Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #82: (11/21/98)
Mostan comes downstairs, looking haggard.
Mostan has showered and groomed, but still looks terrible.
Alea is decorating the lobby.
Mostan comes into the lobby and sits down heavily in a chair.
Alea sees Mostan and looks concerned.
Alea climbs carefully down from the filing cabinet she was balanced on with the French bread.
Alea: Are you okay?
Mostan: No.
Mostan: Need.
Alea drops the bread and moves over to Mostan, engaging his field and easing his need.
Alea: You're due tomorrow, right?
Alea: Or are you're closer?
Mostan: Tomorrow, yeah. I think.
Mostan relaxes under Alea's nager.
Alea sighs.
Mostan: Thanks.
Alea: Who was assigned to you this month?
Alea: No..it doesn't matter.
Alea: However, you might want to find a Donor and stick with them, the shape you're in.
Mostan: Hasn't been said, as far as I know.
Mostan: == scratch that ++
Mostan: I don't know.
Mostan: Wish I did.
Alea sees Rache and motions to her.
Alea: I can go check for you, Mostan. Evidently there has been a screw up in paperwork--again. With the shaking plague and so many of our people in deferment and gone...it just got shuffled somewhere.
Jon Drake heads down the stairs, finished with his early morning work with Kaymeil and ready to do some more sedate work.
Mostan is conflicted, If Alea goes to check, she'll take that lovely field with her.
Alea turns back to Mostan, studying him carefully.
Alea: How have you settled in?
Rache looks up at Alea, blinking.
Alea: If you aren't busy, would you mind helping out Mostan, Rache until I can go see who is on the roster for Mostan?
Mostan: I suppose....
Rache sighs and walks over to Mostan, leans on a table nearby. Focuses her attention on the channel.
Alea: We'll find out what happened Mostan and get it straightened up.
Alea thinks no matter how upset she is at this man, he is a channel, in need, and shouldn't be walking around Donor-less.
Rache [repeat] sighs and walks over to Mostan, leans on a table nearby. Focuses her attention on the channel.
Alea smiles her gratitude.
Mostan sets mode: +o Alea
Rache nods to Alea.
Alea: I'll be right back, Mostan.
Rache murmurs softly "you're welcome."
Mostan relaxes again under Rache's attention.
Mostan smiles slightly at Rache.
Rache focuses her attention on Mostan. "How'd this happen?"
Jon Drake heads to the cafeteria to pick up something to eat.
Alea goes over to the files in the lobby and starts pulling copies of forms from the files.
Mostan: I'm new here.
Alea gathers them up and goes in search of the scheduler.
Mostan is a short Sime, and skinny even by Sime standards.
Rache: Ah.
Mostan has sandy hair, neatly groomed, and a clean but ill-fitting new tecton uniform.
Rache: I'm fairly new here myself. Keep being assigned around different places.
Rache shrugs.
Alea goes into Briel's office when she finds Veraik's office locked...starts rummaging around for transfer schedules.
Mostan: No, New to the tecton entirely. If you don't count the initial error.
Rache: So tell me about yourself.
Rache is an impeccable, but unremarkable woman in shiny tecton uniform clothing, with no individual jewelry or anything. Just her tecton Donor's ring - polished.
Mostan: I thought I was a renSime to last week. then they tell me I'm a channel, and that's why I'm sick.
Rache: Initial error?
Rache has. "Yes. A channel being treated as a renSime will get sick."
Mostan: The Channel at my changeover said I was a renSime.
Mostan: So they tell me. Something called inslan.
Rache: Then how did you think you were renSime?
Rache: ++ cancel that. I can't read ++
Rache nods sagely. "Sorry about that."
Alea pulls open drawers shuffling more papers, then goes to the filing cabinet and finds information on schedules.
Alea sighs as she realizes Mostan has not been assigned a Donor yet.
Rache: Who's your assigned partner?
Mostan: Yeah. So they say I have to work here to feel better.
Wise Snake flies in the front door of the Center, out of breath.
Wise Snake: [bringing in a big [pile of snow and leaving the front door hanging open]
Mostan looks up suddenly [ instinct: Is this Sime after his Gen? ]
Jon Drake leaves the cafeteria with a tray of food.
Wise Snake glances over Mostan and Rache and does a double take on Rache.
Alea gathers the papers together and leaves Briel's office.
Jon Drake passes though the lobby on the way to his office.
Wise Snake strides to Veraik's office.
Alea blinks, seeing Snake at the Center again.
Jon Drake pauses at the people in the lobby.
Rache shivers in the sudden chill, but keeps her attention on her channel.
Wise Snake signals and waits impatiently.
Mostan zlins her chill and gets up to go over and close the door.
Alea: Well, Mostan...
Wise Snake's tentacles wander about restlessly.
Alea holds up the papers.
Rache smiles and murmurs a soft "Thanks."
Alea: There's a slight problem....
Jon Drake looks to Alea, Rache and Mostan.
Mostan comes back down to sit next to Rache.
Jon Drake: Good day everyone. What just happened?
Mostan: Wisesnake came in. Was she raised in a barn?
Wise Snake signals at Veraik's door again.
Jon Drake shrugs.
Alea: It seems as if you haven't been added to the roster yet. However, since Rache is with you anyway, I'll ask her to work with you the rest of today.
Mostan turns back to Alea. "What is it?" [ worried ]
Jon Drake thinks "I wouldn't doubt it."
Alea Mostan's words suddenly dawn on her.
Rache waits for Alea to finish.
Jon Drake: Barn? Not likely. No bets on a warehouse, though.
Alea: Why in the world do you think Snake was raised in a barn?
Mostan tries to figure out what that means.
Alea looks incredulously at Jon.
Alea: No, not a warehouse either.
Wise Snake gives up on Veraik and starts searching the Center, opening all the doors and looking.
Mostan gestures at the melting snow. "She left the door open..."
Wise Snake: Shenned Veraik and his insulation fetish...
Wise Snake: [muttered]
Alea: She must have been in a hurry.
Alea shrugs.
Rache: Alea, he's in need -now-.
Alea: Anyway....
Alea looks at Rache.
Jon Drake sets his tray down and goes to close the door.
Alea: I believe I am aware of that, Rache.
Mostan looks gratefully at Rache.
Alea: However, he is scheduled for tomorrow.
Rache sighs.
Rache settles back to work on soothing Mostan's need, as best she can. Precise, orderly, attentive without being emotional.
Alea: I have the paperwork here and am planning to find Veraik or Briel and see that he is examined and, if necessary, his schedule moved up...as well as finding him a Donor.
Alea: Until then, I'd appreciate it if you might take the time to stay with him.
Alea coolly.
Rache: Yes, Sosu.
Alea shrugs and goes off to look for help.
Mostan feels better under Rache's attentions, even if it is a bit stiff and distant.
Wise Snake: [opening and closing doors]
Rache studies the signs of Mostan's need, and settles back. Focuses her thoughts on her willingness to serve need, her certain knowledge that there will be a Gen for Mostan.
Wise Snake bombs through the lobby on her way between the office wing and the treatment wing.
Rache's nager wobbles as wisesnake passes through.
Wise Snake: When I find that be-shenned Gen I'm going to...
Alea finds Briel in the donations and presents the information to her.
Wise Snake stops and zlins Rache and Mostan.
Rache focuses her attention back on Mostan, mentally scolding herself for letting it stray. A hint of nervousness creeps in, though.
Briel finishes donations and then leaves to find Mostan.
Jon Drake heads back to his office to finish some paperwork while eating.
Briel snags Jon Drake.
Briel: Come work with me. I don't have a Donor.
Mostan: ~~ need and some entran, much improved by Donor work ~~
Mostan sets mode: +o Briel
Briel strides into the lobby, zlinning.
Briel: Well, hello Snake.
Jon Drake goes along with her, largely out of habit.
Wise Snake continues to stare at Rache for moments longer, then belatedly glances at Briel.
Wise Snake: Hello, Briel.
Briel: What's brought you back here?
Wise Snake: Is Rafe here?
Wise Snake: [not a casual question]
Briel zlins Snake.
Briel: Uh, no..no he's not.
Wise Snake: Does he come here?
Briel: No.
Wise Snake: ~~ agitated ~~
Wise Snake: Where does he go?
Briel: I wish he did. He has that type of nager, you know....
Briel gets serious.
Wise Snake: ~~~ freak at joke ~~~
Briel: I have no idea, Snake. What's the matter?
Wise Snake: He's got private business he says and I can't find him.
Briel moves closer to Snake careful to avoid touching her.
Wise Snake: I can't be wondering where he is all the time... I can't.
Briel hasn't forgotten when she tried to detain her and Snake slammed her...
Briel: Of course you can't Snake.
Wise Snake: ~~~ agitated ~~~
Briel: He didn't tell you where he was going.
Jon Drake supports Briel against the ambient.
Wise Snake: He never says. He says it's private.
Rache supports Mostan, focusing on her certainty that everything will be fine.
Briel works to soothe Snake.
Mostan is glad he has a Gen to keep him from that kind of hysteria. At least for the moment.
Briel: When did he leave? How long has he been gone?
Wise Snake: What I want to know is what business a Donor has that is private enough to leave his channel alone for hours on end...
Wise Snake: It's been at least three hours now.
Briel motions for Jon to support Snake.
Briel: Is that normal actions for him? To be gone that long?
Wise Snake: Not two days in a row!
Briel glances to Mostan and Rache...glances back at Snake.
Briel: Oh.
Wise Snake fidgets.
Wise Snake: What I am supposed to be doing while he's off doing.... whatever... I have no idea.
Briel: Look, Snake...I'm sure Rafe must have had something to do, though, like you, I can't imagine what it could be...but why don't you sit with Jon for awhile...
Rache swallows, and puts a hand on Mostan's shoulder. "Perhaps we should leave."
Briel: No...
Briel: I'll be just a minute Rache.
Wise Snake is distracted by Rache's words.
Wise Snake looks back at the two, eyes a little wild.
Rache looks up at Briel.
Wise Snake thinks Rache seems familiar.
Jon Drake is confused a moment and then adjusts the ambient.
Mostan looks at Rache. "yeah. Ok."
Mostan gets up.
Briel zlins snake.
Rache puts a hand on Mostan's arm, and waits for Briel.
Briel: Perhaps you can go to Transfer room one...I'll be right there, Mostan, Rache.
Rache: ~~ controlled tension ~~
Mostan nods and goes along with Rache.
Briel: Snake?
Wise Snake: ~~~ nearly perfect showfield betrays little but body language says agitation/paranoia ~~~
Rache takes Mostan to the transfer room.
Briel: What is it?
Wise Snake: Rafe is going to be here for this transfer, isn't he? I mean, that was the arrangement.
Jon Drake watches wisesnake with concern.
Briel: Of course he is.
Mostan breathes out. "Where does she get that kind of field skill? I've never zlinned the like."
Wise Snake: But what does he go and do?
Rache: Which one? Briel or Snake?
Rache closes the door, and starts to make trin.
Briel: I have no idea. Have you asked him?
Wise Snake: Of course I've asked him! I've asked him for months. He just smiles at me and says it's personal business.
Briel shakes his head, thinking that would drive her crazy if a Donor did that to her. Realizing she is agreeing with snake in a way, she grimaces.
Rache: In both cases, they're channels. Channels learn field control - you'll develop it yourself, to at least some extent.
Briel: I don't know what to tell you.
Briel: You're too close to transfer time to be wandering around without a Donor though....especially out on the streets.
Wise Snake: Veraik is the one who arranged for him. I want Veraik to talk to him and tell him no more of it. Maybe he will succeed where I haven't been able to make an impression.
Briel: Of course.
Wise Snake: [annoyed] It is not so close. A week.
Briel: I'm not sure what he'll be able to do about it. However, I will promise that if he can't do something, he'll call someone who can.
Briel thinks that's more than close enough.
Wise Snake chafes at the thought of being unable to do anything about it immediately... had wanted to vent her frustrations to Veraik.
Briel: Why don't you sit here with Jon, let him help you.
Wise Snake: Who was that woman who was in here.
Briel: Ah...that's just where I'm on my way to. That is Mostan and Rache.
Briel: Rache is a new 2nd order Donor.
Briel sets mode: +o Veraik
Wise Snake: She reminds me of... something.
Wise Snake: Of B'cal.
Wise Snake: She was one who was supposed to help search...
Jon Drake doesn't know this Rafe very well, but he does seem a bit of an enigma.
Wise Snake: ~~~ twisted emotions lurking deep underneath ~~~
Wise Snake: I want to speak to her.
Briel tilts her head, curiously.
Briel: I suppose she can talk with you while I examine Mostan.
Briel: Wait here.
Wise Snake's eyes shine.
Briel heads down the hall to Transfer room one.
Briel opens the door.
Briel: Rache, I have to examine Mostan. Snake would like to speak to you. Hurry back.
Rache looks up, from where she is serving trin to Mostan.
Rache: All right.
Wise Snake chafes at the waiting, then begins to rove restlessly around the lobby.
Jon Drake wonders at the change.
Rache: ~~ shiver of fear, quickly suppressed ~~
Jon Drake moves to keep the ambient in control.
Rache walks out of the transfer room, setting her tea on the table. Goes into the lobby.
Briel moves in, smoothly taking control of the fields.
Wise Snake turns, sees Rache, and comes quickly toward her.
Rache stands where she is, waits.
Mostan is sorry to see Rache go.
Briel: Now, Mostan..let me zlin you.
Wise Snake inspects Rache [snake has weird, pale eyes]
Wise Snake: You searched for B'cal, didn't you. Are you still searching?
Wise Snake: [intense]
Mostan relaxes his showfield (not that he's really conscious of it as that).
Briel zlins Mostan closely...
Mostan: ~~ need, of course, and some entran cramping ~~
Veraik signs another paper in his office and flips into the appropriate box then grabs another paper to read.
Briel: Well Mostan, you have entran problem and are in need, early, just like you predicted.
Mostan: I get enough selyn, but somehow, it never seems to last...
Mostan: What is the inslan stuff you keep going on about, anyway?
Briel: Entran?
Rache: No, it was Fise we were looking for, I'm sure. I don't know of any B'Cal.
Jon Drake moves closer to Wisesnake.
Veraik is now known as Kaymeil.
Briel: Entran is what is causing your "cramping"
Mostan: Isn't that just need?
Wise Snake: Fise?
Briel: I'm going to show you a simple out function that will solve that problem.
Jon Drake moves to even out the ambient despite Wisesnake's desperation.
Briel: When you start training and working you shouldn't have too much of this problem.
Rache: A channel.. a third. Who ran off.
Briel: Oh, no, Mostan.
Briel: That's your secondary system.
Rache: ~~ suppressed nervousness ~~
Wise Snake: I know who he is.
Wise Snake: Why would anybody want to know where he is?
Kaymeil is now known as Veraik.
Rache: Last time I was here, he ran off - when he was approaching need. That's why. I don't recall hearing of the person you're looking for, I'm sorry.
Rache: You had Rafe with you the last time we met.
Briel: It is similar to a transfer position...except you make no fifth contact point.
Wise Snake: [eyes spark fire]
Wise Snake: Yes, Rafe.
Rache mentally berates herself for mentioning him.
Wise Snake finally turns and looks at JonDrake.
Mostan: I still don't zlin what you mean about my having two systems.
Wise Snake: Jon Drake, I appreciate your efforts and all, but it is inappropriate for you to try to seize control of the ambient from me.
Mostan: I mean I can zlin your tow, but not in me.
Jon Drake backs off a step.
Wise Snake turns back to Rache.
Wise Snake notices Rache is looking none too happy and tries to tone down her approach.
Briel: I guess what I can do is show you....
Briel reaches out for Mostan's hands.
Rache twists her Donor's ring around her finger, watches snake.
Briel: I want you to zlin what I do.
Kaymeil whips into the lobby. "There you are Jon. If I didn't know better, I would think that you are avoiding me. It's time for our exercises.
Jon Drake looks to Kaymeil. Conflicting orders.
Kaymeil: "Let's go...Go...GO."
Mostan: ~~ queasy ~~
Mostan holds out his arms reluctantly.
Wise Snake zlins an interesting reaction hidden deep in JonDrake's field at the mention of "exercises"
Jon Drake realizes that his Channel must hold precedence.
Kaymeil stops and zlins.
Wise Snake zlins Kaymeil.
Wise Snake stares at the strange channel.
Briel zlins Mostan.
Rache looks up at Kaymeil, then back to snake. Twists the ring again.
Kaymeil: Sorry. [waves tentacle to Jon to follow her.]
Briel: Just wait a minute...I think we're going to do something different.
Jon Drake gradually disengages, pulling his field in.
Wise Snake narrows her eyes.
Briel gets up and goes to the door.
Mostan: ~~ not comfortable with touching other Simes that way ~~
Jon Drake removes his support and accompanies Kaymeil.
Briel: Rache [calls down the hall]I need you now.
Kaymeil goes to her Donor, zlinning of possession.
Briel goes back over to Mostan.
Kaymeil grabs hand and smiles.
Wise Snake wonders who this channel is, who doesn't feel it necessary to introduce herself.
Wise Snake: ~~~ frosty Farris arrogance ~~~
Jon Drake leaves WiseSnake and Rache alone with each other.
Rache: [calls back] Jon's had to leave. wisesnake puts her hand on Rache's arm.
Wise Snake: Shh.. don't yell out.
Briel hears Rache and sighs. "Shen"
Briel: Okay...you're gonna have to do it with me.
Kaymeil turns back. "I'm Kaymeil ambrov Dar. I'll talk to you later after our 20 mile run. Come on Jon."
Rache swallows, turns her attention to her relaxation exercises. Lets Snake take her field, at least to some degree.
Briel: Give me those arms again.
Briel: And stop being squeamish...you've touched other Simes before.
Wise Snake waits until Kaymeil and JonDrake are gone.
Kaymeil: It's going to be great Jon. Let's warm up.
Jon Drake accompanies Kaymeil.
Wise Snake walks quietly toward the hallway, indicating that Rache should come with her.
Wise Snake: Come, Rache. The lobby is not the place for this.
Rache follows Snake.
Rache: The place for what?
Mostan holds out his arms.
Briel reaches for Mostan's arms.
Kaymeil stops. "You're not in your exercise outfit. We'll stop by your room to change. Times awasting.
Wise Snake locates a small insulated conference room, smiles, and holds the door open for Rache.
Wise Snake: For private words.
Jon Drake belatedly remembers that his lunch is still sitting untouched in his office.
Rache walks in, concentrating on relaxation.
Jon Drake nods. "Ok."
Briel: We're going to do our best to straighten out your entran. Then when Rache decides she can come back, we'll let you take transfer.
Kaymeil does jumping jack as she goes down the hall with Jon.
Jon Drake: I thought I had a bit more available time during the break.
Wise Snake closes the door, and locks it.
Briel lashes tentacles around Mostan's arms.
Mostan is please to hear that.
Briel: Zlin what I do, Mostan.
Mostan extends his laterals reluctantly.
Kaymeil: A break? You want a break but we have to stay fit. [runs in place]
Mostan zlins...
Jon Drake lets it drop, thinking it's not worth the effort to explain.
Briel moves selyn back and forth between systems, showing him now to balance the systems.
Jon Drake enters his room and quickly changes.
Wise Snake takes a seat and looks at Rache speculatively.
Rache watches Snake nervously.
Briel finally sits back.
Kaymeil: One and two and there and four and one and two....This is going to be so great!
Briel: Did you zlin what I did?
Jon Drake supposes so.
Mostan: Yeah, I think so...
Briel: I will simulate Gen...and I want you to mirror what I did.
Rache remains standing, shifting from foot to foot. Waits.
Kaymeil: You're a new Donor....you have to learn to run fast enough to try and catch a Sime if the Sime augments. That means training, training, and more training.
Briel sits back and projects Gen.
Kaymeil: Ready?
Wise Snake: Please... have a seat.
Wise Snake indicates a nearby chair.
Jon Drake: As much as ever.
Rache sits in the chair, and fidgets with the ring. Unaware she is doing so.
Mostan reaches for Briel's arms.
Briel hands him her arms, willing to help..support...
Veraik: Yes!!! Let's stretch first.
Wise Snake: There, there, Rache. Whyever are you so nervous? [soothing]
Kaymeil: Yes!!! Let's stretch first.
Mostan tries to move selyn from one place to one place.
Rache: I'm sorry. I don't understand you, Snake. I .. don't know that I ..
Rache rubs her forehead. "I don't know how you'd react to things. I can't predict you."
Jon Drake goes through the stretching exercises.
Kaymeil suddenly zlins a twinge in Jon's back.
Kaymeil: Stop!
Briel encourages Mostan.
Mostan screws up his face and pushes harder.
Briel: Relax Mostan...
Jon Drake stops.
Wise Snake smiles gently at Rache.
Briel projects caring, concern.
Mostan: ~~ trickle of selyn moves from primary to secondary ~~
Briel: Don't force it...just relax and we can get a bit of selyn in to stop the problem...
Briel: Yes...there you go....yes...
Wise Snake: You are not fond of the unanticipated?
Kaymeil takes Jon into transfer position for a deep zlin. "Ready?"
Jon Drake nods.
Mostan tries to reverse the flow.
Veraik is tired of paperwork but knows he will be in the office all day getting caught up.
Rache: No, I am not.
Mostan: ~~ selyn not going back to primary ~~~
Wise Snake: Rache, you should know, that life in a Sime Center will never be predictable. Especially in this particular Sime Center.
Kaymeil makes fifth contact, deep zlins then releases.
Mostan relaxes panting for a few seconds.
Wise Snake: And you will never achieve your full potential if you hide from the unknown.
Mostan tries again.
Briel: Shen, Mostan...
Briel: Just relax...rest on my field...
Briel: Let it happen.
Mostan: I can do it!
Kaymeil: You have a pulled muscles. The rest are only sore.
Briel: Yes....you can...
Mostan: ~~ smaller trickle of selyn from secondary to primary ~~
Jon Drake shrugs.
Rache shakes her head. "Channels are trained to be able to control. Donors are trained to trust their channels' control. But .. " She shakes her head. "How can you trust without .. without the right behaviors?"
Wise Snake: I am always in complete control.
Wise Snake: Trust in that.
Briel: Very good Mostan.
Kaymeil: Come with me. [Takes Jon to her room.]
Mostan stops again, starting to sweat.
Wise Snake means nagerically... no comment on any other forms of control.
Briel: That's more than enough.
Briel sits back.
Briel field radiates pleasure.
Mostan flops back, gasping.
Jon Drake follows along...remembering that this time last month, he and Briel were spending every night together.
Jon Drake sets mode: +o Kaymeil
Wise Snake: Rache, do not be afraid of me. Whatever you have heard about me is distorted by the speakers' own emotional situations.
Briel leans over Mostan, projecting support.
Briel: Just relax, Mostan.
Mostan relaxes on Briel's field.
Briel zlins Mostan again to check his cramping.
Mostan: Hey... My system does feel better ... a little...
Rache swallows. "Why don't you work in the Center?"
Mostan: ~~ cramping reduced ~~
Kaymeil closes door. "Strip. First you are to have a medicated steaming bath then a massage."
Wise Snake: Why indeed? The Center does not provide what I require.
Rache: What do you require, then?
Jon Drake nods.
Wise Snake: Control of my own destiny. My own choice of why I take transfer with. The loyalty of my own people.
Briel wonders where Rache is.
Jon Drake takes off his clothes.
Wise Snake: Why I take ===== who I take.
Kaymeil runs bath.
Rache shakes her head. "That is the price we pay for the Tecton. The price of safety - and unity."
Briel: I don't want to leave you alone, Mostan....I should find Rache, though. I told her to hurry right back.
Kaymeil: Water is scalding hot. adds awful smelling things to water with float and bob releasing nauseous orders.
Wise Snake: You pay.
Wise Snake: [softly]
Wise Snake: I have chosen not to.
Rache: Would you prefer to go back to Pens and junctedness?
Mostan sighs. All right Briel. I'll just rest here.
Kaymeil helps Jon into the water.
Wise Snake: No. There are other ways. The householding way.
Kaymeil: There. you are going to feel so good.
Rache: But we can't run the entire world as a householding. There just aren't enough channels, enough good donors.
Jon Drake eases slowly, letting each part acclimate itself to the heat before proceeding.
Briel gets up and goes to the door, leaves.
Rache: We'll be able to do it in a generation or two.. but not yet...
Briel passes Alea in the hall and sends her in to sit with Mostan.
Alea heads down the hall...wondering which room it was that Mostan was in.
Wise Snake: I can't wait two generations.
Mostan lies back and wonders if all channel work is this hard...
Alea thinks maybe she should have asked Briel just what room Mostan was in....
Wise Snake: Anyway, I serve a purpose. There are people who require a channel's services but cannot or will not go to a Sime Center. Somebody has to provide those services.
Kaymeil: Good Jon and now I am going to work on your pulled muscle.
Jon Drake begins to relax.
Kaymeil places tentacles and laterals over the pulled muscle then pulls selyn field at just the right spot to release the tension.
Briel goes from door to door looking for her little second order Donor....thinking they really should get this transfer over.
Alea: Well now..let's see...probably a transfer room...so....
Alea goes to the first door and shoves it open.
Rache: But everyone can come to a Sime Center.
Wise Snake: Everyone? Not really.
Briel moves down the hall wondering where the shenned Rache is.
Wise Snake lowers her voice.
Alea: Mostan!
Rache shakes her head. "Everyone."
Alea: I found you!!
Rache: Why on earth could anyone not?
Wise Snake: What of the robber who was shot trying to escape, and barely made it to safety?
Wise Snake: What of the slave held in a sweatshop?
Alea bounces into the room, extremely happy to have found him on her own without having to go back and ask Briel.
Rache blinks.
Wise Snake: What of those in Gen Territory who are forbidden by their relatives to go to a Sime Center?
Rache: Slav..
Rache: ~~ nager shivers, tension rising ~~
Mostan looks up.
Wise Snake: What of the crime bosses, and their lackeys, and the drug dealers, and all the other Simes and Gens who do not show their faces in government buildings?
Briel goes to the front desk and asks clerk if she saw Snake.
Mostan: Yes, you have.
Jon Drake winces and gasps when Kaymeil finds a particularly tight spot.
Alea goes over and sits down next to Mostan.
Kaymeil: Heh Heh. Got it.
Alea: You just relax now. [uses her field to make his need seem distant]
Alea: So, did you notice the decorations I'm hanging for Faith Day?
Mostan enjoys Alea's field even if it is a bit too cheerful.
Mostan: Ahhh..
Rache looks at Snake in dismay.
Mostan: No, I'm sorry.
Alea: I thought this year I'd use real food instead of the paper cut outs...The long then loaf of bread, I think, was ingenious.
Kaymeil: Just wait until your massage. You won't be able to exercise for a week you'll be so relaxed.
Mostan: Is it fatih day already?
Alea eases off...
Alea: Well, not yet...but it doesn't hurt to decorate a little early.
Wise Snake: I am the one who serves them, Rache.
Kaymeil: But don't get your hopes up. You'll be as good as new tomorrow and I plan to start at 6am.
Alea: I have also hung strawberry and blueberry bags over the doorways...I thought they added such color.
Jon Drake thinks that that sounds pretty good.
Mostan: No, It's all right. Feels good.
Rache whispers a soft, startled 'Oh'
Briel growls low in her throat. "Snake escorted her down ONE of the halls. Do you know how many halls we have here?"
Alea reaches out and lays a hand on his shoulder.
Wise Snake: I take the selyn of the whores. I heal the diseases of their Johns. I go among the wounded of the gang wars and heal the cuts of the fish gutters and the machine operators.
Alea softly. "You'll be fine...just relax.
Wise Snake: And I don't ask them to be anything other than what they are.
Rache shivers, frightened. "But shouldn't they.... couldn't they .. change?"
Jon Drake begins to relax a bit more.
Briel goes down the hall toward Veraik's office, checking door after door.
Wise Snake: Some of them do. People change. Once I have accustomed them to donating, some Gens realize they could live clean lives by selling selyn to the Center instead. It's happened.
Briel comes to a locked door, zlinning...rattles the door. "Snake?"
Wise Snake motions Rache to remain quiet.
Wise Snake: Be still... I'm not done with you yet.
Briel: "Snake, Rache?"
Mostan closes his eyes and smiles.
Briel rattles the door again.
Rache looks up at the door, and her nager shimmers with guilt. She whispers "but Mostan needs me."
Mostan is *amazed* at this Gen's nager...
Kaymeil: "That's right, Jon. You just stay right here. I'll leave the door open to make sure you are safe. The way I can continue my exercises.
Rache uses 'needs' not 'requires', just to emphasize the point.
Wise Snake meets Rache's eyes; [a touch of insanity behind the mask of calmness]
Wise Snake: I'm sure he does.
Rache: ~~ shiver of anticipation/fear, reaction to the glimpse of insanity ~~
Alea: If you look at the long strings of decoration, you'll find dried beans intertwined with fresh berries.
Alea: Yes, I'm very proud of my decorations in the Center.
Mostan: Are you an artist?
Jon Drake lets his field extend lazily.
Alea softens just a bit toward this Sime.
Alea: Why yes, I am.
Wise Snake: Rache... you are very young in the ways of the world.
Rache sighs softly "probably."
Kaymeil zlins Jon, making sure he does slide under the water.
Briel finally moves on, thinking she is going to have to find another Donor if Rache doesn't show up soon.
Kaymeil: And one and two and....this is great Jon. Can't wait until you can join me again.
Rache looks at Snake, guilty.
Mostan: Thought so. Artistic Gens have a certain quality to their nagers...
Jon Drake loses himself in the heat.
Alea beams proudly.
Wise Snake: Do you believe, now, that there are some who cannot come to the Sime Center despite the law that says all are welcome?
Rache whispers softly "there are some who won't, yes."
Kaymeil augments to Jon. "I think that is enough for you."
Kaymeil: [grabs towel] Come one. Let's get you dried off.
Wise Snake: Not just won't. Can't. People who grew up in such an environment that they have no concept that the services of the Sime Center are for them... and perhaps have never even heard of it.
Kaymeil: [runs in place while waiting for Jon to stand up]
Wise Snake: What do you suppose should happen to those people... should they be forgotten?
Jon Drake gradually eases out of the water.
Briel goes to find Keli.
Rache shakes her head, her nager violently rejecting -that- idea.
Alea studies Mostan curiously, thinking he looks a lot worse than Simes who are probably his own age.
Wise Snake: Of course not.
Kaymeil vigorously rubs at Jon's very red skin to dry him quickly.
Alea: Tell me Mostan...how did you get involved in Gen transfer?
Wise Snake: But you believe that my way is wrong? To step outside the domination of the Tecton, to insinuate myself into the subculture not as Tecton, but as Snake?
Keli goes down to transfer room one.
Jon Drake's body language shows that he'd rather take care of drying himself.
Rache: Couldn't... couldn't you work -with- the Tecton on this?
Wise Snake's eyes glitter pale.
Wise Snake: Perhaps...
Mostan sighs. "Channel's transfer was never more than ... survival. I'd leave the SC not in need, but not post either."
Rache: Only perhaps?
Jon Drake: Kaymeil, I can do this.
Kaymeil doesn't notice Jon's discomfort and continues to dry him in all of his places.
Wise Snake: Tell me. Would you go among the poorest, the most savage, the most desperate, to help them?
Alea ~~sympathy~~
Rache: I .. I don't know. I could try...
Alea: But why did you drag the others into it?
Kaymeil: Oh...sure OK. I'm get the table ready for you.
Alea: If their transfers were going okay...why get them involved?
Jon Drake nods.
Wise Snake: Do you think you could pass among the criminal class, or the homeless, or the enslaved, unscathed?
Rache bites her lip. "I'm not sure."
Wise Snake smiles, a dark, delicate smile.
Veraik sets mode: +t
Wise Snake: No. You're not sure.
Rache shivers.
Wise Snake: So tell me this. If I taught you, would you do it?
Rache: If it were approved. Someone has to, I guess.
Mostan: There were a bunch of us. The night people we were called. stayed out all night, going parties, shows, that sort of thing. And I noticed some other Simes who zlinned like I felt. '
Wise Snake: If it were approved?
Kaymeil readies the massage table and waits, holding a dry towel.
Rache nods. "if it were approved. If the Controller okay it."
Jon Drake approaches the table.
Wise Snake laughs.
Kaymeil pats the table. On your stomach.
Wise Snake: If and only if?
Mostan: Gen transfer helped, but none of them were quite right. But once they'd tried it they didn't want to stop.
Rache folds her arms, looking at Snake.
Jon Drake gets onto the table.
Rache: If and only if.
Alea: I'll bet.
Mostan: One of them went to entice a Sime by himself and got burned.
Wise Snake: Veraik waits for Bender Cove to come to him.
Rache: But you're a First, Snake. I'm only a Second.
Kaymeil places towel over his bottom.
Wise Snake pauses at Rache's words.
Rache: So talk to him about it. IF I ever qualify First, and Veraik is Ok with it, I'll go wherever I'm sent.
Alea thinks of Tarsh and forces herself not to let her feelings show in her nager.
Kaymeil: Now just relax Jon. I'm going to start with your head and work my way down to your toes.
Wise Snake: What has Firstness or Secondness to do with it? I am talking about the lives of unwanted children and the well-being of professional thieves.
Mostan: I realized that if I didn't organize it for my ... former partners, they'd go out and get hurt. I'd gotten good at gauging who would work for me and who wouldn't.
Rache: It means that there's no -way- I'll satisfy you in transfer, Snake.
Wise Snake laughs, sounding genuinely startled.
Mostan: So I started doing it for some Simes, who wanted a new thrill.
Wise Snake: You didn't seriously think... Rache, I have no interest in you for transfer.
Alea stiffens.
Rache blinks. "Then what?"
Jon Drake tries to relax, letting his nager hold steady.
Wise Snake: At least, not at this time.
Keli signals.
Kaymeil zlins Jon and smiles, thinking 'So good to have a matching Donor.'
Mostan: And then things took on a life of their own...
Wise Snake: I speak of a partnership of a different sort.
Rache: Doing?
Wise Snake reaches out and briefly touches Rache's fidgeting hand.
Keli signals again.
Wise Snake: Tell me you will be able to sleep wondering about the people who cannot be served here.
Alea doesn't understand...but goes to answer the door.
You are now known as Briel.
Keli enters.
Briel moves over to Mostan with Keli.
Briel: There's been a slight change in plans, Mostan.
Mostan opens his eyes and looks/ zlins Briel and Keli.
Keli low order Donor who is high field.
Mostan: What is it?
Briel: Keli here is going to serve you. She's higher field than Rache is.
Wise Snake: Perhaps I'm wrong... perhaps it means nothing to you, and you will retreat to your transfer rooms and your in-basket and your channel for the month, and forget we ever spoke together?
Mostan: ~~ relaxed ~~
Jon Drake is still a little apprehensive about this upcoming transfer. He hasn't been able to relax into it like he was able to do with Briel.
Mostan zlins Keli. "Pleased to meet you.
Briel: I'm going to monitor.
Rache looks at her hand, then up Snake's arm to her face.
Kaymeil: Using tentacles, Kaymeil rubs the scalp and neck then works in the shoulders, digging in harder and harder, waiting until Jon moans.
Keli moves and sits down next to Mostan.
Keli smiles. "And I you. I was wondering who I would get to serve this month."
Rache looks at Snake. "Please. What would you want me to do? I -can't- help unless there's a channel I can serve. There's nothing I can do."
Kaymeil: Your muscles sure are stiff Jon. You have to loosen them up.
Mostan: 'Monitor"? You mean observe to shen us if one of us loses control?
Wise Snake incredulous.
Briel smiles.
Rache: ~~ honest confusion ~~
Wise Snake: Do you have so little faith in your own power?
Briel: Well, Mostan...I see you like blunt talking...Fine.
Wise Snake: You are Gen. You are a fully capable adult human being.
Jon Drake works to achieve the next level of relaxation as taught by Veraik.
Briel: Yeah, I don't want my new Donor hurt, nor do I want you hurt. And we're going to have to do something a little bit different than normal so I will want to observe.
Briel: Keli is going to control the transfer.
Mostan: I've had to do it myself. Can't take chances.
Jon Drake makes sure to breath in even breaths, careful not to hold his breath against the pain.
Rache shakes her head. "I'm just a Gen. Just a Donor. I can't take selyn and give transfer. You need a channel."
Kaymeil uses the sides of her hands to pound out the muscles.
Rache: Or you need a First, a Donor First to work with you.
Wise Snake smiles, a wintry smile matched by wintry eyes.
Wise Snake: I worked alone for a long time. I can easily work with a Second if that Second does their best.
Briel: Good. We have to fix that secondary system of yours. And the only way to do that is for a Gen to push that transfer into you at top speed. Keli here is higher than you...
Kaymeil: Ouch. One of my laterals just hurt. Guess I was pounding too hard. I'll just massage from now on.
Briel shrugs. "I'm sure it'll work out fine. But still..."
Rache studies Snake. "But you need.."
Kaymeil: So Jon. Are you looking for to our transfer? I know I am. Your nager is divine.
Wise Snake: I have a Donor, two Donors in fact, capable of serving me in transfer.
Wise Snake: One of them I will lose soon. In a week.
Rache makes a cutting gesture with the side of her hand, and stands. "Talk to Veraik. This is all hypothetical until Veraik concurs."
Jon Drake: Thank...you, Kaymeil.
Mostan: So I let her be in charge?
Rache: Lose? how?
Keli: It'll be fine, Mostan. I know what I'm doing.
Wise Snake's stare turns electric at the interruption.
Wise Snake: Do not speak of Veraik here!
Wise Snake: You say the name Veraik when you really mean you do not wish to think for yourself!
Mostan zlins Keli very carefully.
Briel: Yes.
Jon Drake: I have to ad...mit that I'm feeling a little antici...pation.
Mostan: I zlin what you mean.
Briel waits for Mostan's reaction.
Rache shakes her head. "I am a Tecton-trained Donor. There is a shortage of capable Donors - everywhere-."
Jon Drake has a difficult enough time lasting four weeks, let alone five.
Briel: Are you ready Mostan?
Mostan: If that's what's required.
Briel nods.
Kaymeil soothes her tentacles over his back. "Your field is reaching out to me. It feels so safe."
Briel moves over to the monitor chair.
Wise Snake: So you believe they should be retained for the servicing of the wealthy and the legitimate?
Mostan: I think so.
Keli takes Mostan's hand.
Keli: You'll be fine.
Jon Drake reacts to her words and nager, letting himself get lost in the nageric and concentrating less on the physical.
Mostan tries to engage Keli's field.
Rache finally stalks towards the door. "No. But if you're going to ask me to leave the Tecton and do nothing useful with my selyn and skills, you can forget that."
Keli: We'll get you squared away and feeling great and the cramping and being short every month will be a thing of the past.
Wise Snake: You have not even heard what I suggest. Your interruptions prevent you from hearing a way to help which you are perhaps afraid to face a choice in.
Wise Snake moves easily to block the door.
Keli ~~need to give~~
Jon Drake thinks that maybe they will be able to harmonize before the week is over.
Mostan doesn't know that he buys it going that far.
Wise Snake: Nothing useful?
Kaymeil continues to massage and finally reaches the toes.
Rache folds her arms and stares at Snake. "So tell me what you want me to do. You've been avoiding it for half an hour or more while a channel - a working channel - is waiting."
Jon Drake likes the feel of the foot massage.
Mostan goes hyperconcious under the selyur nager.
Wise Snake: I was actually saying it when you interrupted. Are you prepared to listen now?
Jon Drake feels the tension leaving his body with the post massage relaxation.
Keli reaches out and offers her arms.
Mostan reaches out for Keli with rising intil.
Briel zlins them carefully.
Rache: You were telling me you already had two Donors. But go ahead.
Kaymeil: I zlin that you are very relaxed Jon. Just lay there for a little while and I will make some tea. Let me help you get up when you are ready. I don't want you to fall because you are too relaxed.
Keli ~~Gen need to give/excitement/urgency~~
Mostan grasps Keli's arms and wraps tentacles around them.
Wise Snake: I work nearly twenty hours a day. No single Donor can long survive such a pace. When I lose Rafael after my next transfer, I will still have Nick for my next... but will require another for support.
Rache: Why would you lose Rafael?
Wise Snake: I am willing to train you. I am willing to take you into the lower city and bring you out again unharmed. You will learn everything you require to later put Tecton programs into place to help those people.
Keli leans forward to complete the contact and then holds that position for a moment, pouring out her anticipation in her nager.
Wise Snake: Rafael? He is a Tecton donor and was assigned to me for two months. This month is the last.
Rache: ~~ temptation/compassion/thought ~~
Rache ohs.
Wise Snake: I am, technically, still an employee of the Center, though it means little beyond the technicality.
Rache rubs her chin, thoughtfully.
Rache: Why me?
Keli begins to push selyn slowly ...
Wise Snake: You caught my eye.
Wise Snake: I think you can be trained.
Wise Snake: And I think you have potential.
Mostan draws the selyn in .
Rache laughs softly. "I'll never be more than a Second."
Keli increases the speed, pushing it as faster...as fast as Mostan can take it.
Mostan: ~~ relief ~~
Wise Snake: I do not mean potential in the traditional sense of Tecton greed for overdevelopment.
Mostan: ~~ pleased surprise ~~
Keli ~~need to give/to fill/to give all~~ pushes more...
Wise Snake: I mean potential as a human being.
Rache blinks, startled.
Wise Snake watches Rache.
Mostan accepts this torrent of selyn flowing though his system.
Wise Snake: Think about it.
Wise Snake: I do not require an answer now.
Keli continues to push, giving to fill his primary system.
Rache sighs softly. "I'll think about it. And I'll talk to Veraik. But I am needed.. if they haven't found someone else to serve Mostan."
Mostan: ~~ joy ~~
Jon Drake continues to relax.
Keli forces more selyn in, pushing to open up the secondary system.
Wise Snake: Mostan is a 3rd order channel. He has been taking transfers off ordinary Gens. Almost anybody could give him transfer.
Rache rolls her eyes. "And don't I know it."
Kaymeil puts water in kettle and sets to boils then measures the tea in each cup.
Mostan reaches repletion and reduces his draw.
Wise Snake gets to her feet restlessly.
Keli forces more selyn into Mostan, pushing that draw back up.
Wise Snake: I must go see if Rafe has come back yet.
Wise Snake [body language betrays nervous tension]
Rache nods. "And I have to go see what's happened."
Rache gestures to the door - which Snake had been standing in front of, a few poses ago.
Wise Snake looks at the door.
Wise Snake: So, go.
Wise Snake: But remember what I said.
Mostan: ~~ surprise and frantic effort to put the selyn somewhere ~~
Wise Snake: And, Rache... I wouldn't suggest discussing it with Veraik.
Rache unlocks the door and leaves, inclines her head as she does so.
Keli continues to push in selyn, past the replete primary ...to the secondary.
Rache pauses in the doorway.
Rache: I must. I won't just .. leave.
Mostan's primary system fills to bursting, but still the selyn comes flooding in ...
Mostan's field quivers and shakes.
Keli controls, continuing...
Mostan: [ Something changes, pops open in the vriamic node.
Briel zlins watching carefully...relieved when she zlins the breakthrough...
Keli slows...
Keli carefully ends the flow of selyn, then waits for Mostan to react.
Mostan: [ selyn flow pours ... *past* the primary somehow into ... a new void that was never there before... ]
Rache: It's a matter of honor. I have made promises. I can't simply break them if they inconvenience me. The promises are too important to too many people. Maybe the Tecton won't fold if one second-order Donor leaves, but .. a promise is a promise.
Rache: You couldn't trust my promise to you if I'd made it by breaking another.
Wise Snake: You will find... may find, one day if you get enough experience, that life is rarely simple enough to be contained by the simple words of promises and honor.
Mostan breaks the lip contact and looks distant and abstracted...
Keli sits very still.
Wise Snake smiles.
Mostan comes down duoconscious. "What was ... where did it *go*?"
Briel: Where did what go?
Wise Snake slides out of the conference room and walks back down the hallway toward the lobby.
Briel zlins Mostan.
Mostan: All that extra selyn... I had all I could take but she just kept pushing it in till I thought I was going to Explode....
Briel: Keli pushed selyn until it forced your secondary pathways open. What you felt was your secondary system...that's where the extra selyn went.
Mostan: ~~ replete primary, and clearly distinct secondary with substantial selyn in it.
Keli sits, continuing to wait...~~very low field~~
Mostan looks at Keli. "Sorry. Thanks That was ... I don't know how to describe it, but it was amazing. Thank you."
Keli looks down at her arms where Mostan still has a hold.
Kaymeil: Jon? Are you ready for some tea?
Mostan looks down also. "Oh!"
Keli smiles at Mostan.
Mostan retracts his laterals and dismantles his grip.
Keli: Thank you...that was great for me too. That's the first time I've gotten to actually do that.
Keli smiles hugely and leaves.
Mostan falls hypoconscious as Keli's field leaves.
Briel fixes a cup of tea and brings it over to Mostan.
Mostan looks at Briel. "I guess you were right about my being a channel, then."
Mostan takes the tea and sips at it absently.
Briel smiles gently. "here, drink some tea."
Briel: And yes, I'm afraid you are a Channel.
Briel looks curious.
Briel: Does that bother you?
Kaymeil holds a cup ready for Jon.
Mostan thinks. "I've spent three years grousing about channels, and now I am one."
Mostan: I saw some Ancient quotation once, "We have met the enemy and he is us?"
Briel nods.
Wise Snake passes by Veraik's door and signals it once again, knowing there will be no answer, but doing it out of force of habit.
Briel: I suppose if your transfers were that awful you wouldn't want to be around channels...and then to find out you were one.
Veraik goes to the door. "Yes."
Briel: It's funny how we all want things we aren't. You know, Alea would give anything I think, if she could be a channel.
Briel: And I...I would give anything to be nonjunct.
Mostan: I am what I have condemned. This isn't supposed to happen until you have changeover age kids...
Wise Snake is surprised.
Wise Snake: Were you in there the whole time?
Briel chuckles and gets her a cup of tea. Resumes her seat.
Mostan looks at Briel, surprised.
Veraik: In and out actually but yes, most of the day. Were you looking for me?
Briel halts, with the tea halfway to her lips. "What?"
Wise Snake: For Rafe, actually.
Mostan: You don't zlin like a disjunct.
Wise Snake: I have been meaning to talk to you about this.
Wise Snake: This.
Briel drops her showfield to allow Mostan to zlin her closer.
Veraik frowns. "I haven't seen him. Sorry."
Veraik: Come and tell me.
Mostan: I had some try to get in our group, but I wasn't *that* stupid.
Jon Drake takes the cup of tea.
Jon Drake: Thanks.
Briel: Zlin me now, if you can.
Wise Snake: He said he has private business... for the second time in two days. Is it here he's coming?
Mostan zlins intently.
Wise Snake is a week from transfer and a bit keyed up.
Kaymeil picks up Jon's towel which had dropped to the floor and places it besides him on the table.
Kaymeil: You're welcome.
Wise Snake: == from = until ===
Mostan: Well, yeah that pattern looks a bit like...
Briel nods, takes a sip of her tea.
Veraik: Sorry. no Snake. I haven't seen him since the last time I saw you with him.
Veraik: Veraik zlins wisesnake .
Jon Drake sips the tea.
Jon Drake: Thank you Kaymeil. That does feel good.
Veraik: Your transfer is soon?
Mostan: It must be because you area channel. Are all channels, so .. complicated?
Mostan: = area -> are a ==
Briel looks amused at Mostan. "Complicated?"
Jon Drake has a good understanding of Kaymeil's cycle and so casually ignores the natural side effect of the massage.
Briel: I don't consider myself complicated...
Mostan: Well there are two systems, of course, but all those crossconnections and flow loops...
Wise Snake: ~~~ doing remarkably well physically, but mentally stressed out ~~~
Briel: OH!
Mostan: And that big ... I assume that's secondary storage....
Wise Snake zlins Veraik is telling the truth.
Briel: Well, yes...we're all that "complicated"
Briel: Yes.
Wise Snake: Shen. I was sure he was coming here.
Mostan: Including me now?
Briel: Including you.
Veraik: Would you like me to have some of my staff help you look for Rafael?
Wise Snake: What could he be doing? It's bizarre, a Donor having business too private for his channel to attend.
Veraik frowns then projects a field of support for Snake.
Briel: And Mostan, when we start training you, you're going to find it a LOT easier to do an outfunction from now on.
Mostan: How come that storage doesn't show in your field?
Briel presents her showfield again.
Briel: "You mean now? Like this?"
Wise Snake hesitates, then accepts some of the support.
Kaymeil: This is only your third transfer, isn't Jon? You have such an interesting nager.
Jon Drake: Really?
Mostan: Ok, now I zlin it.
Wise Snake: Is there any way you could talk to Rafe and tell him not to disappear any more before our transfer?
Briel: Or do you mean because my secondary selyn is only for working in channels mode, to heal and things...and is usually stationary?
Wise Snake: Whatever business he has, it cannot be as important as I am. Yet I cannot convince him of this. And it is difficult to frame a convincing argument without knowing what it is he does.
Briel drops her showfield again.
Jon Drake: They've said that I'm a "natural."
Veraik: I will the next time I see him.
Jon Drake: To me, it's just me.
Wise Snake: Do you, in fact, ever see him without me?
Veraik: True and probably the language barrier isn't helping either.
Kaymeil looks. "I'll say." then smiles innocently.
Mostan: Yeah, That could be it, I suppose.
Jon Drake: I found I was responding to Sime fields after my second donations.
Briel: Don't worry, Mostan. You'll learn all of this as you're trained.
Wise Snake: I learned his language the first two weeks he was here. We understand each other just fine... he just feels it is not necessary for me to know why he has to disappear without warning for three hours.
Mostan: This is fascinating...
Mostan: Thanks for letting me zlin you like that.
Briel: Feel like changeover all over again? Discovering that second system...
Briel: No problem.
Veraik: No and that is why I was going to suggest that you bring him here the next time you see him. That way I can have the talk you were suggesting.
Jon Drake softens. "I hope that I will be able to provide you what you need."
Briel: You have the rest of the day off and tomorrow if you want it. Then you should start learning channeling.
Mostan: Yeah, kinda... I'm falling into intense focusing...
Wise Snake: I will.
Briel: Great.
Mostan: Huh? Oh. all right.
Jon Drake has not seen Kaymeil so vulnerable before.
Briel: Relax and enjoy your time here.
Mostan: Is the food any good here?
Briel chuckles.
Kaymeil reaches out and rubs a tentacle on his bare shoulder (no sexual overtones) I know you will.
Briel: Well, it's edible--unless you let Alea cook it.
Mostan: She get too abstracted for it?
Briel: Try the cafeteria.
Jon Drake lets his nager naturally respond to her building need.
Briel looks surprised. "Yes. How'd you know?"
Wise Snake: Now I really have to go back and see if he's turned up. I should have been working this whole time.
Jon Drake's field begins to pulse a little closer in tune with Kaymeil's.
Mostan: She zlins like an artist. I've known a lot of artistic people and there's a definite tendency towards certain features in their nagers.
Kaymeil goes hyper.
Wise Snake turns to leave.
Briel: Oh.
Veraik: Snake? Good luck in finding him.
Briel thinks the stuff she has seen of Alea's is anything but art, however, she doesn't say so.
Veraik continues his support of Snake..
Briel: Would you like me to show you the way to the cafeteria?
Mostan: Please.
Briel stands and goes to the door.
Mostan gets up and follows.
Wise Snake leaves the office and the Sime Center.
Jon Drake sees the signs of hyperconsciousness and relaxes his field.
Kaymeil continues to zlin the lovely whiling patterns of her Donor.
Keli walks down the hall and spots Voiryal.
Voiryal smiles.
Voiryal: Hello. You seem to have enjoyed an excellent transfer.
Voiryal's voice is throatily suggestive.
Keli glides up to Voiryal and runs her hand up his chest.
Voiryal: Grrr!
Keli: The best one I've had to date.
Voiryal: You wouldn't happen to be... putting the moves on me, would you?
Voiryal runs his hands over her back.
Keli leans up and kisses his chin...runs a finger across his lower lip.
Keli: What makes you think that?
Keli grins.
Voiryal: Mmmm, just a... hunch (adjusts something)
Keli: Have some free time for ....lunch?[suggestively]
Rafael Far: [perfect English/Simelan] Milaa, What have you heard about the stolen transfer couches?
Voiryal: Well... sure!
Milaa: We still haven't been able to figure out who is behind the thefts. Only that they have ended up out-Territory.
Keli slides her hand down Voiryal's chest to his hand.
Keli: My room or yours?
Voiryal grips Keli's hand.
Voiryal: How about... Storage Room #32 again?
Keli grins. "Even better."
Voiryal: I can't get that pile of mattresses out of my mind after.. uh...
Voiryal grins.
Voiryal follows Keli off to "lunch"
Rafael Far: I see. Do you have any clues at all, even one which may be out..... [blanches when he sees that Snake is listening to him speak without an accident]
Voiryal is now known as wisesnake.
Rafael Far: [and in her language]
Milaa follows Rafe's gaze and makes herself scarce.
Rafael Far: Hello, Snake.
Wise Snake zlins Rafe's unmistakable nager and hurries through the crowd toward it.
You are now known as Alea.
Wise Snake pops out of the crowd near them just in time to over hear the most remarkable sentence come out of Rafe's mouth, entirely without accent.
Alea returns to the Center's lobby and hangs more fresh berries, blue, reds, purples...as well as small cut outs of breads in all different shapes.
Wise Snake stares at Rafe, mouth open with greeting left unsaid.
Wise Snake stares between Rafe and Milaa, who she has never seen before.
Rafael Far stands his ground but knows that she can zlins his slight tinkling of fear.
Rafael Far: Snake?
Wise Snake breathes hard.
Wise Snake: What... is this?
Rafael Far steps close and offers support.
Rafael Far: What is what?
Wise Snake: ~~tension~~
Alea looks around the lobby, which is dripping with decorations and smiles.
Alea: He thinks I'm an artist.
Alea hurries over to the storage closet and pulls out an old paint of hers and drags it over to the couch.
Wise Snake: [tightly] Your words... without accent.
Rafael Far projects support, calm, "I'll be there".
Rafael Far: Oh that.
Rafael Far: ~~soothing, comfort~~~
Wise Snake: ~~ tension; suspicion warring with desire to relax ~~
Wise Snake: Explain!
Alea gets a renSime to hang it for her.
Rafael Far: I can't, not really. I was sent here to do an investigation.
Rafael Far: [holds up hand]
Alea: I don't like the guy. I do not like him. He is wrong, wrong, wrong...but could I have judged him too harshly....[muttering as she goes down to her office, leaving renSime to hang the picture]
Rafael Far: And before you say it, it wasn't an investigation about you.
Rafael Far: It has to do with other matters entirely.
Wise Snake eyes wild.
Alea confusion.
Wise Snake: Why the act with me, then?
Alea goes in her office.
Rafael Far: ==== all the above in perfect Simelan, no accident====
Wise Snake wonders what all Rafe has overheard that he understood, despite Snake's best efforts to protect her secrets.
Alea decides she will find Tarsh as soon as she catches up on her paperwork and maybe, if she can get up the courage, she'll ask him more about what went on in this group. And more about their ringleader.
Rafael Far: I was directed not to involve you with the matter because you were having enough problems without having another one.
Wise Snake: What were you... investigating?
Rafael Far: [Rafael is getting very cold since there is two feet of snow on the ground and the temperature is dropping.]
Rafael Far: Now Snake, I just told you that I couldn't tell you.
Wise Snake's eyes narrow as Rafe lets her know he is feeling the cold.
Rafael Far: It is none of your worry. I promise not to left again until after our transfer.
Wise Snake turns slowly in the direction of the apartment.
Wise Snake: Oh?
Wise Snake: None of my worry, is it?
Wise Snake: Is this going to come back and haunt me when you are gone?
Rafael Far: It is none of your worry. I promise not to leave you again until after our transfer.
Rafael Far: Not at all. Of that you can be sure.
Wise Snake: And who sent you?
Rafael Far follows Snake to the apartment.
Rafael Far shakes head. "I can't tell you that either."
Rafael Far: Tell me. If you had something investigating a matter and that person got caught. What would you like if that person told what he or she has going?
Rafael Far: Sorry but you will have to trust me on this one.
Wise Snake finds that trust is the least of what she is feeling right now.
Rafael Far: Just know. ~~~projects soothing comfort~~~ that I will be there for you and I will not betray you by leaving.
Rafael Far: I'm really looking forward to our transfer.
Rafael Far: [Smiles] And to be honest it feels good to speak to you like this.
Rafael Far reaches out and gently strokes down her arm, never touching then lets his hand hover over one of her laterals.
Wise Snake is getting more and more unhappy the more she thinks about the situation.
Wise Snake lets him do it, her nager getting calmed gradually by his while her mind whirls around in tightening circles.
Rafael Far: Snake. We are good transfer partners. [lets desire for transfer show in nager]
Wise Snake is constantly amazed by how Rafe fails to connect genuine loyalty and friendship with transfers... he is a professional through and through.
Wise Snake: If you say so.
Wise Snake relaxes a bit despite herself.
Kaymeil is now known as RafaelFar.
Wise Snake thinks she had better play along with Rafe for one more week since she is counting on a solid supply of selyn from him to bolster her for the difficult transfer which would be Nick's first.
Wise Snake forces herself to open more to Rafe's efforts.
Rafael Far feels his field is working on her system.
Rafael Far waits until Snake opens the apartment door.
Rafael Far: ~~~ relax, calm, promise~~~
Wise Snake lets them into the apartment and closes the door.
Rafael Far immediately feels the warmth of the apartment and feels much better.
Go on to Episode #83: (Under Construction)