Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #108: (12/23/97)
Briel braves the snow on her way to Snake's house.
Briel wraps her think cloak tightly about her as the wind whips through the streets tearing at it.
Briel hurries to Snake's door and signals.
Wise Snake looks to see if anybody else is going to answer the door... of course not.. gets up and does it herself.
Briel stomps the snow off her boots, shaking her head as a strand of hair flies in her face.
Briel: Hello Snake.
Wise Snake opens door.
Wise Snake: Hello, Briel....?
Briel pushes at her hair again.
Briel: I came to check on B'cal.
Wise Snake: Oh.
Briel: Is she up to leaving yet?
Briel glances around, but doesn't see Nick anywhere.
Wise Snake isn't sure which is more trouble, having B'cal at the house, or having B'cal's visitors at the house.
Wise Snake: In my opinion? No.
Wise Snake stands aside so Briel can come in.
Briel: And her opinion?
Briel strides inside.
Wise Snake: Well it depends. She'll say she's ready to go, but if I say she's not, she seems relieved.
Wise Snake: Whatever you want to call that.
Briel: Stubbornness.
Briel slips off her cloak and drapes it over a chair.
Briel: I think the storm is letting up some.
Wise Snake takes Briel's cloak and hangs it in the closet so Linn won't freak if she comes home unexpectedly.
Briel moves over to the fire and warms her tentacles.
B'cal comes down the hall, scowling, looking much better than yesterday though.
Wise Snake: Briel is here for you.
B'cal glances at Briel, then frowns.
B'cal: I have decided to stay here and go work part of the night with you tonight, then I'll go home tomorrow.
B'cal lifts an arrogant brow, looking down her nose at the room in general.
Briel looks to Snake.
Briel: You want her for another night?
Wise Snake looks up B'cal's nose and finds it not a pretty sight... so what else is new.
Wise Snake looks at Briel instead, in some relief.
Briel: I understand if you don't.
Wise Snake: I require her support whenever it is available.
Wise Snake: I'd prefer it if she lived here all the time, as a matter of fact.
Briel: We're doing an extensive reorganization of the Center...thought she might enjoy the upheaval.
Wise Snake grimaces.
B'cal shakes her head.
B'cal: No, I ... can't do that.
B'cal: Bout time someone did something with that slime pit you call a Center.
Briel zlins B'cal curiously then turns back to Snake.
Briel: I imagine she can stay as long as she wants. We'll cover the shift we'd been using her in.
Briel thinks, with relief they'll cover it.
Wise Snake thinks hearing about this reorganization just makes her that much more skeptical that Veraik is only on a temporary, voluntary vacation.
Wise Snake: What really happened to Veraik, anyway?
Briel sighs and rubs at the back of her neck with a tentacle.
Briel: He had something to go home and take care of.
Briel: I think he's making some decisions about staying here at the Center.
Briel studies Snake.
Wise Snake: ~~very suspicious, and some feelings of protection for Veraik~~
Wise Snake: It smells like yesterday's socks.
Briel: I know you two are close....
Briel: Shen.
Briel: You just aren't going to let up are you?
Briel goes over and sinks down onto the couch.
B'cal not wanting to hear about the Center, gets up and goes into the kitchen to fix her a cup of trin.
Wise Snake: That Center was Veraik's dream. He wouldn't just leave.
Briel: Look, Snake, I'll tell you what I know if it won't go further.
Briel looks up at Snake, wondering if she'll believe her.
Wise Snake watches Briel, says nothing.
Briel: It's the strangest thing....
Briel: Veraik really was in love with Alea. His last day here, they had a huge blow up, and Alea made it clear she had no personal feelings for Veraik, quite the opposite...and Veraik... didn't deal with it well.
Briel: He went home to reconsider everything, put everything in perspective.
Briel: He is deciding if the Center is even worth it, I imagine.
Briel: He founded it because of you, at least that's what he told me.
Briel: You aren't there, he's been through things that have never happened at the other Center's he's been at.
Briel: And though I'm not suppose to know about it, I do know he threatened Zeor...
Briel: I also know he hoped to be part of Zeor one day.
Briel shakes her head.
Briel: I would say he has a lot of things to put back into perspective.
Wise Snake's eyes narrow.
Briel: As to if he's coming back or not, I just can't tell you at this point.
Briel: He told me he was.
Briel shrugs, rubs at her neck again.
Briel: That's all I know.
Wise Snake: Perspective is right. He didn't make the Center for me. It was his dream long before we ever met.
Briel: I see.
Wise Snake: I may have made a difference in when and how it became reality, but...
Briel: Well, whatever his reasons...
Wise Snake shakes her head.
Briel shrugs.
Briel: I understand he gave up a really nice Center to start this one, knowing it was where you were.
Briel: I suppose it doesn't matter now, though. The Center is here.
Wise Snake: It takes years to bring a Center into being. I was at Zeor when the final decision was made on this.
Briel: All I know is that he fought to get this one started.
Wise Snake: If you didn't know, Veraik was not high-ranked at the Uptown Center.
Briel: Really?
Briel: Oh well...it makes no difference to me. He's the Controller here.
Briel: If he comes back, that is.
Wise Snake is going to smack Briel if she shrugs or says something makes no difference to her one more time.
Briel rubs wearily at the back of her neck.
Wise Snake locks her hands together behind her back and turns away from Briel.
Briel: I haven't heard from Veraik since he left, just the note he left me.
Briel: I sent a missive yesterday with concerns and news on the Center. I thought he might like to know what had been going on.
Wise Snake: Why a reorganization? [back still turned]
Briel: When we moved into the new Center, we didn't have everything set up yet. We've slowly gotten the other wings up and running and can separate out the duties so that things aren't so chaotic.
Briel: Veraik had drawn up basic plans to do it, but hadn't gotten to it when he left. I just moved up the schedule a couple of weeks.
Briel: Let's face it...transfers and donations shouldn't be so close together.
Briel: Now that the other hall is ready, we can separate those two...
Briel: Less chance of accidents.
Briel leans back and stares into the fire.
Briel: We're also separating up the management too, shifting people around as new offices are set up. Things should run smoother now that everything is open up and running--or will be in a couple of weeks.
Briel finally stands and crosses to the window to look out.
Wise Snake wonders why B'cal is lurking in the kitchen.
Wise Snake: ~~depression~~
Wise Snake: Well.
Briel: What's the matter Snake?
Wise Snake: What's the matter?
Wise Snake snorts.
Wise Snake: What isn't?
Briel chuckles dryly.
Briel: Uh, well, yeah.
Briel: Things are coming along at the Center. It got off to a rocky start..but hopefully the bad times are past and things will settle down now.
Wise Snake: I'm out on the street, I have about 3/4 the Donor support I require, I have no idea where my next transfer is going to come from, and on top of it all the man who was supposed to have been my mentor appears to have finally suffered a nervous breakdown. Life is not looking rosy.
Wise Snake: == that was before Briel's line ==
Wise Snake listens to Briel's reassurance unoptomistically.
Briel: And I'm sure your mentor will be back.
Wise Snake: Did you know your highest ranked Donor slammed me the other day?
Wise Snake: By accident, no less.
Briel: He cares for you..
Briel: Yeah, I heard.
Briel slowly turns back to the window so she doesn't have to face Snake.
Briel: It seems she was suffering the attentions of two unwanted ... Simes...and had repeatedly warned them off.
Briel: Deciding it was that or rape, she tried to send them a nageric slap.
Briel shudders.
Briel: She said you ran right into it.
Wise Snake: I happen to know the Sime who owns the building. He says Alea was caught looking through his desk.
Briel: Well we all know Alea wouldn't do that.
Briel sarcastic.
Wise Snake: And the reason I ran in is because I zlinned Alea's nager being Enticing.
Briel: Oh, I bet it was if she was getting ready to slam someone.
Briel shudders again.
Wise Snake frowns.
Wise Snake: That's odd, she never said anything to me about not wanting their attentions.
Briel turns surprised.
Briel: She was rather a wreck that night. I found her myself and had a long talk with her.
Wise Snake suspects Alea had found out something about the Anti-Tectonist prisoners and the seduction-and-slam was part of some elaborate, and misguided, scheme related to that.
Briel: You know Alea better than me, I suppose, since you're both Farrises.
Wise Snake: SHE was rather a wreck?
Briel: So, I suppose you know she is quite good at covering up things.
Wise Snake: From you? Probably.
Briel: It was only by chance I found her upset in a donation room.
Briel: Yeah.
Briel: I imagine since that was her job she has learned to cover most stuff up, except from another Farris.
Briel shrugs and looks back out the window.
Briel: Whether you realize it or not, it shook her very badly that she hurt another Farris in her attempt to escape Libby and Garon.
Wise Snake: The difficulty with Alea is that these lessons rarely last for long.
Briel: True.
Briel: She tends to do what she wants.
Briel: Which is how she ended up in that mess in the first place.
Briel: She said she'd met Garon before and he was a nice enough fellow. She went to ask him if there was any way to get the homeless to come to the Center and they'd get extra blankets along with their voucher.
Wise Snake: The homeless???
Briel: Unfortunately, she ran into Libby who locked her in Garon's office.
Briel: Yeah.
Briel shakes her head.
Wise Snake: Garon is a pimp. Not a homeless shelter.
Wise Snake: Why didn't she go to the shelters with this idea?
Briel: She said Garon evidently knew everything in this area and could point her to which shelters would be most helpful.
Wise Snake thinks Alea was a better liar that night than Briel thinks.
Wise Snake: That's crazy. She must have been loony that night.
Briel: I don't know.
Briel: I do know she got locked in and was trying to find a way out when Libby accosted her.
Briel: She told me she was going to leave Libby and go to you for help.
Briel: But she couldn't just leave Libby there and went back in.
Briel: That's when Libby decided to finish what she started...and Garon decided to join in the fun.
Wise Snake: That doesn't sound like Garon.
Briel: I don't know...I do know that Alea has promised to be more careful.
Wise Snake: Quite frankly, I don't believe anything Alea promises.
Briel: It's good you don't have to work with her then.
Wise Snake: She may believe it fully at the time, but a week later... a half a week later... she will have forgotten it utterly.
Briel: Well, I can only hope she remembers this.
Wise Snake: Keep in mind that she slammed me less than a week after I dove into the Bay to save her because she thought sledding was a good sport for a high field Donor.
Briel: I know.
Briel: But she wasn't trying to slam you Snake.
Wise Snake: The woman has the attention span of a butterfly and the memory of a sieve.
Wise Snake: She shouldn't have been trying to slam anybody!
Briel: The point is, she was caught in a very dangerous situation. She defended herself the only way she could think of.
Briel: You'd rather her be raped?
Briel: Yes, she was wrong to go to Garon's without someone with her--she shouldn't have gone at all.
Wise Snake: You don't get it, do you. The whole point is she shouldn't have gone into that situation in the first place.
Briel: Then we're agreed.
Wise Snake: Alea has absolutely no concept of how to choose appropriate activities for herself.
Briel: Well don't look to me to choose them for her.
Wise Snake's eyes narrow.
Wise Snake: You're Acting Controller, Briel.
Wise Snake: A Tecton Donor's life belongs to the Tecton.
Briel: Yes, I am. But I don't choose extra curricular activities for my people.
Briel: And give me some credit.
Wise Snake: Like it or not, Briel, Alea's problem is your problem now, unless you choose to ignore it.
Briel: I have been watching Alea...
Wise Snake: If Alea was being used the way a Donor was meant to be used, she wouldn't have TIME for any "extracurricular" activities.
Briel: I think part of the problem is, that she isn't being used.
Briel: EXACTLY.
Briel: People haven't allowed her to do her duties.
Wise Snake: Alea didn't even do them when she had them.
Briel: I have set about rectifying that.
Wise Snake: She must be assigned, then made to do the work.
Briel: Well the, why don't you come back to the Center if you want to control Alea?
Briel: I told you, I've been watching...yes, the problem is she has no duties.
Briel: So, that is one of the major things that has been changed during this overhaul.
Wise Snake: I have no power at the Sime Center. You know that.
Briel: Veraik tended to keep Alea at loose ends so she could be with him.
Briel: That's no longer the case.
Briel: She'll have duties.
Briel: And, she has enough paperwork to keep her busy for the other half of the time.
Briel: That'll only give her a couple of free hours each day.
Wise Snake: I think that's too many.
Wise Snake: Will it be spread out, in maybe 20 minute pieces?
Briel: If things go right, she'll fall into bed exhausted each night, which will solve her problem of boredom.
Briel: I won't be that regimental.
Briel: She does deserve some spare time, to go shopping or whatever.
Briel: And she still will have longer stretches on her odd days.
Briel: But it's the best I can do for now.
Wise Snake: Do me a favor and keep her from coming over here. It's bad enough half the Sime Center traipses in here whenever they like, but frankly, Alea scares me silly. I'm still having problems from what she refers to as a "mild slap".
Briel sighs.
Briel: I'll try.
Briel: But you know she is about Farrises.
You are now known as Alea.
Wise Snake: She's like a mad dog. If you don't contain her, very bad things will happen.
Briel stiffens.
Briel: I don't appreciate you referring to one of the center's employees as a mad dog.
Wise Snake: I don't appreciate what she has put me through over the past 4 weeks.
Briel: That mad dog, as you refer to her, saved my life when I was slammed.
Wise Snake: I left the center at least partially to escape from her.
Briel: I see.
Briel: Well, then, I'll make sure to explain to her exactly how you feel and hopefully we can work it out where she wont' come over here again.
Wise Snake: I swear, the woman will be the end of me. I can't handle the crazy things that happen every time she's around.
Wise Snake: I need stability, not lunacy. Don't you see?
Briel nods.
Briel: I'll make sure she understands.
Wise Snake: About B'cal... I don't think she can really handle working tonight.
Briel: Okay.
Wise Snake: I'll let her start, and when she gets tired out I'll get a cab and bring her in, okay?
Briel: That's between the two of you.
Briel: Sounds good.
Briel: Well then...I guess I should be going.
Briel goes over to where Snake put her coat and retrieves it.
Briel slips the cloak on.
Wise Snake surrepciously checks the kitchen, finds B'cal passed out there.
Wise Snake: Shen!
Briel: What?
Briel zlins.
Wise Snake: B'cal...
Briel: Yeah.
Wise Snake hurries in and checks the Donor.
Briel follows.
Wise Snake: No work for her tonight I guess.
Briel: No. Can you get her in bed without my help or do you want me to stick around?
Briel zlins B'cal again and sees no serious injury.
Briel: Looks like she just overdid it.
Wise Snake: Here, take her feet.
Briel leans down and scoops up B'cal's feet.
Wise Snake picks up B'cal's shoulders and they carry B'cal back into the guest bedroom.
Briel: Would have been easier for me to carry her by myself.
Wise Snake: She's going to hate this. I'll have to deny it happened.
Wise Snake gives Briel a look.
Briel lays her feet on the bed.
Wise Snake: Or I.
Wise Snake: I ==== me.
Briel: What are you going to do...tell her she was sleep walking?
Wise Snake arranges the blankets and looks down at the Donor with a sigh.
Wise Snake: I don't know... I'll think of something.
Wise Snake: If she finds out she passed out in the kitchen and you were still here, she'll have a cow.
Briel: Send her to the Center tonight. someone will make sure she doesn't get up and wander around.
Briel: Yeah.
Briel: Well, I'm off then.
Briel buttons up her cloak, pulling the hood up over her head.
Briel: Tell Nick I missed seeing him.
Wise Snake: [sourly] I.
Wise Snake: 'll do that.
Wise Snake sets mode: +o Gossamer
Briel goes to the door.
Briel: Yeah, I really wanted to talk with him.
Briel grins.
Wise Snake opens the door for Briel.
Wise Snake looks daggers at Briel's back.
Briel: Bye now.
Wise Snake: Goodbye. [pleasant showfield]
Briel chuckles as she leaves thinking Nick is going to have a cow if Snake gives that message.
Briel goes to the Center.
Wise Snake thinks Briel is dreaming if she thinks Snake will transmit any message from Briel to Nick.
Briel shakes the snow off her feet as she goes up the steps to the Center.
Briel goes inside, slips the cloak off and tosses it at the ulphostried cloak rack as she passes.
Briel, seeing Alea, snags her arm as she passes.
Alea: Whoa.
Alea: Briel!
Alea juggles the many folders she was carrying.
Briel: I want to talk to you now.
Briel frowns as she strides down the hall, Alea in tow.
Wise Snake is now known as Jirelle.
Alea: What is it?
Alea sighs as she drops two of the folders.
Jirelle is nearly run over by the two of them.
Jirelle: Wow!
Jirelle picks up the folders for Alea, along with all of her own.
Jirelle: Here you go..
Briel pushes Alea into the nearest conference room.
Briel pushes the door partway closed, taking the folders from Jirelle.
Briel turns back to Alea.
Alea gathers the folders close, wary.
Jirelle looks after Alea and Briel, hand still held out from Briel grabbing the folders.
Jirelle: Wow.. they must have some really important business.
Jirelle is often impressed by how important the business of Firsts is.
Briel: I just came from talking with Snake..you know, the same one you accidentally Slammed?
Alea moves back warily.
Alea: Yes, accidentally is the word there, Briel.
Jirelle goes back to work.
Briel sighs, running a hand through her hair.
Briel: Well, you've done it this time. Snake gave me a message to give to you.
Briel: It's very simple, really, I don't know why she didn't' deliver it, or maybe you just haven't been listening.
Alea tries to figure out what Briel means, but isn't sure.
Alea: I went by to apologize...
Briel: Forget it.
Briel: She hates you, wants nothing to do with you. She thinks you're a menace, a disgrace. In other words, she has begged me to do anything in my power to keep you away from her.
Briel: Is that plain enough for you?
Briel: Stay away.
Briel: Do not go over there for any reason.
Briel: She doesn't want you anywhere near her.
Alea's face goes blank.
Alea: I think you've made your point, Hajene. Is that all?
Briel glares.
Briel: I mean it, Alea. Stay completely away from her. As far as she's concerned you have wrecked her life. She told me you're the reason she left this center.
Alea nods.
Alea: Of course, Hajene.
Alea moves to the door.
Briel watches her go.
Briel: And don't forget the extra work...
Alea goes down the hall, not saying anything.
Briel: Shen.
Briel rubs at her neck, hating this job.
Briel: Veraik, so help me, if you don't come back, I won't .. I WILL NOT continue as controller here.
Alea walks silently back into the lobby and deposits the folders on the desk.
Alea goes to her office and carefully closes the door.
Alea goes to her drawer and pulls out her sketch pad, then sits down and begins to sketch.
Briel: Shen you Veraik.
Briel leaves the conference room
Briel: Jirelle.
Briel calls out, seeing Jirelle in the hall.
Jirelle goes to Briel, hoping that the thunderous expression on Briel's face doesn't mean there's anything wrong.
Jirelle: Yes, Hajene?
Briel forces a smile.
Jirelle smiles at Briel, trying to cheer her up.
Briel: You know, I wanted to talk to you about the donation rooms. I wondered if you had any ideas on how to make them more welcoming.
Jirelle: Oh!
Briel chuckles at Jirelle's enthusiastic response.
Jirelle: I never really considered it before, but I'd be happy to think about it now.
Briel: Great.
Briel: Nothing to outrageous, but things that might soothe someone coming to donate.
Alea continues to sketch, page after page.
Jirelle: Wow... thank you for giving me so much responsibility. I'm honored... although it is a bit intimidating. [blushes]
Briel: You've been her a long time. It's time you had more responsibility.
Briel: And I think you have a very keen decorating sense.
Jirelle blushes again at the praise.
Jirelle smiles, blooming like a flower.
Briel: As a matter of fact, if you can get all the ideas worked up and submitted for the donation rooms, we might just try to tackle the lobby.
Briel: Before Veraik gets back.
Briel: As a surprise for him.
Jirelle: Wow.
Jirelle: When do you want to hear my ideas?
Jirelle: Can I have a couple of days to think about it?
Briel: Sure.
Briel smiles.
Briel: Just get them to me when you can.
Jirelle: Okay. Thank you. ~~giddy with excitement~~
Briel chuckles and turns to go down the hall.
Jirelle thinks she must be the luckiest person in the world.
Alea finally slows and looks at her sketches, one by one, slowly flipping through them.
Alea looks back through her many sketches, all the way back to her isolation when she had been exposed to shaking plague.
Alea finally lets her tears fall.
Briel goes to the lobby.
Briel sees the stack of folders Alea was suppose to be working with and sighs, thinking she is never going to get anywhere with that Donor.
Briel [to clerk] "Please send a message to Snake and tell her things have been taken care of for her."
Alea spots a package delivered to her yesterday by her friend and slowly lays down her sketch book.
Alea hesitates, then pulls the package toward her.
Alea finally opens the package.
Alea pulls out the information.
Alea frowns.
Alea: Distect.
Alea reads further.
Alea: Shen...I don't want to do this. This is my home now.
Alea wishes now she had waited to open this.
Alea reaches up and touches her long hair, thinking of the changes that would have to be made if she decides to help out her friend.
Alea trembles, then gathers up the papers and dumps them in the trash can.
Alea goes over and opens the window, allowing the frigid blowing air to sweep into the office.
Alea then grabs a match and lights the papers on fire, her tears drying on her face.
Alea stares at the flames as they ignite and leap up, engulfing the papers.
Alea: Please please please, leave me alone on this. I just can't do what you want[whispers]I have too much here. Tarsh, my friends...
Alea thinks of the anger earlier she felt from Briel and her words about Snake and reconsiders.
Alea drags over to the couch in her small office and sinks down wearily.
Alea snatches up a soft cloth and wipes at her face, trying to erase the trace of tears.
Alea: I'm a Farris. Farrises don't allow their emotions to get the better of them.
Alea gets up and crosses to the mirror and brushes her hair, putting it up tightly from her face.
Alea sets mode: +o Jirelle
Briel takes the folders Alea left at the desk and hands them to the clerk.
Briel: Give these to Alea and tell her I want them completed.
Zethraim pauses in his polishing to pull his watch out of his pocket and squint at it.
Briel goes to the filing cabinet and rummages through it, please that the files are now in order again.
Zethraim taps it with a finger.
Zethraim holds it to his ear.
Zethraim: [to Briel] Could ye tell me the time?
Briel: Thirty minutes until lunch.
Zethraim: Thank you.
Zethraim moves some files to dust on top of the file cabinets.
Briel finds what she was looking for and pulls back.
Briel: What are you doing Zethraim?
Zethraim: Oh, jest cleanin up a little.
Zethraim: These here cabinets seem to get a bet dusty once every two, three weeks or so.
Jon Drake heads out of his office and out into the hall.
Briel: I see.
Briel: That's something I wanted to mention to you, Zethraim.
Zethraim spit-polishes the knobs on the filing cabinet front.
Zethraim: Oh? What's that?
Jon Drake makes it to the lobby.
Zethraim: [ptoo... polish polish polish polish]
Briel: Would it be possible for you to assign someone to make sure this lobby is cleaned every day?
Zethraim pushes back his hat and scratches his head.
Briel: With all of the snow, the floors have been a real mess.
Zethraim: Well, sure. If'n I ken get that approval for the new hires I wanted...
Briel braces herself, remembering past conversations with Zethraim.
Zethraim: I sebmitted it back in August.
Briel: OH JD!
Briel smiles in relief and motions him over.
Briel: Submitted what?
Jon Drake: Good afternoon, Briel!
Briel looks curious despite herself.
Zethraim: To get permession to har them extra folks.
Zethraim: There.
Briel: Ah.
Briel nods.
Zethraim: There's only the four of es now, we ain't ben able tuh keep up what weth new wings ben oppened and such like.
Zethraim: But we was behind even way back then.
Briel: I have allocated funds for fifteen extra people.
Zethraim blinks several times, slowly.
Zethraim: Oh, well, Hajene Briel, thet's right generous of you.
Briel: It's better than walking down a hall and slipping in a puddle of water that someone spilled.
Briel: Not me..but a Gen.
Briel: Injured Gens can lead to all kinds of problems.
Jon Drake moves over by Briel...
Briel: Jon, you know Zethraim, don't you?
Zethraim: Well thet's what I told MaryMay back before she quet, I said,
Zethraim: "Mary May, we needs more people or somebeddy's going to get hurt"
Briel: Well, you were right.
Briel: I was looking over the safety reports and the amount of injuries we have had is too high.
Briel: That number has got to come down.
Briel: And one way is to see that the place is kept clean.
Jon Drake nods to Zethraim.
Jon Drake: Yes, we met in my first month.
Zethraim: Well, ma'am, soon's I get thet authoreezation, I'll get right on my hahring.
Zethraim: I only been wating since August now.
Briel: Good...I'm glad to hear that.
Zethraim returns the nod.
Briel: I think you'll find the authorization in your box when you get back to your office.
Briel: If not, then it will be there by tomorrow.
Zethraim has heard that one before.
Zethraim: It's most appreciated.
Briel: I signed it myself yesterday.
Briel: I'm glad.
Briel smiles.
Zethraim: We ben requiring more help for ever.
Briel: I think the priority has been on getting all of the other offices up and running and the housekeeping service just got....neglected.
Zethraim twitches his mustache.
Zethraim: Young man, [to JonDrake], I ben meanin to tell you...
Briel: Well, then, I'll let you get on with your work.
Jon Drake: Yes?
Briel nods to Zethraim and Jon and moves off
Zethraim: Veraik done got hes magazines forwarded to hes other address so I won't be having none from the garbage for a few weeks now.
Briel hears that and turns, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
Briel ~~surprise, shock~~
Briel's mouth twitches.
Jon Drake: Hmmm...
Zethraim decides to go see if there is enough soap in the restrooms.
Zethraim shuffles off, whistling.
Briel: Uh..um..not getting enough?
Briel can't help the chuckle that escapes.
Briel zlins him closely.
Briel: Ah, Jon, dear, why didn't you tell me?
Briel shakes her head.
Briel moves forward and whispers in his ear.
Briel: I would have been more than happy to see to the problem for you.
Briel chuckles low, again.
Jon Drake is perplexed...
Jon Drake: Me?
Jon Drake: Who has the time?
Briel chuckles and moves off.
Briel: Well, I have work to do...
Jon Drake: ..For magazines, that is.
Briel: Ah.
Briel starts down the hall.
Alea comes out of her office sees Briel and pauses
Alea nods to JD.
Jon Drake: H, Alea!
Briel stiffens, glances over her shoulder then nods toward the desk.
Briel: Please see those are done today.
Briel goes on down the hall.
Alea: Hello Jon.
Alea moves out of her office and to the desk.
Alea: I haven't seen you lately.
Alea: Been busy?
Jon Drake: Yes, lots of paperwork.
Jon Drake: It's actually been rather quiet since Kaymeil left.
Alea nods.
Alea: She kept you running, didn't she.
Briel goes down the hall and right out the back door, grabbing a gray cloak...and finally stopping by the gnome to enjoy the frigid air.
Alea gathers the folders she had put down earlier and goes through them to find the ones she needs.
Jon Drake: That she did.
Alea realizes she has finished all except two and extracts those.
Alea: You know, I think maybe it'd be good for me to take up running.
Alea: I did until I came here.
Alea: I should get back in shape. I let myself go too much since I've been here.
Alea opens them and scans the information, making a few notations then hands them to the desk clerk with a smile.
Alea: Thank you.
Alea: I've let a lot of things go since I've been here.
Alea: You know, I think I'll go running now...
Alea: What better time to start, than now?
Jon Drake: Would you like me to run with you? We seem to be having a bit of a quiet time.
Alea frowns, then shakes her head.
Alea: No, I think I'd rather be alone.
Alea: Maybe you can find Briel and see what she has for you to do?
Alea hopefully.
Briel looks around at the deep snow and remembers Alea and Tramila playing it the other day and the joy they had seemed to be having.
Briel didn't like the look on Alea's face when she saw her a few minutes ago.
Briel ~~guilt~~
Alea decides she's not going to get rid of Jon easily so she sighs.
Jon Drake: You sure? I'd be happy to.
Alea: Sure, if you'd like to.
Briel decides she has other things to fill her time instead of worrying about one Donor's feelings and forces it to the back of her mind.
Alea: Let me just change.
Alea goes up the stairs to her room and slips on some socks and pants, then a top, before borrowing a huge sweater to cover her up.
Alea grabs a cap and scarf and heads back downstairs.
Jon Drake: Ok. I'll change into something more appropriate as well...
Alea is carrying her boots.
Alea slips her boots on and then her cloak and waits for Jon.
Jon Drake exits out of his room presently.
Briel sighs and goes wearily back to her office.
Alea stretches.
Alea looses up her leg muscles.
Jon Drake stretches a bit.
Jon Drake: Any time you're ready.
Alea blinks
Alea: Oh.
Alea: Okay.
Alea: I suppose now.
Alea goes to the door.
Alea: I hope Tarsh didn't mind me borrowing his sweater.
Alea: You know, I really should get warmer clothes.
Alea goes out the door.
Alea carefully balances as she goes down the stairs.
Alea: These are one of the few pair of pants I've owned since being here.
Alea: It can't stay cold forever, though, can it?
Alea: I've never lived this far North.
Jon Drake: You should be able to afford it on a Donor's salary.
Alea moves to the snow and walks along in it to the end of the walkway, then exits the gate.
Alea: Oh, I can afford it, though I do keep some put back in case of....emergencies.
Alea thinks like having to leave in the middle of the night.
Alea wonders if old habits will ever die and feels very old at that moment.
Alea: Mind if we jog in the park?
Jon Drake raises an eyebrow.
Jon Drake: Sure.
Alea turns and goes up the street.
Whte Wolf slips through the shadows, winking in and out of sunlight like the reflection off frost.
Alea crosses the street, glancing at the police station, wondering if they ever found that missing art and remembering her fear that Snake might have ben...
Alea forces her thoughts away and smiles at Jon.
Alea: Ready?
Jon Drake: Your lead!
Jon Drake: Sure. Any time.
Alea starts off at a slow pace.
Alea: It's been ages...and this is odd in the snow like this.
Whte Wolf bounds over the snow alongside the path.
Alea glances over and her eyes widen.
Alea: Jon Drake?
Whte Wolf's blue eyes laugh at Alea.
Whte Wolf tongue lolls.
Jon Drake: What's odd?
Alea: Do you see that white wolf by chance?
Jon Drake sets mode: +o WhteWolf
Jon Drake: Wolf? Where?
Alea motions.
Whte Wolf leaves nary a pawprint as its silent lope eats up the snow.
Jon Drake looks to where she is looking.
Alea sees Jon's blank look and begins to run faster.
Whte Wolf falls back for now.
Alea doesn't look left or right, but just continues to run.
Jon Drake moves to catch up.
Jon Drake: What's....wrong?
Alea: Nothing!
Alea realizes the snow wears her out faster than running through fields did and silently curses the fact.
Whte Wolf pants at Alea's heels.
Alea continues to run, refusing to stop.
Jon Drake: Alea!
Alea crosses through the park and turns toward the outskirts of town.
Jon Drake begins running after Alea in earnest.
Whte Wolf fades away.
Alea trips and falls to her knees.
Alea gasping in great gulps of air
Jon Drake catches up with her.
Jon Drake: Alea! What's wrong?
Alea shakes her head, unable to talk while she catches her breath.
Alea: I want to go home, to Zeor.
Alea: I am tired of this place, you know that Jon.
Alea: But I can't go home...
Jon Drake: You can't? I thought...
Alea Pushes herself to her feet.
Alea: I could if I didn't' have someone there wanting something else investigated....
Alea gasps when she realizes what she said and looks up guiltily.
Jon Drake: I thought you were through with that?
Alea stands and moves away from Jon.
Alea: I am...
Jon Drake: Then what's happened?
Alea shakes her head.
Alea: Shen
Alea rubs wearily at her face.
Alea: I don't know.
Alea: They need someone.
Alea: I'm available.
Jon Drake: Hmmm...
Alea: Or to them I am...since this turned into a dead end.
Jon Drake frowns.
Alea: Or well, not a dead end.
Alea sighs.
Alea brushes the snow off her legs badangel sits on Alea's shoulder.
Alea: I don't know anymore. I'm thinking maybe I should go ahead and do this for them.
Jon Drake: What would you like to do right now? You want to run some more? Get a bit to eat offsite?
Badangel: Go on! Do it! You know it's the one thing you're really GOOD at... really good.
Alea: I thought I could make a life here...but you know, it might be better...
Alea shrugs.
Badangel falls off when Alea shrugs.
Alea starts to cry.
Alea: This is the only place I've seen wolves or been changed into a Sime or heard voices talking to me.
Alea: Do you know that?
Alea: No wonder everyone thinks I'm crazy and useless.
Jon Drake: Hmmm..
Alea: Let's run.
Alea doesn't wait, but turns to run.
Jon Drake: There must be something about this place.
Jon Drake runs to catch up again.
Alea wipes at her face, feeling the tears freezing there.
Jon Drake catches up to her.
Alea slows.
Alea breathing heavily again.
Alea: I'm so out of shape.
Alea: I am absolutely useless.
Alea: If a channel required my help, I probably couldn't even run long enough to get there.
Alea: If any channel trusted me.
Alea: Do you know what I found out today?
Alea looks over at Jon.
Briel is now known as B'cal.
Jon Drake thanks Kaymeil silently for the training.
Jon Drake: What, Alea?
Jon Drake: You are not useless.
Alea: Well, I guess I'm not surprised, I mean, I shouldn't be...
Alea: Briel very bluntly informed me of Snake's exact feelings.
Alea shrugs.
Alea: Needless to say, Wisesnake wishes me to the furthest Sime Center around.
Alea: Yeah, Briel informed me of several things.
Wise Snake goes in to check on B'cal.
Alea: I wonder if that's why she's given me so much work that I don't' have any time free at all.
Alea: I have work that is sitting there right now but I had to get out.
B'cal is sitting up on the side of the bed.
B'cal glares.
Wise Snake: Ah.. B'cal. I see you're up again.
Wise Snake zlins...
B'cal: I'm fine.
Wise Snake: You're awfully dizzy... maybe you should take it easy.
B'cal: Don't go zlinning me like that.
Wise Snake pulls in her tentacles.
B'cal: I'll say how dizzy I am.
B'cal: And the only way to get over it is to get up and moving.
Wise Snake: I'm sorry if I ... all right. [thinks B'cal is in no condition to do anything]
Wise Snake: That's not how it works with transfer burn, as you know perfectly well.
Alea finally slows and stops.
Wise Snake: Plenty of rest is what you require.
Alea looks over at Jon.
Alea: I don't know what to do.
Alea ~~anguish/grief~~
B'cal: Rest!
B'cal: I've had enough rest.
B'cal: I've had it with rest.
B'cal: Do you know Nick Snores?
B'cal: I hear him!
B'cal: And that Linn.
Wise Snake: He's all the way in the other room!
B'cal: Thank god for small favors!
Wise Snake: Linn snores?
B'cal: NO!
Wise Snake jumps.
B'cal: Linn putters around the house like happy homemaker.
B'cal: It's enough to drive anyone crazy.
B'cal runs a shaky hand through her hair.
Wise Snake: Well... that she's doing housework, or that she's happy?
B'cal: If it was ONLY housework.
B'cal: She MAKES work.
Jon Drake: I'm sure there's something that can be done.
B'cal: She rearranges when she runs out of things to do.
Alea sighs.
Wise Snake laughs.
Alea: Please don't repeat what I've told you.
Wise Snake: I'd noticed that. Drove me crazy too, at first.
Alea: Besides, if I do take the job, I can tell you right now, this identity will be buried so deep that you'll never find me under my new one so it'd do no good to tell anyone.
B'cal: She lives in a fantasy world.
B'cal: That woman should get back out in the world some.
Jon Drake: I won't. You should know that by now.
Wise Snake: Why? She's useful to me as she is.
Alea nods.
B'cal: She is at loose ends. Why else would she make up work?
Wise Snake: And she's at a delicate stage right now. She's carrying a GN-1's field with a GN-2
Wise Snake:'s field control.
B'cal glares.
Alea: Oh Jon.
Alea: Wouldn't it be nice if life was simply black and white?
Alea rubs at her face and realizes it is numb.
B'cal: Are you ready to go to work yet?
B'cal: Where is that new Donor of yours?
Wise Snake: Uh, B'cal, I don't think you're ready to work.
Jon Drake: Come on. Let's get you inside where it's warm.
Alea stiffens.
Alea: I'm fine.
Jon Drake points to a nearby restaurant.
Jon Drake: Let's try there.
Alea: Okay.
B'cal turns her narrowed gaze on Snake.
B'cal: Just when did I decide to let you tell me when I was ready for work.
Wise Snake: I can work myself again. [not happy about the prospect, but not wanting B'cal to collapse on her again either]
Wise Snake blinks.
Jon Drake: My treat.
Wise Snake: As far as I know, you didn't decide. I decided for you.
B'cal: You are barely...barely a channel....
B'cal puffs up.
B'cal: I've been a Donor ....
B'cal pauses then glares.
B'cal: Enough years that I know if I'm ready to work or not.
Alea smiles sweetly at Jon.
Alea: That's such a dear Jon. Thank you.
Wise Snake: How many years was that?
Wise Snake looks at B'cal in some amazement.
B'cal: Enough that I can run circles around you or any other channel who decides to try to put me in my place.
Wise Snake: Circles? Really.
B'cal: You're too young to even appreciate humor.
B'cal: Why am I not surprised.
Jon Drake notices that it's a Gen territory restaurant.
B'cal pushes to her feet.
Wise Snake: That is true... humor is not a hobby of mine.
Wise Snake catches B'cal and helps her.
Wise Snake: Take it easy, now. We don't want a repeat of.. er, we don't want anything to happen.
B'cal controls her field at snake's touch.
B'cal: I'm perfectly fine.
Alea goes into the cafe'
Wise Snake: Of course.
Wise Snake: [soothing]
B'cal scowls.
Jon Drake: Would you like to try that garlic steak sandwich now?
B'cal: I am ready to go if you are.
Alea: Uh...sure.
Wise Snake notes B'cal is not dressed.
Wise Snake: Um... okay uh,
Alea nods, her eyes widening with a weird look of anticipation and queasiness.
B'cal pulls away and straightens her jacket.
B'cal: I dressed earlier for a reason.
B'cal: I'm putting this behind me.
B'cal: I'm ready to go on.
B'cal realizes it's not her jacket but a robe.
B'cal: Where'd my clothes go!
B'cal glares at Snake.
B'cal: Did you undress me while I slept?
Wise Snake s' eyes widen.
Wise Snake: Er... when I put you to bed.
B'cal: Well?
B'cal crosses her arms and glares.
Alea moves over to the chair offered her, thanking the person in perfect English.
Jon Drake sits down as well.
Wise Snake: Yes.
B'cal: Where are my clothes?
B'cal: You took them, I'd like them back.
B'cal: NOW.
B'cal wonders where Nick is, thinking he'd been in here by now at her raised voice, then smiles as she realizes he IS NOT there.
Wise Snake points to the chair beside the bed, the clothes laid across the back.
B'cal turns and sees them, and snatches them up.
Wise Snake's eyes show a little white around the edges though she is trying to stay low-stress.
B'cal beings to quickly dress.
Wise Snake's tentacles wave about in concern.
Alea: You want to order Jon..I'm not sure I can order....that.
Alea shudders
B'cal shakes her head as dizziness assails her.
Jon Drake: Come on now...
Wise Snake catches B'cal, steadying her.
B'cal growls.
B'cal finishes slipping her pants on, then shoves her feet into her shoes.
Wise Snake: I'm sorry.. I'm sorry, but I don't want you to fall.
B'cal goes tot he bathroom to comb her hair.
Jon Drake: It's not that bad.
B'cal: Thank you, Snake.
B'cal: I appreciate your concern.
Alea smiles.
Alea: If they're as good as your, what did you call them...strawberry things, then I'll be okay with it.
Wise Snake follows watchful.
Jon Drake: Well, they'll be a bit different than that.
Alea: Oh.
Alea: Just how different?
B'cal fixes her hair, perfectly, then turns.
Wise Snake makes sure B'cal is okay throughout the grooming process, waiting patiently.
B'cal: Now, let's go get to work.
B'cal: We don't want you getting entran, do we.
Wise Snake: Uh... great.
Wise Snake: But before we go..
B'cal: You should keep working and be in your best shape for your next transfer.
B'cal: Yes?
B'cal turns back to the mirror to check her hair.
Wise Snake: I want to make sure you get a good breakfast. I don't want you fainting on me.
Wise Snake: .. or something.
B'cal looks over at Snake.
B'cal: Fine.
B'cal: I hope you don't expect me to cook though.
B'cal: That little lovebird might cook, but I do NOT cook.
Wise Snake: I'll do it. Linn has seen that I have learned one or two basic things, so that I wouldn't starve if all the stores were closed.
B'cal nods.
B'cal: Good.
B'cal goes to the kitchen.
Wise Snake tried to explain to Linn that a Sime can live on selyn alone for quite a while, but Linn didn't buy that as an excuse.
Wise Snake waits until B'cal is safely seated, then goes about cooking some oatmeal and cutting up an apple.
B'cal: You know, that simephobe thinks of you as a child and me a bullying adult, did you know that?
B'cal shakes her head.
B'cal: When is she going to realize you're an adult?
Wise Snake: I suppose when she stops trying to pretend I don't have tentacles.
Alea reluctantly places the order.
Alea: Do you have any hot relaxing drinks?
Jon Drake: Well, you were talking about a fruity drink. This is a sandwich.
Wise Snake: You have to admit, I have gotten farther playing the child to her than the Center ever did with THEIR simephobia treatments.
B'cal: Except that YOU are the only one Linn trusts.
B'cal: She's still a simephobe.
B'cal: Get her out around other Simes and she's going to panic.
B'cal: You're going to have to do something about that.
Wise Snake: She is doing much better than she was. Ask Briel.
B'cal: You can't be there for her always and she's going to end up dead.
B'cal sneers.
B'cal: I have no desire to ask the disjunct anything.
Wise Snake looks oddly at B'cal.
Wise Snake: Who says I can't always be there?
B'cal rubs at her aching head, wondering just how much of the pain is affecting snake.
Wise Snake: She lives here, doesn't she?
Jon Drake orders a hot tea--Gen territory style.
B'cal: You're planning on keeping her by your side twenty four hours a day..not letting her go shopping or out for a walk or anything?
Wise Snake: She has been doing that all along.
B'cal: But she didn't do that out-Territory.
B'cal: How long do you think she's going to be happy hiding behind a door?
Wise Snake: She has improved greatly, as I said. She understands now that her nager affects those around her, and takes responsibility for it.
B'cal sighs.
Wise Snake: I meant, she goes shopping and for walks now.
B'cal: She's not my worry.
B'cal: You are.
B'cal: Just keep yourself in shape and ready for that next transfer.
Wise Snake stirs the oatmeal; not done yet.
Alea accepts the drink they bring her and sniffs it.
Alea: I'm afraid to ask what's in it.
Wise Snake: I'm fine.
Alea: Though it does smell like...oranges and something else.
B'cal: Stay that way.
B'cal rubs at her head.
Wise Snake: Physically, anyway. And as soon as you are healthy enough to work again, we won't have to worry about the other either.
Wise Snake: Do you want some fosebine?
B'cal glares.
B'cal: That would be nice.
B'cal: Unless you enjoy the pain I'm projecting.
Wise Snake grimaces at the mixed message.
Wise Snake: Of course not. And I wish you wouldn't project.
Alea takes a tentative sip and smiles.
Jon Drake: It's just black tea.
Wise Snake leaves to go get the fosebine.
Alea: No, it's got some spices added to it.
Alea: Taste.
Alea: I can't identify them.
Alea takes another sip, her mind drifting back to Briel's words of earlier.
B'cal sighs and leans her elbows wearily on the table, propping her head in her hands.
Wise Snake mixes the fosebine and returns with it.
Wise Snake: Here.
Wise Snake: ~~concern~~
Jon Drake: Probably cinnamon, clove. Stuff shipped in by sea.
B'cal takes it and downs it on one gulp.
Wise Snake also gives B'cal a glass of water to wash down the taste.
B'cal downs it too.
Jon Drake takes out the menu and considers.
B'cal: Better.
Wise Snake checks the oatmeal, finds it nearly finished.
Wise Snake removes it from the fire and sets it aside to steam, with the lid on.
Wise Snake sets a pot of hot water for tea on the table, and two cups.
Alea sighs.
Wise Snake checks the oats, finds they've mostly steamed off its excess moisture, and serves it into bowls.
Wise Snake adds the apple and hands the larger bowl to B'cal.
Wise Snake checks to make sure B'cal is still awake.
Wise Snake: B'cal?
B'cal: Huh.
Wise Snake: Your breakfast is ready.
Jon Drake: Ok.
B'cal nods.
Wise Snake pours their tea, then sits down opposite B'cal.
Wise Snake wonders if she can get away with leaving the dirty dishes for Linn.
Jon Drake: How about that sandwich?
Alea glances at Jon.
Wise Snake reasons that Linn will be pleased enough that Snake made breakfast, that it would counteract the annoyance of the dishes; nods.
Alea: Oh, okay. I suppose so.
Jon Drake: You want salad or soup with that?
Wise Snake: B'cal. Eat.
B'cal: I'm eating.
B'cal picks up the spoon and sticks it in her mouth.
Wise Snake nods approvingly.
Alea: I don't' know Jon.
Alea: I suppose the soup.
Jon Drake: Both?
Alea: No, I'm not very hungry to be honest.
Jon Drake: Ok.
Wise Snake finishes her own and then zlins B'cal, trying to judge her condition.
B'cal ~~weary, shaky~~`
Wise Snake thinks, definitely ixnay on the working.
Alea: Tell me, do all o-Territory eat dead animals?
Alea is thinking of the missive and new assignment she got earlier and wondering, if she takes it and is undercover if she'll have to eat this stuff regularly.
Jon Drake gets the server's attention.
Jon Drake: Well... sometimes.
Alea: I see.
Alea tells herself not to make a fuss.
Wise Snake gets up and stands behind B'cal, begins to massage the Donor's shoulders.
Jon Drake: It can actually be rather tasty...
B'cal: WHAT do you think you are doing?
B'cal stiffens.
B'cal: I will NOT be treated like an invalid by a young first year channel.
Jon Drake turns to the server. He orders two sandwiches, one medium rare, the other medium; two soups.
Wise Snake: Shhh... humor me.
B'cal: Humor you.
B'cal: That's all I EVER do, is humor you.
Wise Snake: Is that true? [continuing massage, fingers and tentacles]
Wise Snake: When do you humor me? [asking just to keep B'cal talking]
B'cal: Ah..uh...
B'cal relaxing.
B'cal: All the time you screwed up channel.
B'cal: A Farris who wants to be a rogue...never heard of such a thing.
B'cal frowns.
Jon Drake makes small talk while waiting for the soup to arrive.
B'cal: Could be comparable to Tramila...but you want to play on the streets.
Alea: You know, Jon, I think I just want to go back to the Center.
Alea: I have some things I should be doing...
Alea feeling queasy at the thought of eating meat.
Wise Snake: B'cal, it's not that I want a life of struggle and hardship.. I just don't belong at either Zeor or in the Tecton.
B'cal: You could make a place for yourself there...or any other house.
B'cal: You just don't want to conform to anyone else's rules.
Wise Snake: And I have gone a long way towards making a place for myself here. A place as safe, and as filled with promise, as any Householding.
Wise Snake considers B'cal's words, while massaging the Donor's neck.
Wise Snake: Well... that may be part of it. Maybe I can't conform.
B'cal: Huh.
B'cal: Told you.
B'cal: I've seen many like you in my time.
Alea: I don't know, Jon...I really really think we should go.
Wise Snake thinks B'cal can't have had too many transfers like that one.
Alea: We can take the food with us.
Wise Snake: Have you?
B'cal: Yes.
B'cal: Some made it, some didn't.
B'cal: You'd better be one of those who make it.
Wise Snake: I intend to be.
Wise Snake: I have plans... great plans. On the verge of a beginning.
B'cal: Well, good luck with them.
B'cal finishes her cereal and pushes the bowl away.
Wise Snake is disappointed that B'cal seems disinterested in her life after all.
Wise Snake drops B'cal's shoulders and puts the bowls in the sink.
B'cal: You just make sure whatever you plan does not contradict the tecton too much or you'll be run out of the area.
B'cal: The Tecton does not put up with rebels too well.
Wise Snake gives B'cal a withering look, that says Oh, I Did Not Know That?
Wise Snake: Come on. You're ready to go?
B'cal gives her a warning look back.
B'cal: Yes.
B'cal stands slowly.
Wise Snake watches skeptically.
B'cal: You know, I've been burned before....
B'cal: It wasn't this bad.
B'cal ~~defensively~~
B'cal: It was WORSE.
B'cal: So I'll be fine.
Wise Snake: It's a good thing I wasn't really in need, or you wouldn't be here to complain.
B'cal: It wasn't the selyn, it was that shendoni Farris speed.
B'cal: I have enough selyn to see to you any day.
B'cal: I'd suggest you have Tramila monitor next month, in case Nick isn't up to handling you.
Wise Snake: Yeah... and could you have withstood it for as long as it would have taken for me to draw my full capacity?
B'cal shrugs.
B'cal: Probably, though I'd feel like one of those fish that eat the garbage from the bottom of the bay afterward.
Wise Snake wisely refrains from comment.
B'cal: If you don't want Tramila, then get that little Farris Donor to standby, would be my advice.
Wise Snake: The person who slammed me? No thank you.
Wise Snake: I will be nervous enough without that on my mind.
Alea glares.
Alea: I just don't think this is a good idea Jon.
Alea shudders as she watches people around her eating and wonders just what they are eating.
B'cal: Nervous?
B'cal starts toward the door.
Wise Snake: Hey. You get bundled up.
B'cal grabs her cloak and sneers.
Wise Snake: Shen, yeah, I'll be nervous. After what I did to you, what kind of a chance does Nick have? I don't think I'll even dare try it. Not for at least another couple months.
Alea sighs when Jon agrees and they gather their food and start back to the Sime Center.
Alea sniffs the food curious.
B'cal: He's not going to like that.
Garlicstk steams aromatically.
B'cal: What are you going to do next month for his transfer.
B'cal: Have that little disjunct give him transfer again?
Wise Snake: I don't know. I don't know yet.
Wise Snake: No!
B'cal pauses at the door.
B'cal lifts an eyebrow.
B'cal: You know, that might be the very thing.
Wise Snake: He has to be pushed. She matched him... that was fine, but he has to be pushed hard or he won't ever match me.
B'cal: What of Lanyi?
Wise Snake: Lanyi?
Wise Snake: Uh.... I doubt she'd agree to my terms.
B'cal: She's a Tigue.
B'cal: True
Alea: It certainly SMELLS good.
Alea smiles over at Jon.
Wise Snake: She and I... have a failure to see eye-to-eye on matters of... channeling.
B'cal pulls open the door.
B'cal: Who does see eye to eye with you Snake?
B'cal shudders at the cold.
B'cal: Lead the way.
Alea lapses into silence as she tries to decide what she is going to do.
Alea thinks back to the papers she read earlier today.
Wise Snake: I want to start a Householding, B'cal.
Alea remembers the request--but distect?
Garlicstk: ~~~garlic.... other yummy smells... and more garlic~~~~
B'cal: What is the truth you would found it on?
B'cal: Carre is unity through peace, V'lar is faith, hope, honor.
Wise Snake: Loyalty. Responsibility to one's own.
Alea suddenly feels dizzy and thrusts the sandwich toward Jon.
B'cal goes down the stairs.
B'cal eyes Snake.
Wise Snake tries to meet B'cal's eyes, her own pale and weird.
B'cal: Then do it.
B'cal starts down the street.
Wise Snake: I intend to. I'm working on it now.
Wise Snake follows, monitoring B'cal's condition carefully.
Alea staggers over and leans against a tree on the path.
Alea: That smell...it's...strong.
B'cal: Which direction?
Wise Snake: This way. wisesnake extends a tentacle toward the bay, downhill.
B'cal follows.
Alea holds her stomach until the feeling passes.
Alea: I don't think I'm allergic to anything in that...
Wise Snake pauses at the crest of a hill and points at a clock tower down by the water.
Wise Snake: See that tower? With the clock.
B'cal: Yes.
B'cal: I see it everytime we come by this way.
Alea: Let's go.
Alea: You know how it is with Farrises...
Wise Snake: It used to be the Ferry building.. back before Bender Cove became Sime Territory.
Wise Snake: Now the Gen Ferry doesn't come this far.
B'cal nods.
Wise Snake: I've always loved that building. Do you know... for you, is it possible to be in love with a building?
Alea: I remember once when Veraik rubbed a medicine on me...oh, Jon, it was awful.
B'cal shrugs.
B'cal: I suppose so.
Alea: They ran me to a shower and stripped me..there was my former lover and my current...uh, oh [coughs]
Alea: Anyway...and Snake got it all over her laterals.
Wise Snake senses B'cal's lack of enthusiasm for the subject and looks back at the tower, then starts trudging farther down the hill.
B'cal: Is the building sound?
Wise Snake: The roof is in bad shape, and the facade needs work. But structurally it's fine.
Alea smile fades as she thinks of Snake.
Wise Snake says "fine" exactly the same way she said it when she described Linn.
B'cal: It'd make a decent household.
B'cal: Building.
Wise Snake: ~~relieved B'cal understood~~
Wise Snake: I thought so too.
B'cal: Small, not too big.
Wise Snake: Perhaps a bit large to begin with, but the House would grow.
B'cal: That will give you time to build up.
Wise Snake: Yes.
B'cal: In time.
Wise Snake: Did you know, at one time I actually wanted to try to seduce Alea over to my side?
Alea shakes her head at the smell of the sandwich.
B'cal looks at Snake, thinking she is joking.
Wise Snake has never been more serious.
B'cal: You know, Snake, with her reputation, I wouldn't use the word seduce in the same sentence as her name. Those who don't know you're a channel would get the wrong idea.
B'cal thinks that explanation sums up her entire feelings on the Alea subject.
Wise Snake blinks.
Wise Snake laughs shortly.
Alea goes down the path, feeling a bit stronger.
Alea: I suppose there are other things that could be contributing to my sudden lack of appetite.
Wise Snake: Well, I have Nick.. and Linn.... and I plan to talk to Fise soon.
B'cal sneers.
B'cal: Fise?
Wise Snake: And there are people in the town who are .... [pauses at Briel's sneer]
B'cal: Don't make up your household of the scum.
B'cal: Find others.
Wise Snake: Others where? I can't steal from the Tecton too many times, or there will be punishment.
Wise Snake: ===B'cal's sneer====\
B'cal: The people you are giving transfer to.
B'cal: They're not members of a household.
B'cal: Watch, find out who is really loyal and who would make a good assest to the house, who would put it above everything else, then offer them membership.
Alea: Yeah, it could be the smell of the meat.
B'cal: You'll have disappointments over time.
B'cal: You'll just have to take it one day at a time.
Alea: Yeah, the smell of the meat and knowing what it is might make my stomach queasy.
Alea: Just the thought...I'm sorry Jon.
Wise Snake is glad B'cal did not ask where Snake would get the money to buy something like a building.
Alea breaks into the park and realizes her face is numb again.
Wise Snake: How are you feeling?
Wise Snake zlins B'cal.
B'cal: Fine.
B'cal ~~weak and shaky and cold~~
Wise Snake hails a cab.
Wise Snake: Great.
B'cal looks around, breaths coming much sharper, wondering just where they were headed since they haven't done any work yet.
Alea cuts through the park.
Alea: Remember last time I was here JOn..this is where that idiot renSime who was changing over attacked me.
Alea shakes her head.
Mackey pulls up at Snake's hail.
Mackey dismounts from the box and offers to help B'cal up into the cab.
B'cal sneers at Mackey and climbs up herself.
Wise Snake follows, giving Mackey an understanding glance.
Mackey: Where to?
B'cal: So where are we off to that we need a cab?
Wise Snake: Sime Center. Lowertown.
B'cal adjusts herself.
B'cal head jerks around and her eyes narrow.
B'cal: Just why would we be going there Snake?
Mackey snaps the reins and the horses start off.
B'cal adjusts her body again.
B'cal moving to get comfortable.
B'cal then looks back at Snake.
B'cal: Well?
Wise Snake: I just have to drop something off. Don't worry.
B'cal: You have supplies to pick up?
Wise Snake: Er... sure, that too.
Alea comes out on the main street with jon.
Wise Snake is a terrible liar.
B'cal: You're lying.
B'cal: Do you really think you can lie to me and get away with it?
B'cal sneers.
Wise Snake: Uyeh well... I'm bringing you back.
B'cal is only half sneering because she doesn't quite have enough energy to do a good sneer.
B'cal: I don't WANT to go back.
Wise Snake: You're in no condition to work. I tried it and I can see you just aren't going to make it.
B'cal: I want to make sure that other Donor of yours knows what he's doing.
Wise Snake: Well what do you want to do, go back to my house?
B'cal pales.
Wise Snake: I'll take you back there if you want, but you're not working tonight.
B'cal: I don't want to lay there, in bed, all night..no.
B'cal: Fine.
B'cal: Take me to the Center.
Wise Snake does not mention they will probably make her lie down all night there, too.
B'cal: I'm sure they'll have some temporary work there.
B'cal fumes.
B'cal leans back against the seat and fumes some more.
Wise Snake: Well, the option is there, if you want it.
Mackey drives them to the Sime Center.
Alea goes down the street toward the Center trying to stay upwind of the sandwich.
Alea: You know, Jon, the sandwich..well, it's just safer if I wait to eat it.
Alea: In case of allergic reaction.
Alea: Yeah, someone should be there...just in case.
Mackey pulls to a halt in front of the Center.
Alea wonders if meat sandwiches go bad quickly or not.
Wise Snake pays the driver.
Alea eyes the box.
B'cal climbs slowly down.
Wise Snake jumps down and helps B'cal.
B'cal: I'm all right. I'm all right.
Wise Snake: Of course.
B'cal ~~not all right~~
Wise Snake: I'll just... be here just in case.
Wise Snake helps B'cal up the front steps.
Alea sees the cab at the center but is too far away to see who it is.
Mackey pulls away from the Center and back to work.
Wise Snake: Just take it easy now.
B'cal: Come on...
Wise Snake holds the door open so B'cal won't have to.
B'cal: Don't treat me like an invalid in front of these people.
Wise Snake: Okay. Okay, take it easy.
Wise Snake: If they say anything, you can tell them it's my fault.
B'cal straightens and glares her best glare as she enters the Center.
Wise Snake helps B'cal to a chair in the lobby, the closest to the door.
B'cal: Who put this shendoni art up on the wall.
B'cal: I want it off NOW.
B'cal glares at the new art over the couch.
B'cal: And this floor.
B'cal: It should have been mopped again.
B'cal: What do you want, someone to slip on it?
Wise Snake says quietly, "Don't draw attention to yourself, if you don't want people to stare."
B'cal sneers.
B'cal glares at snake.
Wise Snake meets B'cal's glare with a steady gaze.
B'cal: See to this immediately and I wont' draw attention.
Wise Snake: I have no power here. You know that.
Alea walks up the street with Jon in tow.
Wise Snake: Now sit down here and rest a moment while I check you in. Nobody has to know anything.
Alea glances at the Center.
Jon Drake is dutifully carrying the boxes.
Alea shakes her head slightly as the smell wafts to her again.
Wise Snake leaves B'cal sitting in the chair and goes to the front desk, discusses the situation with the clerk in a low voice.
Alea: These will be fine to eat when we arrive?
Wise Snake gets the number of a room she can take B'cal to.
Alea glances at Jon drake with apprehension.
Jon Drake: Sure...
Wise Snake asks for B'cal's file, but is refused it, as per Veraik's previous order.
B'cal wonders if her room upstairs is still there.
B'cal wonders if they gave it away.
Jon Drake: We might want to heat the up, but they won't be THAT cold.
Alea: OH.
Alea thinks oh well, so much for her theory that it might ruin between there and the Center.
Jon Drake: I don't think we want to heat them up too much in the center, the aroma may upset some Simes.
Alea thinks or Gens.
Alea: If you say so.
Wise Snake goes back to help B'cal up.
B'cal stands, glaring at anyone who glances her way.
B'cal is satisfied to see hardly anyone does.
Wise Snake: I'm taking you to Treatment Room 9, a channel will examine you there. [quietly]
Alea trudges through the Center's gates and up the stairs.
Alea sets mode: +o JonDrake
B'cal: A treatment room?
B'cal: You are going to take me to a TREATMENT room?
Wise Snake: Yes... they have to check you in and determine your condition... since you were fine when you left here.
B'cal sneers.
B'cal: Great, just great.
Wise Snake: Come on, B'cal, you're Tecton, you know the rules.
B'cal: Someone else wanting to put their tentacles on me.
B'cal: I am V'lar.
B'cal: First and always.
Wise Snake beginning to look annoyed.
B'cal arrogance.
Wise Snake: I offered you my own home.
B'cal starts down the hall.
Wise Snake: This is the alternative.
B'cal: With a Donor that Snores and a neurotic housecleaner.
Wise Snake follows, ready to assist when required.
Alea goes up the steps and pushes the door open to the Center.
Alea: My cheeks are numb, Jon.
Alea slips off her cloak and hangs it on the ulphostered cloak stand before taking the boxes from Jon so he can remove his coat.
Wise Snake: B'cal, they've found it as difficult as you. Everybody must learn to work together.
Jon Drake reaches out and touches her cheek.
Jon Drake: I'll say.
B'cal goes down the hall to the room.
Alea sighs.
Jon Drake sets the boxes down and rubs his hands together vigorously.
Alea: You're hands certainly are warm.
Jon Drake builds up a bit of heat by friction and then warms Alea's cheeks.
Alea smiles.
Alea: Thanks.
Wise Snake follows attentively.
Wise Snake holds the door for B'cal.
Alea sets mode: +o Rosemary
B'cal goes in, looking around for a chair before she falls flat on her face.
B'cal sets mode: -o Rosemary wisesnake leads B'cal to the bed.
Wise Snake: Why don't you lie down for a while? You're zlinning pretty bad.
B'cal: I suppose so.
B'cal: But only because I want to see just how good their people are here.
Wise Snake puts B'cal to bed.
B'cal lays down.
B'cal: Is Nick going to be with you later?
Alea: So, what about the sandwiches.
Wise Snake: Not tonight... he has to sleep. But tomorrow, he will, all day.
Alea: Should we warm them up?
B'cal: Make sure you hold him to it.
B'cal: You don't' want him getting lazy.
B'cal: Understand me?
Wise Snake: Of course. Of course, B'cal.
Wise Snake: [soothingly]
B'cal nods.
B'cal: Stop babying me.
Wise Snake: Go to sleep now.
Jon Drake: Ok.
B'cal: I don't want to sleep, you know that.
Jon Drake takes his cooled hands away.
B'cal eyes drifting.
Wise Snake: You have to. You were badly burned.
Alea grins again.
Alea: I am starting to feel something again.
Alea: Want to take your coat off first?
B'cal eyes drift closed.
B'cal: Well, maybe just for a minute[mumbles]
Wise Snake waits until B'cal is truly asleep, then slips out of the room.
Alea picks up the sandwiches and tries to hold her breath while holding them.
Jon Drake: I'm glad you're getting some circulation back.
B'cal is now known as Briel.
Alea: Me too.
Alea thinks of why she wanted to go out and her smile leaves and is replaced with a pensive look.
Wise Snake walks towards the front of the Center.
Jon Drake heads toward the kitchen with Alea.
Alea sees Snake and freezes.
Alea grabs at Jon's arm.
Alea: Uh...
Wise Snake stops dead at Alea's reaction.
Alea pales.
Jon Drake looks up. Works to steady the ambient.
Alea: Uh, excuse me...
Alea: I...um...
Jon Drake: Come on. Let's just continue on.
Alea looks at Jon.
Alea: No, I have work to do.
Wise Snake notes that Alea is pregnant and goes pale with shock.
Alea thrusts the sandwiches at Jon.
Alea: Excuse me please.
Alea turns and flees back up the hall.
Briel comes striding down the hall, files in her arms.
Wise Snake stares after her, mouth open.
Briel sees snake and Jon.
Briel: Good afternoon.
Wise Snake's mouth works ineffectually.
Briel: What are you doing here, Snake? Did something happen with B'cal?
Wise Snake looks a bit stunned.
Briel zlins Snake.
Alea hurries into her office and shuts the door, shaking.
Briel: Are you okay?
Briel reaches out for Snake, but pauses at touching the Farris channel.
Briel: Jon?
Briel looks to Jon.
Wise Snake: She's... [presses back of hand to own forehead]
Jon Drake begins to relax the moderation of the ambient now that Alea has gone.
Briel thrusts the files at Jon.
Briel: Here, hold these.
Briel turns and reaches for Snake, taking her arm in her tentacles.
Jon Drake: Alea was just here. We were coming back from outside.
Briel: Breathe deeply, Snake.
Briel: Ah...
Briel: Well, I'm sorry about that. I had a talk with her and explained she was not to come near you again.
Briel: I guess in the center that's just going to be a problem.
Wise Snake breathes.
Wise Snake: It's not that...
Wise Snake takes a few more breaths.
Wise Snake: It was just such a shock..
Jon Drake: Nobody planned this, it just happened.
Wise Snake: I didn't realize she was pregnant again.
Briel: What?!
Briel jerks her hand away from Snake.
Briel: Again!
Briel curses fluently.
Briel reaches over and takes the files from Jon.
Briel: Thanks JD.
Briel: Are you sure?
Wise Snake: B'cal is in treatment Room 9, for your care.
Wise Snake: What do you mean am I sure?
Briel: Oh..uh...[nods] sure.
Wise Snake: Pregnant is pregnant.
Briel: I mean...well...
Briel smiles sickly.
Briel: Of course.
Jon Drake takes in this revelation without commenting.
Wise Snake: Shen I really have to get out of here.
Wise Snake: Tell B'cal I'm sorry.
Briel: Snake...
Wise Snake looks up at Briel, a little wildly.
Wise Snake: What?
Briel: Are you sure you're okay? Do you want Jon to escort you somewhere.
Briel looks at Jon helplessly.
Briel sniffs.
Briel: What is that awful smell?
Briel eyes widen.
Briel: Meat!
Briel: Oh shen, Jon. Meat in the Sime Center?
Briel shudders.
Jon Drake: I didn't intend to bring it back. I'm sorry.
Briel swallows.
Briel: No problem. It's just been years since I've smelled it.
Briel: Uh, Snake.
Wise Snake glances at Briel.
Briel: Do you want Jon to escort you somewhere?
Wise Snake considers.
Briel: You...you look a bit shocky.
Wise Snake: I would accept an escort home.
Jon Drake: Ok. Let me just get these put out of the way first...
Briel sighs and nods gratefully to Jon.
Jon Drake quickly puts them in the refrigerator, clearly marked.
Briel: I'm so sorry snake.
Jon Drake returns, empty handed.
Briel: Be assured, Alea won't be around you anymore, nor will you have to worry about her around here if I have my ...
Briel: Oh, Jon...
Briel: Okay.
Briel: Thank you so much for escorting her home. Make sure she's okay.
Briel smiles at Snake.
Wise Snake: Uh... thanks Briel.
Briel nods.
Briel: Good.
Jon Drake nods to Briel, his smile not so full as it sometimes is.
Briel smiles.
Briel: Hurry back. I have need of you later.
Wise Snake moves toward the door.
Alea finally opens the door, sees Snake and slams it back closed.
Alea: Shen.
Alea holds out her hands and sees they are shaking.
Wise Snake flinches from the brief burst from Alea's reaction before the door's insulation cut it off.
Wise Snake leaves the Center.
Wise Snake walks along the cold street, unable to reconcile the strange emotions in Alea, Jon, and Briel.
Briel goes to Alea's door and signals.
Wise Snake thinks of Alea with another child and shivers.
Alea opens the door.
Alea sees Briel and turns wary.
Jon Drake escorts Snake.
Briel: I came by to talk to you earlier and you weren't here.
Alea glares.
Alea: I went jogging.
Briel: I would appreciate it if you would take the time to inform me personally from now on when you're leaving the Center.
Alea shrugs.
Briel: Are the reports I requested done?
Alea: The ones you gave me for this morning. The ones for this afternoon I haven't started yet.
Briel: I would like those as soon as possible.
Alea nods.
Briel turns and leaves.
Wise Snake looks at JonDrake, when they have traveled about a block.
Alea shoves the door closed and then goes over and sinks down on the sofa.
Wise Snake: I can tell you don't want to be here. Why don't you go back.
Alea claps her shaking hands together wondering how today turned so sour.
Alea thinks she had a wonderful night and morning, until she came downstairs.
Jon Drake: No, it's all right.
Alea: You know, Veraik, I might have said I hated you, but I didn't mean it.
Alea sighs.
Wise Snake zlins him carefully.
Alea: Why oh why did I ever say that to him?
Alea thinks because he wouldn't let you go to Tarsh, you idiot.
Alea thinks Tarsh really doesn't need her around and she would be better away from him...she looks to the charred remains of the letter in the trash can and sighs.
Wise Snake: You don't have to lie to me. My feelings won't be hurt. Go back to what was interrupted. I will be fine.
Alea gets up and goes to her desk and sits down.
Alea looks briefly at the files, then moves them and draws out a piece of paper and begins to write.
Briel is now known as Erik.
Erik comes running down the street with his friends, arms filled with snowballs.
Erik grins naughtily at the channel and Donor and then at his friends...he lobs off two snowballs laughing as he runs past.
Jon Drake: No, I'm just a little troubled at that exchange.
Wise Snake steps aside to avoid a snowball, automatically.
Erik laughs in glee when his snowball hits the Donor in the chest.
Erik runs off down the street.
Wise Snake glances at JonDrake.
Catnheat walks up to snake and wraps itself around Snake's legs.
Wise Snake: Oh? [steps automatically to avoid tripping over cat]
Catnheat: Meewwooorrrr.
Catnheat moves over to JonDrake and rubs up against him.
Wise Snake: Do you mean the way Alea acted?
Catnheat flicks out it claws and stretches up using its front paws to climb up JonDrake's leg as it stretches against him.
Catnheat: Meeeeooooowwwwrrrrrr.
Jon Drake: Yes. I just hate to see that conflict.
Jon Drake: There's got to be come solution.
Catnheat kneads its claws against Jon's pants.
Wise Snake: It wouldn't have happened if I hadn't come into the Center.
Catnheat: Meeeeeoooowwwwrrrrrrrrrr.
Wise Snake raises her voice slightly to be heard over the incessant yowling.
Jon Drake shrugs, wondering if a solution really exists.
Catnheat continues to knead Jon's leg.
Catnheat rubs its head against Jon's knee purring.
Billi: Hey Lady.
Billi: Are yous snake?
Billi about ten red head and freckled.
Wise Snake can't figure out what this conversation is about.
Wise Snake: Look, Jon....
Wise Snake pauses.
Billibob: Hey lady...
Wise Snake: [to Billibob] Who's asking?
Billibob pulls at Snake's cloak.
Wise Snake avoids Billibob's touch.
Billibob: There's some sick lady...a luxasious told me to come find you.
Wise Snake: A what?
Billibob: I wented to your house and Nick sent me to the Center.
Billibob: Vo-lup--cho-is.
Wise Snake: How the hell did you know where I live?
Billibob frowns.
Billibob quails and backs away.
Billibob: Mr. Garon, he tooked me.
Wise Snake: That's it. We're moving.
Wise Snake: Everybody in this be-shenned city knows where I live.
Billibob not sure why that's bad...everyone knows where he lives but he doesn't say so.
Wise Snake: Where did you say this woman is?
Billibob scoffs at the snow.
Billibob: Down in the..uh...
Billibob: She gives me food...I know I'm not suppose to be there...
Billibob: She's nice to me though...miz voluptia.
Billibob: She's always givin' me food and stuff.
Billibob: One a' her girls is sick.
Wise Snake: Great.
Billibob: Real bad.
Billibob: Said she was bleeding and stuff to tell you to hurry.
Billibob looks scared wisesnake is very wary of rushing into emergency healing she has been sent specifically for, after what happened last time.
Billibob doesn't want miz voluptia mad at him and doesn't want one of her nice ladies hurt.
Wise Snake: Look. [to the kid] You, get out of here. And tell everybody if you bug Snake at home, she gets real pissed. Do you understand?
Billibob nods vigorously.
Billibob remembers the word miz volutia used, channel and decides to find another channel.
Billibob: Whatever you say.
Billibob rushes down the street as fast as he can.
Wise Snake waits for him to piss off.
Wise Snake turns to Jon Drake.
Wise Snake: I can't ask you to get involved in this. Please go home.
Wise Snake waits until Jon Drake has left, and then goes home and picks up her emergency medical kit.
You are now known as JonDrake.
Jon Drake goes off down the street.
You are now known as Alea.
Wise Snake makes sure she has everything she'd need, then with some misgivings sets off for the Post Office.