Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #91: (12/4/97)
Alea sits up in the infirmary bed, holding her head.
Alea: Shen....
Alea blinks and looks around, wondering how she ended up here.
Linn puts on her coat and heads for the Sime Center.
Alea swings her legs around and dangles them off the edge of the bed, before grabbing the bed and hanging on for dear life, until the world comes back into focus.
Linn climbs carefully up the icy stairs, shivering.
Alea eases off the bed and over to the closet, looking for clothes.
Alea: Okay...where are they?
Alea searches through the closet..finding nothing.
Linn opens the door and slips into the lobby, glad for the warmth.
Alea absently rubs her arms against the chill caused by standing on the bare floor.
Alea something stirs in her memory and she pauses, trying to pull the fleeting image into focus.
Linn looks around, discovering that the lobby is deserted as usual.
Tarsh is now known as Lanyi.
Lanyi jogs in the door in a sweatsuit..
Lanyi is breathing hard.
Lanyi: [ sweatsuit is short-sleeved ]
Linn turns as the gust of freezing air catches her attention.
Alea rubs her arms again, then stretches them out in front of her, stretching....
Alea eyes widen and she looks at her arms.
Alea: Shenoni...
Linn: Don't you know it's winter out there?
Alea touches her smooth arms as bits and pieces of...something..come back. She staggers over to a chair and sits down.
Alea: No...no..it was just a dream....had to be just a dream.
Alea thinks that is the most vivid dream of changeover she has ever had. Alea remembers the gut clenching need and shivers.
Lanyi: Yup. Means I can exercise without sweating so much.
Lanyi: No worry of Heat exhaustion.
Lanyi keeps jogging in place.
Linn: You're tracking salty snow all over the carpet.
Lanyi looks down. "So I am."
Lanyi stops and looks around for a broom.
Lanyi is a tall Sime with dark hair and eyes, about 21.
Alea wonders if she could sneak out and get to her room without anyone seeing her so she could find some clothes and go visit Snake.
Alea slips from the chair and goes to the door.
Alea wraps the gown securely about her and pulls the door open and peeks out.
Lanyi notices that clerk isn't here.
Lanyi: [ to Linn ] "I'm sorry, Have you been helped?"
Linn: I'm here on an errand for Snake. She wants to know how Alea is doing, after yesterday's mishap.
Lanyi: Mishap?
Alea slips out the door and starts for the stairs...still feeling a little woozy.
Linn: As near as we can figure, she got lost downtown and accepted a questionable drink from an unknown individual.
Linn: She was sick, hallucinating...Snake was a nervous wreck.
Lanyi: Hmmm.... Which channel handled her case?
Alea starts down the hall bare footed, legged, moving as quickly as possible.
Linn: Snake, of course, until I was able to fetch Briel to get Alea back here.
Lanyi goes over to the desk and leafs through a clipboard...
Lanyi: Ah. Hajene Briel. Still have to meet her.
Lanyi: It's says room 8 in the back. Come one.
Lanyi: == one -> on.
Linn follows Lanyi down the back hall to the infirmary.
Alea hears someone coming and stops.
Tarsh opens the door and steps out in front of Lanyi.
Lanyi pulls up short. "Oh!"
Tarsh looks up from his clipboard. "Excuse me."
Linn recognizes Tarsh and starts to back away.
Tarsh zlins Linn and stiffens.
Briel is now known as Kati.
Kati coming down the hall jumps and hisses when Linn steps on her.
Lanyi turns to Linn and looks curiously.
Kati: Meeeeooooowww!!!
Linn yelps at the noise, and looks down at the outraged feline.
Linn: Oh, you poor thing.
Kati takes off.
Kati is now known as Briel.
Tarsh jerks and then carefully moves back into the room he left.
Lanyi doesn't react to the yelp and its nageric overtone.
Alea hears the noise, sees her kitten coming her way and bends down to scoop it up.
Nick is now known as Kati.
Kati hisses loudly at this further show of disrespect.
Tarsh: [ door closes and lock clicks ]
Alea: You poor baby. What happened.
Alea scrambles to hold the kitten and hold onto the back of her gown.
Kati yowls indignantly, and tries to jump down.
Lanyi looks concerned. Are you all right Miz Haskins?
Alea allows the kitten to jump down.
Tarsh is now known as hiding.
Alea hears the new channel and turns back toward her room to hide.
Linn relaxes a bit, with both Tarsh and the kitten gone.
Linn: Yes. Where is Alea?
Alea slips into the room and shuts the door.
Alea: Shen.
Alea: I have to talk to Snake.
Alea stands by the door, leaning close, waiting for the voices she heard to pass.
Lanyi: Please Walk this way...
Lanyi continues to Alea's room.
Linn follows Lanyi.
Lanyi signals at Alea's door.
Lanyi sets mode: +o JonDrake
Alea jumps back, surprised.
Alea reaches for the door and opens it.
Alea: Yes?
Alea sees Linn by the channel.
Alea: Linn!
Alea moves back to allow them to enter.
Lanyi comes in and steps to one side.
Lanyi: How are you feeling Sosu Farris?
Alea: Oh fine...just, uh..fine.
Alea ~~little woozy/ confused~~
Lanyi extends her laterals to zlin Alea, but doesn't touch her.
Alea stands still allowing it.
Lanyi: Your liver and kidneys are clearing that stuff out I think. Be sure to drink lots of liquid today.
Alea: Of course, Hajene.
Lanyi: == liquid -> liquid ==
Alea: Thank you.
Linn: Hello, Alea. Snake asked me to see how you were doing. You had her very worried yesterday.
Alea nods to Lanyi and then reaches for a sheet to wrap around her and the gown.
Alea looks at Linn.
Alea: Yesterday?
Alea's feeling of dread intensifies as bits and pieces of the dream resurface.
Linn: You were acting crazy, hallucinating. You were trying to kiss Nick and Snake both, and running around waving your arms in between.
Alea's color fades.
Alea: I um....
Alea: Must have been a little under the weather.
Linn: You said you drank something that some old woman had given you.
Alea: Old woman....
Alea eyes widen.
Alea: That's right...when I left Snake's and that white wolf was chasing me....yes, I stumbled into someone's house.
Alea: Did snake happen to mention anything else....
Linn revises her opinion of what happened; from the description, Alea was hallucinating long before she drank the potion.
Linn: She was too upset to give me any more details than that.
Alea nods, frowning.
Alea: I'm fine, really.
Linn: She just told Nick to tell me to get to the Sime Center and bring help quickly.
Alea: I'm not exactly sure what happened.
Alea: Oh dear.
Alea clasps her hands.
Linn: I've seldom seen her so upset.
Alea ~~guilt~~
Alea: How is she now?
Linn: Well, Nick spent a few hours working on her, and she was much better after that. She was able to work this morning.
Alea: Good..good.
Lanyi looks oddly at Linn.
Linn is now known as Kati.
Alea sees Lanyi's odd look.
Lanyi: [ thinks: She can't be _living_ there. A Borderline simephobe around a hypersensitive Farris? ]
Alea: I don't know if you've met Snake yet, Lanyi...but she is a Farris channel. Nick is her..um...Donor. And Linn well...lives with them.
Lanyi: ~~ ! ~~
Lanyi: Actually, I have met all three of them my first day here.
Linn wonders why Lanyi is so obviously floored by this information, since Briel and Veraik seemed to take it in stride.
Alea reaches out with her field to reassure Lanyi.
Alea: I didn't realize that.
Lanyi doesn't notice Alea's Farris delicate nageric touch.
Lanyi: [ thinks: If she lives there, why have *me* take her donation? ]
Alea moves closer, taking Lanyi's elbow.
Lanyi notices Alea and accepts her field.
Alea frowns at Lanyi, wondering how she could so easily ignore her field if she is a first.
Linn has been wondering the same as Lanyi for two days now.
Lanyi: Have you been having any more psychological effects this morning Alea?
Alea releases Lanyi's elbow.
Alea: Psychological effects?
Alea thinks she thought it was all a dream until Linn corrected that assumption.
Lanyi: Hallucinations, inappropriate emotions, that sort of thing.
Alea: Inappropriate emotions...?
Alea takes a step away from Lanyi her field going flat.
Alea: No, Hajene, I wouldn't say I've had any inappropriate emotions considering what I've gone through.
Alea looks down at her arms just to make sure it was all a dream...hallucination.
Lanyi: Good. The drugs must have been reduced to subpsychoactive levels then.
Alea looks back up at Lanyi.
Alea: Can you or Linn tell me just how I ended up here last night?
Alea thinks she wants to talk to whoever brought her home.
Alea absently rubs her wrists.
Linn: Briel brought you home.
Alea: Oh, okay. Good.
Linn: She wasn't very happy about being dragged out into the storm to fetch you.
Alea: Well then...why don't you tell Snake I'm fine and I'll be by to visit her later...
Alea: No, I imagine she wasn't.
Alea thinks it's because Briel just doesn't like Farrises most likely.
Linn looks to Lanyi for confirmation of this self-proclaimed recovery.
Lanyi: May I do a lateral contact just to be sure?
Alea: Of course, Hajene.
Alea turns toward Lanyi.
Linn is glad that for once, she is not the victim of such an offer.
Lanyi moves up to Alea and grasps her arms, extending her laterals into contact.
Alea has a weird feeling that she has done this but forces the thought away.
Linn firmly turns her eyes down the hall, and a movement catches her eye.
Kati is waddling down the hall in search of Alea.
Lanyi zlins Alea deeply.
Linn wanders closer, then sits down to groom, showing a proper disinterest in the doings of mere humans.
Linn: ==that was Kati==
Alea thinks wistfully of how wonderful it had been to zlin...and envies Lanyi just a bit.
Kati glances up at Linn out of the corner of her big green eye.
Lanyi dismantles the contact.
Alea steps back.
Lanyi: Yes, you have recovered. take it easy today, though.
Kati pounces on Linn's bootlace.
Lanyi notices something and turns to zlin Linn.
Linn bends down to untangle the kitten, deftly avoiding the sharp claws.
Kati mrowls with frustration at being separated from her prey.
Alea knowing Linn's aversion to Simes, automatically moves to support Lanyi.
Lanyi extends laterals to zlin more closely.
Linn sees the exposed laterals, pointing unexpectedly in her direction, and backs away, trying to contain her alarm at this strange behavior.
Lanyi retracts laterals.
Lanyi: I'm sorry, Miz Haskins, but something is wrong with your nager.
Linn: Wrong?
Lanyi: Your field is much too lower than the level I reduced it to the other night. That is very abnormal.
Alea wonders what in the shenned Lanyi means by "wrong"...other than simephobe probably shrieking when she extended her laterals toward Linn.
Linn wonders if Snake missed something.
Linn is confused by Lanyi's mangled English.
Linn: I beg your pardon, I didn't understand that.
Lanyi: A falling Gen field usually means either pregnancy or illness...
Alea: You reduced her field? Why in the world would you do that when Snake normally does it.
Linn: Pregnancy?
Alea feels a slight pang at the mention of the word pregnancy..
Alea turns to study Linn.
Lanyi: [ to Alea ] Snake asked me to take her donation. I drained the GN-3 level, but now her.
Lanyi: GN-2 is down also.
Alea: Of course, Hajene.
Lanyi: Yes, fetuses consume a lot of selyn and not all Gen women can keep up.
Linn remembers a particularly interesting afternoon with the Verile Seaman, and hopes she won't be left with a more enduring memento.
Alea seems to remember something about Snake's negation of her and Nick and wonders if Linn and Nick might be....hmmmm.....
Lanyi: If you'll let me do a lateral contact I could tell you for sure.
Alea: Er...if you'll excuse me please?
Alea motions to the door.
Alea: I should go get dressed.
Lanyi flicks tentacles in an 'OK' gesture.
Alea goes out the door.
Linn jumps at the flicking tentacle.
Lanyi still does seem to respond to Linn's emotion spikes like most channels do.
Alea goes down the hall, ignoring the looks and quips and heads toward the stairs--again---feeling guilty for leaving Lanyi with a Simephobe.
Lanyi: == does -> doesn't ==
Linn decides after a moment that Lanyi isn't going to go nuts and start stalking her like Briel did.
Alea sighs with great relief when she reaches the stairs.
Lanyi: Perhaps you would prefer to have snake do it. But *do* ask her to check it. Selyn wasting syndrome is rare but serious.
Linn: What is selyn wasting syndrome?
Alea hurries up the stairs and to her room.
Alea closes the door and leans against it, relieved.
Lanyi: A Gen's field decreases over time instead or rising or remaining level.
Alea quickly divests herself of the infirmary garment, then slips some warm leggings and tee shirt on.
Lanyi: Selyn is not replaced.
Alea grabs some socks and works two pair over her sore toe, then grabs a thicker outer shirt and slips the huge garment on, noting how it hangs rather long.
Alea: Oh well...
Linn: What causes it?
Lanyi: When selyn levels get too low there is a risk of metabolic failure leading to organ shutdowns and complications.
Linn: It sounds dreadful.
Linn reaches down and picks up the kitten for comfort.
Alea thinks she did pretty good since she normally doesn't wear pants. She buttons the shirt up, brushes and puts her hair up in a knot on her head, then grabs some gloves and finally heads back out of her room.
Lanyi: It is, from the literature. I've never seen a case, though.
Alea jogs back down the stairs, intending to 'borrow' Tarsh's cloak again.
Kati yowls, then with feline Quihoteness.
Kati: Settles down to purr.
Lanyi: In absence of pregnancy, a severe infection or other illness may reduce selyn levels, but that is not a cause for concerns beyond those inherent to the primary condition.
Alea goes over to the cloak stand...and finds Tarsh's cloak gone, decides to borrow Veraik's instead.
Linn cuddles the purring kitten, her worry about the horrible possibilities described by Lanyi overcoming her Simephobic reaction to the channel.
Alea lifts the large cloak from the cloak stand, thinking it's not quite as large as Veraik's, and glad for it..she is beginning to think the cloak yesterday is probably what brought her some of the problems...and slips it over her shoulders.
Linn: I haven't been ill lately, unless you count two months ago when the Anti-Tectonists left me for dead in that ally.
Alea looks at the medium dark gray and decides that is why she took Tarsh's. It's much prettier.
Lanyi: Left you for dead? You were attacked? Physically or nagerically?
Alea: ==large as veraiks--large as Tarsh's==
Linn: A group of hoodlums from Eastcove tried to murder me because they disapproved of the Sime Center unit I was designing for my class.
Alea pulls open the door and heads out into the bitter cold.
Lanyi looks angry.
Linn finds the subject of the Anti-Tectonists depressing, as she has made so little progress in reforming Bitsy and the two men.
Libby Whore walks along near the Center and sees that wonderful Gen leave and gets an idea.
Lanyi: I see. Are there any lingering conditions?
Libby Whore augments to the Gen.
Libby Whore: Hello [bats eyes]
Alea is going out the gate and pulls up at the Sime in augmentation...her arms going out.
Alea: Oh.
Alea drops her arms.
Alea: Time for your donation again already?
Lanyi is tempted to start talking about cops and self-defense but restrains herself. She is a channel, not a cop or vigilante.
Linn: Snake found me in the ally. That's how I ended up living with her--I can't go back until the situation in Eastcove is more stable.
Libby Whore: I just had it and wondered if you wanted to play?
Lanyi: Oh.
Libby Whore trails a tentacle down a hand.
Alea looks back at the Center longingly.
Alea: Actually, I have some work I was suppose to be doing.
Libby Whore grabs the hand. "Come with me."
Lanyi: [ thinks: That explains it. Snake wants to keep a lateral on her condition.
Alea: I don't think that's such a good idea, Libby.
Alea: I really should get back to work.
Linn: I healed pretty well, considering. I'm feeling the cold more than usual, but that could be just that I'm out in it more.
Libby Whore: Well my lovely, I do. {wraps tentacles around arm.
Alea ==re: Libby's donation..should be transfer==
Libby Whore augments to pick Alea up then runs with her.
Alea: Wait a minute!
Alea outraged.
Lanyi: Well, I assume Hajene Snake knows your case better than I do. Farrises are always very well trained, so she'll know if something is wrong.
Lanyi: But I am puzzled myself.
Linn sincerely hopes that she's feeling the cold more for that reason.
Libby Whore secures the wiggling Gens and continues until she has reached her house.
Libby Whore: ===Gens - Gen.
Alea: Look, Libby...I don't have time for this. Your boss wont' like you kidnapping Gens off the street.
Libby Whore opens the door, enters then locks the door behind her.
Libby Whore puts her down.
Alea steps away, gathering the Liorie cloak up so she doesn't trip over it.
Libby Whore: But my lovely, you aren't just any Gen....you are so very wonderfully sexy. Come to my bed,
Alea: I don't think so Libby.
Alea moves to the door to unlock it.
Alea: I won't mention this at the Center this time...but if you do this again, I'll be sure to make it understood you are to be refused transfer.
Libby Whore pales.
Alea thinks she should have stayed and helped Lanyi.
Libby Whor: But my dear. Won't you at least give me the chance.
Alea: No. I'm sorry, but, no.
Linna is getting more and more worried that Snake might have overlooked something. Or perhaps "overzlinned" would be a better word.
Alea unlocks the door and slips out.
Libby Whor trails a tentacle along the line of her face and leans in for a kiss.
Libby Whor: Just once.
Libby Whor augments to stop her.
Libby Whor: [pitiful look] Just once.
Alea simply stares at Libby.
Libby Whor: You have such a light to you.
Lanyi: Is there anything else I can help you with, Miz Haskins?
Alea's field goes absolutely flat.
Libby Whor kisses her cheek.
Alea steps back.
Alea: Goodbye, Libby.
Libby Whor is breathing heavily.
Alea hurries out the door and onto the street.
Libby Whor lets her go.
Libby Whor locks the door behind the wonderful and lovely Gen then cries.
Linna looks nervously at Lanyi.
Alea shudders in relief, wondering how she attracts all the weirdo's.
Libby Whor is now known as VLurk.
Linna: How fast does Selyn Wasting Syndrome progress, anyway?
Alea hurries back to the Center, up the steps and into the safety of the Sime Center.
Alea gets a nice safe renSime to escort her to Sanke's.
Linna sets mode: +o wisesnake
Alea nods to the renSime, thanking her and then goes up to Snake's door to signal.
Wise Snake zlins who is at the door and crouches down over her desk.
Alea rather desperate not to be seen, tries the door and finds it unlocked.
Wise Snake wonders if she can maybe hide until Alea goes away.
Alea pushes it opoen.
Alea: Snake?
Wise Snake jumps out of her skin.
Kati is now known as NickR.
Nick puts down his book, concerned.
Wise Snake: Alea? [weakly] Oh, how nice to see you.
Alea hears a noise and looks toward the desk.
Nick: What is it, Snake?
Alea: Oh, hello Nick.
Alea slips into the house and closes the door.
Nick immediately gets up and places himself between Snake and their uninvited guest.
Wise Snake zlins Alea cautiously.
Alea looks warily at Nick's actions.
Wise Snake: Uh... Alea.. shouldn't you be in bed?
Alea: Lanyi said I was well enough to get up, if I took it easy.
Nick stares back at Alea, making it clear that Snake belongs to him, and that she should stay her distance.
Alea: Linn told me you were worried and sent her over to check...so I thought I'd stop by just to...talk.
Wise Snake: Oh... [nervously]
Alea carefully advances into the room, taking off the cloak and hanging it up in the cloak closet.
Wise Snake: Well... you can, uh, have a seat if you'd like.
Alea: Why, thank you, Snake.
Alea goes over and sits down near where Snake and Nick are standing.
Alea: So, how's it been going lately?
Wise Snake checks and makes sure the grille is firmly in place and the blaze is not too high.
Wise Snake: [in the fireplace]
Wise Snake sits down in the desk's chair, facing Alea.
Wise Snake: Ah.. well.. to tell you the truth things have been a bit stressful lately.
Nick perches on a corner of the desk, keeping his attention strictly on Snake.
Alea crosses her legs and cups her hands on her knee.
Alea: Really?
Alea cuts her eyes to Nick, trying to study him without him knowing it.
Wise Snake: [counts to 18.. twice]
Wise Snake: Yes.
Alea: I see.
Alea returns her attention to Snake.
Alea: You know, it's not good for Farrises to be so stressed out all the time.
Alea studies Snake closely, noting her appearance in minute detail.
Wise Snake appears tired and stressed out, but mysteriously neat and clean.
Alea: So, Snake...about yesterday....
Wise Snake flinches.
Wise Snake: What about it?
Alea: Heard from Tormer, lately?
Alea releases her knees and sits back, clasping her hands carefully in her lap.
Wise Snake's eyes dart about.
Wise Snake: I... hear from Tormer fairly regularly, yes.
Alea: I mean..well...you know, I left here and just wondered if maybe he stopped by afterward....or...anything ...well...
Alea finally sighs.
Wise Snake narrows her eyes.
Alea: Can I ask you a personal question Snake?
Wise Snake: I.... maybe.
Wise Snake: What?
Alea: Did I...um....you and Nick.
Alea waves an arm to include Nick.
Alea: Did I get armourous with you yesterday?
Alea: Linn said...
Alea blushes.
Wise Snake: Uh.
Alea: I mean, I wasn't really here, though she says I was...
Alea: I had this dream...
Wise Snake: Linn may have, er, misunderstood what she witnessed.
Alea sighs, greatly relieved.
Wise Snake: She does tend to think in Out-Territory terms.
Alea: I didn't remember that.
Wise Snake: What you were actually doing was attacking us for selyn in the mistaken belief you were a Sime in First Need.
Alea lifts her eyes to meet Snakes.
Alea: I was in First Need, Snake.
Wise Snake: ~~ shock ~~
Alea: I don't remember much about yesterday...but I can tell you I have never felt gut wrenching need like I did when I attacked Nick.
Alea: I don't understand it...
Alea: But it was real to me...as real as when I serve a channel in transfer and experience that need to give.
Wise Snake: We have to get you back to the Sime Center, Alea. [squeaky whisper]
Alea: No, Snake. I'm fine. really.
Alea: And if you mention what I've said, I'll just deny it.
Alea: After all, I'm a Farris. There are few channels who are going to be able to zlin that I am lying.
Wise Snake: You mean, aside from Tramila and myself?
Alea: Exactly.
Alea sets mode: +o Tarsh
Wise Snake: You had better keep quiet about this... incident... around Tramila, if you know what's good for you.
Alea: You don't have to worry.
Alea: The only reason I came to you was because...I think you might understand ...
Wise Snake starts breathing hard at the words "you don't have to worry"
Wise Snake: Understand?
Alea decides she and Snake must have been through something in their past lives for them to be connected again like this....
Alea: Yes. No one else evidently witnessed what happened here. I can't remember it all..just feelings and flashes...things like that.
Alea: I knew you would understand what I was talking about...or at least know that I'm not crazy when I say I had to have transfer...was desperate for it.
Alea shrugs.
Wise Snake: You were desperate, that much is true.
Alea smiles, relieved.
Alea: I'm glad to hear that.
Alea: I had thought it all a dream...
Wise Snake: I assume it was hallucinogens... who gave you the drug?
Tarsh is now known as Lanyi.
Lanyi: Months to years, usually.
Lanyi: Paradoxically, it is easier to detect in non-donors, except that non-donors rarely go to channels, of course.
Linn: And it's rare?
Alea: Some old woman.
Lanyi: Yes, very rare.
Alea: Yes, it was hallucinogens..or something...
Wise Snake: Who? Did you know this woman?
Alea: But it was real..
Alea: Well, no...
Alea frowns.
Wise Snake finds it difficult to believe that even Alea would take drugs from a stranger.
Wise Snake: [incredulous]
Wise Snake: Oh.
Alea: I stumbled into her house when this white wolf was chasing me.
Wise Snake: A wolf??
Alea: The woman..yes, a Wolf..down in the bad part of town. I took a wrong turn.
Alea: It was white..with ice blue eyes.
Nick is starting to think that Alea makes Snake look sane in comparison.
Alea: Beautiful actually...though a bit scary.
Alea: Because of it's size.
Wise Snake thinks Alea hallucinated the wolf too, and maybe the old woman as well.
Alea focuses back on Snake.
Wise Snake: Well, if there is such an animal, it shouldn't be too difficult to find.
Alea: The woman knew you. Said I was playing it dangerous to be around you.
Alea: She was rather mesmerizing...offered me a drink saying it would fulfill my deepest dreams.
Alea shrugs.
Alea: I didn't think it would hurt anything. I thought it'd be better than eating the stew she was preparing.
Wise Snake: Could you find her house again?
Alea: Well...you know...I just might be able to.
Nick doubts that, coming from a woman who regularly manages to get lost trying to find her own home.
Lanyi: Its probably some aftereffect of your injuries.
Alea: It was down the street to the left...then to the right...and..well...several buildings down on the right I think.
Alea: Or mabye that was to the right....
Wise Snake: ~~pain~~ I'll look into it. Meanwhile, Alea, let's get you back to the Center. I'd be glad to escort you. Nick?
Alea: I appreciate that escort, Snake.
Nick stands and moves closer to Snake.
Alea: I was coming here earlier and well, this whore accosted me and dragged me off to her house.
Alea: I didn't want to hurt her. She is only a renSime after all...
Wise Snake shakes her head.
Linn does not find all these "probably" stuff very reassuring.
Wise Snake: You should stay in the Center where it's safe.
Alea: But I had a renSime escort me here...and dismissed her after I arrived.
Wise Snake actually means where ALEA is safe... the Center itself would not be safe at all of course.
Wise Snake: Ah... very wise of you. Here is your cloak...
Wise Snake dons her own.
Linn: Snake's very young, you know, and her training was interrupted when she left the Tecton.
Alea takes Veraik's cloak and slips into the voluminous folds.
Alea: I really should get my own cloak made. Someone is going to miss their own cloak soon.
Lanyi: She is? It was?
Linn: She might not be familiar with this selyn wasting syndrome.
Alea lifts the gray folds with the purple-ish piping and drapes the excess over her arm.
Nick participates in the general cloak-donning.
Wise Snake, who does not ordinarily notice clothes, is surprised to notice it is a Liorie cloak.
Lanyi looks concerned. "SWS isnt covered till later, because it is so rare."
Wise Snake: Are you back with Veraik again?
Alea 'e eyes widen in shock.
Alea: No.
Alea: Why in the world do you ask that?
Linn finds this even less reassuring.
Wise Snake: You seem to be wearing his clothes.
Wise Snake holds the door for Alea.
Alea flushes.
Alea: I had on Tarsh's cloak yesterday...but it was missing so I grabbed Veraik's today.
Alea goes out the door, shrugging.
Alea: This one is smaller.
Wise Snake closes and locks the door behind the three of them.
Alea: Snake...I actually came to ask you if you could, well, fill me in on what happened when I came back yesterday.
Wise Snake: Ah...
Lanyi: I can zlin you for it, but I would have to do it several times over a couple of weeks to gauge the changes.
Alea: All I remember is tentacles breaking out and need.
Linn starts wringing her hands, desire to know conflicting with her Simephobia.
Wise Snake: Well... you arrived nauseated, delirious and running a fever. It was only a few minutes after you'd left.
Alea: Shenning, more need, satisfaction...and well...
Alea nods, listening.
Wise Snake: I let you in, and you started... um.. acting out the part of a changeover victim, broadcasting anguish and illness of various kinds.
Linn remembers how hand-wringing annoys Snake and makes herself stop.
Alea clasps her hands as they walk down the street.
Wise Snake: When I tried to help you, you grabbed me by the arms, and none too gently.
Alea stops.
Alea: I did?
Alea reaches gently for one of Snake's arms.
Wise Snake shies away from Alea.
Linn: If that's the only way to find out...
Wise Snake: I'll live.
Linn wishes Snake had the training to recognize this mystery disease.
Alea ~~sad~~ drops her hand.
Alea: I'm so sorry.
Alea: I would never ever hurt a channel Snake.
Linn: Is there a treatment for this disease??
Alea: I...I don't know what to say.
Alea ~~anguish~~
Alea: You managed to get away I take it.
Lanyi looks thoughtful.
Nick redoubles his Snake-support to block at least some of Alea's upset.
Wise Snake: Yes. Then, after a.. climactic series of screams and convulsions, apparently corresponding to the hallucination of break out, you proceeded to seize hold of Nick and try to pull selyn from him.
Alea glances over at Nick apologetically.
Wise Snake: Since you were not in a Gen-Gen transfer position, nothing happened of course.
Wise Snake: At which point you began to wander around the place "zlinning" all the interesting things. Briel came to pick you up.
Alea: I see.
Alea: And Nick is unharmed too?
Wise Snake: I would have helped take you back but I was busy being on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
Wise Snake glances at Nick.
Wise Snake: Physically.
Alea reaches out to touch Nick's arm.
Lanyi: Yes. paradoxically, by increased donations. Stripping of selyn levels and long term exposure to Sime need.
Alea: Please allow me to apologize.
Nick catches Alea's look and nods, confirming her guess that it wasn't just physical breakdown.
Lanyi: It is thought to use the natural mechanism that cause selyn production to rise in response to Sime need and transfer.
Wise Snake glances at Alea briefly.
Linn shudders at the prospect, but like most out-T Gens, she pretty much expects medical treatments to be unpleasant.
Wise Snake: You may want to be more careful around strangers in the future.
Alea releases Nick when he doesn't say anything and turns to go up the steps of the Center.
Alea: As you say, Snake.
Wise Snake: [to Nick] let's go in. I have to talk to Tarsh about something.
Wise Snake follows Alea up the steps.
Nick nods and follows Snake into the Sime Center.
Veraik decides to go for a walk so he goes to the cloak room to retrieve his Liorie cloak.
Alea goes in and slips the cloak off, replacing it on the stand.
Veraik: Alea?
Wise Snake looks around for someone responsible to hand Alea off to.
Alea: Hello Veraik.
Veraik: What are you doing with my cloak?
Alea flushes.
Alea: I was..um...out for a walk.
Lanyi: I must be honest and tell you that it is not always successful.
Alea: There you go.
Veraik: Snake?
Alea motions to it and heads off down the hall.
Veraik takes cloak. "Thank you." He puts it away deciding not to go out after all.
Alea pauses.
Wise Snake: Veraik.
Veraik: Veraik zlins Alea .
Alea: Yes, Hajene?
Linn closes her eyes and swallows hard.
Veraik: [Faces Snake] What's the matter with Alea?
Linn: I've got to know.
Wise Snake: You weren't told?
Veraik: Are you all right?
Alea: I'm fine.
Alea shakes her head at Snake.
Veraik: Told what? I was out of town until a few hours a go.
Wise Snake: She got hold of some hallucin..um uh, [seeing Alea's look] was very ill last night.
Veraik: [concerned] {zlins Alea]
Alea smiles brightly, guarding.
Wise Snake rubs her arms with a rueful grimace.
Veraik observes Snake. "Are you all right as well or is this act trying to cover something up?"
Wise Snake: I'm fine, I'm fine. [drops hands to sides]
Wise Snake: However you might want to make sure she stays in for at least a few days.
Alea turns again to make a escape but freezes at snake's words.
Alea turns back around.
Wise Snake avoids Alea's eyes.
Alea: Now just a minute...Lanyi dismissed me from the infirmary this morning.
Alea: I'm perfectly fine.
Nick moves closer to Snake, deliberately blurring Veraik's ability to clearly zlin either of them.
Veraik tries to zlin Snake as deep as he can but can not quite understand what that edge of underlying tension might be.
Wise Snake lifts her chin.
Wise Snake: Just a little friendly advice.
Alea: Friendly?
Veraik: Thank you Snake.
Alea laughs
Alea: Yeah...thanks...Snake.
Veraik: Let me check you, Alea. Just to be on the safe side.
Wise Snake shoots Alea a look, then lets her eyes slide away.
Alea: I've already been deeply zlinned by Lanyi..it's in my chart.
Lanyi: Maybe you should think about it for a few days. It won't make a difference.
Alea: I'll go get it.
Alea turns back to go to the treatment room.
Veraik: No. I'd prefer to make my some assessment.
Veraik follows Alea.
Alea sighs.
Linn imagines a few days of lying awake all night, wondering if she has only months to live.
Alea turns back around.
Alea: Fine...here...get it over with.
Linn: I think I'd rather not wait.
Veraik takes Alea into transfer position. [concerned]
Wise Snake squints at the schedule board, trying to determine where Tarsh is now.
Alea thinks they do more of this out here in the lobby than anywhere else.
Veraik: Making fifth contact, Veraik zlins Alea as deeply as possible.
Lanyi: Would you prefer some other channel? I don't know if any of the center's channels has experience with SWS, but I can ask.
Wise Snake gestures at Nick and they tiptoe out of the hot diagnostic scene and down the hallway toward Tarsh's office.
Tarsh: [ office: Monthly reports ]
Veraik finally breaks fifth contact but his tentacles are still in place.
Linn reflects that Lanyi is the only channel currently at the Sime Center whom Snake describes as competent.
Veraik sets mode: +o Tarsh
Jon Drake walks out of his office on the way to get a snack.
Wise Snake signals at Tarsh's door.
Tarsh: Come!
Alea: Well, Hajene?
Alea tilts her head curiously at Veraik.
Tarsh is bent over the reports spread out over his desk.
Wise Snake enters.
Alea: Did you zlin all you wanted?
Veraik gently removes his laterals then his tentacles.
Linn: Never mind. You were the one who noticed something was wrong.
Wise Snake closes the door carefully behind herself and Nick... after a thoughtful pause, locks it also.
Veraik: You should rest.
Tarsh looks up. "Hajene Snake. Hello."
Alea laughs
Linn: ==never mind=> that's all right.==
Alea: Yeah, right.
Wise Snake: Hello.
Wise Snake has a seat.
Veraik looks hurt.
Lanyi: Very well. If you will come over here?
Wise Snake zlins carefully for weapons or other dangerous items.
Lanyi goes over to the transfer couch.
Wise Snake smiles at Tarsh.
Alea sets mode: +o Tramila
Linn follows Lanyi, worry battling with phobia.
Alea: Look, Hajene..I just had a little...mishap. Honestly, I'm fine.
Tarsh has a small knife in his pocket. And a letter opener in the center drawer.
Alea: I'm sorry I worried you.
Alea: I'm sorry I worried Snake, and Nick and Briel.
Veraik nods.
Alea: I just want to get back to work.
Veraik: I'm sorry too.
Veraik backs away.
Wise Snake: So.... Tarsh.
Alea: For what? You have nothing to be sorry for. It's your right to zlin me as one of the Donors assigned here.
Lanyi sits down. I'll require a full five point contact to for my best zlinning. Just like for donation.
Tarsh: ~~ worry ~~
Tarsh: What is it Snake?
Veraik nods, glad that Alea can not zlin how desperate he is for a post partner.
Alea nods and turns back to the hall.
Wise Snake: I thought we had agreed that.. murder... is too dangerous a game to play.
Veraik goes to his office.
Veraik is now known as Rafael.
Tarsh: You're talking about Melvyn.
Linn nods and sits down, rolling up her sleeves.
Rafael goes to Tramila's office and signals.
Tramila opens the door.
Tramila: Rafael?
Tramila: What are you doing here?
Lanyi holds out her arms, tentacles in.
Alea goes back down to the infirmary room to get her chart.
Wise Snake: Yes. Melvyn.
Rafael: Snake was to be my transfer partner and I understand that Alea's was yours. Veraik asked if I can have transfer with you.
Tarsh: Sorat and I just scared the daylights out of him. He ran off.
Alea shoves open the door and barges in.
Tarsh: On our way home we found him dying of attrition.
Linn finishes with her sleeves and holds out her hands, trying to pretend that this is just another exercise session with Snake.
Wise Snake: You went too far.
Alea eyes widen in surprise.
Jon Drake is now known as Sorat.
Tarsh: I don't know who killed him, but it wasn't either of us.
Sorat is standing in his office, looking out at the bleak landscape through his window.
Lanyi reaches out and grasps Linn's arms and wraps her tentacles around them.
Wise Snake: Weren't you going to scare him during a transfer?
Alea: Excuse me, Linn, Lanyi.
Tramila's tentacles are tight up their sheathes. "I thought Veraik was getting another Donor for me of Tamlen's caliber. You are sure you are assigned to me?
Rafael hands her the card.
Linn is startled at the interruption.
Alea sees no Donor so she goes over to support Lanyi thinking Lanyi is crazy to do this without support.
Lanyi maintains her grip even though her laterals are still in.
Tramila: Even through her need, Tramila almost cries with relief.
Tarsh: Yes. Sorat said he actually gave him some.
Wise Snake suspicious.
Tarsh: He augmented out like the whole Gen Guard was after him.
Rafael enters, closes the door, then sets a transfer in progress signal so that the two of them would not be disturbed.
Wise Snake: And died in attrition?
Linn gasps at the tight grip, and then holds still, knowing that she can't pull free.
Tarsh: ~~ no attempt at concealment ~~
Tarsh: Yes. Don't asked me to explain it. He may have had transfer burns, but I'm not good enough to be sure.
Wise Snake incredulous.
Lanyi relaxes a bit. "Sorry."
Wise Snake: Was he still in need when you chased him away?
Tarsh: I think so.
Tramila can't believe that Veraik has actually gone out of his way to get her a Farris donor.
Linn nods, accepting the apology.
Lanyi extends her laterals.
Lanyi leans forward most of the way to Linn.
Tramila: Finally, she would be able to take transfer without worry. Easy for her to think but would her body let her relax to it.
Rafael: Tramila....lean on me.
Rafael: Trust me.
Linn hesitates, gathering her courage, then leans forward to allow the lip contact.
Wise Snake: He might have attacked someone in the street and somehow been shenned.
Alea smiles at Linn's actions, thinking of how far she has come.
Lanyi zlins her GN levels carefully.
Tramila gulps and goes hyper as she zlins the waiting, glowing, over-stuffed Farris nager.
Tarsh: That seems plausible.
Tramila: ~~~~ Tramila and Rafael have transfer~~~~
Sorat wonders how he could have agreed to such a foolhardy prank.
Lanyi zlins the TN levels.
Linn waits for Lanyi to finish and give her the verdict.
Sorat worries that he's now somehow junct.
Lanyi carefully observes Linn's basal production.
Nick can't muster much sorrow for the loss of Melvyn, although he doesn't approve of random murder.
Wise Snake frowns.
Lanyi shifts to a Gen field and observes Linn's production again.
Wise Snake: Did anybody see you with him before it happened?
Tarsh shrugs. "We met him in Fast Eddie's. I went off to let him put a move on Sorat."
Linn becomes increasingly nervous as the wait continues.
Tarsh: "Melvyn talking him into an upstairs room. I waited on the stairs."
Lanyi breaks lip contact.
Lanyi dismantles her grip and sits back.
Linn leans back against the couch, relieved.
Tarsh: Wait ... There was some Gen on the stairs too.
Alea keeps her nageric attention focused on Lanyi while smiling encouragingly at Linn.
Wise Snake: ~alarm~
Nick: Can you describe this Gen?
Tarsh sighs. "No. I was zlinning the room."
Tarsh: High field, though.
Wise Snake: More to the point, can he describe you?
Tarsh: For your garden variety Gen, that is.
Tarsh: I have no idea.
Wise Snake: The whole point of this little trick was to keep your name unconnected with murder.
Wise Snake: As it stands the potential remains for you to get into a good deal of trouble.
Lanyi: Well your production rate is certainly decent enough.
Rafael leaves the room. "I'm sorry Tramila. Truly I am. "I only had time for the transfer before I have to catch my train." [guilt]
Lanyi: No sign of pregnancy, so that is out.
Rafael leaves the Center.
Rafael is now known as Veraik.
Linn is relieved to hear that much.
Wise Snake's tentacles shift about.
Alea: I can't believe Snake didn't take your donation herself[to Linn]
Lanyi: And no lingering injuries that I can zlin.
Wise Snake: Well... I can assure you that I have no reason to let anybody know what I know about this situation, at this time.
Tarsh: ~~ worried ~~ "I know. But whoever killed him didn't cooperate."
Linn: Believe me, I had a bit of trouble with that, myself. After the way she's been complaining about not having enough work to keep from entran...
Tarsh: That's good to hear.
Tarsh: But how about the one who told you?
Wise Snake: That's just it. I wasn't told specifically. Rumor's out on the street Melvin died.
Lanyi: I confess I don't understand it myself. I didn't have any entran then.
Wise Snake: Rumor could have been started by anyone... someone who witnessed his shenning, or someone who saw his body, or someone who he missed an appointment with. Or the Gen on the stairs.
Tarsh: ShenShid.
Tarsh: Do the rumors say how?
Linn: What about this Selyn Wasting Syndrome?
Wise Snake: They say he was killed by a wer-Gen.
Lanyi: I'm more confused than ever. Not with that kind of production.
Tarsh: Maybe he was...
Linn: Wonderful. A Mystery Syndrome.
Lanyi: Does your energy level vary during the day? Without reasonable cause?
Lanyi: Or nothing.
Linn: No, not really.
Lanyi: A baseline is necessary to be sure. Could you come back in three or four days?
Yowza enters the Sime Center.
Yowza is a GN-1 with plenty of... experience.
Tarsh: Any reason we shouldn't wait and see if anything comes of these rumors?
Wise Snake: Probably safest for now.
Wise Snake rises.
Linn: Very well. I hope you'll be able to find out more then.
Linn stands up.
Lanyi: I hope so too.
Veraik sets mode: +o Yowza
Wise Snake: Good bye, Tarsh.
Tarsh: Goodbye Snake.
Wise Snake unlocks the door and exits Tarsh's office.
Linn exits the infirmary and heads back to the lobby, rolling her sleeves down as she goes.
Lanyi takes a pad and beings writing her findings down.
Veraik enters the lobby.
Yowza's eyes light up as she sees Veraik.
B'cal comes barreling into the Sime Center...several pounds lighter..new lines on her face...but still the same B'cal.
Yowza: Is it my turn?
Veraik: Ye....B'Cal?
Yowza jumps as she is knocked aside by B'cal.
B'cal spots Veraik.
B'cal: I'm back!
B'cal sneers at Yowza.
B'cal: Where the shenned is Snake? I've been to her house and can't find her.
Yowza: [lands on chair; looks surprised]
Veraik: Bcal. don't scare the Donors.
Veraik: Are you all right?
B'cal looks at the donor and Veraik and sneers before going down the hall, opening door after door looking for.....
B'cal: Snake!
Veraik: I don't know. I haven't seen her for a while.
B'cal: There you are!
Veraik: Sorry. ....What's your name?
Wise Snake: ~~astonished recoil~~
B'cal eyes the wannabe Donor next to Snake and sneers.
Yowza: Yowza
Nick steps firmly between Bcal and Snake.
B'cal: Well you sure do clean up good Snake...
Tarsh sits staring at the reports.
Veraik: Sorry Yowza. Are you here for donation?
B'cal glares at Nick and marches up to Snake.
Wise Snake stares at Bcal, heart pounding.
B'cal: Who's the kid?
Veraik: [worries about Snake and B'Cal]
Wise Snake: B'cal.. what happened to you? Where have you been?
Wise Snake: You remember Nick... I was just beginning to train him when we last saw each other.
B'cal: It's a long story...
B'cal looks Nick up and down.
B'cal: Still trying, I see...
Nick places a firm hand on B'cal's shoulder and forces her back a step or two, so that her nager will not be so overwhelming for Snake.
Yowza: Oh, yes! [brightens at mention of donating]
Veraik smiles. "Follow me then."
Lanyi finishes writing and goes to the lobby to put it in Linn's file.
B'cal: Well well well...the kid has developed teeth...how......nice.
Wise Snake: He is a bit protective [apologetic covering hidden glee]
Nick: Why don't you tell us where you've been, instead of wasting our time with your games?
B'cal: It's taken a while...but...
B'cal stares down her nose at Nick.
B'cal: Still has a lot to learn, doesn't he.
Yowza follows Veraik, tail wagging like a... well not quite like a puppy's.
B'cal: Keep your attention on your Channel and don't worry about what I say. If Snake wants to know, she can do the asking herself.
Veraik smiles.
Lanyi passes Veraik and Yowza.
B'cal: As I was saying, Snake...it's taken a long time for me to get back...but I have finally made it back.
Veraik: It's always nice to find a donor who like to Donate.
Wise Snake: Back to stay?
Nick, whose attention has never wavered from Snake since Alea arrive on their doorstep, takes this as proof that B'cal isn't half as competent as she pretends.
B'cal: Oh yeah...until we get you straightened out....
Yowza: Oh, I love donating. I love...giving of myself.
B'cal: Don't worry...if you want to train this puppy, that's fine...I'll be glad to allow it...
Wise Snake: Uhm...
B'cal: But I'm here if you need me..when you need me.
Wise Snake's eyes narrow.
Wise Snake: Here? At the Sime Center?
B'cal looks at Nick and is certain she is going to need her if this is the best she can do.
B'cal: Of course.
Wise Snake: Uh.
Linn spots Snake and Nick in the hall.
B'cal: You honestly don't think I'm going down into that hell hole again and get abducted.
Linn: Snake! Nick! What are you two doing here?
Alea: You know, Lanyi, we're really going to have to find out who is assigned to you so you have a Donor around more often.
Wise Snake needs somebody who can be there for her every day during Nick's sleep, more than another emergencies-only person.
Wise Snake sighs.
Wise Snake notices Linn.
B'cal studies Linn.
Linn is hiding worry under a facade of cheerfulness.
Wise Snake: Ah... we had to bring back Alea. She came by the house, um, uh... [zlins Linn's worry]
Wise Snake: What's wrong?
Lanyi: I do ok on my own.
Alea lifts a haughty eyebrow.
Alea: I see.
Alea: Well then, Hajene, just call if you require any assistance.
Linn: Nothing, I sincerely hope.
Lanyi: A Donor does help, of course.
Alea nods stiffly, then turns and leaves.
Wise Snake's eyebrows twitch at this cryptic statement... or was that a question?
Wise Snake: Huh?
B'cal: I'll be by later, to check your progress since I've been gone. We've got a lot of catching up to do.
B'cal turns and heads back to the lobby, going up the stairs to see if she can find her old room.
Wise Snake stares after B'cal.
Linn: Lanyi thought she zlinned some exotic illness in me. But she wasn't sure.
Wise Snake: You know, I don't think the old bird is wrapped too tight anymore.
Wise Snake whips around to stare at Linn and zlin her.
Wise Snake: What!
Wise Snake zlins Linn, finding no problems.
Wise Snake: What illness?
Lanyi walks up the corridor holding Linn's paperwork.
Wise Snake: I don't zlin anything wrong with you...
Linn: It was some weird wasting syndrome, very rare.
Alea goes to the kitchen to eat.
Lanyi comes around the corner to see a tight little knot in the ambient.
Wise Snake looks pale.
Alea is gleeful that no one is in the kitchen except her.
Veraik opens the door to a Donation room for Yowza.
Yowza scoots in.
Wise Snake notices Lanyi.
Wise Snake: Lanyi! What is this about something wrong with Linn?
Wise Snake tentacles waving worriedly.
Veraik closes the door and looks at the chart the clerk had given him./
Sorat returns from the cafeteria on his way back to his office.
Yowza: [GN-1, with lots of... experience]
Veraik: Any problems since the last time you donated?
Yowza: No, except... well...
Veraik smiles. "Except?
Nick controls his own worry about Linn's health to better support Snake.
Yowza: Well, it seems in the past few months I've become increasingly... frustrated...
Veraik: Frustrated? You mean with your transfers?
Yowza: Um... after them.
Veraik: I see.
Lanyi looks at Linn. "Her GN-2 level went to nothing since I drained her GN-3 at her donation. There's no sign of pregnancy or major illness."
Veraik makes a notation on her chart.
Yowza glances down to make sure her neckline is revealing enough, then looks up at Veraik again with a mischievous smile.
Yowza: Can you help?
Veraik eyebrows furrow.
Linn wishes her Simelan was up to such technical babble.
Lanyi: I was worried about Selyn Wasting Syndrome. It's rare, but not a danger to ignore.
Wise Snake's eyes widen.
Wise Snake: Oh!
Wise Snake: Is that all? Her GN-2 level being drained?
Alea goes to the refrigerator and starts rummaging through it.
Veraik notices then quickly looks away.
Lanyi: You zlin... {Simelan} technical explanation of Linn's nager.
Wise Snake: I took that down myself only a couple of days ago.
Lanyi: Yes. But nothing else is consistent.
Lanyi: Just the missing selyn.
Lanyi stops.
Lanyi: You what?
Alea pulls out an exotic looking dish, sniffs, decides it is probably Farris safe and sets it on the counter.
Yowza: You know, I've always admired channels...
Alea goes over and grabs a pot and fills it with water, before placing it on the stove.
Veraik reads the progression chart while he controls himself and tells himself that he can't have her. She's a donor.
Yowza: So strong, so powerful... and yet needing the touch of another human being, as much as, or even more than, the rest of us...
Yowza: ~~lust~~
Veraik gulps and drops to hypo.
Yowza holds out her hands to him, head cocked coyly.
Veraik gets up from his desk and goes to a filing cabinet.
Yowza: ~~tender entreaty~~
Wise Snake: I finished taking down her field.
Wise Snake: She's a GN-2.
Lanyi: { Roundabout Simelan with lots of nageric content ] "A GN-2 Donor who fears the tentacles? Without training?"
Alea climbs up on the cabinet and finds the tea and then climbs back down.
Veraik pulls out a form and takes a breath to calm himself.
Lanyi: ~~ Indignation and disbelief ~~
Veraik: This is a donor. Must not touch.
Veraik: I'm not going to take your donation today.
Lanyi zlins Linn, trying to tell if she understands the Simelan.
Veraik: I want to you to read booklet and think about it for a week.
Veraik: It's about becoming a Donor.
Yowza pouts.
Veraik inwards smiles.
Linn didn't get the technical Simelan, but she can easily tell that Lanyi is furious at Snake.
Alea gets a knife and pokes at the molded exotic looking dish.
Yowza takes the booklet and squirms, trying to get comfortable though she is horny as all get out.
Wise Snake spreads her hands.
Wise Snake: I could do it, so I did.
Veraik: If you decide to become a Donor.........." [Veraik zlins then goes hypo again, almost pants from the lust-filled room.]
Lanyi: [ Simelan ] "No training, still openly fearful, Not even told what is happening or what it means... Is that how you qualify donors here?"
Alea gets her a plate..then one to put some extra slices of the stuff on...and goes back to the cold pasty-looking though spicy vegetable dish.
Veraik: The Tecton will provide training. You will prefer, I am sure, to have transfer versus giving a donation.
Wise Snake narrows her eyes.
Wise Snake: No, not here. But it didn't happen here. It happened at my home.
Yowza: It says here it takes several months to complete Donor training. You mean I have to wait that long?
Lanyi stops, shifts to English. "Miz Haskins, please disregard everything I said about Selyn Wasting Syndrome. Your GN-2 is empty because Snake emptied it. Now that I know that, there is obviously nothing wrong with you."
Veraik: Part of the training includes transfer.
Lanyi: My apologies for causing you so much distress.
Veraik: With your history, we may be able to get you to a transfer quickly but that will only be a part of the training.
Linn is relieved that the channel made a mistake in diagnosis.
Alea cuts several slices of the dish, thinking this must be a new invention of Cooks...
Lanyi then realizes what snake just said and rounds on her, forgetting to shift to Simelan.
Veraik: We have several Donors training in this Center presently.
Wise Snake hopes this will encourage Nick and Linn to avoid pushing Snake too much for premature revelation of her thoughts.
Alea goes over and picks up the pot, pouring some of the boiling water into a cup, then returns the pot to the stove.
Yowza: Several? [heart sinking]
Veraik: Veraik zlins Yowza .
Lanyi: You qualified her *there*! With only one half-trained Donor and no monitoring channel, equipment or anything?!
Veraik: What is the problem?
Yowza: ~~ high field and sexually frustrated ~~
Alea tosses some tea leaves into a small holder and drops it in the cup.
Veraik slams himself hypo again, thinking that this has got to stop.
Veraik gulps.
Wise Snake blinks.
Wise Snake: Well why not?
Wise Snake: I was there, and I knew perfectly well what I was doing.
Lanyi: You take a lot responsibility on yourself, _Hajene_ *Farris*. You're quite the WonderChannel aren't you?
Lanyi: That's not what-*
Wise Snake: ~~surprise~~
Wise Snake studies at Lanyi more closely.
Veraik: After transfer.... you will be able to take care you your problem."
Lanyi realizes she should not repeat Linn's words without her consent.
Linn has been listening to this exchange in shock.
Yowza: ~~ surge of optimism~~
Veraik: So...go home, read the booklet, then decide.
Yowza: But I.. I'm still high field. I have to pay my rent.
Lanyi: I certainly hope you're as good as you think you are.
Veraik: Being a Donor is a big responsibility and shouldn't be decided about because of your..uh...condition.
B'cal is now known as Briel.
Wise Snake: ~~ swelling pride ~~
Wise Snake: Of course I am [indignantly]
Lanyi: ~~ concern at rushing a donor into something she may not be ready for ~~
Veraik: I will arrange for the Center to pay your rent as a loan until you decide.
Lanyi zlins wisesnake very intensely.
Alea gets a fork, grabs her plate and hot tea and moves over to a small table near a window where she can look out at the snow.
Wise Snake: ~~ impenetrable showfield ~~
Lanyi pulls back.
Briel comes striding down the hall...alarm over who she saw upstairs churning in her gut.
Yowza: ~~ sadness and intense horniness ~~
Yowza: Okay.
Veraik braces himself against the sexual tension that corresponds with his own.
Linn hears footsteps behind her, turns, and sees Briel.
Lanyi: As I said Miz Haskins, never mind about that next appointment. Thank you for being so understanding. [ significant glance at snake ]
Veraik stands.
Briel zlins all the people standing around blocking the hall and slows.
Linn: ~~alarm~~
Lanyi: ~~ ambient you could cut with a knife ~~
Veraik: You will be fine. but remember made a good decision, not one directed by your hormones.
Briel gasps bringing herself hypo.
Yowza feels a tingle at the word "hormones"
Yowza: I - I - sure.
Lanyi zlins Linn's alarm but remains calm.
Briel stares at Linn.
Yowza stands up and wobbles toward the door.
Veraik braces himself.
Veraik opens the door.
Linn backs up, trying to get closer to Snake.
Briel: Hello, Linn.
Lanyi steps between Briel and Linn.
Briel retracts her tentacles
Briel glances at the channel in question.
Veraik: Think about it. Think very hard about it. Being a Donor isn't for everybody.
Yowza: Thank you, Hajene.
Veraik lusts sores.
Wise Snake holds her ground.
Veraik nods.
Yowza: It's just...
Veraik: Just what?
Yowza stops, leans against the door.
Yowza: It's just that...
Yowza begins to weep softly.
Veraik: ==sores - soars===
Lanyi: Did you want any help, Miz Haskins?
Veraik doesn't reach out to the girl. "Why are you crying?"
Briel is affronted that this new channel would react as she has.
Lanyi: [ thinks: I'd worry about that Farris you live with more than some ordinary channel ]
Wise Snake bristles, nagerically and physically.
Briel: Linn?
Wise Snake: [imagine the cross between a blowfish and a pit bull]
Briel shakes her head, disgusted with the entire group.
Briel: Excuse me please.
Linn stops backing up, observing Briel closely for signs that she's losing it.
Briel forces her way past Lanyi and on down the hall.
Wise Snake looks after Briel.
Nick is relieved that Briel didn't pause to drool over him.
Briel: By the way, Snake...B'cal is back. Convince her to go with you, please.
Briel calls over her shoulder.
Yowza: I just feel so... so alone.
Yowza: [weeping]
Lanyi zlins Linn to be sure she is calming.
Briel slams into her office, shutting the door harder than necessary.
Wise Snake thinks there is little chance of B'cal being convincible about anything, but sighs and figures she owes Briel one and should at least try.
Sorat is now known as JonDrake.
Veraik: Yowza. I'm sure you have some friends.
Veraik: You should talk to them.
Linn is much calmer now that Briel is out of danger range.
Alea tastes the spicy pate and blinks in reaction as her eyes begin to water.
Yowza: But that's just it... I don't have any. I'm just a... a failure.
Lanyi: Me relaxes and steps to the side.
Wise Snake smoothes her feathers as Lanyi moves her nager, which is about as responsive as a concrete garbage scow, out of the way.
Veraik: How could be you a failure when you look so very successful.
Yowza turns and faces Veraik, chest heaving, tears on face.
Alea grabs her tea and gulps it...
Lanyi: Miz Haskins, Sosu, Hajene.
Yowza: Looks aren't everything, Hajene...
Lanyi nods and turns to leave.
Yowza: My life is empty.
Veraik: I know. Take a week Yowza. Read the booklet. I'm sure you will feel better then. [Smiles]
Wise Snake says to Linn, "That was very good. You evaluated the situation and calmed down."
Jon Drake heads back from the cafeteria on his way to his office.
Linn nods, exhausted from the trials of the day.
Yowza gulps back tears.
Yowza: Okay..
Wise Snake: Nick, would you take her back home? I have a... meeting... a [struggling with unfamiliar requirement to explain herself] I have to talk to B'cal.
Alea blinks, then takes another bite of the spicy dish, thinking it is much better the second time. She finishes it off bite by bite.
Veraik starts to tell her that life as a Donor is rarely lonely but he knows that isn't true.
Yowza wraps her arms around herself.
Nick: Certainly.
Veraik: You'll be fine. It's just a week.
Veraik: Think about it.
Veraik: That's not very long.
Nick: I'll have the satchel ready when you return, so you won't lose any more work time.
Yowza hangs her head and leaves.
Veraik closes the door and sighs in relief.
Nick: Unless you'd like me to stay while you talk with B'cal?
Lanyi makes more notations on the report and puts it in Linn's file.
Alea finishes her food and then sits there and sips her tea, studying the snow-covered garden.
Veraik: He pulls out a PlaySime knowing that it isn't enough but also knowing that it is the only thing he can do.
Jon Drake heads down the hallway...
Wise Snake: Nick... [Simelan] Some things I have to do alone.
Nick nods.
Nick: All right. We'll be waiting when you return.
Wise Snake looks at Linn.
Wise Snake: Are you all right?
Linn: I'll be fine.
Wise Snake: I wouldn't let there be any disease.
Wise Snake: Can you trust that I am looking out for your best physical health?
Wise Snake: Next time you have a question about something like this, come and ask me, before resorting to anything as drastic as the Sime Center, okay?
Linn sees Snake's uncertainly, and reaches out to place a hand on Snake's.
Wise Snake grips Linn's hand.
Wise Snake: Go on. Nick will take you home.
Briel is now known as Bcal.
Nick pauses long enough to say, "Be careful," then escorts Linn from the building.
Wise Snake watches them leave, then turns to the stairs, dreading what she must do next.
Wise Snake zlins for B'cal.
B'cal is in the room next to Alea's.
Wise Snake signals at the door.
B'cal: Come!
Wise Snake slips inside.
B'cal is sitting in a chair, looking tired and worn.
B'cal nods to Snake.
B'cal: I knew it'd be you. Have a seat.
Wise Snake closes the door, crosses over to the chair.
B'cal is looking out the window.
Wise Snake sits, poised as if ready to flee.
Wise Snake studies B'cal cautiously.
Wise Snake: Do you want to tell me what happened?
Jon Drake heads down the hallway toward his office.
B'cal allows her control to loosen so snake can zlin
B'cal ~~horror/pain~~
Wise Snake zlins.
B'cal: My house will not deal with people who wish to extort anything.
B'cal: Evidently a group thought by taking me, they could make my house comply...They were wrong, which they soon found out...
Wise Snake considers.
B'cal: They thought to sell me...
Wise Snake: Who were these people? Did they let you go, or did you escape?
B'cal eyes glint.
B'cal: Neither.
B'cal: They tried to 'kill' me.
B'cal: I took several out before they dumped me over the side of the ship.
B'cal looks over at Snake, control back in place.
Wise Snake draws her arms up against her chest.
Wise Snake: And you returned here.
B'cal: A fishing vessel picked me up, took me to a nearby household.
B'cal: Yes, after I healed. I had a job to finish.
B'cal cracks a small smile.
B'cal: You know, that kid of yours isn't bad.
B'cal: He's got a lot to learn...but he is willing. I never would have believed it when I first met him.
Wise Snake: I planned on qualifying Nick this month.
B'cal: Is he ready?
Wise Snake: He's...
You are now known as Briel.
Wise Snake: He's not going to let me put him off much longer.
B'cal frowns.
Jon Drake goes to his office and resumes work on some paperwork.
Wise Snake: If I don't do it soon I'll lose him.
B'cal: I thought he was going to be like that ditz down there in the kitchen staring out the window. He has potential though.
Wise Snake follows B'cal's gaze, sees Alea through window on 1st floor.
B'cal: How close is he to matching you?
Wise Snake: Not close.
B'cal: You know if you don't get your systems straightened out soon, it's going to be too late?
Wise Snake: Yes.
B'cal turns and focuses on Snake, allowing compassion to show for the first time.
Wise Snake closes her eyes and trembles.
B'cal: Qualify him...I'll be there as backup, if you want. We'll work this out.
Wise Snake: Thank you.
B'cal: He'll get pulled up to speed if he's half the Donor he looks like he is.
Wise Snake reopens her eyes.
Wise Snake: What about your House?
Wise Snake: Can you return there, after what they did?
B'cal: Get up matching you...and then ....
B'cal: What they did? Who? Those people?
Wise Snake: No... in response to those people.
Wise Snake: Refused to ransom you.
B'cal: Oh..yes, of course.
Wise Snake studies B'cal.
B'cal: I understand completely why they did that.
Wise Snake: Do you?
B'cal: However, I may not be able to return because of other things.
Wise Snake pauses, considering that.
B'cal: Yes. you can never give in to extortion. The house would fall if you did.
B'cal: Faith, Honor, Courage....our motto.
B'cal sighs.
Wise Snake: ~~cynicism, dishonor, cowardice~~
B'cal: I still have the Tecton. They can use all the Donors they can get.
Wise Snake: Why do you say you may not be able to return, then?
B'cal: My failure with you. Tramila got me here as a favor. If I fail with you, my house will lose important funding...which will cause dishonor to fall on our house for my failure.
B'cal looks back out the window.
B'cal: However, we can work with your young Donor, get him up to speed and still get you straightened out even if I have failed.
Wise Snake feels somewhat defensive at the thought that this is supposed to somehow be all her fault.
Wise Snake: Uh... well....
B'cal: Let me know when you're ready to do the qualification and I'll be there.
Wise Snake: Tramila is here. You should speak to her if you want to avoid the funding cuts.
B'cal glances back at Snake.
B'cal: She is?
B'cal sneers.
B'cal: Is this a Farris stopover or something?
B'cal: Surrounding by the shendi fleckin....[sighs]
B'cal: Better than who I was with, I suppose.
Wise Snake looks strained.
Wise Snake: Indeed.
Wise Snake learned that from Linn.
B'cal: Two months, maybe three and we'll have you on the road to recovery Farris that you are...
Wise Snake perks up at the optimism in B'cal's words.
B'cal: Of course, you'll be out of first year by then.
Wise Snake: Barely, yes.
B'cal: But if this month and next month goes okay, I don't think it'll matter.
B'cal: Has anyone gotten you post yet, Snake.
B'cal: I'm asking as a Donor/Channel.
Wise Snake shakes her head.
Wise Snake: No.
B'cal sighs wearily.
Wise Snake: But I haven't had an abort in months.
B'cal: That's a start.
B'cal: We'll see to it. You have too much hurt and pain from all the screw ups in the past built up...you have to release those...they're going to haunt you if you don't. wisesnake finds that a gruesome thought.
Wise Snake changes the subject.
B'cal: Give your little Donor and me two months...
B'cal nods.
Wise Snake: You know, I have been working nearly 20 hour days.
B'cal: That's one way of avoiding entran.
Wise Snake: Or at least, I had been until I lost my other Donor. I could use a second, to work support while Nick is sleeping.
B'cal: I'll be glad to work a night shift with you.
Wise Snake: Every night?
B'cal: I can sleep during the day and meet you to work with you at night.
B'cal looks arrogant.
B'cal: You think you can't keep up with me?
You are now known as Alea.
Wise Snake: You could come live with us... Linn has made it a very pleasant place to stay.
Alea sighs and stands up...heading up to her room.
B'cal shakes her head.
B'cal: I just don't think I can..not after what happened...not with....
B'cal's eyes turn haunted.
B'cal: Not with my memories.
B'cal sets mode: +o Veraik
Wise Snake: You would be with me at night. And during the day, there would be nothing to fear. The neighborhood isn't that bad.
Alea hears voices in the room next to hers and moves forward to listen.
Wise Snake: Wouldn't that be better than being here, where Tramila and Alea are?
B'cal: No...no...I feel.....safer here, though I'll deny it if you tell that controller downstairs.
B'cal: Besides, why do I want to leave. There are too many people here who I can make miserable by staying.
B'cal grins.
Wise Snake: ~~alarmed~~
Alea's eyes widen when she recognizes the voice and she backs away.
Wise Snake wonders if that means B'cal plans to make her miserable too.
B'cal: Ah, yes...they require a good Donor here keeping them on their toes.
Wise Snake pauses then suddenly smiles her own snakey smile.
Wise Snake: There does happen to be a new channel who lacks a Donor... ask for Lanyi. She's a Tigue.
Wise Snake hopes B'cal drives the Tigue insane.
Alea turns and makes a beeline down the stairs to Tarsh's office, where she rushes in, slamming the door behind her.
Wise Snake fears, however, that they will probably like each other just fine.
B'cal: A Tigue?!
Wise Snake: Yes.
B'cal eyes narrow and she smiles, though most wouldn't consider it a nice smile.
Wise Snake: Doesn't approve of me at all.
B'cal: Of course not. You're a Farris.
Wise Snake tries a nervous laugh.
Wise Snake: Yeah.. I guess that's it.
B'cal: What Farrises unfortunately have in sensitivity, Tigues make up for in other areas. However, they just can't understand that sensitivity...
B'cal: Who can? Farrises are a breed unto themselves.
B'cal: But I'd like to work with a Tigue.
B'cal: Is she any good?
Wise Snake: Well, I haven't worked with her that much, but you know, a Tigue 6 years past changeover... couldn't be that bad.
B'cal: No...no, don't answer. I'll find that out for myself when I put her through the tests.
Wise Snake cuts off the rest of what she was going to say.
B'cal nods.
B'cal: As for you!
B'cal turns back her eyes taking in Snake's attire.
Wise Snake looks defensive.
Wise Snake: Me?
Wise Snake looks down.
Wise Snake: Oh... this.
B'cal: It's about time you dressed the part of what you are and face up to your heritage.
Wise Snake: I have a housekeeper who seems hell bent on bending my personal habits into complete lack of recognition.
Wise Snake: She's quite relentless, in an insidious helpful sort of way.
B'cal: Good. It's about time you got someone to take care of you if you're too lazy to do it yourself.
Wise Snake smiles weakly.
B'cal: Now, go get to work. I have to have some sleep. The train ride was long and unfortunately, I'm tired.
Wise Snake: Oh.
Wise Snake gets up.
B'cal pushes herself up from her chair and goes to the door.
Wise Snake realizes she had intended to bring B'Cal back with her, and now must trudge back with no Donor.
B'cal: You've done good, Snake. That's the only compliment you'll be hearing from me...so don't ever expect another one. But with what is in your case history....you have survived.
B'cal: In this world, surviving can sometimes be almost impossible...
Wise Snake looks up at B'cal.
B'cal: Or death more preferable..but you have fought.
B'cal: You'll make it.
B'cal: You have the will to.
Wise Snake nods.
B'cal opens the door.
Wise Snake: Tomorrow night, then?
B'cal: That's right.
B'cal: Until then.
Wise Snake: Until then.
Wise Snake: [leaves]