. A Gen son to be proud of...or maybe like that young Sime--though we won't mention that now.
Nick makes his field flat and unappetizing.
Wise Snake: Nick, could you please clean up in the kitchen? It's a disaster area.
Nick nods and heads for the kitchen.
Cranz loses interest in flat nager for caring Gen.
Leela frowns as the baby fusses.
Nick is dismayed at the mess.
Wise Snake: And get Leela a blanket or something!
Leela: Oh? what is the matter...I bet your just starving....
Nick: Where is Linn when you require her?
Wise Snake: Come on, Cranz...
Cranz: [ faintly ] No, I can't.
Wise Snake's hands and tentacles unbutton Cranz' shirt and remove it.
Leela unbuttons her top and slips a breast out of her top. "Come on sugar, just right there...yeah. Oh, you know exactly what to do!"
Nick tries a few drawers, and finds a large, reasonably clean rag.
Leela beams like a proud mama. Looks up at Nick.
Wise Snake: Yes, you can. And you will find, when you are done, that you will feel better than you ever have in your life.
Cranz is limp and unresisting.
Nick: Here. You might want to wrap him in this, so he doesn't get chilled.
Leela: Will you look at that, [to Nick]. He's eating!
Nick: I see.
Cranz: ~~ field extremely low ~~
Wise Snake: ~~~ powerful, protective Gen ~~~
Nick tries a few more closets until he finds a mop and bucket.
Wise Snake examines Cranz's arms to make sure the tentacles are developing on schedule.
Leela takes the cloth and wraps her baby in it.
Cranz raises arms momentarily, but drops them as if under a great weight.
Nick sets the bucket to fill in the sink, then moistens a clean dish towel and hands it to Leela.
Nick: Here. You can use this to clean yourself up a bit.
Wise Snake: Be strong, Cranz. You're fighting the hardest battle of your life. You must be strong to win. Come on and try.
Wise Snake: ~~ encouraging ~~
Leela takes the towel.
Nick sets the now-filled bucket down on the floor, wets the mop in it, and begins to clean up the mess.
Cranz: But ....
Wise Snake's tentacles and fingers stroke Cranz's arms, tantalizing the swollen tissues.
Wise Snake: Cranz... this is your life. Your self. Work with me here.
Leela begins to shiver.
Wise Snake: Yes, you're going to be Sime. But you'll find being a Sime is a wonderful thing to be.
Cranz: Why...
Wise Snake: Why? Because you'll be alive, and seeing new things you've never seen before, and zlinning... and meeting new people and going to new places... all that is ahead of you now.
Leela pushes herself up from the floor, groaning loudly, and, baby still in her arms, goes toward the door to the living room.
Cranz tries to lean forward but can't.
Nick: Stay in here. I'll get you a blanket.
Leela: No no...I need to lay down. that floor is too hard.
Leela: I'm sure Jemmy won't mind.
Nick: I'll get you another blanket to lie on, but you can't go into the living room now.
Leela: And why not?
Leela: Jemmy wouldn't mind at all.
Leela belligerent.
Nick: Because Cranz is in changeover, and he'll reach breakout any moment.
Wise Snake zlins for the contractions, and uses fingers and tentacles to assist Cranz's failing strength.
Nick: You really don't want to be in the room when his tentacles break out, do you?
Leela: Oh that poor boy. Will he be okay?
Nick: Snake's good.
Leela sets mode: +o Tarsh
Leela: What if we go through the back door...next to the pantry...it'll lead right to the bedroom.
Nick: If he can be brought through it alive, Snake will do it.
Tarsh is now known as Cranz.
You are now known as gone.
Nick reflects on the inadvisability of Leela trying to walk and compares it with the possible consequences of her getting badly chilled on the floor.
Leela turns and heads toward the door, only wanting to find a place to lie down and sleep.
Cranz: [ twitches ]
Wise Snake crouches over Cranz, projecting ~~~~ need to give/repletion/shelter ~~~
Nick: All right. I'll help you, just take it slow and steady.
Cranz: [ arms jerk ]
Wise Snake: ~~~ encouragement/promise ~~~
Cranz is zlinning snake.
Wise Snake: You can do it, Cranz.
Leela holds onto young man's arm accepting his help.
Wise Snake: ~~~ the beauty of a brilliantly stocked Gen field ~~~
Wise Snake: I'm here for you.
Cranz jerks in contraction, tentacles pressing feebly at membranes.
Nick assists Leela to the bedroom and helps her get into bed.
Wise Snake's tentacles assist.
Leela lays the baby by her, curling around it on her side.
Leela: Thank you, young man.
Leela: You and that Sime, you saved this here baby's life.
Wise Snake: ~~~this is for you~~~
Nick covers Leela and co. with an extra blanket, then leaves them to their well-earned rest.
Leela is now known as sleep`
Cranz: pressed by snake and another feeble contraction, three laterals pop out.
Nick returns to the living room to see how Snake is doing.
Wise Snake: ~~~ blazing Gen glory ~~~
Wise Snake notices one didn't make it.
Wise Snake: [hides concern from her field]
Wise Snake: Come on, Cranz, one more push.. just one more.
Wise Snake: ~~~ encouragement ~~~
Nick feels sympathy for Cranz's struggle.
Cranz: [ laterals grope about listlessly ]
Wise Snake: Nick, go get me a knife. Not that one the cord was cut with.
Nick rushes for the kitchen and finds a very sharp paring knife.
Nick returns and hands it to Snake.
Nick: What are you going to do?
Wise Snake cuts the membrane of the 4th lateral before she has a chance to lose her nerve.
Cranz gropes for snake.
Wise Snake drops the knife and takes Cranz in full transfer contact, projecting Big Beautiful Gen.
Cranz's fourth lateral extends.
Wise Snake: Contact ==== position.
Wise Snake: ~~~~ Radiance / Offering ~~~
Cranz zlins ... something .... something he wants.... that he Needs....
Cranz reaches for it, but not with muscles...
Wise Snake releases selyn to Cranz.
Cranz sucks the ... brightstuff into .... darkvoid.
Wise Snake: ~~~~joy~~~~~
Cranz: ~~ relief ~~
Wise Snake: ~~~ soaring triumph ~~~
Wise Snake: ~~~ optomism and confidence ~~~
Cranz responses with a slightly faster draw.
Wise Snake: ~~~ exhilaration ~~~
Cranz: ~~ pleasantness ~~
Cranz feels like he is emerging from deep water.
Wise Snake: ~~~ wellbeing/healing/strenth ~~~
Cranz grasps snake's arms, holding instead of being held.
Wise Snake: ~~~ surprise / excited joy ~~~
Cranz draws brighthappiness.
Wise Snake gives.
Cranz takes.
Cranz: ~~ pleasure ~~
Wise Snake: ~~~~ building towards ecstasy in giving ~~~
Cranz: ~~ reaches joy in taking ~~
Cranz's draw slows.
Cranz's draw stops.
Cranz opens his eyes to see he's kissing a girl.
Gone sets mode: +o wisesnake wisesnake allows Cranz to end it in his own time.
Cranz pulls back "Who ... but ...."
Wise Snake withdraws her laterals, continuing to support Cranz with her field.
Wise Snake: Congratulations, Cranz. [projecting soothing]
Wise Snake: You're changed over. You are now Sime, and adult.
Wise Snake: You're === You've.
Cranz calms under the soothing. "But you're a Sime. You're not dead."
Wise Snake: Yes. I am a channel... I was trained to serve other Simes so nobody has to get hurt.
Wise Snake smiles at Cranz.
Cranz: But this is Gen territory.
Wise Snake: True... you are very lucky a channel happened to be near, since that would not ordinarily be the case.
Cranz: ~~ Fear ~~ "They're gonna shoot me!"
Wise Snake: ~~~soothing~~~
Cranz looks around wildly.
Wise Snake: Shhh... shhh, Cranz. Don't worry. I will bring you to Sime Territory where you can live free.
Cranz relaxes again. "But I can't get my rifle to take with me, can I?"
Nick: Um... that probably wouldn't be a good idea. But you won't require a rifle anymore, anyway....
Cranz: But what if I'm attacked by ... oh. yeah.
Nick smiles.
Nick: Yes, you are now completely and one hundred percent not tempting to a Sime.
Wise Snake: Come with us to Bender Cove. You'll find it's a lot like home.
Cranz: All right. Do they play football there?
Cranz looks around. "is that lady ok?"
Wise Snake: Yes. She and the baby will be fine.
Wise Snake: Um... football...
Wise Snake: I'm not sure actually. I don't follow sports much. Perhaps if you can't find people who already play it, you could start your own group.
Cranz: I hope so.
Cranz looks of his shirt and starts pulling it on.
Wise Snake: Well, we'd better check this place is the way we found it, and get mother and child home... and take you back across the border.
Wise Snake: We don't want to be caught, er, red-handed when your friend comes home.
Cranz: Yeah Jemmmy'll kill me if there's a mess.
Go on to Episode #80: (under construction)