Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #102: (12/16/97)
Wise Snake and B'cal approach the Sime Center after a night of work.
B'cal: You know Veraik is gone on vacation right now?
B'cal grimaces.
B'cal: Having to put up with that channel, Briel.
Wise Snake: Vacation? A Tecton channel?
Wise Snake zlins B'cal to see if she is telling the whole truth.
B'cal nods curtly.
B'cal: Evidently some emergency or something at his house.
B'cal: Or at least that's the rumor.
B'cal goes up the stairs of the Center.
Wise Snake: Huh.
Wise Snake hesitates, then figure she may as well come in and see if she can find out more.
B'cal: Who knows what the little disjunct would say to cover Veraik...
Wise Snake follows B'cal up the steps.
B'cal pulls open the door.
B'cal goes in, stripping off her green cloak and gloves.
Wise Snake closes the door behind them.
Wise Snake looks around... notices the place is in slight disarray with brochures not straight on the rack, piles of papers on the front desk, etc.
Wise Snake: How long did you say Veraik is gone for?
B'cal glances back at snake.
B'cal: I didn't.
B'cal: I heard though, it was a month.
Wise Snake blinks.
Wise Snake: A _month_??
B'cal slips off her scarf and tosses it on the rack.
B'cal: Yeah.
B'cal sneers.
Wise Snake thinks this sounds fishier than yesterday's heads-n-guts bucket.
Briel finishes up with the donations and goes to the lobby, intending to check the schedule.
Wise Snake: ~~~suspicion~~
Wise Snake wonders if the powers that be in the Uptown center put pressure on Veraik to vacate his spot.
B'cal studies Snake before nodding again.
B'cal: I'll see you in the morning.
Briel comes into the lobby, sees B'cal and Snake.
Briel sets mode: +o LinnH
Wise Snake: This evening [corrects B'cal]
B'cal sets mode: +o NickR
B'cal nods.
Wise Snake thinks even Gens usually aren't THAT far off time wise.
B'cal goes up the stairs, rubbing wearily at her eyes.
Briel: Hello Snake.
Briel stops near the desk wondering what Snake is doing here.
Wise Snake: Sleep well. [said softly after B'cal's back, thinking this will be the night she breaks the news to B'cal about where the transfer is going to take place]
Wise Snake looks at Briel.
Wise Snake is still wearing her outdoor cloak and scarf.
Wise Snake: Hello, Briel.
Briel: What brings you here?
Briel glances around and sees only B'cal and nods.
Briel: Dropping B'cal off?
Tarsh is now known as Mostan.
Wise Snake: Yes.
Briel: How is it coming with your new Donor?
Wise Snake zlins Briel.
Briel: You'll be qualifying him soon?
Wise Snake thinks, I'd bet you'd like to know.
Briel smiles.
Wise Snake notes Briel is in need.
Briel: Good luck.
Mostan comes out with a smiling low-field donor. "Yes, you can donate again in one month. The Cashier is sown that hall."
Briel glances over and nods to Mostan.
Briel: When is the event to take place?
Briel zlins Snake.
Mostan tentacles gestures at Briel.
Wise Snake: In about a week.
Briel nods.
Wise Snake is only a day or two past turnover.
Briel: You wouldn't happen to have any extra Donors stashed away would you?
Alea comes down the stairs.
Briel smiles trying to joke.
Wise Snake: As a matter of fact, I do. But I will not be able to spare one until after my own transfer.
Briel: Of course.
Briel: Well..
Briel rubs at the back of her neck.
Wise Snake: So tell me what the deal is with Veraik being missing.
Briel: I suppose you've heard Veraik is temporarily gone?
Briel glances up and then nods.
Wise Snake: Why?
Briel: He has some emergency at Liorie and had to go home to take care of business.
Wise Snake: For an entire month?
Briel shrugs.
Wise Snake zlins Briel for lie.
Briel: He wrote the note, I read it.
Alea comes into the lobby.
Alea: Hello, Snake, Mostan....Briel.
Wise Snake zlins that Briel wasn't telling the truth.
Wise Snake is doubly suspicious now but says nothing as the others come in.
Mostan: Morning Alea.
Briel hates the fact that she has to tell a Farris channel that...since she has her suspicions.
Alea remembers the talk she had with Tarsh and nods politely to Mostan.
Briel nods absently to Alea.
Briel: How is your med supply?
Briel: We got in some fresh Farris meds two days ago...
Alea: You on duty today, Mostan?
Wise Snake: Mmm... I suppose I could use a couple of things.
Wise Snake wonders why Briel is freely offering her what she had to steal before.
Alea: Want me to get them for you?
Alea smiles.
Mostan: Yes. just for donations.
Briel sighs.
Wise Snake: Uh... sure. [sure something is up, that is]
Wise Snake tells Alea what is needed.
Alea: Great[to Mostan]
Alea: Wanna help me find the supplies for Snake.
Mostan: Sure.
Alea motions down the hall and starts off.
Wise Snake stares after them.
Wise Snake: ~~increasingly paranoid~~
Briel: So, snake...have you had any more bad meds since that last time?
Mostan follows along.
Briel motions to the couch in question.
Alea: Tell me, Mostan. How are things working out here?
Wise Snake: No.
Mostan: I've been feeling much better.
Wise Snake thinks, none of the Tecton ones anyway.
Briel frowns.
Alea: I'm....glad.
Mostan: Thanks.
Alea: Has Lanyi been working with you?
Briel: What's the matter Snake?
Mostan: What is this about Farris meds? Too strong for others?
Wise Snake: What in shen is really going on here? Veraik didn't go home to deal with an emergency. That's plain enough from your nager.
Alea looks startled
Alea: Too strong?
Briel shifts uncomfortably.
Mostan: Yeah. She's awfully pushy, but knows her stuff.
Briel: Look, all I know is Veraik said he required a break and that he had time off. He was going home to reassess things.
Wise Snake watches her with bright, pale eyes.
Alea: No..not too strong.
Wise Snake: Reassess? [eyebrows rise quickly]
Linn hears signs of life in the bedroom and puts on the teakettle.
Alea: Well, you see, Farrises are a special type of channel..very delicate in many areas.
Mostan shrugs. "Farrises are the best channels right? So maybe they can handle heavier duty drugs."
Alea: That's what comes from being so good.
Alea: Exactly.
Alea nods.
Briel: That's what the note said.
Briel rubs at her neck again, weary.
Mostan: Delicate?
Nick rolls over and pulls the pillow over his head, trying to delay the inevitable.
Alea: Well...very sensitive.
Alea smiles.
Alea: Allergies to everything, including many medicines.
Mostan: Is that what she -*
Mostan: Never mind.
Nick wonders how it could be morning already....surely he just went to bed?
Alea: ???
Wise Snake frowns.
Alea frowns.
Wise Snake: It sounds to me more like he is being put under pressure to vacate his post, and has decided to consider it seriously.
Linn puts tea into a large pot and gets out the oatmeal.
Alea: We have special meds ... basically, that's all is meant.
Wise Snake: ... or has been driven to.
Briel: No, that's not it.
Briel sighs.
Wise Snake: Oh?
Briel: Okay, I might as well tell you there was an argument not an hour before he left.
Nick pries his eyes open and looks at the clock.
Mostan: So I'm backwards, then? Farrises can't take ordinary meds?
Alea: Certain meds, they can.
Alea: Other's they can't.
Alea: These meds have just been Farris approved.
Wise Snake: An argument? Who all was involved? What about?
Alea goes into the med storage area, using her key to get in.
Briel: I'm not sure what it was about. It was the night that Tarsh was brought in. He and Alea went into his office.
Briel: Shouting was heard. Tramila went in, then Alea left, followed by Tramila.
Briel shrugs.
Briel: Then I get a note saying he was going to Liorie
Alea starts digging through the boxes.
Alea: We have almost six months supplies of other meds still here. There was a mix-up in the orders.
Alea: However, the Farris meds weren't stocked quite as well, so we had to reorder those.
Mostan note that half of this back log seems to be fosebine.
Alea: Veraik wanted to make sure Snake got her meds from us, and that we double checked them so she wouldn't end up almost dead again.
Wise Snake's eyes narrow as she ponders Briel's description of the situation.
Wise Snake: Two Farrises.
Briel: Well, one Farris yelling.
Briel: Then a second one entering and everything going quiet.
Alea pauses in her digging and turns surprised.
Mostan: Almost Dead?
Nick groans when it becomes apparent that Snake will be home before too long, expecting him to be functional.
Alea: OH, that's right. You weren't here then.
Nick does not feel functional at the moment.
Alea: Someone tampered with the drugs and Snake got hold of some bad ones.
Alea: They almost ended her life.
Briel: But yeah...Farrises tend to be overwhelming.
Briel stares at Snake.
Briel: I imagine Veraik has had it with them.
Briel thinks or at least one of them.
Alea: So, Mostan...why did you start up the group you did?
Wise Snake: It is more likely something political. He did blackmail their House, after all.
Alea doesn't face Mostan when she asks the question.
Wise Snake: And Tramila loves to play the "more Tectonly than thou" game.
Briel shrugs, letting Snake believe whatever she wants.
Briel: He'll be back in just under a month.
Nick staggers to his feet, shivering in the cold room, and manages to get his bathrobe on properly after three false starts.
Briel: I don't really care for his reasons as long as he returns on time.
Wise Snake zlins Briel's attitude and wonders.
Wise Snake: Huh.
Wise Snake: Well, I always said this place was going to hell in a handbasket.
Briel stares at Snake coolly.
Wise Snake: I guess "going to Liorie in a huff" falls into that category as well.
Briel: The Center is growing so it must not be that bad.
Briel: The Center is growing despite the inner turmoil between its employees.
Wise Snake: If growth is your measure of quality, then you must be pleased.
Nick manages to find clothes that don't clash too badly, since he knows that Linn won't give him his tea until he's presentable, and staggers to the bathroom.
Alea decides Mostan isn't going to answer and shrugs, pulling out the meds and handing them to him.
Alea: These are what Snake will be waiting on.
Briel: The Tecton will do the measuring, not I.
Mostan studies a very interesting case of fosebine. "I had my own arrangements, but I tried a couple of different Gens, trying to find one who was up to my level."
Mostan: "But once they had tried it, they wanted to again."
Alea pauses, surprised by his reply.
Mostan: "If I didn't ride herd on them, they would have done it on their own."
Wise Snake doesn't care to try to guess what the Tecton counts as quality.
Alea: Why didn't you encourage the others to go to the Centers for transfer instead of taking the Gens? I mean okay, so you had a couple of Gens..but did that mean you should allow other renSimes..or did you just not realize the true danger?
Alea leaves the storage cabinet, locking the door behind her, Mostan with her.
Linn hears the shower start, and starts scrambling two eggs.
Mostan: No, I didn't. And I thought they would end up like me if I didn't help them.
Alea goes back toward the lobby, nodding at Mostan's words.
Alea: I see...
Alea wonders if perhaps this is the truth and there really is no one to blame for what happened.
Alea nods to Snake as they re-enter the lobby, her hands full as well as Mostan's with the drugs.
Mostan can't see over the boxes, but zlins his way along.
Linn toasts a couple of pieces of bread.
Alea: I thought you might require some of the variations of fosebine we have, Snake.
Wise Snake: Variations of fosebine?
Alea: I had no idea fosebine came in so many forms.
Alea sets down her box of Farris meds and motions Mostan to set his boxes down too.
Alea: We have plenty.
Mostan sets his boxes down.
Briel is alarmed at how much Fosebine it looks like they are giving away.
Mostan wonders what the difference between fosebine cream and fosebine ointment is.
Linn hears the shower stop, pours most of the hot water into the teapot, and starts the oatmeal.
Mostan: This one says it requires an applicator. Do you have one over there?
Wise Snake surveys the huge pile of stuff in some dismay.
Wise Snake wonders if Alea knows about some upcoming disastrous accident and wants Snake to be prepared.
Wise Snake: A sheath applicator?
Alea smiles at Snake.
Alea: Well, it might be for that.
Alea shrugs.
Mostan: Yeah. I think so. Two kinds, actually. One for laterals, other for Handling.
Mostan unfold the list of reported adverse reactions. And unfolds it some more.
Alea clasp her hands, smiling.
Nick is now awake enough to be hungry, but takes the time to dress carefully and comb his hair, figuring it will get him fed faster.
Briel sets mode: +o Tramila
Wise Snake: Uh, yes. We have those.
Alea: So, Snake, have you qualified Nick yet?
Mostan hadn't realized there were that many potential problems at turnover. He wonders how he ever made it through a month.
Wise Snake: No.
Mostan: Kay.
Alea: Oh really?
Alea: I'm sure everything is going to go fine.
Alea soothingly moves over by snake.
Wise Snake frets skittishly.
Alea figures she can support snake since her channel isn't here.
Briel sees the instructions Mostan is reading and sighs.
Briel: That's only things that CAN happen.
Briel sets mode: +o NickR
Briel: Now that you're here, you shouldn't have any more problems.
Alea: So, tell me Snake...where is Nick today?
Alea smiles sweetly at Snake.
Nick staggers out to the kitchen, following the scent of food.
Linn hands Nick a large mug of tea with a smile.
Briel: If you'll excuse me...
Linn: Good morning, Nick.
Briel nods, wanting to get away from the crowd and get back to work.
Nick: Gurmpfhl.
Nick takes the tea.
Wise Snake: Uh... he's.. uh... he's at home.
Briel turns and goes down the hall.
Alea: I see.
Alea: You know, Snake, it's not good for you to wander around in need without a Donor.
Wise Snake: ~~nervous~~
Alea: Perhaps you'd like me to escort you back?
Linn has grown used to Nick's difficulties in communication in the morning.
Wise Snake: I'm only a day past turnover!
Alea: Yeah, you know, that's a good idea.
Alea: Well, yeah...but still....
Alea shrugs.
Alea then smiles.
Wise Snake: Uh, Alea, I'm still a little gun-shy because of that slamming incident.
Alea: Oh wow...well, that wasn't my fault.
Alea frowns.
Alea shakes her head at Snake.
Alea: You know, if I had known you were there, I would have waited and allowed you to help me.
Alea: As it was, that small 'tap' was the only way I could see to get out of the situation.
Alea: Of course, what's a tap to a renSime is a blaring sledge hammer to a Farris.
Wise Snake stares at Alea incredulous.
Wise Snake: It wasn't your fault?
Mostan is now known as Mostan`
Nick slurps down the tea as Linn fills a plate with eggs, cereal, and toast.
Alea: Well of course, the shock to Garon and Libby was my fault...not knowing you were entering wasn't...or that you were zlinning.
Alea: Believe me, I would never have done that to you.
Alea: I guess I can see why you might be a bit gun-shy though.
Alea: Oh well...are you sure you should be out walking the streets?
Mostan zlins askance at Alea hearing that she slams people.
Wise Snake almost asks Alea what exactly WAS going on in that room at the time, but decides she'd rather not know.
Alea glances at Mostan and looks down her nose at him.
Alea: You had to be there Mostan.
Alea sets mode: +o Lowren
Wise Snake: I was certainly there. wisesnake rubs back of neck.
Alea: You were only there at the most inopportune time, Snake.
Alea: A minute earlier would have been fine or even seconds later.
Mostan: ~~ surprise ~~
Alea: Preferably the former.
Alea glances at Mostan.
Alea: What?
Nick starts to wake up as he consumes his breakfast.
Mostan thinks "how the devil did she know that?"
Alea sees Mostan's confusion and smiles, shrugging.
Mostan tries to contract his showfield before he gives something else away.
Alea: I'm a Farris.
Alea thinks let that worry him alea looks back at Snake.
Alea: Anyway...
Alea: How else do you expect me to extricate myself from two renSimes who have other ideas and repeatedly ignore my pleas or warnings?
Lowren comes down the street, reading from a folder of papers.
Tramila: Yes...how indeed?
Alea: And believe me, I did warn them, Snake, several times. I told them it would hurt to be sorta slammed by a Farris Donor.
Tramila goes to her Donor.
Alea jumps.
Alea: Tramila?
Alea: Uh...good morning, Hajene.
Tramila: Tramila zlins Alea .
Mostan wonders what the rest of this story is.
Tramila: Good morning, Natzther.
Alea nods to Snake apologetically as she moves to support Tramila.
Tramila touches a tentacle to Alea's arm.
Tramila: How are you Snake?
Tramila: ~~~ Sime protectiveness for her Donor~~~
Alea wonders why channels have to act so protective and sighs.
Rhelana enters the lobby and stamps the snow off her shoes.
Alea sometimes thinks the channels have forgotten they don't live back pre-tecton and that Donors do have rights...
Mostan: ~~ amusement ~~
Alea is working up a fine mad until she sees the new person enter the lobby.
Alea instant wariness, she moves behind her channel.
Rhelana: Hello everyone. Can you direct me to a Controller Veraik?
Wise Snake nods to Tramila.
Wise Snake is surprised that Tramila has no reaction to walking in on Alea talking about slamming somebody...
Alea sighs, relieved. Not a crazy if asking for hm by name...well, she's almost certain.
Alea: He isn't here.
Alea: How may we help you?
Linn pours herself another cup of tea and joins Nick at the table.
Rhelana: [goes to the Channel] Are you Controller Veraik?
Tramila: No.
Mostan zlins this newcomer.
Alea stiffens.
Rhelana: I'm supposed to be the new clerk. [almost bouncing this enthusiasm]
Alea looks down her nose at the woman.
Rhelana is a female renSime.
Alea dismisses her and turns back to smile at Snake.
Wise Snake backs away from the bouncing nagered renSime and decides now would be a good time to beat a hasty retreat.
Rhelana zlins Tramila. "I'm Rhelana ambrov Tien." [huge smile]
Alea: I hope all of those meds are what you can use.
Rhelana turns to Snake.
Lowren comes up to the door, still reading.
Alea: If you require anything else, Snake, just let me know.
Wise Snake hopes what she asked for is buried in there somewhere...
Alea smiles again, nods to Mostan.
Alea: She can use them.
Rhelana: Channels. [almost bouncing] I love being around Channels.
Alea: You know, Linn mentioned something about a math book too...
Wise Snake: Linn? When did you talk to Linn?
Alea: Did I give her that or should I go see if I can find it.
Alea: Why, the other day.
Tramila relaxes at seeing the enthusiasm]
Rhelana: So where do I put my things?
Briel mutters, coming back down the hall, searching for a Donor to help with donations.
Mostan doesn't get why anyone would like being around channel more than necessary. No privacy.
Alea: The Sime wing.
Alea motions back behind her vaguely.
Rhelana: Which room?
Alea sighs, looking put out and goes over to the desk and starts digging through the files.
Rhelana: I just know I'm going to love being here.
Alea finds, to her surprise, a copy of a letter stating yes, there is a female renSime named Rhelana coming here...and that she would arrive today.
Rhelana follows the Donor.
Rhelana: Rhelana zlins alea .
Tramila looks at Rhelana. "That wasn't very polite."
Alea looks at Rhelana frowning at her, before thrusting a key at her.
Alea: Here.
Alea: Room number is on it.
Rhelana: Sorry. But she just feels sooo.....sooooo [smiles]
Alea: Perhaps Mostan would show you the way.
Tramila: I know.
Alea sighs.
Mostan: Sure.
Tramila: Alea is my Donor.
Alea moves over to the boxes and lifts two of them.
Alea: Let me help you Snake.
Rhelana: Alea? Is that your name? Cute name.
Alea winces as the boxes rub on her almost healed arm.
Alea thinks lord save me from overenthusiastic renSimes.
Mostan winces too.
Tramila looks at Snake and wonders if anyone else is this bouncy.
Alea doesn't think 'cute' is a word she wants to be described as.
Mostan: It's down this way. Did you need any help with your stuff?
Tramila touches Alea's arm where her bruise is and touched it with her tentacle.
Tramila: Here. Let me Alea.
Alea sighs and hands over the box.
Alea wonders why they think she is helpless.
Tramila: Where do you want it?
Alea moves over to Mostan.
Alea: So, tell me...
Alea studies Mostan.
Alea smiles.
Alea: Have you contacted any of your old friends and told them how wonderful life is here yet?
Alea: You know, converting them over?
Wise Snake gathers the rest of her stuff and leaves the Sime Center.
Alea: Well.
Alea notes the way snake leaves
Alea: Goodbye Snake...
Alea shrugs.
Rhelana: Bye.
Rhelana: [big smile]
Mostan looks significantly at Rhelana.
Alea sets mode: +o Rhelana
Lowren passes by some small Sime woman under a pile of boxes.
Briel comes back into the lobby and frowns.
Briel: No one has any work to do?
Briel props her hands on her hips.
Wise Snake: Hi Lowren.
Mostan: Just waiting for donors, Briel.
Wise Snake trudges toward home.
Alea: Oh.
Alea: Well, yeah, I suppose we have work.
Alea frowns at Briel.
Lowren peers. "Hi Miz Snake."
Briel looks surprised and looks up at the board, then at the almost empty lobby.
Tramila: Briel. This is Rhelana. She is here for the clerks job.
Briel: I suppose the bad weather is keeping them away today.
Briel zlins Rhelana.
Wise Snake keeps walking toward home.
Lowren: Did you want help with all that?
Rhelana smiles.
Wise Snake: No, thanks.
Briel frowns.
Briel: Well, welcome to Bender Cove Center.
Wise Snake sighs.
Briel goes forward.
Briel: Have you been assigned a room yet?
Rhelana: Thank you.
Rhelana: No. I think Alea was looking for the paperwork to do that.
Rhelana: I'
Briel: I hadn't realized today was the day you were arriving. We'll have to do the official interview in a day or two.
Rhelana: I'm Rhelana ambrov Tien.
Briel: Yes, I know.
Briel: The room number is on the key you have.
Briel nods to the key.
Alea shrugs at Briel thinking the woman should have figured that out and it wasn't her place to tell her.
Rhelana: Thanks. I'll get my things then settle in.
Wise Snake trudges all the way home.
Rhelana leaves.
Linn looks up as the door opens.
Briel mutters something about the traffic and lack of donors and then leaves.
Linn: Good morning, Snake.
Jelana comes in the front door.
Jelana: Wow!
Lowren comes in the door.
Jelana: It sure is cold out there today.
Linn pours another cup of tea.
Jelana looks around at the person by her and smiles.
You are now known as Briel.
Lowren smiles back at Jelana. "Good Morning."
Nick pauses from shoveling food into his mouth, and sees Snake's burden.
Nick: Is that the medications?
Wise Snake trudges into the bathroom and spends some time puzzling over the labels and putting some things away, leaving others in the boxes.
Jelana: Are you here to donate too?
Nick finishes his breakfast.
Wise Snake wonders why Nick already knew she was coming back with medications...
Lowren: Yes I am.
Wise Snake: Bloody shen, does that woman have her claws in both of them?
Jelana unbuttons her cloak slips it off.
Jelana: I wasn't sure about getting out today.
Jelana: It is rather cold.
Jelana: But well...the weather can really be invigorating like this!
Jash enters the Sime Center and stomps the snow off his boots.
Lowren takes the cloak and hangs it up.
Jash is a low-field Gen.
Jash: [male]
Jelana smiles.
Briel comes back into the lobby and is surprised to see most everyone gone except Mostan and three Gens standing there.
Briel zlins them.
Lowren takes his own coat off and hangs it up.
Jelana: Thank you[to Lowren]
Jash goes to the front desk.
Jelana: This is the first time I've been here...can you tell me where to go?
Jelana looks around, curious.
Lowren: Sure. I'm an old hand, just follow me.
Jelana nods.
Briel: Well Mostan, looks like you have some work.
Briel: How may we help you today?[to Jash]
Mostan: [ to Jash ] "Morning. May I help you?"
Briel nods and turns to Lowren.
Mostan nods.
Briel: Well Lowren, I don't' have to ask what you're doing here.
Briel smiles, thinking it's just before her transfer so Lowren is here to donate...just like clockwork.
Jash: OH... yes [nervously/embarrassed]
Jash remembers to remove his cap, and clutches it in both hands.
Lowren smiles. "No you don't Hajene Briel."
Jash looks between Lowren and Briel as he finds himself ignored.
Briel: How have you been this last month.
Jash thinks this is going to be even more difficult than he'd thought it would.
Briel moves around Mostan to pull Lowren's file and out of Mostan's way so he can talk to Jash.
Linn pours Snake a cup of tea as she returns from the bathroom.
Lowren: I've been doing well. Parnul is sending me on my first trip out-territory.
Jash turns to Mostan.
Jash: Can you help me?
Wise Snake is in a foul mood.
Briel: Really?
Wise Snake takes the tea wordlessly and slouches on the sofa, muttering to herself.
Briel pulls his chart and goes back over to him.
Briel: And where is Nelly?
Briel zlins the woman with Lowren curiously.
Jelana: I'm here to donate. It's my first time at this center.
Briel: Ah....
Linn brings her own tea to the living room and sits in her usual chair next to Snake.
Briel nods.
Mostan: Of course, sir.
Linn: Did you have a hard night?
Briel: Mostan can help you in a bit then.
Jelana nods and seats herself.
Linn is very sympathetic.
Wise Snake darts her eyes at Linn, then away.
Wise Snake: Oh, I don't know.
Briel: Now, Lowren....
Briel looks down at the chart.
Wise Snake looks at Linn again, noticing Linn is deliberately projecting sympathy.
Wise Snake: Say, that's not bad.
Linn: I've been practicing.
Lowren: Nally is fine. She had to go back to Hamish, but I'll be there next week. Which reminds me is Jon Drake around?
Jash: I have a real problem. I came in here and donated the other day...
Jash is low field.
Jash: And was paid what they said was the going rate.
Briel: Yes, he is....or should be.
Mostan: Yes, I zlin. Have you developed some symptoms from it?
Jash: No... no.. nothing like that.
Jash: It's just that, well, you see, in Eastcove I'm still considered a minor.
Jash: The bank won't let me open an account without my parents' permission, and they don't know I'm donating.
Briel: I'll send a clerk for him.
Jash: I told them I got a paper route, but that only covers part of the money.
Briel: Are you ready for your donation?
Mostan: Oh I see. Not even with your establishment card?
Jash: So can you put the rest back? I can store the extra selyn much easier than extra money. Less chance of it getting stolen.
Mostan: ~~ boggles ~~ Put back the selyn, you mean?
Jash: Um, well nobody knows I've established yet either. Because the only way anybody would know is if I was checked out by a channel, and, well, my parent's wouldn't get into that.
Jash: Yeah! Just, you know, push it back in there where it'll be safe.
Wise Snake feels in a slightly better mood.
Lowren: Yes, I am.
Wise Snake: Well, it certainly makes a difference.
Lowren: ~~ trace nervousness ~~
Briel tosses an arm around Lowren and steers him back toward the room.
Briel: Still experiencing a bit of nervousness I zlin...
Linn: I'm glad to hear that.
Lowren goes along.
Mostan: Uh ... Not really no. The Gen nervous system is one way.
Lowren: Well, just a little.
Jash: It is?
Jash perplexed.
Briel opens the door and escorts Lowren into the room.
Jash: How does the selyn get in, then?
Mostan: I'm afraid so.
Briel: Don't worry, you're doing great. I hardly notice it any more.
Briel winks.
Mostan: Your body makes it out of your food.
Briel wonders why the ones who are always worried show up just before her transfer instead of after.
Nick finishes his breakfast, pours himself another mug of tea, and joins Snake and Linn.
Linn: I still don't really understand that induction business, I'm afraid.
Jash: Oh.
Jash: Well what can I do about this then? Do you have any advice?
Wise Snake: Which part of induction didn't you understand?
Mostan thinks.
Mostan: You could open an account at an in-territory bank here in Bender Cove.
Jash: I could? Really?
Lowren: Really? ~~ pride ~~
Lowren goes into the room and sits down on the wrong end of the couch.
Briel doesn't argue, instead taking the other end
Briel: Yes, Lowren, really.
Mostan: I don't see why not. You *are* an adult in Sime Territory.
Linn: Well, I can see my field affecting Simes, sometimes, but the math says it works equally strong both ways, and I've never noticed anything different when Simes are around. At least, not anything to do with something I'm not actually perceiving by normal means.
Mostan: No parental permission needed.
Jash: I didn't realize I could just open a bank account when I don't even live here. That's great! Thanks Mr...?
Lowren hold out his arms, palms down.
Wise Snake: Well Linn, most Gens aren't equipped to be able to sense those changes.
Wise Snake: It's like being blind or deaf.
Briel slips her hands awkwardly under and lashes her tentacles around his arms.
Wise Snake: And most of those who are equipped, don't bother to use the sense they have.
Lowren stiffens a bit.
Wise Snake: It's like smell.. how many people do you know that have bothered to develop their sense of smell?
Briel holds steady.
Wise Snake: Since they don't require it to get around, they don't give a damn about it.
Briel: I was very impressed how well you did last month with Nally.
Nick: I can feel it, Linn, when my field links with Snake's.
Lowren: Getting her to donate, you mean?
Lowren: She keeps talking about that.
Briel: Yes.
Briel: Really?
Mostan: Mostan.
Jash: Thank you, Mr. Mostan. I really appreciate it.
Mostan: Glad to.
Lowren: She kept saying it scared her, but she didn't want to go...
Lowren: ~~ guilt ~~
Briel ~~concerned~~ frowning.
Briel: What?
Briel: Go where?
Lowren: She didn't want to leave Sime territory so soon. So she had to in order to stay wi-*
Briel: Ah...
Briel nods.
Jash: Um... sorry about the... you know... the one way thing.
Lowren bites off the words he knows he shouldn't be thinking.
Briel: Well then, I am very glad she did donate.
Mostan: No, no problem.
Briel forces a smile trying to reassure Lowren.
Mostan: There are selyn batteries, but they cost a lot.
Briel allows her laterals to slide out and then make contact.
Briel: Okay, Lowren...whenever you're ready.
Jash: Really? How much?
Lowren: And then she spent the money on me cause I got robbed. ~~ remembered anger ~~
Mostan: I'm not sure, but they use them for selyn power for lights and things.
Mary May is a donor.
Briel nods sympathetically.
Briel: Too much of that happens at fairs.
Mary May enters the Center.
Jash: Oh..
Jash: Well, I gotta get going, but thanks.
Mary May: Hello I'm here to donate.
Mostan: Ok. Nice talking to you.
Mary May: Looks around. [fear]
Mary May sets mode: +o Jash
Briel leans forward toward Lowren.
Lowren leans forward to make lip contact.
Jash leaves.
Rhelana sets mode: +o JonDrake
Mostan zlins the fear and turns slowly towards Marymay.
Mary May: [takes a step back]
Mostan smiles. "Good Morning. May I help you?"
Jelana looks from Mostan and the new Gen and is suddenly worried.
Mary May tries to cover herself better with her very ragged shawl.
Briel draws.
Wise Snake sets mode: +o LinnH
Mary May: I'm...I'm here to do..[teeth clatter in cold and fear] nat.
Rhelana: Donate...I mean. [looks down]
Wise Snake: Uh... Nick?
Briel quickly draws Lowren's donation and then sits back.
Mary May: Donate....I mean. [looks down]
Rhelana finishes unpacking and takes a shower.
Briel smiles at Lowren.
Briel: See how easy that is.
Briel: You're so good at it, I just can't imagine why you would ever be nervous with us here at the Center.
Mostan smiles again. "That's what we are here for. But I'm afraid this other young lady is ahead of you."
Nick: Yes?
Lowren Are you done?
Briel: Sure am.
Briel releases Lowren's arms.
Lowren: Well, all those years in church...
Jon Drake is working in another collectorium room with Kaymeil.
Briel sighs and nods.
Briel: I understand.
Rhelana: I'll just sit over there. [goes to sit next to the heater]
Briel: Things learned are sometimes hard to let go of.
Mary May: I'll just sit over there. [goes to sit next to the heater]
Mostan: Certainly.
Jelana looks around then stands.
Mostan goes over to jelana. "Hello, I'm Mostan, Channel Third."
Jelana: I'm Jelana, new here to Bender Cove.
Lowren: Anyway Thank you for being so understanding.
Rhelana: Finishing her show, Rhelana puts on a Tien shirt and heads for the cafeteria and a cup of trin.
Briel: Of course, Lowren. Anytime. And good luck with that out-territory assignment. I'll look forward to hearing how it went.
Mostan: Welcome to Bender Cove, then. And to bender Cove Sime center.
Briel grabs his chart, scribbles, hands him a voucher and then goes to the door.
Jelana: Thank you.
Lowren looks at the voucher and notes that it has gone up again.
Lowren: Thank you again Hajene Briel.
Jelana: I'm here as a clerk over at the local police station.
Briel nods.
Mostan: Have you donated before at a different center?
Jelana: I have donated once, before I came here...
Jelana: That's how I got the money to travel.
Wise Snake: Nick, I don't think the Torn by Tentacles thing will be a good idea.
Jelana smiles sheepishly.
Briel: Be careful.
Mostan: A position of responsibility.
Mostan: What center was that at?
Mostan reaches over to snag a clipboard.
Nick is surprised.
Briel goes out to the lobby.
Mary May looks up to see a new Sime and shudders.
Nick: What's changed your mind?
Mostan: Its all right. This is Hajene Briel, acting Controller.
Briel grabs up a chart, zlinning the scared Gen.
Briel pauses.
Wise Snake considers his question, rubbing her wrist with the fingers of the other hand.
Briel: So, what brings you here?
Wise Snake: Well, it's just.. it's just a crazy idea.
Wise Snake: And, I think the Tecton may be moving in on this part of town again. Something I heard at the Center today disturbed me a great deal.
Mostan: Jelana here is working at the police station.
Mostan: And has donated before.
Nick: So? All the more reason to do it out-Territory.
Briel zlins Jelana.
Briel: Ah, I see.
Briel smiles at jelan.
Briel: Mostan will take good care of you. One of our new up and coming Channels.
Mostan: I try, Hajene.
Linn collects the tea mugs and heads for the kitchen to clean up.
Nick: Unless you've come up with a better solution?
Lowren comes out of the donation room and walks down the hall. He notices JonDrake in another room and stops at the door.
Manny knocks on the front door.
Mostan: If you'll come with me, Jelana?
Lowren looks to see if Jon and kaymiel are busy.
Linn doesn't hear the knock over the running water.
Wise Snake: I want to give you to Briel.
Nick: Briel?
Wise Snake zlins someone at the front door.
Jon Drake notices Lowren.
Wise Snake: Shen.
Wise Snake gets up and goes to the door.
Briel turns her attention back to the other donor.
Wise Snake opens it.
Jelana: That's good to know.
Jelana: So, um..are we ready then?
Jelana stares at Mostan, waiting.
Wise Snake: Ah, Manny. What a surprise!
Mostan: Well, we will need to fill out some forms. We can to that here or in the donation room.
Manny: Snake! Baby! How ya doin'?
Wise Snake: Great, great, uh, come in.
Lowren: Hello Jon.
Jelana: Uh well, let's go to the donation room.
Manny: How have you been?
Jelana cast a wary glance at the fearful Gen.
Manny: This is Keymeil, my current Channel.
Mostan: Just come with me please.
Linn peeks out of the kitchen, sees who it is, and ducks back to the sink with a prim sniff of disdain.
Mostan turns toward the hall.
Wise Snake takes Manny's coat and offers him a seat in the living room.
Jelana follows beside Mostan.
Jelana: So, you're new here too?
Mostan: Yes. I only started here two months ago.
Jon Drake introduces Lowren to Kaymeil.
Mostan offers his hand to kaymeil.
Mostan: == make that Lowren ==
Mostan: It's done me a world of good.
Jon Drake: ====Introduction of Kaymeil should have been by Jon Drake===
Jelana is now known as Briel.
You are now known as Jelana.
Jelana: I've only been here a month.
Mostan shows Jelana into a donation room, leaving the door open.
Jelana: Well, actually five weeks now.
Nick sets mode: +o Tramila
Jelana looks around the room thinking it looks different except for the couch.
Tramila is now known as MaryMay.
Mostan: What do you think of this weather? Much too cold for my taste.
Jelana: Oh!
Mary May cringes as she watches the other donor leave.
Jelana: Well, I come from the same type of weather. I love it.
Jelana smiles.
Mary May: [fear] What if they never come back out!!!
Briel: So, how can I help you[to Mary May]
Nick sits next to Snake.
Lowren: Jon, I'm going Out-t tomorrow, and I'll be stopping in your hometown two days later.
Nick: So, Manny, what can we do for you?
Mary May startles!!!!! [FEAR}
Manny: I got the first couple 'a candidates for ya, Snake.
Jelana twines her fingers together and walks around the edge of the room, trying to study the differences and walk off her nervousness before going over to the couch.
Jelana: Yes, I do like this weather.
Wise Snake: Already?
Mary May: I....I want to......[whispers] donate.
Briel stiffens.
Mostan asks Jelana the usual questions for the form, name, age, address etc., writing it all down.
Jelana answers pacing until finally stopping and dropping carefully to the couch.
Briel: Excuse me, dear...but with that fear....I find that hard to believe.
Briel zlins MaryMay.
Mary May covers a bruise on her arm.
Mary May: I need to feed my children.
Briel: Ah, I see.
Mostan sits down on the couch, hands in his lap.
Mary May: [hopeful look] Please.
Briel nods.
Briel: Yes, we can see to that.
Briel: This is your first time donating?
Briel begins filling out the chart.
Jelana imitates Mostan's position, waiting.
Mary May nods.
Mostan: "Now, I'll take hold of your forearms with my hands and tentacles, and then make lip contact. You shouldn't feel anything. I'll stop anytime you want me to."
Jelana nods.
Jelana: That...it's exactly what happened last time.
Mary May: I heard that you pay for donating.
Mary May: Is that true?
Jelana: I am only worried well...I had heard this Center is different than the other one.
Jon Drake: So how have you been? Kaymeil and I were about to take a break.
Jelana: Tormer warned everyone that well...it's dangerous here.
Briel: Yes, Miz Mary it is.
Mary May tightens the shawl around her shoulders.
Mostan smiles. "Yes, we do try to standardize things in the tecton."
Mary May: Yes. it is.
Manny: Yes, already. When word got out that a handful of people could get a front row seat and a chance to be in the show...
Mostan: Tormer? I don't believe I've had the pleasure.
Briel fills out the form.
Mary May: [looks at tentacles and fear wells up]
Wise Snake: Um.. do they know they are volunteering to be possible pain donors?
Jelana: Well...I don't know if pleasure is the word. He is a very hard worker...but seems to hate this place.
Jelana shrugs then chuckles.
Mary May: Seeing the bruise on her arm is showing, she moves the shawl once again and hopes that the bruise on her neck stays covered.
Jelana: It was actually a lost bet that sent me here. I had donated before...I was suckered into it. I think some of my friends want to see if Tormer hits the roof for my donating.
Manny: Sure they know, that's what they want.
Briel: Why don't you come with me Mary.
Briel stands.
Wise Snake: Ok.
Wise Snake: When do I meet them, before the show?
Mostan: Really? What will you win? Besides your payment, that is?
Mary May stands and follows the Sime lady.
Manny: They're in from Eastcove. They're waiting at the train station.
Wise Snake: You're kidding me.
Jelana: I didn't make myself clear. I lost the bet. That's why I'm here to donate.
Jelana: But the way I see it, even if it does irritate Tormer, I've still won since I'll get paid for my donation.
Manny shrugs.
Manny: Instead of mailing in the applications, they came in person.
Briel leads Mary to a donation room.
Wise Snake: I'm sorry, but I was in the middle of something. Can we schedule a time for me to zlin them?
Mary May stands in the room and looks around, legs shaking.
Mostan: That's the spirit! Plus it helps prevent colds. Remember that when everyone else is sniffling.'
Jelana: I sure will.
Jelana relaxes.
Briel: Why don't you have a seat here.
Briel motions.
Briel: Then we'll talk.
Mary May: MaryMay sits down gently but still winches.
Lowren: I just wanted to check again what you wanted me to say. Tell your mother that your a re well and what you are doing?
Briel drops to her side of the bench, sprawling so she looks relaxed and unthreatening.
Mostan holds out his hands. "Shall we?"
Mary May relaxes a tiny bit.
Jelana: Of course.
Jelana smiles.
Briel: So, tell me, dear, who beat the shen out of you? Or do I even have to ask?
Manny: Sure, I guess so. You want I should put 'em on ice for a while or send them home?
Jelana holds out her arms.
Wise Snake shakes her head.
Mary May: [looks down] No body.
Mostan gently takes hold of Jelena's arms.
Mary May: [tries to cover herself]
Briel: Oh please, Mary...don't try to lie to a Sime.
Wise Snake: Look, I might get some time later on once I take care of business here. Why don't you set them up in a cafe or something and I'll check them out.
Briel: In here everything you say stays here.
Briel: You can trust me.
Jon Drake pauses.
Mary May: [fright] You can read my thoughts! [fear]
Jon Drake: Oh, you're heading out near Farfall?
Briel: No, but I can zlin your nager and tell when you're lying to me.
Lowren: Yes. should be there in three days.
Mary May looks around.
Briel crosses her legs and bounces a foot, leaning back and waiting.
Briel: You're safe.
Briel: No one else is here to hear what you say.
Briel: And what you say will not leave this room.
Mostan extends his tentacles and twines them around her arms.
Briel tosses the chart to the table.
Mary May: [hopeful look then remembers where her kids are at]
Jon Drake: You want to go to the cafeteria?
Jon Drake looks to Kaymeil to see if she minds. She doesn't.
Briel: I want to know before I take your donation, Mary.
Jon Drake: We can talk there.
Mary May: I....can't. my children are not safe.
Jelana smiles and leans carefully forward.
Briel: You're here Mary.
Manny: Ok. Will do, Babe.
Mary May: But my children, they'll starve. They haven't eaten since yesterday.
Briel: No one is going to know what you tell me. This conversation isn't going to affect them adversely.
Manny gives a "thumbs up."
Briel: As soon as we finish our conversation I'll take your donation, you can get your pay and then go.
Briel: I would think you'd want to protect the kids, Mary...so tell me...who did this to you?
Mary May thinks then nods her head.
Mostan accepts the lip contact and carefully draws selyn slowly from the GN-3 level.
Mary May: My friend who lives with my kids and myself.
Jelana waits thinking this isn't so bad.
Manny begins to head to the door and then turns around, suddenly remembering.
Briel: I see.
Lowren: Did you want me to tell her just where you are and what your job is?
Mary May: [fast] He didn't mean it. HE was drunk and didn't know what he was doing.
Jelana thinks the room is warm, the person taking the selyn is very warm...and very gentle.
Jelana wonders if he IS taking the selyn, then remembers how it as last time and thinks he must be.
Jon Drake: Sure. Please try to get an idea on how the kids are doing.
Mostan finishes draining the GN-3 level and leans back. "Done. Thank you."
Briel: And has he hurt the children too?
Jelana smiles.
Jelana: Great.
Wise Snake looks up at Manny's return.
Manny: Oh, BTW, I think the boys are really attached to having your friend on stage for the schoolteacher number.
Mary May: [fear, nods in affirment]
Wise Snake: Uh. yeah Well I asked her about it and she's still trying to decide.
Jelana: I thought that's what happened..but I wasn't sure...that is really not bad at all.
Wise Snake: She didn't say no outright.
Mary May: [looks up] Please don't tell. PLEASE.
Briel: Why do you stay with him then, Mary?
Wise Snake tries to project just the right mixture of skeptical reassurance.
Briel: Why not go to a shelter..or a boarding house?
Briel: You do realize, with your donation, you'll have enough money to leave if you want.
Mary May: He would find us.
Manny: Well, do what you can to convince her. It's REALLY important.
Briel sighs.
Jon Drake: You get my drift?
Briel: If you stay, he's liable to murder one of you.
Mostan: It's a point of professional pride for channels to see that there is no sensation. If you felt it, I wouldn't be doing my job.
Mary May: Leave? Where would I go? Who would care for us?
Jelana: I see.
Mary May: [whispers] No.
Mostan retracts his tentacles and removes his hands.
Jelana sits back.
Jelana: I'll be back next month then, if it's this easy.
Jelana: Maybe I can be the one to con my friends this time and win the bet.
Jelana chuckles.
Mostan: I hope so. And your payment will be bigger then. Speaking of which...
Mostan picks up the clipboard and begins writing.
Wise Snake: Sure thing, Manny.
Wise Snake: I'll see what I can do.
Jelana grins when she sees the voucher he is writing up.
Jelana: I'll definitely be back next month then.
Jon Drake nods and winks.
Jon Drake: Let me know when you're ready.
Lowren: Did you want me to talk to anyone else while I'm there?
Briel: I can give you the name of a place where you can go.
Briel: Shen, I'll come over there and escort you there if necessary.
Mary May: [shock] you..you will.
Mostan tears off two copies and gives them to Jelena. "Great! I'm looking forward to it."
Mary May: Why?
Briel: Because sometimes everyone requires a helping hand.
Jelana takes the slips and stands.
Jelana: Where do I take this?
Jon Drake heads out of the door and down the street to gather up the groupies.
Mostan gets up. "I'll show you."
Mary May: But where will we live. Mi..I mean...he'll find up where ever we live in EastCove.
Mostan tries not to let his fatigue show.
Nick turns to Snake as Manny leaves.
Manny: ====should have been Manny heading down the street.===
Jelana goes with Mostan.
Wise Snake shakes her head.
Jelana: Thank you so much for showing me. I appreciate it.
Wise Snake: Those people are sick. Schoolteacher up on stage, indeed.
Briel: Like I said, I have some addresses of people who'll help.
Mostan: I know what its like to be new.
Briel: Now, let's get to that donation.
Mary May: [fear]
Jelana: I know. Takes a while to meet people, doesn't it.
Mary May: What do I have to do?
Jelana nods.
Nick: Kids that age hate teachers. Torn By Tentacles wants to bring out that hatred.
Briel: Not a thing.
Mary May: No?
Briel: Just let me hold your arms and touch your lips with mine. You count to twenty very slowly, then I'll release you.
Briel: Sound okay to you?
Wise Snake: Not bring it out... cash in on it.
Mary May: [shudder] OK.
Wise Snake: Gen territory entertainment is all about money,
Wise Snake: .
Nick: They want to sell the groupies Linn's death, or at least her terror.
Briel takes Mary's hands and wraps her tentacles around them wishing like crazy she had a Donor here with her at the moment.
Wise Snake: What they want to do is sell large numbers of recordings.
Mostan: Semla, This is Jelana. She's here to collect her donation fee.
Wise Snake: They will do whatever they think will make people dig the song more.
Jelana turns to Mostan and smiles.
Jelana: Thank you again, Mostan...for all your help.
Lowren thanks Jon and promises to let him know what he finds out.
Mary May steels herself, knowing that the kiss isn't really a kiss but feeling guilty about it anyway.
Mostan smiles back. "Anytime."
Nick: True enough. So, what's this about Briel? She's Tecton, and I doubt she'd be willing to keep this off the record.
Jelana nods and hands her slip to semla.
Jon Drake: Thanks!
Wise Snake: I zlinned her again today. She asked about you, and get this... Veraik is gone.
Nick: Gone?
Briel leans forward and touches Mary's lips.
Lowren heads down to the bursar's window.
Mary May: 1....2....3...4...5....
Mary May: 18...19...20.....21....
Wise Snake: Or something. Supposed to be gone for 4 weeks.
Briel draws quickly from the GN-3 silently counting as she does, before finally sitting back.
Briel: There we go.
Mostan goes back the lobby.
Wise Snake: Briel is freaking out though she's trying not to show it. And no Donor for her in sight.
Briel is thankful the woman didn't panic and count quickly.
Wise Snake: I think she'll agree to something here at the house with no paperwork and nobody monitoring but myself and B'cal.
Jelana gets her money and leaves.
Nick: And you'll take B'cal for this month?
Wise Snake: Yes.
Mostan sits down on the couch and waits to recover.
You are now known as ALea.
Lowren leaves with his fee.
Wise Snake: I wonder... it's too bad Briel would insist on monitor, because we could have done a simultaneous.
Lowren is now known as Tarsh.
Wise Snake: Well, this is probably for the best.
A Lea comes waltzing into the lobby having escaped for a bit from work.
Nick: It will give me an extra week to get closer to your capacity next time.
Tarsh comes out of his office with his inevitable clipboard. He goes to the lobby.
Briel scribbles out a paper and hands it to Mary.
Briel: Here you go.
Briel scribbles information on another sheet of paper.
Briel: And here is the address that will help you regarding the other problem.
Mary May takes the paper. [eyes wide]
Mary May: Are you ....sure?
Nick: Well, if she'll keep it off the record, I'm game to try with Briel. But I wish it were possible to have you instead.
Tarsh looks around to see if that new receptionist has arrive yet.
Alea goes over to the board and studies who is on call.
Mary May: [tries to give the paper back]
Briel: No.
Briel: You keep it.
Tarsh: Alea!
Mary May nods.
Mary May: My children can eat now.
Briel: Down the hall to the left. They'll pay you and then you can go to this house where you and your children will be safe.
Mary May: Thank you. [tears] oh thank you.
Alea: Tarsh!
Alea: Good day.
Alea smiles.
Mary May: Thank you...
Wise Snake: Well, Nick, I appreciate the sentiment, but I just don't see any way to do it that is even remotely safe.
Mary May disappears down hall.
Briel: If you require anything else, just call.
Tarsh smiles back.
Mary May is now known as Rhelana.
Wise Snake: The Torn by Tentacles thing would be safe enough physically but legally and politically it could turn into a disaster.
Tarsh: Yes it is, now.
Briel closes the door after her and then curses fluently in two languages.
Alea chuckles.
Wise Snake thinks, especially if my guesses about Veraik are correct.
Alea: I'm glad you're so much better. It looks like you've regained all of your energy too, finally.
Tarsh: Yeah. Briel gave me a good transfer. And I was my usual churlish self.
Briel adds some words from the other languages she's been studying for effect, then throws the clipboard across the room.
Alea: I'm sure she understands. That's a channel's job, to put up with churlish patients.
Alea: By the way, I retrieved your skates and put them in your room.
Alea moves over to the desk and pauses.
Alea: We got a new renSime in today...a deskclerk. Her name is Rhelana ambrov Tien.
Alea: I imagine she's a friend of Veraik's...she reminds me of him in some ways.
Nick: Well, lets see what we can arrange with Briel and B'cal. In the mean time, we'd best go interview Manny's volunteers.
Wise Snake: Yeah.
Rhelana is a renSime about Tarsh's age. Pretty. with long black hair....kinda sultry looking who always has a bouncing personality.
Wise Snake gets out of the couch and prepares to go.
Rhelana goes to her room and changes to a Tecton shirt for work.
Nick scoops up the medicine satchel from force of habit, checks it, and meets Snake at the door.
Rhelana enters the lobby.
Briel shakes with the emotion she wants to release but can't...then goes and retrieves the chart and leaves the room.
Wise Snake and Nick leave the house.
Briel goes into her office and closes the door, still shaking.
Briel stares at the papers on her desk, then goes over and picks up the transfer schedule.
Briel: Shen you, Veraik.
Briel: No shendoni Donor within miles...and I'm stuck with Tramila..the shendoni Farris who flaunts the fact that she has a Donor and I don't.
Briel crumbles the transfer schedule.
Briel sinks to her chair.
Briel: I'd make a deal with the distect itself at this moment just to keep from taking transfer with that shendi fleckin Farris.
Briel drops her head into her hands and rubs wearily at her neck with her tentacles.
Rhelana walks into the lobby.
Rhelana: I'm ready for work.
Tarsh: Thank you Alea. I'm not sure when I'll be using them, though.
Tarsh turns to Rhelana. "Hello. Rhelana ambrov tein, I presume?"
Rhelana sees the other renSime and stops, zlinning the handsome man before her.
Rhelana: [blush] Yes.
Tarsh: Glad you've arrived. Nice trip?
Alea: I'm sorry, yes, this is Rhelana.
Rhelana: Yes. thank you.
Rhelana: Rhelana is a renSime about Tarsh's age. Pretty. with long black hair....kinda sultry looking who always has a bouncing personality.
Tramila walks into the lobby.
Alea: So, do you know Veraik?
Alea asks Rhelana.
Tramila: Alea. [goes to her]
Tramila: I think we are on for donations.
Rhelana: No. I was supposed to report to him.
Alea nods to Tramila.
Alea: Ah, well...he is from Liorie. He is back there right now.
Tarsh: Pleased to meet you. Welcome to bender Cove.
Alea moves over to the desk and looks through the papers to find who is scheduled for donations
Rhelana: At Liorie? I understand that is a nice House although, I am very partial to Tien myself. [ignores black on Alea and Tramila]
Tarsh: Hajene Briel is acting Controller.
Rhelana: Thank you and what is your name?
Alea wonders why she thought Rhelana was from Liorie, then shrugs.
Rhelana: [bats big blue eyes]
Alea sighs.
Tarsh: Oh, I'm so sorry. Tarsh Chutmas, at your service. [ bows ]
Alea goes to the filing cabinet to find the donation chart thinking they require someone permanent here instead of fill ins who mess up all the paperwork.
Rhelana: [blushes] and a Gentleman too.
Tarsh smiles. 'I try to be."
Rhelana: So are you going to show me the ropes?
Alea sets mode: +o Tarsh
Tarsh: Yes. I'm Chief Financial Officer, but I started out in the lobby here.
Alea turns to see who Rhelana is talking to and smiles at Tarsh then at Rhelana.
Tarsh: ~~ guilt remembering the real reason for his promotion ~~
Alea: He certainly did a good job here.
Alea: No one better.
Rhelana: [strokes long hair]
Alea: It'll be nice to have someone working the desk here again.
Alea: On a regular basis that is.
Rhelana: Then you are the prefect person to show me around.
Tarsh: I hope so.
Tarsh: Ok. this is the lobby, of course.
Rhelana: Giggles.
Alea thinks great...a giggler..and sighs silently to herself.
Rhelana: [steps closer] Tell me more.
Alea eyes widen.
Tarsh: The treatment, donation and transfer rooms are down that corridor,
Tarsh: With the cafeteria and Bursar down that one, and the residential section up those stairs.
Briel finally reaches out and smoothes out the crumpled transfer paper and stares at it.
Rhelana listens starry eyed, thinking that she has never fallen in love at first sight before]
Tarsh: There's a garden out back, with a Gnome who has become a fixture here.
Rhelana: A Gnome! How cute! Would you take me to see him sometimes?
Alea stares at Rhelana stupidly.
Tarsh: This used to be a .. another kind of building. We adapted it as an SC when the old one burned down.
Tarsh: Sure.
Rhelana: Oh good. [big smile]
Rhelana: So tell me about your filing system. [thinking I'd like to file his system where it is the warmest]
Alea thinks why don't you just crawl into his lap and make it plain...then realizes that is almost what she did when she met Tarsh just to irritate the Hajene and cause problems...~~guilt~~
Alea: Uh, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do.
Tarsh: Alea, did you want to help me show Rhelana around?
Alea smiles.
Alea: OH, no..go right ahead.
Rhelana smiles.
Tarsh: Come along then, Rhelana.
Alea turns and goes dejectedly into her office completely forgetting about Tramila.
Rhelana is so happy that she bounces to his side.
Tramila follows Alea.
Tramila: Why didn't you fight for him?
Alea hears the voice and looks up, then frowns severely at Tramila.
Tarsh: We keep the main files out here, and *try* to keep them in order.
Alea: Here are the donation records, Tramila.
Alea: Unfortunately, they were filed under purchases.
Rhelana: I'm good at that. That's why I was sent here.
Alea: However, we have a break...we're not scheduled for twenty more minutes.
Alea: Why don't you have a seat and let me send for some tea.
Alea moves back around her desk toward Tramila.
Tramila: I'll do that. I could use some as well.
Alea shrugs.
Alea: Very well.
Alea goes to sit down while Tramila goes to get tea.
Tramila sees a passing renSime and orders tea for Alea and herself.
Alea looks over the reports.
Tramila: So tell me while I rub your shoulders.
Tarsh: This is treatment room 1, standard Tecton furnishing and equipment.
Rhelana: Do you use the Tecton or the Householding system for filing?
Tarsh: Tecton. We've got all sorts of non-householders working here.
Alea chuckles.
Alea: I should be giving you a shoulder rub, Tramila.
Tramila: No, just relax. I can zlin your tension.
Alea stiffens at Tramila's words.
Alea: I'm fine.
Alea: Just tired.
Alea: Now please, sit down and relax.
Rhelana: All right. Where are the keys?
Tarsh: We have musical Donors most months.
Tarsh: We keep a set in the front desk. You'll get set too.
Alea notes the book on her desk and slips it into a drawer.
Tramila: Alea. listen to your channel. I'm just going to rub your shoulder's, not give you a grilling debriefing.
Alea: Fine.
Rhelana: Good.
Alea allows Tramila to rub her shoulders, deciding that will relax her as much as it will Tramila.
Tarsh: Theses are the deferment suites, we only have a few, unfortunately.
Rhelana: Rotating Donor are normal. Do you have a transfer schedule?
Rhelana looks inside, shudders. "Yes."
Tarsh: For the Channels? Yes, though it is in a bit of chaos at the moment.
Tarsh: We do have some unusual cases here. We've had two channels and one Donor go semi-missing on us just in the past few months.
Rhelana: I see.
Rhelana: That bad.
Rhelana: But you are here and that is nice to know. [smiles]
Tarsh: Yeah. You may encounter Hajene Wise Snake, a rogue Farris channel. Cooperate with her if you do, she's a bit unstable. But let me or the controller know about it after.
Alea opens the drawer to find a pencil.
Tarsh: I try to maintain a semblance of order, yes.
Alea digs through the drawer to find something to change a bit of wrong information.
Tarsh remembers guiltily that he has caused some chaos himself.
Alea finds the pencil and marks through the donations that aren't really scheduled today and changes the dates.
Alea leans back in her chair.
Alea: My shoulders are fine now, Tramila. Thank you.