Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #110: (12/25/97)
Alea comes out of her office to the lobby, her arms loaded down with bunches of files.
Alea dumps them on clerks desk.
Alea: This should satisfy Briel for the time, I suppose...
Alea mutters dire threats of what she wants to do to that woman as she heads back to her office to grab some mail she wants to drop off.
Tarsh comes down the hall from the cafeteria with a cup of tea.
Alea shoves papers every which way until she finds the mail, one very threatening letter to veraik and another one to her friend, and goes back out to the lobby.
Ddraig is in his office doing paperwork.
Ddraig decides to go out to the lobby for a tea break.
Ddraig is now known as JonDrake.
Jon Drake: ===Oops, JonDrake===
Jon Drake is in his office doing paperwork.
Jon Drake decides to go out to the lobby for a tea break.
Tarsh: Alea!
Alea heads for her cloak..pauses.
Alea turns and smiles.
Alea: Good morning, Tarsh.
Tarsh: Good Morning. How are you doing?
Briel signals at Jon's door.
Alea smiles.
Alea: Great.
Alea: I was thinking about sneaking out and mailing this mail before anyone noticed I was gone.
Tarsh smiles. "Glad to hear it."
Alea: Guess I'm too late for that.
Jon Drake: Come in.
Briel pushes open the door.
Tarsh: Sorry, i haven't been about, but Briel has me busy getting the files straightened out.
Briel: I wanted to check to see how the work is coming.
Alea scowls.
Alea: Don't I know it.
Alea motions toward the huge stack of files on the clerk's desk.
Alea: I just finished those and have at least that many to go.
Tarsh changes topic to "Bender Cove Sime Center: Sime~Gen Roleplaying"
Tarsh: Yeah.
Tarsh: IS there some problem with the mail? Aren't they picking up here?
Alea wary.
Alea: Well, yes, they are.
Tarsh looks puzzled.
Tarsh shrugs.
Alea: I thought a walk might be good.
Alea: You know, ... fresh air.
Alea thinks frigid but doesn't say it.
Tarsh: Sounds good. Can I come along?
Briel: We'll be on duty in a while. I also wanted to check with Lanyi later after we're done working.
Alea: Sure.
Alea smiles again.
Jon Drake: Well, I may not have the organization skills of Tarsh, but they're comong along well.
Jon Drake: Ok.
Briel: Good, good.
Jon Drake: Any particular reason?
Briel: Oh, no..she's just been monitoring B'cal's progress for me.
Briel chuckles at the duty Lanyi ended up with.
Briel: I uh..wanted to make sure how B'cal is coming along.
Briel: Anyway, I'll let you get back to work.
Alea snatches up her cloak.
Alea: I'd suggest we hurry before someone else comes in and dumps more work in my office.
Alea: I swear Briel has it out for me.
Tarsh goes over to get their cloaks.
Tarsh: Ok.
Jon Drake: Ok. Call me when you're ready.
Briel: I sure will.
Briel pulls Jon's door to and heads down the hall.
Tarsh fastens his cloak.
Alea slips on her cloak, pulling out gloves, and a scarf.
Alea tucks the scarf over her head and around her neck and goes out the door.
Briel is now known as Buddi.
Tarsh is glad to see Alea bundling up.
Alea looks around.
Alea: Wow, the sun is out today.
Alea: Still cold out though. I wonder if it's ever going to warm up.
Tarsh squinks up at it. "So it is."
Jon Drake is now known as Lupo.
Alea looks at the snow and ice still around, the icicles
Alea: Does this stuff ever melt?
Tarsh: May get very cold tonight then.
Alea sighs.
Alea starts down the stairs.
Alea: At least that means I can still go ice skating tomorrow, if I want to.
Tarsh: There's usually a thaw in janurary, I think.
Tarsh looks sharply at Alea.
Alea nods, being very careful as she navigates the stairs.
Alea: I went yesterday...I only fell a few times.
Alea doesn't notice Tarsh's look.
Alea: I think I am getting it down quite well.
Alea: I even tried skating backwards.
Tarsh opens his mouth to ask her not to skate, but remembers who gave them to her.
Alea: Oh!
Alea turns and smiles up at Tarsh
Alea: I didn't tell you, did I?
Alea turns back and starts down the street, grinning happily as she walks.
Alea: I got a cooking certificate last week.
Tarsh: Congratulations.
Alea: You see, I've been going to this place downtown...taking cooking lessons. I've actually prepared over 121 dishes before I was certified.
Alea: Yeah, I'm going to hang the certificate in the lobby, I think.
Alea chuckles evilly.
Alea: I know there are a few there who won't appreciate that.
Alea is thinking of B'cal.
Alea moves down the street toward the post office.
Tarsh: Why not?
Alea: B'cal hates anything I do it seems..as does Briel.
Alea thinks of Snake briefly and changes the subject.
Alea: Tell me, tarsh...
Alea: Have you gotten to know the new renSIme yet? Loni?
Tarsh: Yeah, well, B'cal...
Alea nods laughing.
Alea: B'cal is b'cal I suppose.
Tarsh: No I haven't. The new nurse?
Buddi is loitering in the shadows, watching as people hurry by in the cold crisp weather.
Alea shrugs.
Alea sets mode: +o wisesnake
Alea: Yeah, she just started working here a couple of weeks ago. Real nice girl.
Lupo is a short distance away, also casing out marks with his partner.
Alea: Except that she was stuck with B'cal yesterday.
Alea: Evidently Snake has really progressed...very fast speed now..I hadn't realized B'cal wasn't up to it...
Tarsh: Poor girl.
Alea chuckles, slides on the ice, and staggers before regaining her balance.
Alea: Yeah...I felt sorry for her.
Alea: I do try to avoid B'cal as much as possible.
Alea comes up to the post office and pauses.
Alea: Here we are.
Alea slips the mail into the slot, sighing in relief when she knows her letters are on their way.
Alea: Have anywhere else you'd like to go while we're out?
Lupo sees a likely couple.
Tarsh: I was thinking of looking for some new gloves.
Lupo sees two who appear to be from the Sime Center. That means money.
Alea nods, looking down at Tarsh's hands.
Alea: Good idea.
Lupo looks to get Buddi's attention.
Alea: Lead the way.
Buddi looks to Gnodge and lupo in question.
Lupo is a scruffy looking renSime...
Tarsh heads off towards the area with the better class of stores.
Alea strolls along.
Alea: YOu seem distracted today.
Alea worried.
Wise Snake is a roundish, sloppy looking Gen with a bristly beard and a perpetual scowl.
Tarsh: Do I?
Wise Snake: ===hehhehheh gnodge====
Alea: Well, yes. You do.
Lupo begins to move though the crowd.
Cpt Button: There's been a problem with the old gang.
Buddi is a short round Gen.
Alea: Oh dear.
Alea: What is it?
Cpt Button is now known as Fise.
Alea reaches out to touch Tarsh's arm.
Tarsh: A burning. real bad.
Gnodge follows Lupo, scowling and eyes squinting with a nervous tic.
Alea blanches.
Alea: Someone you were close to?
Buddi lops along keeping the prey in sight.
Gnodge keeps fingering his wallet in his back pocket, which is conspicuously thin and empty.
Tarsh: Yeah. One of my old partners. I don't understand how this could have happened.
Alea doesn't want to state the obvious.
Alea: Perhaps, since Mostan isn't there anymore...
Alea: He was a channel...which gave you a better chance at surviving such things.
Buddi looks to Gnodge then Lupo anticipation making him grin.
Buddi sets mode: +o Gnodge
Alea shivers as a brisk wind gusts down the street.
Tarsh: No, I don't think so. He had a high field for a ... one of us. I don't know the details yet.
Lupo keeps them in view without attracting attention.
Alea frowns.
Alea: That's not good, Tarsh.
Alea: They have no idea what happened?
Tarsh: I just got a short note. He had to go to a Sime center, and everyone is freaking out.
Alea nods pulls her cloak closer about her.
Alea: I would imagine so.
Alea: Is it possible there's another channel in the group?
Lupo notices with satisfaction that as the the day darkens, the crowd around them is thinning.
Alea looks around the area.
Gnodge's eagerness gets the better of his reserve and he moves forward past Lupo.
Tarsh stops.
Tarsh looks thoughtful.
Tarsh: I never considered the possibility...
Alea halts suddenly, grabbing at Tarsh to keep from slipping.
Alea: Well, if he is a high field Gen, then it would only stand to reason a low order channel could certainly burn him.
Tarsh grabs Alea.
Alea flushes.
Wise Snake hurries down the street, sans Donor, her mind on her business.
Alea: Sorry...just a little slick here.
Tarsh: I was thinking he might have gotten scared, though i don't see how.
Alea nods.
Buddi follows gnodge, increasing his pace.
Fise lies in a bed before a window, vacant eyed.
Wise Snake looks at a couple of addresses, not being familiar enough with this semi-respectable neighborhood to actually know the houses by sight.
Lupo moves up to them to remind them that one of these marks is a sime.
Fise's breath rasps in and out.
Gnodge glances back at Lupo, hoping for a cue.
Lupo talks to them in low tones. Formulates a plan.
Tarsh: I'm not in touch with what has been happening there. They don't trust me anymore.
Wise Snake gets her bearings and turns down a quiet street, approaches a small building with apartments.
Alea: I'm sorry to hear that.
Alea: I know they meant a lot to you.
Alea: Look, can we take a shortcut to where you were going, Tarsh...I mean...it's getting a bit cold out here.
Tarsh: So do you.
Alea smiles though her nose is bright red.
Alea: And you to me.
Wise Snake finds the correct door and signals.
Wise Snake looks around, fidgeting out of habit.
Lupo: Once we can get them away from this crowd, I can augment around so we can trap them.
Tarsh: I'm sorry, but you're not popular amoung them, what little they know.
Fise jerks.
Gnodge listens to Lupo, scratching his behind.
Gnodge: [his own]
Fise zlins at the door, trying to remember what he should be doing.
Wise Snake waits.
Tarsh: Sure. sorry for wandering.
Buddi moves from foot to foot, in a hurry to fiinish the job and get warm again.
Alea growls.
Alea: Do not apologize for wandering.
Alea: That's why we're out...to have fun.
Wise Snake signals a second time.
Fise tries to sit up, but falls off the bed.
Alea: And if you want to wander, then wander we will.
Lupo moves forward with his droogs.
Fise slowly crawls over to the door.
Buddi rubs his hands together
Tarsh: No, the place I was thinking about is just along here. Very nice leather work.
Alea: Ah.
Alea nods.
Gnodge follows Lupo, walking like a gorilla.
Wise Snake zlins Fise through the door.
Lupo sees them looking to a side street.
Wise Snake: Fise! Unlock the door.
Fise comes to the door and rests before trying to reach for the latch.
Wise Snake: ~~concerned~~
Wise Snake projects a Gen field hoping it will encourage Fise.
Tarsh: The owner keeps talking about trying to get into exports. She should.
Fise zlins the Gen he needs.
Fise reaches up and unlocks the door.
Alea's stomach turns at the thought of leather.
Alea: Uh, you know, Jon and I were out yesterday...and we sorta ended up in Gen Territory.
Tarsh stops. "What's the matter?"
Wise Snake pulls the door open and slips inside, supporting Fise.
Fise grabs at the gen.
Alea realizes she is projecting her nausea and immediately foreces her field neutral.
Alea: Sorry about htat.
Alea grins weakly.
Wise Snake closes the door with her back, letting Fise grab her arms.
Wise Snake: ~~~Gen offering~~~
Alea: I was just...well...
Wise Snake projects need-to-give and compassion.
Alea: Jon Drake ordered a uh...meat sandwich.
Fise tries to pull Wisesnake down to where he lies on the floor.
Wise Snake allows it.
Tarsh: ~~ revulsion~~
Alea: I'm glad I can't zlin by the look on your face.
Fise: Yeah.
Fise: I was at a party once...
Fise: == make that Tarsh.
Buddi looks to Lupo.
Gnodge notes Tarsh and Alea are about to re-enter a larger crowd of people, and sort of walks past them at the wrong moment, encouraging them to go torwards a less populated part of a street... by an alley wisesnake makes a 5th contact.
Alea moves over toward the wall to get out of the way of the scruffy looking person passing.
Wise Snake: ~~~ Gen replete with selyn, for you ~~~
Fise starts drawing.
Lupo quickly moves around and seeks a position on the other side.
Alea: Well, I thought I could try it...but, it just really made me ... ill[whispers]...to even think about it.
Alea: I think it's still in the cooler at the Center.
Tarsh stops to avoid the person he half-zlins blocking him.
Tarsh grimaces.
Alea: I had wondered if you had ever eaten...meat...before.
Alea feels her stomach flipping at the thought again.
Tarsh: Well. Just don't... around me, OK?
Lupo has augmented a bit to reach the position. It ups his excitement level a bit.
Alea: I don't think I can manage.
Fise pulls selyn, but senses a slight ungenness...
Alea: Thought it would be interesting. YOu know how I am...jump in with both feet first...
Buddi moves up behind.
Tarsh: Well, it can't hurt you. Gens do it out-t all the time.
Lupo now approaches from the other side.
Alea shudders.
Gnodge goes a certain distance past, then turns around coming back the other way, towards them, towards the alley.
Alea: So, where were those gloves?
Tarsh looks at Alea, smiling. "I had noticed a bit of that, yes."
Wise Snake feels Fise about to abort and overrides it, projecting ~~~Gen for you. Gen caring~~~
Alea chuckles.
Tarsh turns, poinitng. "Right there."
Alea: That's what happened with Jon..told him sure I'd try it and then started thinking.
Alea looks around and notices the bum walking their way.
Gnodge gives Alea an ugly smile.
Gnodge: [teeth missing; and just plan mean]
Alea: Shen....
Fise: Fise is distracted from his doubts and draws faster.
Alea grabs at Tarsh's arm.
Wise Snake gives.
Buddi moves up smiling.
Tarsh lokks at Alea. "What is it?"
Alea nods toward the gen.
Alea: Trouble.
Wise Snake: ~~~ Gen joy-in-giving; peaking excitement ~~~
Alea takes a step back.
Tarsh turns to zlin the person Alea's field is focused on.
Alea: Think we can slip past?
Fise draws to a almost satisfied completion.
Buddi moves up, blocking the way they came.
Wise Snake: ~~~ satisfaction/relief/joy ~~~
Wise Snake allows him to end it, and waits for him to break contact himself.
Wise Snake supports Fise nagerically.
Fise falls back to the fllor, breaking the 5th.
Lupo moves in as well.
Gnodge points to the alley, suggestively.
Lupo is waiting on the other end of the alley.
Alea: We go down that alley and I bet we don't come out in one piece.
Alea shakes her head at Gnodge.
Gnodge hopes they go for it since the alley is open-ended... maybe they will start running down it and then Lupo can nab 'em.
Wise Snake continues holding Fise's arms, zlins his condition.
Fise: ~~ recently selyn starved tissues more so than his pre-transfer field would indicate. ~~
Fise: Thank you.
Fise tries to get up.
Lupo hides at the exit of the alley, waiting for them to enter.
Buddi moves forward to block their way.
Tarsh glares a Gnodge "Out of our way, buddy. Now."
Fise's foot slips out from under him....
Wise Snake supports Fise physically and nagerically.
Alea glances from one Gen to the other, concerned but not too worried.
Wise Snake: Come on. Let me help you... do you want to come over here?
Wise Snake helps Fise further into the aparment; sees a bed and a chair.
Fise sits down heavily for a moment.
Fise: Yess.
Alea: We don't want any trouble...just excuse us please.
Tarsh: You heard the lady.
Gnodge backs off, holding up his hands.
Gnodge: All right, all right. Don't have a cow.
Alea sighs in relief and moves forward.
Gnodge glances at Buddi and falls back some distance, to follow the couple some more.
Tarsh gauges the spacing to decide if they could get through.
Buddi looks to gnodge seeing their money disappearing..
Gnodge looks to Lupo to resolve the situation but gets no cues from their leader.
Fise lets Wisesnake help him into the chair.
Gnodge shrugs at Buddi.
Lupo looks down the alley, hesitating to zlin and attract attention.
Fise: ~~ despair as post hits ~~
Alea carefully steps over a patch of ice, wary as she moves past buddi.
Wise Snake stands beside Fise's chair and lets him lean against her, arm around him.
Wise Snake: Come on, let it out. You've been having a rough time.
Tarsh sees a chance and grabs Alea's hand and moves quickly for the biggest gap.
Alea hurries along.
Buddi glowers then spits at Gnodge.
Buddi: I've had it...
Buddi: Why'd we just let them go.
Fise: It's hopeless. I've got entran, and I just can't seem to get the selyn out.
Gnodge shoves Buddi.
Lupo curses and is forced to augment again to get in front of them again.
Gnodge: Don't look at me. Genius here didn't tell me what to do.
Tarsh zlins back to see if they are following.
Gnodge: Come on, let's keep following them.
Buddi: Hey...don't push me!
Gnodge starts after Tarsh and Alea, about 20' behind in the crowd.
Gnodge: Yeah, yeah. Quit your whining, buddi.
Buddi glares watches lupo disappear ahead and then stalks after Gnodge.
Tarsh pulls Alea up the steps into the leather goods shop.
Lupo rushes enough out in front to be able to cross back to the street they are on.
Lupo hopes this will be worth it.
Alea: They still back there?
Alea breathless.
Tarsh: Yes.
Alea: Shen.
Alea: What..do we look rich or something?
Alea looks down at her cloak.
Gnodge: Come on, we have to try to herd them into an opener area where nobody is.
Buddi: Hey, they went into that building...
Lupo waits casually while they are approaching.
Alea looks at the blue and black cloak.
Wise Snake: Fise, you knew this would happen when you left the Sime Center. Haven't you been finding any work at all?
Lupo decides he's going to have a talk with Gnodge & Buddi when this is over.
Lupo is leaning against a pole.
Buddi shoves at Gnodge.
Buddi: Now what?
Alea: I'm surprised those two Gens have enough sense to recognize a Zeor cloak.
Alea: That is probably waht did it, isn't it? In this part of town.
Alea sighs.
Tarsh: Likely.
Alea: Well, let's shop for the gloves. I doubt they'll wait out in the cold forever.
Gnodge scowls at Buddi.
Lupo: Evenin' folks. Got a light?
Gnodge: You're asking me?
Buddi: Yeah, I'm asking you...
Lupo is trimming his nails with a rather wicked looking knife.
Fise: Haven't looked. The Center and you have it locked up, don't they?
Buddi: We gonna stand out here and wait?
Wise Snake: You say that without even looking?
Tarsh: Yeah...
Wise Snake: Fise, you don't required that much work to avoid entran.
Buddi: Or do we go after 'em...I'm cold and standin' here just don't sound like no fun to me...
Wise Snake: Required == require.
Tarsh starts looking over the stock.
Fise: Too tired. no point.
Wise Snake grits her teeth, since apathy annoys her more than anything else in the world, except maybe disloyalty and irresponsibility.
Alea fingers the different gloves and leather items, just a bit queasy at the thought aht she almost ate something that once wore this stuff as skin.
Wise Snake: [patiently] But Fise... don't you want to feel better?
Fise: Yeah. So?
Wise Snake: Look. If I give you some work, would you stick to it? Would you do it?
Tarsh tries on a pair with fancy stitchwork on the backs.
Fise: Huh?
Alea admires the gloves.
Fise: Maybe.
Gnodge: Whattaya wanna do, bust up the store or something?
Wise Snake frowns.
Tarsh: How are these?
Lupo rushes over to his flunkies to confer with them.
Alea smiles.
Alea: Perfect.
Lupo: What did you think you were doing!?
Wise Snake: I had considered hiring you to do certain work. But I don't know you that well and I hadn't realized you were the apathetic type. The work I have available would require a good deal of concentration and hard work.
Fise: What's the catch?
Alea: Thin they'll keep your hands warm.
Buddi: Ut was gnodge here.
Wise Snake: The catch?
Buddi: He just backed off.
Lupo: Ok. No screwups this time.
Gnodge: Hey! You gotta tell us what to do.
Buddi glares at lupo.
Buddi: Yeah...what were we suppose to do...attack the renSime?
Gnodge: I thought we were doing it right... that alley woulda been perfect for you. They just didn't wanna go in.
Lupo: I did! You were supposed to herd them into that alleyway.
Gnodge: Well they didn't wanna go. I wasn't gonna try to drag a renSime in there/
Lupo: I was waiting at the other end, just like I said, you lorsh!
Tarsh: They'll help. And I don't want to encumber my fingers too much. Keep tentacles in.
Buddi: Well mebbe we should have been waiting there and you coulda dealt with the sime...
Lupo: Ok. Looks like I'll have to be in front and YOU TWO will have to block their exit.
Gnodge: Don't you call me a lorsh, you loose-laterals.
Alea nods.
Lupo glares.
Alea: Understandable.
Lupo: Just do it right this time.
Buddi: Hey you stop hiding and help us and we'll do our job.
Gnodge: Whatever you say. [glowers]
Lupo: They will be looking for you. You'll have to stay out of sight.
Fise sighs and tries to sit up and look more alert. "Don't have much choice. What's the deal?"
Buddi: Fine.
Lupo: It's getting late. I figure they will be heading home.
Fise: ~~ As sincere as Fise gets (which isn't saying that much) ~~
Wise Snake: You work for me, and I'll provide you with money and work... and later, a Gen for transfers. I'm still working on that.
Fise sets mode: +oo Alea Buddi
Alea finds a scarf she likes and goes forward to pay for it.
Alea sets mode: +o Tarsh
Wise Snake: In return, you're mine. You work for me, you act as my eyes and ears and laterals, and you do it without giving me a hard time.
Fise considers.
Wise Snake: Anything you require or need, you come to me. Any trouble with the police or the Tecton, refer them to me.
Wise Snake: Anything _I_ want from _you_, you do.
Buddi glares.
Buddi: I can stay out of sight easily.
Buddi: If they ever come back out.
Fise: ~~ bites back scathing retort ~~
Alea after paying for it, slips the blue scarf around her neck, draping it over her head.
Tarsh takes off the gloves and goes to buy them.
Fise: One condition.
Fise: You play straight with me. I don't expect to like it, but I want truth, not lies.
Lupo: Ok. Let's do it again. Come up when I stop them on the street.
Buddi looks to gnodge and then nods sullenly.
Lupo thinks "If they screw this up again, I'll moiderize them."
Wise Snake is now known as gnodge.
Snackers is now known as wisesnake.
Buddi sets mode: +o wisesnake wisesnake's eyes narrow.
Wise Snake wonders why all these follower-types seem to feel like it is their right and duty to demand to know all her private business.
Wise Snake sighs.
Wise Snake: Very well.
Wise Snake: What did you want to know?
Fise: The Tecton made the same deal and then started lying and making ridiculous threats.
Wise Snake hesitates.
Wise Snake: Oh?
Alea smiles and hooks her arm through Tarsh's.
Alea: Ready to go?
Gnodge sneers at Buddi.
Fise: Know? I just want you to mean what you say, and not rewrite history.
Tarsh: Yes. Hmmm...
Alea sobers.
Tarsh goes to the window to zlin for those two gens.
Alea: Are they still out there? Can you zlin them?
Wise Snake: Rewrite history?
Wise Snake: Okay, I'll try not to do that.
Wise Snake: And I always mean what I say, at least at the time that I'm saying it.
Fise: Briel wa sthreatening to kill me 3 or 4 different ways, and didn't follow through on any of them.
Fise: Veriak "suspended" me and then left me in Limbo forever.
Wise Snake: Ah.
Wise Snake: I will never do anything like that. You can be sure of it.
Buddi: Don't let them escape this time you screw up[low to gnodge[
Buddi: I wanna get in out of the cold.
Wise Snake: ~~truth~~
Fise realizes that since she promised it, the deal is void if she doesn't.
Fise: Ok then. What do I do when?
Gnodge: Quit your whining, ya cry baby. What did I do to deserve to get partnered up with Baby Buddi Weepy Beeby?
Buddi: You screwed up and had to be put with someone who knew what they were doing..that's what.
Buddi scowls.
Gnodge: Sure.
Wise Snake: Are you employed right now? [doesn't think so]
Alea tucks the ends of her scarf into her cloak and pulls the hood back up.
Alea stuffs her old scarf into her pocket.
Fise: No. Getting money from home.
Alea peeks out the window trying to see if she can see anyone that looks unscrupulous.
Gnodge notes that his rear end is hanging out of his pants again, and tucks in his shirt while rubbing his running nose.
Alea: I don't see them....
Wise Snake: Good.
Tarsh: Don't zlin them either. Hopefully they moved on.
Alea: Personally, I think it'd be too cold for them to stand out there waiting.
Alea goes to the door and opens it going carefully down the slick stairs.
Buddi stays back by the wall out of sight, watching Lupo and gnodge.
Alea: To be Sime and have such grace and poise...a dream of mine, you know that Tarsh?
Alea: No more slipping down stairs or on icy patches or whatever...
Fise's apartment shows signs of long term occupancy with little maintenance.
Gnodge: ==note: Gnodge has been in the mouth of an alley near the store, for some time now===
Wise Snake: Okay, I want you to do two things. First of all, I have this deal going with a hospital on the Gen side of the border. In a few days I'm going to go over there and start handling changeovers and, if I get lucky, some healing. MOre as time goes on.
Wise Snake: I would like you to assist me with this work.
Tarsh follows Alea.
Wise Snake: In the beginning, you'll accompany me maybe two or three times a week, and I'll supervise you doing enough work to prevent that entran.
Tarsh: You as a sime? hmmm... Rensime or a Farris channel?
Alea grins arrogantly.
Alea: Channel of course.
Tarsh: Out-t? In one of those chop houses? ~~ distaste ~~
Tarsh: === make that Fise ==
Alea turns to head back home.
Wise Snake: Ultimately, if I am satisfied with your performance, I would like to schedule you in there for as many hours as you can handle every day. THat would be after I'd found a Donor for you, of course.
Tarsh: Well, that would make another of my dreams possible...
Wise Snake shakes her head at Fise's exclamation.
Lupo is ahead of them, leaning on a post.
Wise Snake: It's not as bad as it sounds.
Alea glances over at Tarsh, curious.
Alea: Really?
Tarsh walks along, oblivious.
Lupo: Evening, folks. Got a light?
Wise Snake: I've secured a room for us to work in.. in the basement, with solid stone walls, very well insulated.
Alea startled, looks over.
Alea: Uh...
Lupo is trimming his nails with a rather wicked looking knife.
Wise Snake: The patients we'd receive will not, for the first part, been treated by doctors' "medicine" at all.
Alea wary.
Fise: Can we work without retainers there?
Wise Snake: Yes. We only have to wear retainers between the border and there, and it's a very short distance. Then once in our room we are free to work unencumbered.
Buddi moves up behind the couple.
Tarsh: [absently ] No, sorry.
Lupo stands forward.
Lupo: Are you sure?
Alea doesn't like the look of the knife and backs up a step.
Lupo: I bet you do have something.
Alea: You know, Tarsh...I think we're going to have to start shopping somewhere else. Bad area here.
Fise shrugs. "retainers aren't that big a deal. I don't have any, though.."
Alea moves to go around Lupo.
Lupo blocks her way.
Lupo: Really, I insist.
Lupo gestures to the alleyway.
Lupo: Why don't we go in there?
Tarsh looks up sharply.
Alea alarmed.
Lupo is holding his knife in his tentacles.
Tarsh pulls Alea behind him.
Tarsh: What the shuven are you up to?
Lupo: Jus' trying to get by fella.
Lupo: Why don't we make this easy?
Buddi slips out a knife, moving up closer behind tarsh and alea.
Tarsh gestures at the open street. "Who's stopping you?"
Lupo: Right boys?
Alea sets mode: +o wisesnake
Alea sees gnodge and buddi and turns with her back to Tarsh to keep an eye on them, alarmed.
Alea sets mode: +o Gnodge
Lupo: Shall we?
Tarsh zlins the two behind him. ~~ chill fear - realization he can't protect Alea ~~
Tarsh: [ placating ] "what do you want?"
Alea is determined not to go down that alley.
Buddi snickers at Gnodge.
Buddi: What do we want, he asks...like he don't know.
Alea eyes dart between buddi and the other ugly one not liking the look of the knife one bit.
Wise Snake considers.
Wise Snake: I suppose I'd be willing to pay for those. It is a considerable investment, though. I'll be counting on you to help me out for sure, then.
Alea moves back until her back it touching tarsh's ... for reassurance he's still there.
Alea: ==it is==
Fise: I already said yes.
Tarsh: Money, I take it?
Lupo nods.
Lupo: Why don't we just go into our office and discuss this.
Buddi glares, outraged that this can happen out in the middle of the street.
Buddi: ==alea==
Tarsh pulls out his wallet and drops it at his feet. "That's plenty in there."
Wise Snake zlins for sincerety.
Tarsh kicks it towards Lupo.
Gnodge is ready for action if they try anything.
Fise: ~~ irritated but basically sincere ~~
Lupo tries to zlin for some hidden plan.
Lupo barely glances at the wallet.
Buddi eyes the wallet with anticipation.
Gnodge notes Alea is carrying a fat purse.
Gnodge eyes the purse lovingly.
Lupo: You're smart.
Fise: ~~ choking on pride swallowed for pain's sake ~~
Alea follows gnodge's look and shrugs.
Wise Snake: So, tell me, Fise... what motivates you? What do you want in life.
Alea: If it'll get you scum out of here, I'll gladly hand it over.
Wise Snake: Because if I can give you what you want, not just what you need, I will do so.
Fise: ~~ spurt of annoyance ~~
Alea slips it off her arm and lobs it at Gnodge's chest, hard.
Lupo: You're attractive Gn there is probably carrying some as well.
Alea shrugs.
Alea: Not anymore.
Lupo: Ah, a smart couple.
Fise: What do I want? Who cares? No one but me, and maybe not even that.
Lupo slowly bends down to pick up the wallet while keeping his eye on them.
Alea anger/frustration.
Gnodge catches the purse and grins.
Tarsh: You've got all our money. Which will do you quite nicely.
Lupo puts the wallet in his shirt and gets a little bold.
Lupo zlins the gen.
Wise Snake's eyes narrow again.
Lupo: Thanks.
Lupo: By the way, how do you rate such a tasty Gn anyway?
Fise: " 'Want is irrelevant before need', as they taught us in school."
Alea glares at gnodge.
Gnodge likes it.
Gnodge likes firey women.
Buddi reaches for the purse that gnodge is holding.
Gnodge deftly smacks Buddy's hand without looking.
Tarsh: I don't She's the Controller's.
Wise Snake: Fise.
Buddi eyes widen.
Buddi then glares at gnodge.
Fise: Yes?
Alea's own eyes widen thinking briel would choke on that.
Lupo raises an eyebrow. I see, and you're just their lackey. How quaint.
Alea lifts an eyebrow at Gnodge.
Tarsh: Tecton Marshalls don't care about robbery. But Donors are another matter.
Wise Snake: I am your... [hesitates, then chooses a different word].. employer. Your well being is important to me.
Lupo: Well, lackey, you might want to head out while you can before you have to leave empty handed.
Alea thinks lacky, and smiles at Gnodge thinking he is definitely a lackey.
Gnodge sees the nasty pointed smile and loves that too.. what a woman!
Lupo continues to zlin Alea shamelessly.
Alea hears lupo's words and sighs with relief
Wise Snake: You are obviously in no condition to work with patients right now. Tell me what it is you want.
Alea: Fine, let's go Tarsh.
Fise sighs and thinks. "I'll start with what I don't want. I don't want to be a channel. Not 'not want to work as one', not _be_ one."
Buddi continues to eye the purse wondering how much money is in there.
Wise Snake: I can't do anything about the fact that you're a channel.
Tarsh takes that as dismissal. "Come on Alea."
Buddi moves closwer to gnodge.
Lupo: Yes Tarsh. Follow orders like a good little lackey.
Wise Snake: But I can keep you away from the kinds of work you dislike the most. What is it you dislike about the channeling functions?
Tarsh sidles to the side with Alea to get out from between them.
Alea moves with tarsh only relieved to be gone.
Gnodge slips one foot behind Buddi's, then leans suddenly against his shoulder, tripping him.
Gnodge: Oh! Sorry.
Lupo laugh evilly.
Buddi grabs at Gnodge...pulling him down too.
Buddi: You did that on purpose!
Alea shudders at the laugh.
Alea: Stupid little two bit thieves[low]
Gnodge clamps the purse into his armpit where Buddi cannot reach, and struggles upward.
Lupo: See you around sweet cheeks!!
Lupo takes an opportunity to swat Alea's bottom.
Tarsh grabs up Alea and augments away up the street.
Lupo continues to zlin that field for a while, then turns to his "partners."
Gnodge: Wow, she was hot. [drools]
Alea runs as fast as she can, trying to keep up with Tarsh.
Lupo: Ok, Knucklheads, let's see what we have.
Lupo gestures them into the alleyway.
Wise Snake hands Lupo the purse.
Wise Snake: ===Gnodge===
Buddi grabs at the purse.
Gnodge elbows Buddy swiftly in the ribs, avoiding the grab.
Lupo: Tell me about it! How I'd like to get ahold of that field of hers!
Gnodge: Field? I was looking at her hooters. Dominate me, baby!
Fise: It isn't the functions. It's the drudgery, and the people. Everyone so dour and earnest. Or sick. I was raised to a more refined standard.
Lupo: Stop it you two!
Wise Snake: ~~genuine surprise~~
Fise: But that can't be helped.
Buddi glares sullenly.
Wise Snake: Hmm.
Wise Snake: Tell me, Fise.. have you ever served someone in changeover?
Lupo moves to a convient surface and empties out the contents.
Fise: The other thing I want is not to have mys sytems messed up. The selyn just won't _*go*_.
Lupo rifles through the contents of the purse, amused at the miscellaneous stuff he finds there.
Lupo extracts the money from the wallet as well.
Wise Snake pauses.
Wise Snake zlins fise.
Alea: I cannot believe those scum actually waited around.
Tarsh slows down once they are around a corner. "Are You All Right Alea?"
Alea gasping for breath.
Alea: Yes, fine.
Lupo: Hey! Look at this!
Gnodge shoves close to see.
Wise Snake: Tell me more about this problem?
Fise shrugs. "No. Covered it in trianing, but they never thought I was up to it. Just a ordinary transfer, with more selyn."
Buddi reaches out to run his fingers over the money.
Lupo: "Alea Farris..." The dame was a Farris! Imagine that!
Gnodge: Unnhh.. no wonder she was so fine. I wonder if she sleeps around?
Wise Snake: No... Fise.. it's much different.
Tarsh zlins Alea. "Thank Goodness. I'm sorry about your purse."
Alea shrugs.
Lupo goes through some photos.
Alea: It's no big deal.
Wise Snake: For most, the first transfer is a time of unbelieveable uplifting joy and fulfillment.
Wise Snake: For most, it's the best transfer of their life. A new beginning, a resurrection if you will.
Alea: Just a few personal items in it and some money.
Lupo: Look--she's got a few pictures of that lackey. Maybe she's seeing him on the side.
Alea: I'm only glad we got out of it unharmed.
Wise Snake: That's what you would be doing, if you prove up to the training.
Tarsh: ~~ honestly doesn't understand what she means ~~
Wise Snake: It would not be negative and dreary at all... in fact, with your perspective, you may have very good advice for some kids who didn't realize they were going to be renSime and have no idea what to do next.
Alea: I mean, what's money and a purse compared to injury?
Tarsh: == make that Fise ==
Buddi: Who cares about the gen...how much money did we get?
Tarsh: ~~ guilt ~~ "I'm sorry, but I couldn't have protected you from three of them."
Gnodge looks at the photos over Lupo's shoulder.
Gnodge's eyes bulge.
Gnodge: Yeeow!
Alea tilts her head curious.
Alea: Don't worry about it.
Alea: It was only money.
Buddi: What? What?
Lupo lets Gnodge continue looking, begins counting out the money.
Wise Snake: How does she do that???
Wise Snake: ==gnodge===
Buddi shoves trying to move in between the two people.
Fise: ~~ confused ~~ "Why? I'm hardly an advertisement for Simeness?"
Lupo moves over to the side with the money, begins to separate it into three roughly equal piles.
Tarsh: Yeah. You're just too important to risk.
Alea chuckles.
Alea: I was talking about you.
Gnodge clutches the photos and beguns filping through them faster and faster.
Lupo makes sure to pocket a little extra for himself, especially with the Gns distracted.
Alea: Come on, let's get back to the Center before someone else decides we're easy prey.
Gnodge turns slightly so Buddi will be unable to see anything.
Buddi shoves at Gnodge for general purpose then turns to the money.
Wise Snake looks at Fise curiously.
Wise Snake: What makes you think you are less good than the average Sime?
Alea moves over and slips her hand into Tarsh's
Alea ~~relief/feeling of safety~~
Gnodge pauses over one particular photo, lingering.
Buddi: Hey lupo..are you cheating us?
Buddi: I thought there was more!
Buddi reaches out for the money.
Fise: I don't zlin, I don't augment, All the disadvantages of being Gn without the monthly check.
Tarsh exhales at the touch of Alea's field.
Tarsh: Right.
Lupo: I only wish we'd caught them BEFORE they went to the shop.
Lupo pockets his share of the money.
Buddi grabs his money and begins greedily counting it.
Wise Snake: Fise [compassion] you're still a Sime. And many of your problems might become slightly better if you'd let me try to treat your condition.
Lupo: See anything in there we can use?
Gnodge: Ohhhh I like this one. Gimme this one with this huge regulations book as the pillow.
Fise: Plus entran and the crimping.
Wise Snake: The entran will go away again once you start work.
Fise: Hopefully. Will there be Donor support, by the way?
Lupo: I think we made out pretty well. That Farris dame was still carrying around more cash than most w run across.
Wise Snake: I will support you at first, in work. But I do want you to spend some time working with a Gen I am thinking of training up to be a Donor for you.
Alea starts back up the street promising herself she won't even think about what could have happened until they're back behind the safety of the Cetner's walls.
Alea suddenly chuckles.
Alea: At least they didn't take your new gloves.
Wise Snake: These would be very limited, controlled sessions, not work. The Gen in question is not yet Technical class, but I believe with the proper training she could do it. She is a bit skittish, but I think with your... sturdiness... you should be able to help her through some of the more difficult.. adjustments.
Wise Snake thinks she will have to watch Linn and Fise like a hawk, and she will be a nervous wreck for weeks.
Alea: Most expensive pair of gloves you've ever owned.
Gnodge finally wrenches his eyes away from the rather erotic photo and snatches up his money to count it.
Gnodge: Hey... what's with all those keys? [sees ring on table]
Gnodge: ==or whatever everything was lying on===
Tarsh wonders if she just means a occasional transfer or a Donor his for the long term.
Gnodge: This lady own a post office or something?
Tarsh: == Make that Fise ==
Tarsh: Or your scarf.
Alea laughs.
Alea: Oh yeah...
Wise Snake zlins Fise's uncertainty.
Alea shakes her head.
Wise Snake: I said I'd give you true information. Ask me what you want to know.
Buddi looks at the keys and shrugs.
Buddi: Maybe she collects them.
Lupo: I bet we can find some use for all these keys...
Alea suddenly stops.
Alea: Oh Shen..oh shen oh shen oh shen...
Alea rubs at her forehead.
Gnodge goes back to looking at the photo again.
Lupo: Who knows what kind of stuff they have over at that Center of theres.
Gnodge: Hmm... do you suppose these tentacles in the picture are HIS? [thinking about the renSime they also mugged]
Fise: ~~ surprised ~~
Gnodge: I guess he must have been taking the picture.
Buddi perks up.
Tarsh: What is it darling?
Gnodge: Huhhuhhuh, lucky guy.
Buddi: Maybe more money there..they have to have money.
Alea: My keys...my set of keys to the entire center were in that purse.
Gnodge licks his lips, then crams his filled wallet into his back pocket, pushing down his pants and exposing his lily white.. wel anyway.
Lupo: Yeah. But it would take some work to do it ourselves.
Alea: Briel is going to have my hide for this.
Lupo: You know... The Boss has never been a fan of that Center since it went up.
Lupo: I bet he'd be interested in a set of keys to the center like this. I bet he'd reward us royally, too--and we don't have to take the chances.
Buddi: I'm hungry. Let' s go find somewhere to eat and warm up.
Buddi pauses.
Buddi: You think he'd pay us for the keys.
Fise: Did you mean to be a Donor for me like the tecton? here today gone tomorrow? Or one Donor for me perm-* for the long term.
Lupo: I think so, Buddi.
Lupo: Let's go--then we can eat anywhere we want!
Wise Snake: For the long term. What, do you think I'm made of Donors? I only have two myself.
Buddi nods and follows lupo nudging his way between him and gnodge.
Wise Snake forces herself to take a more gentle tone.
Tarsh: Shidoni!
Wise Snake: This woman I am thinking of, she's not even a Donor yet. I'd be making her a Donor for you.
Wise Snake: In fact, I don't think she'd be capable of being a Donor for anyone else but you.
Tarsh: Rekeying again.
Alea rubs at her forehead, feeling totally dispirited.
Alea: Yeah.
Lupo heads down the alleyway with his partners in tow, on their way to good fortune.
Lupo: Even if he doesn't pay us THAT much, it would be good to have him on our side, right?
Buddi: What'd you mean not pay us that much.
Gnodge: He might shoot us all and take the keys for free.
Gnodge's thoughts, as always when his pocket is full, begin to turn towards Beer.
Lupo: You got a point there.
Gnodge notices a bar nearby and his path veers slightly over in that direction.
Lupo: We need to send one you guys in to tell the Boss while we wait.
Alea: OH well...I guess this is the price I pay for slipping out of work
Gnodge: I ain't goin in there.
Buddi looks over at Gnodge.
Buddi: Well I ain't either.
Gnodge is going, in fact, into a bar instead.
Gnodge stumps determinedly toward the large sign with a frosty mug painted on it.
Fise: Tecton Donors never did me much good most of the month. Just when they started to learn how to work for me they would get moved.
Buddi: I say we just hold onto the keys for a day or two..go warm up, think.
Tarsh: You can't really anticpate this sort of thing.
Wise Snake: Well, by the time Linn is anywhere near ready to try working with you, I'll have been working with you long enough to know how. We'll make sure she learns your way right from the beginning.
Alea shrugs.
Alea: She won't see it that way.
Gnodge: Look how warm that bar looks... the windows are all steamy.
Alea: Perhaps I could go for a nice long jog when I return before I tell her.....
Alea shakes her head.
Alea: No.
Lupo: And give them time to change the locks? The Boss wouldn't like that.
Alea goes on down teh street seeing the Center in the distance.
Gnodge: He might not like us buggin him either.
Lupo: We can go in for one drink, then we go to the Boss.
Alea: I don't want to dot hat. Those idiots might actually decide to try and break into the center.
Buddi follows Gnodge and lupo.
Gnodge thinks he might be a lot more relaxed after having 3 or 4 beers, and agrees.
Alea glances at tarsh.
Gnodge leads the way to the Lusty Lager.
Alea: I'm sorry you were robbed.
Tarsh: I suppose they might. I'm tempted to set Tormer on them, but the cure might be worse than the disease.
Alea shudders.
Alea: Please not Tormer.
Tarsh: It isn't the money, it's the helplessness...
Alea remembers the knife and wholeheartedly agrees...
Buddi is now known as Briel.
Alea trembles with renewed horror as she remembers the knife the Sme held on Tarsh.
Wise Snake: Look, Fise. I know it's hard to think straight when you're so screwed up. Here, let me help you with that entran.
Fise: I usually didn't notice what they were doing. One said he had to picture whacking me around with a tree branch to get my attention.
Wise Snake: I think Linn will do fine with that.
Fise: Help me? entran? Oh yeah.
Wise Snake holds out her hands to Fise.
Fise: Standard outfunction?
Wise Snake: If you like, yes.
Tarsh trembles in sympathy.
Fise holds out his hands to take wisesnake's.
Wise Snake helps Fise with his entran.
Alea: One slice across your arm...
Fise puts his head on Snakes shoulder while moving selyn back and forth.
Tarsh folds his arms in on his stomach, wincing.
Alea realizes she spoke outloud.
Alea: I'm sorry...I...oh dear.
Alea turns into the Center's gates.
Tarsh: I'm Ok.
Fise finishes and withdraws from contact, feeling better.
Alea goes up the steps careful of the ice and then into the Center.
Alea trembles as she unbuttons her cloak.
Fise: After a distinct interval Fise remembers to say "Thanks."
Tarsh helps Alea off with her cloak and hangs up his own.
Alea: Thank you[murmurs]
Alea: I suppose I should go talk to Briel now.
Alea: Tell her everything that happened.
Tarsh siezes Alea in a crushing embrace. "Alea. Thank goodness you're OK.."
Alea slips her arms around tarsh
Alea: I am so sorry...I shouldn't have suggested going for a walk...we could ahve been...
Wise Snake: Fise, I think you'll find you feel much better still once you've started working again.
Tarsh: You couldn't know.
Wise Snake: Let us make an appointment to work together on some of your problems, and in a few days when I get into the hospital officially, I'll take you over there and show you the conditions.
Fise: I hope so. haven't been godd for anything these last months.
Alea squeezes Tarsh tighter, deriving strength from his closeness.
Fise: Ok. When and where Boss Lady?
Alea: I don't know what I'd have done if something had happened.
Wise Snake: Everything will be fine. You'll see. ~~optomistic support~~
Alea: The utter frustration of facing two Gens and being unable to do a thing.
Alea: Give me a Sme any day!
Wise Snake: How about 6am, tomorrow.
Wise Snake: My place.
Fise picks a bit of snake's smile, but doesn't zlin the support.
Alea sets mode: +o Tramila
Fise looks distracted for a moment. "6am? Ok. Where?"
Wise Snake remembers what Fise said and goes against her natural tendencies to hit him with more support than should strictly speaking be required.
Wise Snake: ~~~ I said BE OPTOMISTIC~~
Wise Snake is amazed there is anyone in this town who doesn't already know his address.
Alea finally eases her hold on tarsh and steps back, smiling softly.
Wise Snake: It's a brownstone townhouse on Vine, between Peach and Plum. The third one from the end.
Fise smile actually makes it all the way to both ends of his mouth, though it is clearly exhuasted by the journey.
Fise gets up and digs for a pencil and paper [ mutters ] "Vine, Peach, Plum..."
Wise Snake wonders if there is any such thing as a 3rd Order Tigue donor, and where she could get her hands on one if so.
Fise finds a piece of paper and writes on it with an elegant flowing style.
Fise: All right Hajene. I'll be there.
Alea: I'll see you later?
Tarsh: Count on it.
Wise Snake: Great. You won't regret it.
Wise Snake gets up.
Alea nods and steps back.
Tarsh kisses alea quickly.
Fise starts thinking about where to go eat.
Wise Snake smiles slightly at the definite hunger she zlins, and leaves Fise's house.
Alea trails a finger down Tarsh's arm, catching at a Tentacle.
Alea: Have a good day, darling.
Fise looks around and notices what a mess the place is. Him too.
Alea turns to leave.
Alea think she is not looking forward to facing the lion in its den.
Wise Snake, of course, had utterly failed to notice the mess or Fise's unwashed state.
Tarsh zlins Alea going with a smile.
Wise Snake hurries home to Nick.
Gnodge is now known as whoever.
Alea goes slowly down the hall to briel's office.
Whoever is now known as NickR.
Briel is now known as Bcal.
Tramila is now known as Briel.
Nick jumps up as Snake finally puts in an appearance.
Wise Snake notes that Nick is fully awake and realizes she is later than she'd thought.
Wise Snake: Sorry I'm late. I had to... well anyway,
Wise Snake: It's that time of the month again, we're going to be spending all day collection protection payments. But first I want to check on B'cal at the Center.
Nick grimaces at the thought.
Alea signals at Briel's door.
Nick: Okay.
Briel goes to the door. [frowns] Alea. Come in.
Nick picks up the medical kit which was lying ready nearby, and gets dressed for outdoor work.
Alea: Hello hajene.
Wise Snake finds the pile of yesterday's mail and idly looks through it while she waits.
Briel rubs her neck. "Hello Alea. Come in."
Alea: I had to speak with you if you have a moment.
Nick: Ready...
Wise Snake: Ah.
Alea: ==had should==
Briel: Briel looks at the pile of files laying on her desk and decides that she rcould use a short break.
Wise Snake and Nick leave the house, Snake locking the door carefully behind her.
Alea is ill at ease.
Alea clasps her hands in front of her.
Briel: Sit down Alea.
Alea: Tarsh and I went out earlier today...
Nick walks at Snake's side as the two of them head toward the Sime Center.
Briel: Out! You are not supposed to go out.
Alea eyes widen, then her field goes flat.
Alea: I had a break, hajene.
Alea: I wanted to...mail some letters.
Alea: I didn't want to leave them with the people here.
Briel: You should have had one of the renSime do it for you.
Alea shrugs, angry that briel is temporarily in charge.
Alea: The point is...while we were out, we were...robbed.
Alea: A remSime and two Gens...near a leather shop.
Alea only now realizes she is still wearing the zeor blue scarf around her neck
Briel flashes of anger.
Alea neutral field.
Briel: Rob! And in your condition.
Alea ~~confused~~
Alea: I'm perfectly fine, Briel.
Alea: I'm over my cold.
Alea: Anyway, as I was saying, they took Tarsh's wallet and my purse.
Briel thinks about how much she really HATES Farris and most of the members of Zeor.
Wise Snake: By the way, I talked to Fise. He seemed willing, but frankly I am a bit worried about his emotional state.
Alea: Tarsh was a very good mediator, convincing them they didn't want to bother with a Donor..only the money.
Alea shudders.
Alea: Anyway...they um...
Wise Snake: I have a feeling that between his physical condition and his near-despair it is going to take a lot of work to bring him up to speed.
Alea looks up feeling sudenly queasy at what she has to say.
Briel: I'll just bet. [shorts]
Wise Snake doesn't think "if it's possible at all"... that thought wouldn't occur naturally to her.
Briel: ===shorts - snorts==
Alea: You're not making this easy, Briel.
Alea: WOuld you just listen.
Alea glowers.
Alea is certain her nerves are finally shot.
Briel zlins for Alea's condition to verify the fact and shudders more of anger than anything else.
Alea hands tremble as she smooths at her skirt.
Briel: Just tell me Alea.
Alea: I have a set of keys to everything, every single room and lock in this Center. That set were in my purse
Briel: What!!!!
Briel: They took those!
Alea sighs, rubbing at her forehead.
Alea grimaces.
Alea: What'd you want me to do, search throught he purse when they were holding tarsh at knifepoint?
Briel grabs a phone and points a tentacle. "STay right there while I make a call.
Alea: Geez, one of the perverts was making eyes at me, the other was trying to get us in the alley.
Alea: I can see me looking at dog face and saying, oh, excuse me a minute while I find exactly what you want.
Alea: Tarsh and I just wanted out of there.
Briel calls security, tells them the Center is an open book and has secuity post guards everywhere.
Alea: YOu might want to call a locksmith too, while you're at it.
Briel: Then she calls the lock smith and orders another set of keys.
Alea: The one we use...
Alea: Ah.
Alea nods rubbing at her aching head.
Briel slams the phone down.
Briel: You should have heard him.
Wise Snake and Nick walk up the front steps of the Sime Center, still discussing Fise.
Alea looks up sharply, and glared.
Alea: ==glared glares==
Alea: If you'll excuse me, Briel, I think I should get to work.
Wise Snake: Okay, no more about that. We're here.
Briel: I wonder if that locksmith HAD you and Tarsh robbed.
Nick nods.
Briel: NO, Sit.
Alea: No, I think I should go.
Briel: No.
Briel: Tell me more.
Wise Snake enters the Sime Center, with Nick.
Alea turns and glares at Briel, simmering.
Alea: I am not feeling well. Can the rest of this wait?
Briel: You said that one of them was thinking of rape?
Briel: I'll just bet.
Alea pales, the blood draining.
Alea: I...
Briel: No Alea. I have more to talk to you about.
Alea weaves.
B'cal is in her room.
Briel grabs Alea. and takes her to the couch.
B'cal glares at, Loni.
Briel makes a fosebine and gives it to Alea.
Wise Snake ignores the front desk clerk and the new security guards and prances right into the Center, heading for the stairs to quarters.
Briel: Drink it.
Nick follows.
B'cal: Then if you don't wnat me going down to the cafeteria alone, then how abouat finding someone who can go with me?
Alea shoves it away.
Alea: Please, Briel.
Alea: Just let me go. I'll make out a full report.
Briel: No.
Briel: I have something to say first and you are going to listen.
Briel: You are pregnant.
Briel: How do you feel about that?
Alea stands, shocked just before her eyes roll back in her head and she sinks to the floor.
Briel augments to catch her just before she hits the floor.
B'cal watches Loni leave, growling low in her throat.
B'cal: I cannot believe this.
B'cal: What..are they into starving Donors now?
Briel lays her on the couch.
B'cal: My orders say to keep you ehre until Lanyi checks you out again.
B'cal mimicks in a sing songie voice.
Wise Snake and Nick climb the stairs.
Briel looks at the glass of fosebine on the floor that she had just barely been able to safely place there before catching Alea.
Wise Snake finds B'cal's door and uses the Gen signal.
Alea's eyelids fluteer open.
Alea: I...what?
Alea struggles to sit up.
B'cal: Come in.
Briel: [anger] Go rest Alea.
Briel: We'll talk later.
Alea struglges up.
Alea: I..I...
Alea nods.
Alea walks to the door, pale as a ghost and shaking like she has the plague.
Briel: And Alea, At least your horomones won't foul you up for the next nine months.
B'cal pulls the door open.
Wise Snake: Hello, B'cal.
Alea shakes her head confused...shocked...unsure as she leaves the office.
Wise Snake: How are you doing?
B'cal: Snake!
Wise Snake jumps at B'cal's exclamation.
Briel is now known as Tramila.
B'cal: I am glad to see you.
Wise Snake: Well that's... that's great. [really amazed to hear B'cal say those words]
B'cal: Loni the little renSime just went to see if she could find a chanel to give me the all clear.
Tramila goes to B'Cal's office, not looking forward to seeing the Donor again.
Tramila: ==office - bedroom==
Alea goes down the hall shell-shocked.
Alea pregnant? wisesnake zlins Tramila coming and backs off.
Nick supportive.
Tramila: WiseSnake. How are you?
B'cal glances up at Snake's actions and looks toward the door, curious.
B'cal sneers.
Alea makes her way slowly to the lobby where she sinks down on the nearest couch.
Alea: Why am I -always- the last one to know?
Alea doesn't even realize she is in the lobby and not her office.
Tramila: Curb your reactions B'Cal. I already know that you don't like Farris' so you don't have to make such a display.
Alea leans down gulping in air as she feels lightheaded again.
B'cal: Do you want something here, other than to antogonize me. I was conferring with Snake..who just hapens to be a farris.
B'cal smiles.
B'cal: Hmmm....must be there are some farrises I CAN tolerate.
Nick has never heard anyone speak to B'cal in quite that tone before.
Tramila: Yes. I understand and so do you.
B'cal looks at Snake and glares at her to make sure she doesn't take her words to heart.
Wise Snake can't believe her ears... not only is B'cal glad to see her, but the Donor finds her... tolerable.
Wise Snake notes B'cal's glare, and zlins, curious, to discover what her true feelings are.
Tramila zlins WiseSnake's reactions.
Alea leans back agains the couch and stares off into space, face blank.
B'cal: I have work to do. This channel requires me..she needs me.
B'cal: Are you going ot risk her life by keeping me here any longer?
B'cal: Or am I to FINALLY be released so I can work nights with her?
B'cal ~~grudgingly accepts Snake~~
Wise Snake is amazed, zlins two or three times to make sure; still amazed.
Wise Snake: ~~relief~~
B'cal ~~reluctant acceptance of her as a channel~~
B'cal narrows her eyes warningly at snake.
Tramila: I'll release you but only after I have performed a deep zlinning to verify that you are indeed healthy enough to help WiseSnake.
Wise Snake smiles.
Wise Snake's smile freezes at the words "Deep Zlinning"
Wise Snake's hackles rise.
B'cal shoves her arms out briskly.
Tramila zlins the interplay and keeps her field under tight controll.
B'cal: Get to it then.
Nick puts his hand on Snake's arm.
Wise Snake controls her field but can't control her expression; doesn't like it.
B'cal looks over at Snake.
B'cal: Get over it. It's all part of life as a channel or Donor.
B'cal: I'll be there for you, Snake.
Nick works to keep Snake from throwing a fit over someone else touching a Donor she considers hers.
Tramila goes to B'cal and takes her into transfer position.
B'cal: It's purely professional.
B'cal tursnt o Tramila.
You are now known as Briel.
Wise Snake watches, eyes glittering oddly.
Briel paces her office, rubbing at her neck with a tentacle.
Briel: Shen.
Briel: I can't believe she didn't know...
Briel rubs at her temples.
Briel: Veraik, please please PLEASE hurry and get back or I"m going to have to come up there and get you.
Briel: Stay in the Center, do your work...
Briel: That woman attracts danger.
Briel shudders.
Tramila makes fifth and zlins for the burn damage.
B'cal stays still, patiently waiting.
Briel wondres if tarsh knows then thinks every Sime in the area probably knows.
Briel thinks had she not been so busy she would have probably known sooner.
Briel shakes her head, disgusted.
Tramila: Seeing about BCal was almost healed, Tramila decides to keep contact to see if the Donor would really remain as still as she should during the exam.
Tramila finally releases BCal.
Briel wonders what veraik is going to say about this, then decides, as long as it doesn't affect her work at the Center.
Briel: But it has..thsoe shenned keys!
B'cal: About time.
B'cal: Well?
Tramila: You are released. Stay with light duties.
B'cal reachs for her jacket.
Tramila: And Bcal.
B'cal: I know, I know...for a week, right, just like Lanyi said...
B'cal: Yes?
B'cal raises an eyebrow, looking down her nose at Tramila.
Tramila: You are to protect WiseSnake.
B'cal: Of course.
Tramila: With your life.
Tramila: She is a Farris.
B'cal turns to Snake.
B'cal sneers.
Tramila: Remember that.
B'cal: I can hardly forget, can I?
Tramila leaves the room.
B'cal motions to the black cape.
Tramila turns back.
Wise Snake stares after Tramila, wondering what the woman was getting at.
B'cal: You were smart to get out of the house when you could. Everyone one of them are too arrogant for their own good.
Tramila: And I am sure you wish you had one as well.
Tramila retreats down the hall.
B'cal: See what I mean.
Wise Snake: What did she mean?
Briel sits down and scribbles out some fresh memos aobut the protection of the meds and the keys.
You are now known as Alea.
B'cal: About what?
Wise Snake: Protecting me.
B'cal shrugs.
Wise Snake's eyes narrow.
B'cal is now known as Alea.
Alea: She thinks life revoloves around farrises.
Tramila sets mode: +o Alea`
Alea is now known as Bcal.
B'cal: ==bcal==
B'cal: That, or she's still bothered about burning me herself years ago.
Wise Snake knows B'cal and Tramila have a past and wonders what Tramila really meant that B'cal won't tell her.
B'cal glares
B'cal: You never know with that woman.
Wise Snake: Huh.
Tramila is now known as sick.
Alea sets mode: +o Bcal
B'cal: Anyway.
B'cal: Looks like I'll be working with you again.
B'cal reaches for her jacket and slips it on.
B'cal: I happen to be hungry.
B'cal projects her hunger.
B'cal: Anyone else hungry here?
Sick stumbles into the lobby, sees a person, and throws up over her shoes.
Wise Snake: Uh... I guess I am. [geez]
Alea looks down and grimaces realizes she is in the lobby and thinks--it's par for the course.
Alea stands.
Nick is always hungry/
Alea: May I help you?
B'cal: Good.
Sick: Help me.
Alea reaches out for her.
Sick scoots to the corner of the room.
Alea isn't sure if it's a her or him.
Alea: Well shen..figures.
Sick: Don't touch me.
Alea stiffens...
Alea: ANd htat figures too.
Alea: Get me a channel QUICK[to clerk]
B'cal: Come on, let's go eat.
B'cal: IF I dont' get some food in me soon, I'm going to drop on the spot.
Sick curls up into a ball and shivers.
B'cal goes down the hall with snake and nick.
B'cal is now known as Briel.
Sick tries to crawl out the door.
Alea eases over toward the sick person.
Alea: No, no..don't leave..let us help you.
Alea ~~trust/peace~~
Wise Snake sighs and looks forward to a good day of shaking dow of, collecting payments.
Sick whimpers.
Sick looks at the person, wants..... "NO!"
Briel comes pounding down the hall into the lobby, zlinning.
Briel: Stop Alea.
Alea freezes, not moving.
Sick is a female, young and from Out-T.
Briel moves up beside Alea.
Briel: You're going to be fine...why not let me help you.
Briel moves forward.
Alea moves in to support completing putting everything else from her mind.
Sick looks to the first lady to get protection from the Sime.
Briel: Tell me what's the matter...[English]
Briel: I was once from out-Territory too.
Briel smiles kindly.
Sick: No! You....you speak English. You can't. Help Me, lady.
Sick: Protect me from the Sime.
Alea smiles gently.
Briel: You're in changover...just let me help you.
Briel ~~projecting Gen~~
Sick's body moves towards the protection then stops and moves back to the lady.
Briel: My name is Briel ambrov R'lea.
Briel: Please allow me to help you.
Briel ~~concern, willingness to give~~
Sick: A Householder? I've heard of....but no! You are Sime.
Briel wants to slap the girl.
Briel: Just like you're about to be.
Briel: Look at your wrists..see the bubbles.
Sick: Oohhhhh it hurts.
Briel: Do you feel the contractions building in your arms...the desire to
cluctch.
Briel: Uh huh.
Briel ~~~Gen High Field~~
Sick: No! Please no.
Sick turns to the field.
Alea moves to blunt her field from the changever.
Sick: Don't leave me.
Briel zlins the contractions and goes down on her knees in front of the girl.
Sick rocks back and forth.
Briel: Here I am..right here...just relax...don't fight it...
Sick: ~~~ body burning selyn~~~~
Briel: Look at the arms...next contraction should do it...just relax.....
Briel projects soothing resting calm.
Sick: NO! Please! Make it stop!
Briel: On this contaction I want to you to let your tnetacles break forth.
Sick: Contractions! NO! IT can't be! NO!
Briel: Do you understand me.
Sick: ~~~ fear ~~~~
Briel: You're only hurting yourself.
Briel: Calm down. Rest on my field.
Sick zlins but doesn't understand what she is seeing.
Briel flares her field full of promise.
Sick: What's happeing? You look so strange.
Briel: Feel the hunger...you're zlinning....come, let me feed you, sweetheart.
Sick reaches out to touch and there is nothing tangible to touch.
Sick: ~~~ Selyn consumption is out of control~~~
Briel: That's waht you're craving...you can feel it can't you...see it...
Briel wishes the child spoke simelan. This would be much easier
Sick: No! I'm not a bad person. I'm not!
Alea: We're going to lose her if she doesn't calm dwon.
Briel: Why did you come here?
Briel: Tell me that?
Briel: If you didn't want to come here no one would force you yet your
hysterical.
Briel: Now calm down right now.
Briel low firm.
Briel: ==your you;re==
Sick: I ran from my parents. This was the first place that had a door open.
Where am I?
Briel: You came a long way for help.
Briel: Don't tell me you just stumbled in here.
Sick nods yes.
Briel: You can either let me help you, or you can die. Now which is it going
to be.
Sick: AH!! [cramp]
Briel: Shen.
Briel grabs the girl's hands.
Sick: Die. No please. I...I....
Briel: Come on...force them out now.
Sick pulls back.
Briel: Don't fight it.
Briel: You can't fight it.
Sick: You're a Sime.
Briel ignores her.
Sick: Sime's are bad.
Briel: Come on...you can't fight instinct...
Sick: I'm not bad...I'm not!
Briel flares Gen field again holding it constant to push the girl hyper.
Sick: I'm notone of them. I can't be.
Sick's body moves towards the force she doesn't understand.
Sick: Ahhh!!!! [more cramps]
Briel uses her field to manipulate the girl..pushing her higher and higher
with her overpowering nager.
Briel ~~i'm here~~
Sick doesn't know or understand what is happening.
Briel ~~promise~~
Sick locks onto the promise.
Sick looks for the human lady. "Help." [whispered]
Briel grabs the girl's hands waiting, knowing that the girl can't fight her
body as the tentacles demand birth.
Briel ~~selyn rich gen~~
Sick widen.
Sick's eyes widen.
Alea keeps her attention focused on Briel, moving slightly as Briel needs
her to for constant support of those around in the lobby zlinning the drama
unfolding.
Sick: No! ~~~~selyn is voiding~~~
Briel: Push on the next contraction.
Briel: We need thos tentacles.
Briel concerned.
Sick: TENTACLES!!! NO!!!
Sick: I'm NOT a Sime!!! I can't be!!
Sick: NO! Please NO!
Briel: Tell me your name...talk to me..come on.
Briel: Don't give up on me..fight to live.
Briel holds onto the girl projecting calm.
Sick: Angelina.. My...
Briel zlins the bubbles on the girl's arms and is afriad, with the way she
is voiding selyn, she isn't going to have enough for the tentacles to greak
out.
Sick is now known as Angelina.
Briel: Well then, little angel, let's just et this over with...don't fight
me on it...let your body do what it was meant to do.
Angelina: But...please! Don't make me be Sime.
Alea thinks briel has grown in some ways since veraik has been gone and is
impressed with how she fights the girl.
Alea: For her life.
Briel: Why don't you want ot be sime?
Briel: Look at me..I am...and I haven't hur tyou or anything...just relax...
Angelina sees Sime's tentalces on her arms. "NO."
Angelina: Simes are bad. They kill. They hurt.
Briel: Angelina...come on sweetie..you're voiding selyn..you're going to
...kill yourself if you don't stop.
Angelina: They have no souls.
Angelina: I don't want to die.
Angelina: I'm a good girl.
Briel wonders how the child can still be talking with the field she is
projecting.
Briel: Yes, you're a good girl.
Briel: Now, come on..don't fight me..work with me.
Briel concenterates hard, willing the tentacles to go ahead and break out
before they run out of selyn.
Briel: [simelean]send someone for a med kit[oer her shoulder]
Angelina screams with the next contraction.
Angelina: Ahh. It's hurts so bad.
Alea nods to the renSime near her side.
Briel: Just a bit more..come on....
Briel: Thta's it, my little angel..you're doing fine...just rest...relax....the
pain will be gone soon and you'll feel fine.
Briel: Did you know there are stories in one of the ancient languages I'm
studying.
Angelina sees her own arms and screams as the next contraction hits and all
the tentacles but one break free.
Briel: They're aobut angels...similar to your name angelina.
Alea accepts the med kit and opesn it, smilng her thanks.
Angelina: Ahhh!!!!
Briel ~~need to give holds out her arms~~
Briel snatches the small sharp knife out of it and quickly slits the last
place before the child can comprehend what she's doing.
Angelina shrieks.
Briel pushes.
Briel: There there.
Briel ~~GEN~~
Briel tosses the scapel away offering her arms.
Angelina grabs what she needs and goes for the kill.
Briel ~~gives a slight resistance~~
Angelina grabs the 'Gen' and takes all.
Briel ~~joy savage satisfaction to give~~
Angelina holds onto the joy, riding it to completion.
Angelina: ~~~Joy,~~~
Briel ~~pleasure~~
Angelina: ~~~pleasure~~~
Briel ~~completion~~
Angelina takes her fill then stops.
Briel sits very still waiting.
Alea lays a hand on Briel's shoulder silently supporting.
Angelina sees her tentacles and starts to cry.
Angelina: I'm a bad person.
Briel releases her and gathers her close.
Briel: No, sweetie, you're simply a Sime.
Angelina buries her head into the Sime.
Angelina: [Crying] What am I going to do!
Alea hesitates, then gathers the med kit and slips it back up to Tarsh
Angelina: I can't be a Sime! I just can't be.
Briel: Well, first thing you're going to do is rest.
Angelina: My parents will kill me.
Briel: You're in a Sime Center, sweetie.
Briel: No, no they won't.
Briel: YOu can stay here and live with us.
Briel: If you decide not to we'll help you find a job here.
Briel: In Bender Cove.
Angelina blinks. "OH no! This is the place where my friends die."
Briel: No, no one dies here.
Angelina: Bender Cove?
Briel: But right now you should rest. Let's go get you a room so you can
shower and clean up. HOw does that sound.
Briel: Yes. This is Bender Cove.
Briel stands, keeping her arm around Angelina.
Angelina: But what about my parents.
Angelina: I ran away and didn't tell them where I was going.
Briel: If you want, we'll send word that you're fine and everything that
has transpired.
Angelina: [Crying] Never mind, [See own tentacles]
Angelina: They won't want me now.
Briel sighs and rubs at the back of her neck wtih a tentacle.
Briel motions to Loni, another renSIme to come help Angelina.
Briel: Why don't you go with Loni here...let her show you to a room and help
you get settled in.
Angelina doesn't want to go with the other Sime then sees her own tentacles
and simply follows, crying all the way.
Briel turns to Alea
Briel: Thank you.
Alea: Of course, hajene.
Alea uncomfortable.
Briel goes off down the hall.
Alea sighs, motions for everyone to go back to their duties, sends someon
for Zethraim to lcean up the mess and then goes to her office.
Alea: Had I known it was going to be one of those days, I never would have
left my office.
Alea shakes her head.