Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #89: (12/2/97)
Tarsh comes out into the snow in his cloak.
Tarsh bends over against the wind...
Wise Snake glances over at the sleeping Nick, then continues.
With her work... hunched over the desk, scribbling on paperwork.
Tarsh turns into a street, and squints at the numbers.
Tarsh clumps up onto a porch and bangs the snow off his boots.
Wise Snake zlins someone at the front door: Tarsh.
Wise Snake gets up and goes to the door.
Wise Snake opens door.
Wise Snake: Tarsh! This is a surprise.
Tarsh: Hi snake. A cold surprise.
Wise Snake: Ah. Come in. [stands aside]
Tarsh comes in.
Wise Snake: May I take your cloak? [remembering hysterical breakdown Linn.
Had the last time she threw her cloak on the floor]
Tarsh takes his cloak off and looks around. "Nice little place.
You have here."
Tarsh: Yes, thank you.
Wise Snake takes cloak, hangs it in hall closet.
Wise Snake: Please, have a seat. [indicates living room]
Wise Snake: The new housekeeper is working out well.
Wise Snake: Mostly well.
Tarsh rubs his hands together.
Tarsh: Good help is hard to find, I'm told."
Wise Snake laughs.
Wise Snake: This help sort of glommed onto me of its own accord. But it has.
Been working out quite well, as I said.
Wise Snake waits for Tarsh to sit down, then seats herself.
Opposite to him.
Wise Snake: So, what is it I can help you with?
Tarsh: Snake... Something we talked about a while back and lost track of.
Tarsh: You remember that little Gn girl who got burned?
Wise Snake: Umm... [thinks of all the ones she herself burned, and the many.
Others burned accidentally she's seen also]
Tarsh: Who screamed when she saw me.
Tarsh: ~~ embarassed ~~
Wise Snake thinks back.
Wise Snake: Bess? Ola's grand daughter?
Tarsh: Yeah, i think that was her name. The one who got burned by.
Melvin Garbage.
Wise Snake: Ah! Yes. [face twitches at the mangling of Melvin's last name]
Wise Snake: She was sent out of town, as I recall. Has anything else happened?
Wise Snake: ~~ genuine interest/concern ~~
Tarsh: Not about her that I know of.
Tarsh: But we talked about trying to scare melvin. as an alternative.
To my plan.
Tarsh: ~~ leashed rage ~~
Wise Snake: Ah! Yes.
Wise Snake: ~~ shields smoothly ~~
Wise Snake: There have been further developments/
Wise Snake: ?
Tarsh: That plan got back burnered with other ... events.
Tarsh: But I've just heard the Melvin is up to his old tricks...
Wise Snake: .... ah.
Wise Snake: Oh?
Wise Snake: I wouldn't doubt it. There has been a bumper crop of Gens.
Wanting to get burned this winter.
Tarsh: And the word is that out-t kids have started showing up here in.
Town again.
Wise Snake: I try to keep as many of them as possible away from Fast.
Eddies, but of course they don't always have the wherewithal to accept.
My... services.
Tarsh: ~~ surprise ~~
Tarsh: "_Wanting_ to get burned?"
Wise Snake: It's this band, Torn by Tentacles. They have a song about a Gen.
Getting burned by a renSime and surviving. Glorifies the near-death.
Experience. Now they all want to do it.
Tarsh: ~~ bewildered ~~
Tarsh: ~~ wince ~~ "Oh. Them. "
Wise Snake: These teenagers can't wait to Establish so they can go get.
Tentacle welts on their arms. It's amazing.
Tarsh: I've met one of them a couple of times too many.
Tarsh: On tried his damnedest to get me to attack him...
Tarsh: If Alea hadn't been there....
Tarsh: ~~ gloom ~~
Wise Snake: I don't doubt it. I charge an unbelieveable rate and they'll.
Still do anything to get the money. They want what they want. They'll get.
It one way or another. If they can't buy my services, or trick an unwilling.
Ren Sime like you, they'll get it at Fast Eddies from somebody like Melvin.
Tarsh: What the hell is with these kids. I mean, got into some dangerosu stuff, but it wasn't *because* they were dangerous.
Wise Snake: Of course it'll get them killed as well.
Wise Snake: It's what is popular now. They don't think in terms of.
Survival, they either think they'll die when they're 21, or they think.
They'll live forever.
Wise Snake talks like she isn't 14 herself.
Tarsh broods "Maybe we should just leave them to each other..."
Wise Snake shrugs.
Wise Snake: I prefer to intercede.
Wise Snake: A deliberate burning is a difficult thing to accomplish... I.
Can't throw away work that challenging. I have entran to think of.
Tarsh: They don't have to worry about dying in changeover as much.
Anymore, so they have this instead?
Wise Snake: Most of these kids never go that far. They just admire their.
Friends who did it.
Tarsh: Kinda like....
Wise Snake studies Tarsh.
Tarsh: I know that second type,, yeah....
Tarsh: More interested in having a scandalous reputation than earning it...
Wise Snake: Yes.
Wise Snake's eyes glint.
Tarsh: ~~ guilt and fear, mixed with wistful regret ~~
Wise Snake: Why did you come here, Tarsh?
Tarsh: Have you met the new third at the center, Mostan?
Wise Snake: I've zlinned him a couple of times.
Wise Snake adds another log to the fire, checks on the sleeping.
Nick, then sits down again.
Tarsh: We talked about getting tramila to do a were-gen bit to scare.
The living selyn out of Melvin...
Tarsh: It was tramila, wasn't it....
Wise Snake: Briel, I believe. Tramila is too old to fool anyone looking for.
A kid, and she would never do anything like that anyway.
Wise Snake: Tramila might be good for marching out and getting the guy.
Arrested, though. Which might not be a bad route, either.
Tarsh: Yeah you right. Who were we thinking of, then...
Wise Snake: I had suggested Briel at the time.
Tarsh: ~~ nervous at mention of arresting ~~
Wise Snake thinks of Briel's recent serious turn, and wonders if.
There is actually any chance the channel would agree to the trick.
Tarsh: Briel, that was it. Sorry, my memory is going...
Wise Snake zlins Tarsh's nervousness.
Wise Snake: Have you been sliding, Tarsh? I thought you had cleaned up your act.
Tarsh: Would that work? What laws has he broken, that would amount to.
Anything?
Tarsh: No. Alea and veriak set up a deal with an old friend two.
Months ago. I've been doing pretty good on channel's transfer.
Tarsh: ~~ nervous talking about laws...~~
Wise Snake: Taking direct transfer from a Gen is pretty serious. He could.
Be thrown right in the slammer for that one.
Wise Snake considers Tarsh's answer.
Wise Snake: And your.. other activities?
Wise Snake gets up and goes to desk... retreieves a slim stack.
Of papers and returns to her seat.
Wise Snake looks through the papers.
Tarsh: Uh, what's the statue of limitations on that one?
Wise Snake looks at Tarsh closely.
Wise Snake: I don't know. Continued attempts to obtain Gen transfer would.
Definitely count against him, though.
Tarsh looks back. "I'm not real comfortable on the topic, ok?
Wise Snake: Then you would prefer to keep police investigation out of it?
Tarsh gulps nevously. "If at all possible...."
Wise Snake selects a piece of paper out of the stack and hands.
It to Tarsh.
Wise Snake: Here is a 2nd order channel working at the Center... Sorat.
Wise Snake: He's only 17... might look young enough to pass as the kind of.
Kid Melvin preys upon.
Tarsh reads the paper.
Wise Snake: His file mentions a warped sense of humor.
Tarsh: I've zlinned him around...
Tarsh: You think he'd go for it?
Wise Snake rubs her chin and speculates on what sorts of.
Activities Tarsh has been engaged in, lately.
Wise Snake: I've never met him, so I can only guess.
Gnome wonders if Tarsh is talking about him. _Statue_ of.
Limitations indeed! I'm not limited!
Tarsh looks thoughtful.. "I'll feel him out, see what I think...."
Wise Snake: Let me know if you require any assistance.
Tarsh: Ok.
Wise Snake belatedly remembers she failed to offer Tarsh tea,
Then congratulates herself for not dirtying any dishes which would have to.
Be cleaned later.
Tarsh: Oh, snake?
Wise Snake looks up.
Wise Snake: Yes?
Tarsh leans over to whisper. "Word is that something Big is.
Going on. Some real high up people are poking around town, being awfuly.
Quiet."
Wise Snake: ~~~ suddenly guarded nager ~~~
Wise Snake: [suddenly guarded eyes]
Wise Snake: Yeah... I've heard.
Wise Snake: A theft. Something huge. Don't know what it is, though.
Tarsh: Don't know what's it about, but... watch yourself, OK?
Wise Snake: Thanks. You too.
Tarsh: ~~ alarm ~~ " A _theft_?! Of what, the sectuib in Keon's money.
Belt?"
Wise Snake spreads hands and tentacles.
Wise Snake: As I say, I don't know.
Wise Snake: I get the idea it is an art object, but what I heard wasn't.
Exactly clear, and wasn't exactly from a reliable source.
Wise Snake: I do know it was a theft.
Wise Snake looks more nervous than she realizes.
Tarsh relaxes a bit. OK.
Tarsh: I'll talk to you later, OK?
Wise Snake zlins Tarsh's reaction.
Wise Snake: Sure.
Wise Snake: Okay.
Wise Snake rises, gets Tarsh's cloak.
Wise Snake pauses, one hand on door knob.
Wise Snake: Uh, Tarsh?
Tarsh: Yes?
Wise Snake: If they do an investigation of the Center, you may find.
Yourself in bigger trouble than you can handle.
Wise Snake: I just want you to know that if anything happens on that level,
You should know you can depend on me.
Wise Snake: I told you when we first met, that I would watch your back.
Tarsh: ~~ worry ~~ "Thanks snake, I'll keep that in mind."
Wise Snake holds the door open for Tarsh.
Tarsh: And I'll help you if you need it snake. Just ask.
Wise Snake: Of course.
Wise Snake: Good bye, Tarsh.
Tarsh wraps his cloak and goes out into the snow...
Sorat is working in the Collectorium.
Tarsh comes into the lobby, brushing off snow.
[lowell.ma.us.undernet.org] *** Mode change "+i" on CptButton by CptButton.
Tarsh looks over at the schedule board.
Sorat finishes up with the latest donor and gives her her.
Recipt for the selyn payment.
Sorat: According to your chart, you're up about 4%. You'll notice the.
Difference in the voucher this month.
Alea comes down the hall to her office.
Tamlen comes out of his room and pats his pocket.
Tarsh comes down the hal and waits for Sorat to be free.
Sorat goes out to the lobby to see who's next on the list of donors.
Tamlen goes down to the lobby.
Tarsh: Sorat!
Sorat: Oh, hi Tarsh. How are you today?
Tarsh: I'm doing pretty good, thanks. [ lower ] can I talk to you?
Sorat looks at the lobby.
Tamlen is pouring tea.
Sorat: Yes, I guess so. It's pretty light right now.
Tarsh: Let's talk in my office.
Tarsh gestures down the hall.
Sorat follows Tarsh to his office.
Tamlen goes to sip his tea while looking out at the blowing snow...
Veraik sits behind his desk, shuffling papers. [tentacles.
Twitching]
Tarsh: Sit down.
Sorat sits, a little confused.
Sorat lightly zlins to get some idea of the urgency.
Tarsh: I want ed to know if you'd be interested in helping with a.
G R E A T practicle joke.
Tarsh: One in a good cause.
Tarsh: ~~ false joviality uncertain, with anger surging underneath ~~
Veraik counts the time to his transfer.
Tamlen check the board to see if his next transfer has been.
Posted yet. What is with this place?
Sorat: Hmmm....
Sorat: A practical joke for a good cause?
Alea goes to the lobby with the latest list for the clerk to.
Update the board with.
Veraik suddenly stands up and paces.
Tarsh: You've heard of Were-Gens? we want you to be one.
Alea smiles at the 'minor' changes she has made, thinking.
Things will work out MUCh better now.
Alea hands the list to clerk and watches him update the board,
Then goes back to her office.
Sorat: Me? A Were-Gen?
Veraik: Tentacles flicking out of their sheathes, Veraik resists the.
Urge to pick up the lamp and throw it acrossed the room.
Sorat: You must be kidding!
Tarsh: To scare the lving selyn out of a rensime who likes to seduce.
New Gns into dangerosu transfers.
Sorat: Ah...
Tarsh: This guy burned a little girl we had here a couple of months.
Ago. We want to get him out of the habit.
Sorat fowns.
Sorat considers...
Tamlen watches clerk make the changes. Remains impassive while.
Thinking "'bout bloodyshuven time..."
Tamlen's eys widen.
Veraik: Veraik stops then throws open the door and augments down the.
Hall in search of his Donor.
Tamlen swivles at the sudden movement, clutching at hsi pocket.
Veraik stops and zlins then flips his systems over as he.
Realizes his poor behavior.
Tamlen sees Veriak. "There you are hajene!"
Tamlen moves over to veriak, trying to engage his field.
Veraik: [hoarse] Tamlen?
Veraik relaxes.
Tamlen: Yes, Hajene Veriak. I'm here. Here for you.
Veraik breaths easier.
Sorat: What would you have me do?
Veraik: Tamlen? What happened?
Sorat: ...IF is decide yes?
Tarsh: Pretend to be a naive young gen. Let Melvyn talk you into.
Trying transfer....
Alea looks at the schedule...decides she doesn't like the rest.
Of the things Briel set up and does some more changing...then takes the new.
Improved list for the next few days back out to the clerk.
Tarsh: Then at the moment of truth, turn into a Sime and attack him.
Tamlen: I only just learned I was assigned to you. I'm sorry Veriak.
Sorat: And how am I supposed to convince him I'm a gen?
Tamlen projects offering field.
Sorat: I mean, imitating Gn desire to give in transfer is one thing,
But...
Veraik: That's all right Tamlen. I understand.
Veraik: Veraik zlins Tamlen .
Tarsh: With a Gn showfield, like for a transfer. keep your arms in a.
Long sleeved jacket.
Veraik: You have a nager which calls to me. I think you are very.
Well matched.
Sorat is a little skeptical.
Tamlen: ~~ high field of a low-1st Donor ~~
Tamlen smiles "I'm glad to hear that. I'm looking forward to it."
Tamlen: ~~ need-to-give ~~
Sorat: Hmmm... Ok. I'll give it a try.
Tarsh: Great. It'll be a hoot.
Veraik: ~~~~ hopes that Tamlen's need to give will get him post since.
Tamlen's field isn't as well matched as what Veraik just told the Donor he.
Was~~~~
Sorat doesn't expect that this is a Tecton approved procedure.
Tarsh: Melvin hangs out in a place called Fast Eddie's. He's in need.
Now, I know. You want to try it now or wait a few days?
Veraik: Let's go to a transfer room, Tamlen. Everything out here.
Appears to be making me nervous.
Sorat nods.
Tamlen: [ soothing ] "of course, Veriak. Right this way."
Alea goes to her office and pulls out her paints.
Sorat pauses...
Alea goes to the storage closet and finds a canvas.
Sorat projects his best Gn showfield.
Sorat looks to Tarsh.
Tamlen leads Veriak to a deferment suite, taking care not to.
Get out of arm's reach.
Tarsh zlins critically.
Tarsh breaks into a grin. 'ShiDoni! If I didn't see you.
Tentacles, *I'd* think you were gen!"
Sorat zlins for sarcasm...
Alea hauls the canvas back into her office and sets it up to.
Catch the light, then grabs her paints.
Veraik stays hyper as he follows Tamlen.
Alea pulls out an Ornage and studies the canvas.
Alea shakes her head and finds her light blue paint instead.
Tarsh: ~~ maybe overstating a bit, but sincere ~~
Tamlen open the deferment suite and ushers Veriak in.
Veraik follows and stands in the middle of the room, waiting.
Alea pushes at one of the pins in her hair, then pulls out a.
Brush and begins to paint.
Sorat: Ok. I guess we'll give it a try.
Sorat: No time like the present, I guess.
Tamlen close the door and locks it.
Tarsh: Ok. Lets go to the alundry and swipe a shirt.
Veraik reaches into his pocket and automatically pulls out a.
Hair band to use to pu his hair into a pony tail so that it won't interfere.
During transfer.
Tamlen: Just when are we scheduled, Veriak?
Veraik zlins Tamlen's every moves.
Veraik: A half hour ago.
Tamlen checks to make sure that everything is set out properly,
Just in case.
Sorat hopes he doesn't get in trouble over this. Veraik can be.
So anal retentive sometimes.
Tarsh leads Soarat down to the laundry.
Tamlen: ~~ shock ~~
Veraik watches his Donor, standing in the middle of the room.
Without moving.
Tamlen: Your self-control is admirable, Hajene.
Tamlen moves over to the transfer couch.
Veraik takes comfort from the moving selyn field which beams of.
Promise.
Veraik zlins the selyn source on the couch.
Alea smiles happily as she allows the energy to flow from her.
To the canvas...soft blue dips and arches being the result.
Sorat steels his confidence.
Tamlen: ~~ source bulges with selyn and need-to-give ~~
Tarsh looks through the clean laundry.
Alea finds autumn orange and mixes it with white until a softer.
Color emerges.
Veraik walks to the couch and sits, zlining the giving fields.
Which swirl and beckon him.
Sorat: Hmm.. This one looks ok.
Tarsh finds Lanyi Torn by Tentacles shirt. "perfect! We'll.
Just put a jacket over it!"
Tamlen holds out his selyn-bright arms.
Veraik uses all his effort to carefully take Tamlen's arm.
~~~~~ N E E E D~~~~~
Tamlen: ~~ excitement ~~
Sorat puts the shirt and jacket on.
Alea stares at the painting and begins to blend...
Tarsh: [ shirt says "Zlin the Burn"
Veraik sets his laterals then immediately makes fifth contact.
Veraik draws voraciously.
Sorat retracts his tentacles as much as possible, and tries not.
To notice the strange feeling of constricted forearms.
Sorat: Ok. Let's get this over with.
Tarsh: Ok. Come on.
Tamlen: ~~ pleasure as selyn is given ~~
Tarsh leads Sorat out the back way and though the cold windy.
Streets.
Sorat follows, uncomfortable.
Sorat: How far away is this place, Tarsh?
Alea smiles pleasantly at the results, then reaches for green.
And softens it to a light foamy look.
Veraik: Stripping Tamlen's GN level and zlinning his pleasure, Veraik.
Then strips the TN3 when he zlins Tamlen's slight discomfort.
Tarsh: Remember to act shy and a little sacred but still, excited, if.
You can manage it.
Alea makes soft swift strokes, crossing the curves and dips.
With straight lines.
Tamlen trys to banish discomfort and revel in giving.
Veraik realizes the flow level is too slow for Tamlen and.
Pushes faster.
Alea finishes the painting by smoothing out the edges, then.
Sets the paints down.
Tamlen pleasure surges at the increase.
Sorat wants to take this jacket off so badkly...
Sorat: Do we have far to go?
Tarsh: Almos there.
Sorat: This jacket is killing me!
Tarsh leads around a corner to a place with a worn and dirty.
Sign "FAST Eddie's"
Sorat pauses.
Tarsh waves to the doorsime.
Sorat adjusts the coat so that it minimizes irritation.
Sorat adopts Gn showfield.
Alea goes to the office door and opens it, before going to the storage room and finding a frame.
Alea: It's time this Center looked a little more lively.
Tarsh leads the way in.
Veraik draws selyn faster and faster, gaining pleasure from the.
Speed alone.
Sorat acts very shy and out of place.
Melvyn is leaning gracefully on the bar, flirting expertly with.
A young Gen woman.
Sorat feels a bit out of place anyway.
Tarsh puts his arm around Sorat and leads him to the bar.
" This is a great place, Bili. You'll like it here."
Sorat: Uh huh.
Melvyn notices a familiar nager through the crowded ambient,
And looks up to see Tarsh and a very interesting Gen.
Tamlen glides on the surging torrent ~~
Sorat projects highfield gen.
Melvyn: ~~surprise~~
Tarsh looks. "Melvyn. Hi."
Alea carefully places the wet painting in the frame, careful of.
The paint all over her and not to get it on the frame.
Veraik takes the first TN level, zlins that it is almost delete.
Then projects pleasure through the field to cover up his need to have more.
Melvyn allows the woman to brush him off, then goes over to.
Join Tarsh and his interesting friend.
Melvyn: Why hello, Tarsh. Long time no see. Who's your friend?
Melvyn: ~~warm, friendly~~
Veraik: ~~~pleasure, joy, satisfaction~~~
Tamlen enjoys the flow without noticing how low his last selyn.
Level is getting.
Sorat looks up to at this strange renSime.
Alea decides no one except clerk will see what she is doing,
Since the lobby is empty, so she sneaks a hammer and nails and, dragging.
The picture, hurries over to the couch in the lobby.
Tarsh: This is Bili. A new ... friend of mine.
Veraik closes the selyn flow with a projections of total repletion.
Tamlen smiles around the lip contact.
Melvyn is a slick, very good looking renSime, about 10 years.
Past changeover, with long hair and a pretty boy look... probably has an.
Unfair advantage against teen aged girls.
Alea awkwardly climbs up on the sofa, kicking her shoes off so.
She won't lose her balance.
Melvyn: Hello, Bili.
Melvyn: ~~genuine warmth and even more genuine interest ~~~
Sorat: He..hello....
Melvyn: I had no idea you were still in the circle, Tarsh. Where ever.
Did you pick this choice boy up?
Tarsh: It's too bad Bili wasn't here a few weeks ago, right Bili? [
Squeeze ] But don't worry, only a few more weeks...
Alea frowns warningly at the deskclerk when he starts to get up.
And leave, then turns back to the wall and pulls out her hammer and nails.
Sorat nods nervously.
Tarsh: I had to go to ground for a few months. But I'm back.
Veraik sits back and retracts his laterals and finally his.
Handling tentacles. "Thank you Tamlen."
Melvyn is in need.
Melvyn zlins Tarsh's state of need.
Tamlen: My pleasure, Veriak.
Veraik smiles then burst into tears, crying for the lost of a.
Good transfer, crying for his lost of Alea.
Alea holds the nail up and slams the hammer home...hitting the.
Nail on the head.
Tarsh: ~~ a week past transfer ~~
Melvyn brightens.
Tamlen holds Veriak, amking comforting sounds.
Melvyn: Can I buy you two a celebratory drink, then?
Alea shoots a smug look at the desk clerk and slams the hammer.
Again--missing and putting a hole in the wall.
Sorat projects tentative Gn response to Melvyn's need.
Tarsh: Sure.
Alea shrugs at the cowering clerk and jerks the hammer out of.
The ruined wall.
Melvyn zlins Sorat despite himself; hopes Tarsh isn't offended.
But can't help it.
Sorat: I've never had one of those drinks before, Mister.
Veraik continues to cry, saying nothing.. Bottling it up inside.
Alea slams the hammer again, concentrating and finishes with.
The first nail. SHe quickly searches her pocket for the second nail,
Finding it in her mouth instead.
Melvyn smiles at Sorat.
Melvyn: You'll like it.
Melvyn leads them to the bar, and buys two Porstans and a sharp.
Gen beer.
Alea grabs the other nail, carefully slides her feet along the.
Top of the couch to the other end and begins to hammer the nail in.
Alea smiles in relief when there are no more mishaps with the nails.
Alea tosses the hammer toward the storage closet across the.
Room, then turns and bends down, grabbing at the framed picture.
Melvyn: They have this great shiltpron player here tonight. He's just.
On break now, but he'll be back in a bit... just amazing.
Tarsh takes a pull of Porstan.
Sorat begins to sip tentatively at his drink.
Melvyn smiles at Bili again.
Melvyn: How long have you been in Bender Cove, Bili?
Tamlen: Did you want to talk about it Veriak?
Bili: Uh, only a few weeks, Mister.
Tarsh starts eyeing a Sme woman across the room.
Veraik: I....I... [looks away] It's Alea. I love her but she loves.
Tarsh. I know that but it is still very hard to live with.
Melvyn: I see you're a Torn by Tentacles fan. [moves closer, leaning on bar]
Bili nods.
Bili: Yeah.
Melvyn wears an expensive cologne.. or at least a knockoff of one.
Bili remembers the infamous Groupie.
Tamlen sighs. "Love is that way sometimes."
Bili: They're cosmic!
Tarsh pretends to drink deeply of the Porstan.
Veraik stops crying. "I know. It's just hard. I've never.
Been in love before. Alea is the first."
Veraik: I'll get over it someday. I hope.
Veraik: How are you? Have you ever been in love?
Melvyn's tentacles stir restlessly.
Veraik tries to smile.
Tamlen: Then take the advice of an old man who has seen a lot. There.
Will be another. I know that seems impossible now, but it *is* true.
Melvyn nudges the beer a little closer to Bili so he will try.
Some... it's strong stuff.
Bili begins to project a bit tipsy.
Melvyn smiles.
Bili takes a larger drink.
Tamlen looks distant. "Yes. Ages ago, it seens now. Before.
The War."
Bili acts as if it's going to his head.
Veraik nods. "Perhaps. but I'm getting to old to find someone.
Who wants me." [sigh]
Melvyn: Have you ever wondered about... you know... Simes?
Tarsh stares at the Sme woman, smiling...
Melvyn's tentacles shift about, drawing attention to themselves.
Veraik watches the distand look and wishes he had asked for it.
Seemed to stir long, hard memories for the Donor.
Alea hauls the large painting slowly up onto the couch and then.
To the back of the couch.
Tamlen: And then again, later. A Sime woman, after Unity.
Veraik: A Sime woman? Is she still with you?
Alea turns and carefully slides the picture up the wall until.
She finds the nails and hangs it up.
Veraik zlins and takes comfort from the low, LIVE Donor field.
Tamlen sighs. "No. She was ... too old to disjunct. The.
Tragedy was that being involved with me only accerlerated her decline."
Melvyn tries to meet Bili's eyes, encouragingly.
Melvyn: ~~~ lust/need, carefully restrained from visibility ~~~
Piotr Rava is sitting in a dark booth, watching the activities.
At the bar.
Melvyn: Has Tarsh talked to you about it at all?
Veraik: I'm sorry Tamlen. Such a tragedy.
Bili begins to respond, innocently.
Alea steps back to admire the painting, and her foot meets with air.
Tarsh: [ seemingly distracted ] "I'll be back in a minute. Have to ...
You know."
Tarsh gets up and goes into the back.
Bili nods.
Bili: Uh huh.
Bili appears a bit nervous at Tarsh's departure.
Alea screeches as she falls, tumbling to the couch and then to.
The floor.
Melvyn smiles, appearing every inch the friendly sort.
Alea immediately rolls over and sits up, shrugging at the desk clerk.
Melvyn: Don't worry about Tarsh, Bili... he's just going to talk to.
That nice lady over there.
Piotr Rava realizes that something is not right here. This Sime.
Seems to be one of those he is seeking.
Bili: Uh. ok.
Tamlen: Yes. Both of them lost to the kill.
Melvyn sets his hand lightly on Bili's shoulder.
Tamlen: That's why I'm a Donor.
Melvyn: Tarsh is a good friend of mine.. we go back a long way.
Melvyn: We trust each other with everything.
Veraik stands. "Want some tea?"
Melvyn: ~~ even Gens ~~
Alea gets up, brushes at her skirt, then retucks her top and.
Nonchalantly goes toward her office.
Veraik: I'm sorry Tamlen. Truly I am.
Tamlen sniffs. "yes, please, veriak."
Bili lets himself startle then relax.
Veraik makes tea and returns to hand Tamlen a cup.
Veraik: You're a good Donor.
Melvyn orderes Bili a refill on his beer.
Tamlen: I shouldn't be messing up your post with my old wounds, hajene.
Alea stubs her bare toe on the desk as she enters...realizes.
She left her shoes out 'there'..but won't go get them until her toe feels.
Better.
Veraik: Not at all. I don't have a post partner.
Piotr Rava sees the activity as a renSime attempting to seduce a.
Young gen.
Veraik: We can spend as much time as you want.
Melvyn is not used to seducing males but hopes Tarsh has done.
Most of the work for him.
Tarsh comes back in, but stops across the room to chat up the.
Good-lookign Sme woman.
Tamlen: You don't? That isn't good for you Hajene. You know that.
Melvyn: Have you found a job here yet, Bili?
Bili lets his showfield respond clumsily.
Bili: N-no. Not yet.
Bili: I wazh thinking about donatin'.
Veraik shrugs. "Perhaps. But what can be done. First I have.
To find one who is willings."
Melvyn: Oh really? That's a great idea. [smiles]
Melvyn nudges the new beer closer to Bili, and moves closer.
Himself while he's at it, allowing his need to affect Bili.
Tamlen is about to make a suggestion but thinks better of it.
Bili lets some of the beer slosh a bit to help minimize the.
Amount of beer consumed.
Veraik sips his tea. "I have my PlaySimes and PlayGens. It's.
Not the same but most of the time, it is the best that I can do."
Melvyn: ~~exorbitant amounts of nice-guy charm and knowledge of how.
Good-looking he is~~~
Melvyn: Are you going to give your donation to a friend, or to one of.
Those hired guns at the Sime Center?
Piotr Rava notices that the Gn is starting to look a bit drunk.
He doesn't seem old enough to have much experience with alcohol.
Tamlen: Yeah. Like salted ... food. Better than nothing, but not the.
Real thing.
Bili shrugs.
Melvyn: Because you know, it can be much more satisfying with a friend.
Bili: I guess so. Do you know a channel?
Veraik gives a little laugh but says nothing.
Melvyn: Well, I've been known to take a few "donations" myself, come to.
Think of it.
Melvyn: Since you're a friend of my good friend Tarsh, I would be more.
Than happy to help you out.
Bili: You're a channel?
Melvyn: ~~ charm ~~
Bili projects awe.
Veraik stretches his tentacles. "I guess it is time to get.
Back to work."
Alea pulls her foot up in her lap and rubs her toe wondering if.
The pain is going to go away soon.
Veraik: The House of Liorie thanks you again for the transfer.
Tamlen: The House is welcome, and so are you.
Alea grumbles at her blue toe.
Veraik: Pleased with the return greeting, Veraik radiates a smile.
Tamlen smiles back.
Melvyn smiles winningly.
Melvyn: Why, we could even do it right here, so that you could start.
Looking for a job and aplace to live tomorrow!
Bili: Here?
Tarsh finds the chatting going too well, and tries to slow it.
Down...
Tamlen: That new channel looks like a good worker. Fit and Tough.
Piotr Rava sees that things are getting more involved.
Bili: Isn't it rather...public here?
Melvyn smiles reassuringly.
Veraik: IS that the Dar Channel who was scheduled to arrived here?
Melvyn: Well, there are rooms in the back. We could get as much privacy.
As you like.
Melvyn: Nobody will know.
Tamlen: Yes, I think so. Lanyi ambrov Dar.
Veraik: Good. We really could use the extra ehlp.
Veraik: Help.
Alea releases her foot and slips it under the desk, ignoring.
The pain and gathering up the reports for the next three weeks...and.
Immediately sets to altering them to what she feels would be better.
Schedules.
Melvyn: ~~tremor of intil and barely restrained greed~~
Veraik: I feel I must work now or develop entran.
Veraik: Thanks again, Tamlen. [goes to door]
Veraik: If there is anything that you want, just ask and I will see if.
I can help.
Bili let's his showfield entice.
Tamlen: Of course, Hajene.
Melvyn melts against the bar, tentacles quivering.
Melvyn: Uh.. ah... I take it that's a yes?
Bili nods innocently.
Veraik leaves but instead of going to a donation room, he goes.
In search.................
Alea finishes the alterations to the reports and smiles in.
Satisfaction.
Alea: Not as good as Snake, but I'm improving.
Tamlen: ./me straigtens up what needs it in the suite.
Piotr Rava doesn't like the look of this. He sees the renSime.
Looking toward the exit.
Veraik passes Alea's office before getting to the lobby and.
Signals to see if she is in since he is still unable to zlin after his.
Transfer.
Melvyn straightens, and gestures to the bartender.
Melvyn exchanges a few words, and a few coins, to obtain the.
Use of one of the rooms.
Tarsh zlins with one tentacletrying, to keep track without.
Being obvious.
Alea puts the reports in the folder and goes to the door and.
Opens it.
Veraik: Hello Alea. [pleasant smile]
Alea returns the smile.
Alea: Hello, hajene.
Piotr Rava makes his way out without attracting attention.
Alea: How may I help you.
Alea steps back to allow him entrance.
Veraik: Sosu. May I speak with you in private.
Alea frowns. ~~concern~~
Alea: Of course.
Melvyn takes Bili gently by the arm.
Bili follows along.
Melvyn: Follow me, I know a quiet place we can go.
Veraik steps into the room and is releaved from the door is closed.
Melvyn's amazing show of smilyness is beginning to wear a.
Little thin as intil climbs.
Alea closes the door and returns to her desk.
Piotr Rava sees them going deeper within.
Piotr Rava: Shen!
Alea sits down, folds her hands on top of her desk and looks to.
Veraik.
Piotr Rava didn't realize the bartender was in on it.
Tarsh moves towards the way Melvyn went.
Melvyn leads Bili to a rent-by-the-hour room.
Melvyn: ~~~need greed protective possessiveness~~~
Piotr Rava must now work his way upstairs.
Melvyn holds the door for Bili and closes it behind them,
Sealing out the noise and much of the nager from downstairs.
Bili appears to be getting a bit more nervous.
Tarsh goes to the stairs.
Alea: What is it, Hajene?
Veraik: I...I....I..... [looks around then at Alea and leaves] [not as.
Fast as augmentation but faster than normal.
Alea gapes.
Melvyn releases Bili, and manages to smile realistically.
Through a supreme effort.
Veraik goes outside in the snowy weather to sit by the gnome.
Bili backs up a bit, his showfield glowing brightly.
Tarsh climbs the stairs steathily.
Melvyn: Don't worry, Bili. There's nothing to be afraid of. I can zlin.
You're concerned, but I can assure you donating is perfectly safe.
Melvyn: Don't you have any friends who have donated?
Bili shakes his head.
Bili's fear zlins as very tempting.
Alea shakes her head, gathers the folder and goes back to the.
Door, taking the folder out to the desk clerk, who is looking amazingly.
Better...and then tries to nonchalantly slip her feet into her shoes.
Melvyn: Oh. Well, trust me.. all the Sime Center literature says it.
Doesn't hurt and sometimes feels really good.
Melvyn moves closer to Bili, zlinning the fear.
Veraik reaches up and removes the hairband to let his hair.
Protect his neck from the cold spicks of snow flicks.
Piotr Rava makes his way up the stairs.
Tarsh stops as close as he dares, fearinf to sppok Melvyn with.
His nager.
Bili holds his hands behind him, both to hide any hint of.
Tentacles and to add more mystery.
Veraik: He notes that his long, flowing hair has been growing fast.
Lately then thinks nothing else of it.
Melvyn tries to project harmlessness - he's just a city-bred.
Pretty-boy out for a night of fun at the bar, and doing a favor for a.
Friend.
Bili projects a very confused, drunken field.
Veraik: Finally, Veraik goes to his room to look at his lastest.
Play Sime and PlayGen.
Melvyn smiles, trying for something a little tamer than his.
Usual seductive intensity, not wanting to scare the crap out of the young.
Man.
Bili's field alternates between innocent promise and fear.
Piotr Rava sees a Sme standing near the door.
Bili looks to see how desperate the renSime is.
Piotr Rava debates what to do.
Melvyn: ~~~ hard need - this is always the most difficult moments of.
The act ~~
Alea realizes her foot won't fit in the shoe because of her.
Swollen toe and reluctantly picks up her shoe and hurries back to her.
Office.
Melvyn eases down on the edge of the room's stained transfer lounge.
Melvyn: Come here, Bili. There's nothing to be afraid of.
Bili slowly scoots overr to the lounge.
Piotr Rava looks on, frustrated.
Melvyn smiles painfully and offers his hands, trying to hide.
The trembling of eagerness in his hands and tentacles.
Melvyn thinks, just a little closer... come on, reach out for me.
Bili lets himself look with fascination.
Bili holds his tentacles in, but brings his fingers out,
Approacing the renSime's forearms.
Bili tries hard not to zlin.
Melvyn: ~~~incredible surge of intil~~~
Melvyn feels faint, and starts sweating and breathing hard.
Melvyn feels giddy with the nearness of his prize.
Melvyn: That's right, Bili. Very good.
Bili runs his fingers up the renSime's arms, building intil.
Bili: Am I doing it right?
Melvyn is nearly out of his mind.
Bili: Are you sure this is right?
Melvyn: Shedoni, you didn't tell me Tarsh had worked with you!
Bili continues his caressing.
Melvyn struggles, then gives up trying to stay duo.
Bili must be a natural. ;-)
Melvyn seizes Bili's arms, trying to be gentle but it is.
Difficult under the circumstances.
Bili sees the signs of hypoconsiousness, lets his arms out.
Bili holds his tentacles, but projects strong Gn field at his.
Hands and wrist.
Melvyn zlins an incredible Gen.
Melvyn can't believe his amazingly good fortune.
Bili projects rising selyn levels.
Melvyn shudders and presses his mouth against Bili's.
Bili isn't choice, he's Prime.
Bili pulls back, just enough to require a little effort to make.
Fifth.
Melvyn pulls Bili within reach to accomplish the contact.
Melvyn: ~~ mine all mine ~~
Bili allows contact.
Bili lets selyn flow and then slow hesitantly.
Melvyn draws selyn.
Melvyn feels the flow slow.
Melvyn: ~~desperation~~
Melvyn loses what little self control he is capable of.
Bili apperars to struggle.
Melvyn attacks Bili in killmode.
Bili yells out "No!" for effect.
Bili grabs on tight, lets his tentacles shoot out and take control.
Bili now zlinns as Sime.
Sorat slows the flow again.
Sorat brings the selyn flow down to a trickle, a standstill.
Melvyn: ~~~ utter confusion ~~~
Sorat is renSime, then Channel.
Sorat makes it zlin as if the flow is actually reversing.
Sorat stops flow.
Melvyn panics.
Sorat is renSime again.
Melvyn jerks violently away from Sorat.
Sorat lets go.
Sorat stands up threateningly.
Melvyn: ~~~ blind terror ~~~
Piotr Rava heard the scream of "No!" in the room. He is.
Wondering why this renSime seems so amused.
Melvyn lets out an anguished cry and flies to the door,
Grabbing frantically for the lock.
Tarsh chortles. [ whispers ] "Don't you like, being on the.
Other side, Tuib Garbage?"
Sorat steps forward...
Melvyn wrenches the door open and bolts out.
Piotr Rava is about to slam the renSime and burst in, but sees.
The door burst open.
Piotr Rava backs up, letting the renSime pass him.
Tarsh darts at Melvyn. "Back you go, the Were-Gen paid b=me.
For a Prime Kill!"
Melvyn flies out the door under augmentation, blundering into Tarsh.
Piotr Rava gets a shudder from the renSime's killmode field.
Melvyn recoils from Tarsh.
Melvyn shoves Tarsh violently aside, unable to recognize his.
Friend in his current state of mind, and runs down the stairs.
Sorat moves closer while Melvyn is distracted by Tarsh.
Piotr Rava gets a good reading from therenSime's field as he.
Passes. He can tell that sharp killmode edge.
Piotr Rava rushes to follow.
Tarsh falls down on the stairs, laughing.
Sorat begins laughing.
Sorat sits back down on the lounge.
Melvyn: ~~~ terror/need/desperation ~~~
Piotr Rava sees the renSime, running blindly, weaving in no.
Clear direction once on the street.
Tarsh clutches at his side, whooping.
Melvyn stumbles and falls several times but gets up and keeps.
Running.
Sorat: I have to admit, that was RICH!
Piotr Rava makes the best time he can. He realizes that that.
Ren Sime is dangerous.
Tarsh half walks, Half crawls up to the room where Sorat is.
Piotr Rava is able to get closer, begins projecting his strong field.
Tarsh: [ laughing ] That was GREAT! Didja see him run?
Melvyn changes directions each time he zlins someone coming, be.
They renSime, Gen, or channel.... resulting in a crazy path.
Sorat: Heh! He almost knocked you over the railing, he was so scared!
Piotr Rava heads straight toward the crazed junct renSime.
Tarsh: Yeah! he was running like a ... like a .... I don't know what!
Melvyn flees the Gen field advancing toward him.
Sorat: Tarsh! I'm sorry I every doubted you! That was the most fun.
I've had in a long time.
Piotr Rava slows projects promise.
Piotr Rava wonders how much selyn he took from that Gen he.
Appears to have burned an probably killed. He still seems in need.
Melvyn staggers to a halt and turns to face Piotr, panting and.
Weaving, zlinning the promise in the Gen's field.
Melvyn: ~~ still scared but unable to defend against the enticement ~~
Piotr Rava sees the renSime pause, slows.
Melvyn: ~~torment~~
Melvyn advances on Piotr slowly, trembling, but gaining speed.
And grace as instinct tries to take over.
Piotr Rava holds steady.
Piotr Rava: ~~~promise~~~
Melvyn runs toward the enticing Gen field and seizes it with desperation.
Piotr Rava takes hold.
Melvyn makes a fifth contact and draws voraciously.
Piotr Rava verifies the killmode.
Piotr Rava lets his selyn flow for a time.
Melvyn: ~~relief~~
Piotr Rava's selyn is strong and flows clear.
Piotr Rava suddenly wrenches control.
Melvyn: ~~ confusion ~~
Melvyn: ~~fear~~
Piotr Rava pulls the renSime duo for a moment so he can look him.
In the eyes.
Melvyn: ~~terror~~
Piotr Rava's eyes show haunted pain and hate.
Piotr Rava projects red hot hate.
Melvyn tries to pull away from Piotr.
Piotr Rava's strong fingers are on the tentacle sheaths,
Allowing no movement.
Melvyn whimpers in terror.
Melvyn: What - what - wh..
Piotr Rava puts just enough pressure to encourage him to stop.
Melvyn: [whimper]
Piotr Rava: You have hurt your last gen, Sime.
Piotr Rava pulls Melvyn closer, reestablishes fifth contact.
Piotr Rava begins pulling selyn away from this worthless renSime.
Melvyn: ~~agony~~
Melvyn struggles.
Piotr Rava pulls slowly, to let this rensime know what it feels like.
Piotr Rava thinks of his brother, burned over and over again.
Until he could give no more.
Piotr Rava remembers him being stripped by a score of renSimes.
Melvyn: ~~~ blind agony ~~~
Piotr Rava lets his pain, his grief, his hate flow.
Piotr Rava pulls this renSime into the dark hole of attrition,
Even accomplishing some significant nerve burn.
Sorat finally regains control of his laughter.
Sorat: Uh Tarsh.
Sorat: You think we should check up on him?
Piotr Rava's tears of grief flow...
Piotr Rava feels the tentacles go slack.
Piotr Rava finally gives up fifth, crying out in his torment.
Melvyn falls.
Piotr Rava screams and lets the dying renSime drop to the ground.
Tarsh: Yeah. I suppose we should.
Piotr Rava walks off, sobbing.
Melvyn curls up in the snow.
Piotr Rava loses himself in the dark.
Sorat gets up.
Sorat: First thing is to get rid of this shenned JACKET!
Tarsh pulls himslef to his feet.
Sorat doffs the jacket like it was infested.
Tarsh: I'll take it. Only fair.
Sorat: You know, I'd just LOVE to hear the stories he's going to be.
Telling tomorrow!
Tarsh: This'ul beat otu all those two headed Sme stories...
Sorat: Heh! You betcha!
Tarsh makes his way down the stairs chuckling.
Piotr Rava tiredly lets himself into the flophouse room he's.
Sharing with Jules.
Piotr Rava realizes with tonight's events just how much he has.
Enjoyed the distraction of caring for Jules.
Piotr Rava enjoyed doing something positive for a change.
Piotr Rava knows that Jules will soon be healthy enough to go on.
Her way again.
Melvyn lies motionless under the falling snow.
Piotr Rava goes to sleep, dreaming troubled nightmares.
Tarsh stumps on through the snow, giggling.
Sorat can't avoid laughing in memory himself.
Tarsh trips over somthing and falls headlong.
Tarsh: OOFFF! SHENSHID!
Melvyn has no field at all.
Sorat: Hey! I thought I was the one playing the Gen!
Tarsh: What the Bloodyshuven ...
Sorat stops, bends down.
Sorat: Shen!
Tarsh brushes snow off the mound that tripped him deliberately.
Melvyn: ~~advanced attrition~~
Tarsh uncovers Melvyn's face in a ghastly rictus.
Sorat sees what is under the snow.
Melvyn dies.
Tarsh: ~~ SHOCK! ~~
Sorat pushes Tarsh out of the way and tries to take him in transfer.
Tarsh sprawls back in shock.
Sorat finds lifeless arms.
Sorat stands up.
Sorat looks to Tarsh.
Sorat: Tarsh..
Sorat: That's...
Tarsh: Melvyn.... is he ...
Sorat: But I didn't...
Sorat: I woudn't...
Sorat: He wasn't...
Tarsh: He wasn't that far into need...
Tarsh: What happened?
Sorat: Shen if I know.
Sorat: He couldn't have reached attrition, even panicked as he was. I.
Actually gave him some.
Sorat bends down again, zlinning the laterals and forearms.
Tarsh's face firms up. "No more than he deserved."
Sorat: Tarsh. Zlin here.
Tarsh zlins...
Sorat: Nerver burn.
Sorat: Nerve burn.
Tarsh: A In a sime?
Sorat: It can't be, but it is.
Sorat: Tarsh, I swear, I didn't...
Tarsh: What is going on here? What have gotten into?
Tarsh: Of course not.
Sorat: What do we do, Tarsh?
Sorat is scared.
Tarsh thinks.
Tarsh: "You go back to the center. You know nothing about this. You.
Went home from Fast Eddie's without me without incident.
Tarsh: I'll take care of ... this.
Sorat nods numbly.
Tarsh zlins around.
Tarsh: Remember, we didn't do anything wrong.
Tarsh: Whatever it is is my fault, not yours.
Sorat: Yes, tarsh. of course not.
Sorat doesn't want to be sentanced to die of attrition.
Sorat is sweating despite the snow.
Tarsh picks up deadboday and slings it over his shoulders.
Tarsh: Get going.
Sorat nods.
Tarsh carries deadbody over to an alley and looks for a place.
Yo hide it temporarily.
Sorat backs away, staring at Tarsh and deadbody.
Tarsh stuffs deadbody behind some trash bins and tosses snow on it.
Sorat eventually loses site of Tarsh and snaps out of his stupor.
Sorat heads back to the Center.
Tarsh goes off to find a livery stable to rent a wagon and team.