Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #113: (12/28/97)
Alea comes down the stairs, yawning.
Briel: I hate that woman. Oh, I hate that woman.
Briel out back pacing near the Gnome.
Briel: I can't believe it...comes to the door in her robe and so..so...smug.
Alea goes to the cafeteria to eat...and chuckles when she sees Briel outside.
Briel runs a hand through her hair, remembering her attempt to apologize to Alea.
Briel: Can you believe it? Arrogance. Looking down her nose and blinking at me. A Farris is above such worries.
Alea goes into the cafeteria, smiling at the anger she is certain Briel feels, feeling only a tad guilty for causing it.
Alea sits down to eat.
D Laura slips through the streets, being much more careful of where she's seen since it seems people are looking for her.
B'cal: Well Snake?
B'cal: Are we ready to go yet?
B'cal: I'm ready to get back...before that Donor of yours wakes up.
B'cal smoothes her jacket then smiles thinly.
B'cal: I get the feeling he doesn't like me very much.
B'cal's field says ~~like I care~~
Wise Snake: All right, all right.
Wise Snake makes a last couple of notes on some paperwork and tosses her pen on the desk.
Wise Snake pauses and then carefully picks up the pen and puts it in the well so Linn won't pitch a fit.
D Laura sighs, thinking only two more hours before she makes contact again and then can leave.
Wise Snake dons her black cloak and inspects her look in the mirror... feral looking.
Wise Snake smiles.
Wise Snake: Come, B'cal. [just because it'll annoy the Donor; also because it comes naturally to Snake to command her Donors]
D Laura moves up the street toward some older buildings, trying to stay hidden in the crowd.
B'cal sneers at Snake and strides past her.
B'cal goes out first.
Wise Snake smiles to herself, thinking B'cal sure is easy to tweak.
B'cal waits impatiently on the sidewalk.
Wise Snake leaves the house, locks the door carefully behind her.
Wise Snake descends the steps to join B'cal.
B'cal: You look like something the cat dragged in today.
Wise Snake smiles pleasantly at B'cal.
D Laura moves in and out of the crowd, finally starting to make her way to the rendezvous point.
B'cal looks her up and down then sneers.
Wise Snake is wearing perfectly serviceable clothes; this is apparently in reference to her personal appearance.
B'cal: You didn't comb your hair...
B'cal: Isn't there anything you can do with that unruly....stuff.
Wise Snake's smile turns a bit harder.
B'cal: Typical...all Farrises have the same problem.
Wise Snake: At least I'm not losing mine.
Wise Snake looks pointedly at B'cal's head, then starts toward the Sime Center.
B'cal glares at Snake and then smoothes the strands back into her bun.
D Laura sighs when she notices no one is paying attention to her.
Wise Snake is in a foul mood today.. mostly due to the events of the day before.
B'cal focuses on snake as they enter the streets.
B'cal: The work went good last night.
Wise Snake feels the tension between them like electricity... but also the support.
Wise Snake: Yeah.. you're getting more of your strength back.
B'cal: You shouldn't have any problem with entran if you can keep up the pace.
B'cal: I only wanted to see how you did WITHOUT Donor support...that is part of your training...handling situations when a Donor isn't' there.
B'cal: I was never THAT weak.
B'cal frowns.
Wise Snake: I hope that isn't really true, what you just said.
B'cal looks at Snake.
Wise Snake thinks of all the things she did when she was alone, and crazy.... especially those things she can't quite remember.
Wise Snake shivers.
B'cal: That is part of Channel training.
B'cal: Had you gone through channels' school you would have learned that.
Wise Snake mutters something noncommittal.
B'cal thinks she did allow it even though she WAS too weak, which she won't admit too..so it worked out good.
D Laura glances at her watch and moves down the street toward the incense shop.
Wise Snake: Some things are better left unpracticed.
B'cal: I'm sure you would think that. You'll be grateful later, everything I've put you through.
B'cal: If you can handle me.
B'cal says this arrogantly.
B'cal: Then you can handle anyone.
Wise Snake zlins a familiar nager up ahead.
Wise Snake: What the...
Wise Snake incredulous.
B'cal immediately turns to see where snake is looking.
D Laura glances around then slips into the incense shop.
Wise Snake: [it's D'Laura]
Wise Snake's mouth hardens.
B'cal: See something distasteful?
B'cal: Though what it is, I can't imagine after working with you this long.
Wise Snake hisses and stalks toward the incense shop, predatory.
Wise Snake ignores B'cal.
D Laura browses the isles.
B'cal surprised and worried suddenly, follows.
B'cal keeps her attention tightly focused on Snake.
Wise Snake sees a stick lying on the ground and picks it up, still walking toward the shop.
D Laura fingers a particularly nice fragrance of incense and smiles softly.
B'cal's eyes widen at the stick but she doesn't question Snake--yet.
Wise Snake is wearing a terrible expression of pain and fury, as if she already regrets what she's about to do... and is going to do it anyway.
D Laura wonders if her contact might be early today. She wants to get home.
Wise Snake augments to suddenly dart forward and run into the shop.
D Laura sees an augmenting Sime and throws her arms out automatically.
D Laura hears crashing things, but isn't sure what as she tries to focus on the threat before her.
Wise Snake dodges between the aisles and snatches DLaura's arm, going hypo at the last possible moment.
D Laura eyes widen in shock and recognition.
D Laura tries to pull away.
Wise Snake strikes D'Laura unconscious with a blow to the head.
D Laura: Let me go!
B'cal darts into the store, hurrying to catch up with her Farris
D Laura slumps unconscious.
B'cal: What in shen do you think you're doing Snake.
B'cal: Striking a Donor?
Wise Snake drops her makeshift weapon and catches D'Laura's limp body.
B'cal is for once, shocked.
Wise Snake: She's no Donor. [snarls]
Wise Snake: Come on. We're taking her to the Center.
B'cal follows.
Wise Snake hauls D'laura's unconscious butt to the Sime Center, still snarling.
You are now known as Briel.
D Laura is now known as Bcal.
B'cal: Are you going to answer me?
B'cal: Why the shenned did you hit her?
Wise Snake is duoconscious again now.
B'cal keeps her attention on Snake trying to keep her anger out of her nager as she supports Snake.
Wise Snake: To subdue her. For capture.
B'cal: Oh, it makes perfect sense for a Farris..A FARRIS to subdue a Donor by knocking her senseless.
B'cal: Remind me never to do anything to upset you.
Wise Snake finds this sentence remarkable enough that she turns to stare at B'cal briefly.
B'cal: Next thing I know, I'll wake up senseless sold off to some slavery group or something.
B'cal sneers.
Wise Snake: It has occurred to me.
B'cal: I can see it now...
B'cal gasp, then glares.
B'cal: I should have known.
Wise Snake smiles grimly and shakes her head at B'cal's gullibility.
B'cal: You Farrises..God's gift to huimanity..you THINK.
Wise Snake continues to hike toward the Sime Center.
B'cal: Can get away with anything.
Wise Snake: B'cal, please.
B'cal: Well, hitting a Gen that has a field like this one...if she was to be Veraik's partner..is just crazy.
Wise Snake: Whatever this woman is, she is NOT what she appears to be.
B'cal subsides into silence, simmering, still a bit shocked.
B'cal nods curtly.
B'cal: Yes, we decided yesterday she wasn't tecton.
B'cal is now known as DLaura.
Wise Snake: And she was lying about just being here on vacation... after the fright I gave her yesterday, she shouldn't have stuck around another day unless she had.. business to attend to.
Wise Snake keeps a firm grip on the Donor as she shows signs of awakening.
D Laura moans low.
Wise Snake is prepared to go hypo to avoid a nageric attack.
Wise Snake is confident that her reflexes are quicker than D'Laura's.
Briel tosses her cloak across a chair and goes to collect Jon Drake to start her infirmary rounds.
D Laura sets mode: +o Bcal
D Laura feels the arms of a Sime wrapped around her securely and tries to remember what happened.
Briel strides down the hall, looking to see where Jon Drake went.
Wise Snake: [close to D'Laura's ear] Stay very still and nothing worse will happen to you.
D Laura thinks there goes her plan of escape..if this channel, this Farris is guarding, she won't be able to get away.
Briel goes into the lobby and asks clerk if she has seen JD.
Wise Snake hauls D'Laura up the front walk of the Center.
Briel pauses, zlinning toward the door then darts forward, jerking it open.
Briel assesses the situation, zlinning the Gen....looks to Snake.
Briel: Your description..?
B'cal follows, upset and angry but unwilling to drop her support of Snake before she hears the whole story, since this strange woman has nothing to do with V'lar or her own situation.
Wise Snake: This is the one.
D Laura hears the other voice and feels coiling panic.
Briel nods grimly.
Briel: How bad is she injured?
Wise Snake carries her inside.
Wise Snake: I knocked her out. She was out for maybe two or three minutes.
D Laura stiffens.
Wise Snake: I was careful.
Briel nods.
Wise Snake: [unspoken: This time]
Briel: My office then?
Briel: Or somewhere more secure.
Wise Snake: Your choice.
Briel: Veraik's office.
Wise Snake carries D'Laura into the Center.
Briel: It's a veritable fort.
Briel goes down the hall to Veraik's office, keying the lock to open it.
Wise Snake follows Briel to Veraik's office and follows her in.
D Laura ~~mindless panic~~
Briel waits for B'cal to enter, thinking she should just slam the door in her face..but knowing it'd be best to have a Donor in there too.
B'cal stamps after them, surprised that Briel showed so little negative reaction to Snake bring in a Gen clubbed unconscious.
Briel finally closes the door and keys the lock again.
Briel: Don't worry..only a Sime can get out now.
B'cal figures that Briel wouldn't know any better... the semi-disjunct girl probably thinks clubbed Gens is a natural thing.
B'cal snorts.
Briel looks to the barred windows and thinks Veraik did a good thing.
D Laura struggles.
D Laura: Let me go.
D Laura: You have no right to do this.
Wise Snake releases DLaura, pushing her away from herself.
D Laura: I'll register a complaint with the Tecton and see this place closed down!
Briel: Oh?
Wise Snake's eyes narrow, watches D'Laura.
D Laura stumbles and then moves across the room from the three.
Wise Snake: Is that so? [evenly]
Briel looks to Snake.
Briel: I would say if what snake has told me is correct, that you won't be going anywhere NEAR the Tecton, is that right?
Wise Snake watches D'Laura keenly.
D Laura ~~fear spike~~
Briel: I see.
Jon Drake heads down the stairs to check in at the lobby before starting his duties.
Briel: Would you care to question her?
Briel smiles in anticipation.
Briel thinks if anyone can get the truth out of her, it's Snake.
D Laura ~~wary~~
D Laura: Question me? About what?
D Laura: Since when does the Tecton abduct citizens off the streets and club them before kidnapping them to the center and locking them up?
D Laura moves back, closer to the window.
Wise Snake studies D'Laura minutely, still on guard for nageric tricks.
Briel: I mean, I suppose you are a .... Farris and so, she did escape you. You might want a bit of ... retribution.
Briel looks at Snake allowing her to do as she will in the questioning.
Briel nager warns not to go too far though.
Jon Drake checks in at the front desk, gets a message.
Jon Drake heads down to Veraik's office.
D Laura looks from Snake to the Controller and backs up further.
D Laura: You have no right to do this.
Wise Snake: Why are you in Bender Cove? [point blank]
Jon Drake signals at the door and signals, feeling a tension in the room.
Wise Snake: Tell the truth.. you are in grave danger.
Briel goes to the door and keys the lock, relieved to see Jon.
Briel: Come in JD [quietly]
D Laura: I...am passing through.
D Laura squares her shoulders, knowing she is telling only a half-truth.
D Laura: I had things to pick up.
D Laura ~~truth~~
D Laura: I also had to meet someone.
D Laura shrugs.
D Laura: People do that all the time you know.
D Laura looks at the new comer, then back at Snake, the one she knows is a threat.
D Laura: I....
D Laura glares.
D Laura: I won't say.
Jon Drake nods and enters.
Wise Snake: That isn't good enough. Don't avoid answering. Answer.
Briel closes the door and re-keys it, nodding to Jon to support her wisesnake's eyes glitter weirdly; lit from within.
Jon Drake tries to take in the room with a glance. He is careful not to stumble nagerically.
Jon Drake assumes the familiar position.
Wise Snake: ~~menace~~
Wise Snake: Don't toy with me or you'll regret it.
Briel moves back over forming a triangle with D'Laura at the point.
Wise Snake: Give me the papers in your inner right pocket.
Dlaura stares, shocked.
Wise Snake: And don't bother denying anything, I heard them crackle when I held you.
D Laura glares and slowly reaches in her pocket.
D Laura ~~burning resentment/hate~~
D Laura pulls them out reaches out to rip them up.
Wise Snake finds this reaction interesting.
Wise Snake augments and snatches them from her hand.
D Laura launches herself at Snake, grabbing for the papers.
Wise Snake: I can't let you do that. [false gentleness; dances back away from D'Laura's clumsy attempts]
Briel takes a step back toward Jon, watching.
Wise Snake hides behind B'cal.
D Laura: Shen you, you and your stinking Tecton.
B'cal's eyebrows fly up.
D Laura: Give me those papers.
D Laura dives toward Snake, trying to grab her ankle under B'cal's leg.
B'cal stops D'Laura from getting any closer to Snake.
Jon Drake lets his support flow.
B'cal is sick of getting clobbered by people bigger than her and figures she ought to be able to handle this pip-squeak Gen.
B'cal kicks D'Laura in the jaw.
Briel has had enough, goes over and snatches the girl up by the hair.
Briel shudders at the kick.
Wise Snake goes hypo and lurks behind B'cal.
Briel holds D'laura Steady, knees on the ground.
Briel: Stay there.
B'cal breathing hard, supports Snake.
Briel: Now, Snake, what do the papers say, though it looks like this person has already given us more than enough hint s of what she is up to.
Wise Snake opens the papers and looks them over.
D Laura sways slightly, pain radiating in her jaw and in the roots of her hair.
Wise Snake nods cynically.
Wise Snake: Distect.
Wise Snake hands the papers to Briel.
D Laura thinks she's rather provoke one of them into an attack than betray her people.
Briel takes the papers and scans them.
Briel: Who were you meeting?
Briel hands the papers to Jon Drake.
D Laura smiles, a low mean smile.
Snake zlins D'Laura's malicious intent and moves closer, warily, ready for anything.
Jon Drake takes the papers.
D Laura: I don't know.
D Laura ~~half truth~~
Wise Snake: The whole truth, if you don't want it to get much worse for you very quickly.
Briel twists her tentacles in DLaura's hair, waiting.
Briel reaches back and signals Jon closer.
D Laura: She never gave her name.
D Laura laughs
Jon Drake lets himself look lightly at the papers, being sure to maintain primary attention to Briel's support.
Jon Drake moves closer.
Jon Drake sets the papers aside to better focus.
Briel jerks her up by the hair.
Briel: Snake, I don't think she wants to cooperate.
D Laura winces in pain, glaring at B'cal defiantly.
D Laura: Why should I cooperate with a scared little channel who hides behind her Donor of the month.
Wise Snake: Take her to Tormer. He'll keep her under lock and key while we call in the proper authorities.
Briel shoves her down to the floor and turns to go call Tormer.
Briel: Good idea. Won't be much left after he gets done with her.
Jon Drake is not comfortable with this approach, but maintains, for Briel's sake.
Wise Snake watches D'Laura like a hawk... or a snake.
D Laura falls to the floor comes up with a small decorative chain with small triangular 3-D designs.
D Laura jumps toward Briel, planning on slamming the points into her to possibly provoke an attack.
Wise Snake augments to pin D'Laura immobile.
Briel jerks around, arms raised.
Wise Snake uses a pair of spare tentacles to pull the chain inexorably from D'Laura's grip and let it fall.
Briel: You want to be held safely, then give me a description or so help me I'll make sure they find a place that will never see the light of day.
Wise Snake: Be reasonable. [in D'Laura's ear] You are in a bad position. A very bad position.
Briel: If you cooperate then perhaps we'll find someone who is....lenient...that might give you a chance...to live.
D Laura trembles, hearing the voice of reason.
Briel: There are all kinds of judges out there..police we could turn you over to.
Briel: You cooperate and we'll make sure you don't get sent to one of them.
Briel shrugs.
Briel: Personally, I'd rather see you given over to Tormer...but I want the information you have worse.
Briel looks to Snake wisesnake whispers to D'Laura, between Briel's words [Tramila is based at this Center. We could save you for her. If you do not act wisely.]
Wise Snake: ===those should be quotes===
D Laura feels her stomach churn.
D Laura ~~defeat~~
D Laura: I don't know....I only know she is small, tiny.
D Laura: Short.
D Laura: Rounded softly, sorta...Gen looking and long blond hair.
Wise Snake: That is the person you were to meet? [quickly]
D Laura: That's all I know. Yes. Yes.
D Laura: I met her yesterday.
D Laura ~~dull acceptance~~
Briel hurries around Veraik's desk and writes down the description.
Briel: Where did you meet her?
D Laura glares.
Wise Snake's eyes narrow suspiciously.
Wise Snake turns slightly, motions for Jon Drake to hand her the papers lying nearby him.
D Laura: Tea house, two blocks away.
Jon Drake hands the papers to Wisesnake.
D Laura: From where she accosted me yesterday.
Wise Snake looks at them again for only a brief moment and then looks sick.
Wise Snake: Shen [to herself]
Briel gaze snaps to Snake's.
Wise Snake hands them back to JonDrake rather shakily, then turns her attention back to the prisoner.
Wise Snake avoids Briel's gaze.
Briel: Jon get someone in here to take this, person away and lock her up in the room downstairs.
Briel: Then send for someone from the Tecton to come collect her.
Jon Drake takes the papers, then nods to Briel.
Wise Snake subdued.
Briel is curious as to what were in the papers that made Snake look sick.
Jon Drake goes to the intercom...carries out the instructions.
Briel goes over and takes the papers and begins reading them again.
Briel can't find anything written in the neat flowing script to account for Snake's reaction, just plans for someone to meet at a specified place to be taken to an undisclosed....
Briel nice neat flowing familiar script.
Wise Snake waits silently, then hands the prisoner over to the guards that come.
Briel head snaps up and she looks over at Snake.
D Laura leaves.
You are now known as Alea.
B'cal: What in shen was that all about?
Briel: Thanks JD.
Briel rubs at her neck.
B'cal: I have never heard a more ridiculous hodgepodge of lies and inept threats in my entire life.
Briel shrugs.
Briel: It worked.
B'cal: You [to Snake] ought to be ashamed of yourself. And You... [to Briel]
Briel: All that matters is SHE believed our threats.
B'cal shakes her head, not bothering to waste more breath on Briel.
B'cal ignores Briel's comments.
Briel: And going on the assumption she is distect and will believe the worst....
B'cal snatches the letters and reads them.
Jon Drake relaxes a bit with that information.
Briel: Snake....
Wise Snake avoids Briel's gaze.
Wise Snake: What.
Briel ~~hoping suspicions are wrong~~
Briel: The handwriting....?
Jon Drake found something vaguely familiar about the papers.
Alea finishes her breakfast and goes to her office to quickly write up a list she needs before going out for a while.
Wise Snake turns her back on Briel, massaging her forehead.
Briel: Shen.
Briel feels sick too, then angry.
Wise Snake knows the papers were written by Alea, but has no idea how to react to that knowledge... it is a betrayal of both Zeor and the Tecton, by one who she thought could do neither.
Briel doesn't want to discuss this openly.
Briel finally Sighs.
Briel: This goes no further than this office, understood?
Briel looks at B'cal then Jon Drake.
Briel: If you can't agree to that, walk out now.
Wise Snake darts a gaze at Jon Drake, then B'cal, then away again.
B'cal glares at Briel.
Briel: Well? Jon? B'cal?
B'cal: What are you talking about?
Briel: What I'm getting ready to discuss.
B'cal: You're not considering trying to cover this sorry affair up are you?
Briel: It is in strictest confidence and I don't want someone letting it....
Briel glares at B'cal.
Wise Snake turns and crosses the room to where B'cal is.
Briel: You know, B'cal...it's amazing you have lasted as long as you have if all you do is react instead of learn how to map out situations.
Wise Snake whispers something in B'cal's ear.
Jon Drake nods.
Jon Drake: Of course.
B'cal tightens her lips and says nothing.
B'cal ignores Briel.
Briel stares at B'cal debating whether to toss her out or not.
Wise Snake gives Briel a subtle "let me handle it" signal.
Briel who was about to toss her out on her ear, backs down, moving over to Jon Drake.
Briel let's snake zlin how dead serious she is. IF B'cal can't be convinced, she'll be tossed out.
B'cal continues to stand stolidly while Wise Snake whispers some annoyingly silver-tongued weasel talk into her ear, which she ignored.
B'cal: Ignores.
Alea writes up a paper, introducing the person that her friend is to take with her when they leave and then looks at the clock, thinking she still has thirty minutes before she has to leave.
Alea takes her sketch pad and starts to draw, drawing pictures of different people in the center.
Alea draws of the amusing moments she remembers.
Briel: Well?
B'cal looks down at Snake, nods.
B'cal turns around and leaves the room without a word.
Wise Snake spreads her hands, says nothing.
Briel: It was her choice.
Wise Snake: Yes.
Briel: Jon, would you go ask Alea to come here for a moment please.
Wise Snake dreads this.
Wise Snake: ~~ iron control~~
Briel goes over and keys the lock, opening the door.
Wise Snake goes to a chair in the corner and sinks down into it, looking at her hands and tentacles.
Wise Snake waits.
Briel waits until Jon exits then closes the door.
Jon Drake nods and heads out the door.
Briel: You came to the same conclusion as I did.
Jon Drake seeks out Alea.
Wise Snake can't look Briel in the eye.
Wise Snake looks anywhere but there.
Wise Snake: ~~hiding true feelings; desperately~~
Briel ~~simmering~~
Briel: I don't understand...how did she hide it if she's....distect.
Briel: You can't hide something like that.
Wise Snake thinks of Alea's relationship with Tarsh and says nothing.
Jon Drake checks the front board and then goes to Alea's office.
Alea: Oh, hello Jon.
Alea tosses her sketch book over onto the top of the papers she was working on earlier.
Jon Drake is a little uncomfortable.
Briel: Shen.>Veraik is going to hit the roof when he hears this.
Alea smiles.
Alea: What is it?
Jon Drake: Hi Alea. You're needed in Veraik's office....
Alea lifts an eyebrow.
Wise Snake massages her forehead again.
Alea: Veraik's office?
Alea chuckles.
Jon Drake shrugs.
Alea: Let me guess, Briel is using it again.
Wise Snake: Shen [under her breath to herself]
Jon Drake: I'm not quite sure.
Alea: Veraik is going to hit the ceiling. He doesn't like anyone in his office.
Briel rubs at her stomach
Alea: So, what have you been up to today?
Jon Drake nods.
Alea exits her office closing, and locking the door.
Jon Drake nothing much.
Alea frowns.
Alea: What's the matter?
Alea heads down the hall to Veraik's office, slowing in her worry for Jon Drake.
Briel picks up the papers, scans them again before tossing them back on Veraik's desk.
Briel: Shen.
Jon Drake: It's probably nothing.
Briel: How...
Jon Drake thinks "I HOPE it's nothing."
Alea slows.
Alea: Are you sick?
Alea reaches out to feel his head.
Alea: Briel certainly won't like that.
Alea: Briel doesn't like much of anything lately[mutters]
Briel turns and leans against Veraik's desk sighing.
Wise Snake gets up restlessly and goes to the barred windows, looking out, paces in front of them a couple of times.
Wise Snake nervousness and agitation growing, physically obvious despite pristine showfield.
Jon Drake: No, Alea. Don't worry about me. Just a little stressed. We be continuing on...
Alea remembers how she ticked Briel off this morning and grins, thinking she now knows what this is about and why Jon is in such an odd mood.
Alea grins.
Alea: Fine by me.
Alea: So, Briel is still in a bad mood is she?
Alea goes down the hall, deciding she should apologize to Briel for her attitude this morning.
Alea comes to Veraik's door and signals.
Briel glances up at the door, then at Snake.
Briel: Come!
Briel takes a deep breath and let's it out slowly.
Alea enters into the office.
Alea: Good morning Bri....
Alea trails off when she sees Snake.
Jon Drake: She is upset.
Wise Snake keeps her back to the room, looks out the window, nager rigidly controlled.
Briel goes over and waits for Jon to enter before pushing the door closed and keying it.
Alea really hates when someone locks the door on her.
Wise Snake wonders if this is her day to die.. slammed.
Alea sighs.
Alea: Hello Snake.
Alea wonders what she did this time.
Wise Snake hesitates.. then turns and faces Alea with an obviously defensive body language.
Alea moves over to the couch and sits down.
Alea: I thought we got everything straightened out yesterday, Snake. What did I do this time?
Wise Snake darts her eyes at Briel in answer, says nothing.
Briel studies Alea then turns and picks up the papers and strides over to Alea, dropping them in her lap.
Wise Snake goes hypo.
Alea pales ~~shock~~
Alea touches them, then looks up at Briel.
Alea: Where did you get these?
Jon Drake takes his position near Briel, torn about what's going on.
Briel motions toward snake.
Briel: She happened to see an old 'friend' of ours. D'Laura...remember her?
Briel: She's the one who slaughtered Tramila's character and then disappeared so suddenly?
Briel: Of course you don't remember her, you weren't even here then, what am I thinking?
Briel rubs at her neck, thinking this is shaking her up more than it should. It's only Alea....
Alea looks from Snake then Briel.
Alea: What did you do to D'Laura?
Alea ~~worry~~
Briel: Oh shen...
Briel: I was hoping....
Briel rubs at her temples and walks back over to the desk.
Briel: Why?
Alea glances at the occupants in the room again then sighs.
Wise Snake wearing a kicked-dog expression, still staring at Alea.
Alea: You arrested her, didn't you?
Briel: What do you think? Do you think she just waltzed in here and handed us these documents?
Briel: Of course we arrested her. She's' DISTECT!
Alea: I do hope you realize you have just ruined a meeting that took months to arrange.
Alea states that calmly, frustration clearly evident in her nager.
Jon Drake is in internal turmoil. He has tried to be true to all of these people, each to their own needs, and now it all appears to be falling apart.
Briel hears Alea's words, then they register and she turns, slowly.
Briel: You're saying you aren't...that you...you....you are back to SPYING again?
Jon Drake thinks at what Alea is saying--what she said a few days ago.
Briel runs a hand through her hair before she starts pacing.
Alea: Not spying exactly.
Wise Snake stares intensely.
Wise Snake silently.
Briel: Exactly? EXACTLY?...either you were or you weren't...
Jon Drake can't help.
Alea: I was simply handling...correspondence for my old boss....he insisted...and well, he required the help.
Jon Drake: What's happened, Alea? You said you were through with this.
Alea: When I found out I was...
Alea looks to Jon Drake ~~guilt~~
Alea: I am. I was only helping around the edges so to speak. When...he....asked me to be the one to go into the distect, I flat refused.
Wise Snake realizes they all knew Alea was a spy already... all except Snake.
Alea: I explained I was pregnant. We were able to set up this meeting....to get someone into the distect...
Alea: Shen, this entire thing..months of work down the tube because she was recognized.
Alea: How stupid can the distect get.
Alea sighs.
Wise Snake rubs her forearm with the fingers of the other hand, nervously.
Briel glances at Snake.
Briel: Snake?
Briel thinks she's been too quiet and wonders at it.
Wise Snake looks upset.
Briel: You didn't know?
Briel guessing.
Wise Snake: [to Alea... whispered] Who.
Wise Snake: Who do you.. spy... for.
Briel: I only found out when Veraik left.
Briel: He wanted to warn me in case things started happening out of his control.
Briel rubs a hand down her face.
Wise Snake's attention is fully on Alea.
Briel suddenly turns.
Briel: How did YOU Know JD?
Alea: Oh..snake.
Briel: Veraik specifically said NO ONE knew except him and Alea and the person who was her contact.
Alea stands and moves over to her.
Jon Drake is both upset that Alea has continued this activity and relieved that she hasn't gone outlaw.
Alea: I meant to come tell you everything...
Jon Drake looks guiltily.
Alea: You are Farris. So many times I wanted another Farris to talk to about it.
Jon Drake: It's a long story.
Wise Snake holds herself firmly hypo, looks up at Alea as Alea approaches her.
Alea: I just didn't think you would approve.
Alea slows, stopping just in front of her.
Wise Snake: Who is it? [dreading the answer]
Alea answers the question. "Zeor"
Wise Snake: All of Zeor? All know?
Alea: I've worked for them for years, though I did quit a few months back when I found out I was pregnant the first time and because, well, other things came to light that I wasn't
Alea: Willing to reveal.
Alea: No. Only the upper ranks. The ones who need to know.
Wise Snake: Sectuib?
Alea: No, she doesn't know.
Alea sighs.
Alea: But Trel does.
Alea knows that is what she is really wanting to know.
Alea considers.
Wise Snake's face grows stiff and unreadable.
Alea: You know, the Sectuib probably does know since it's her job to keep Zeor safe.
Alea: I'm sorry.
Alea: Trel was simply my contact.
Alea ~~guilt~~
Alea turns back to Briel and Jon.
Jon Drake supports Briel.
Alea: This was suppose to be simple. All I was suppose to do is write a few letters, meet with this woman, then usher in the other person and leave.
Wise Snake looks at the floor.
Alea: I demanded of them it be the last time.
Jon Drake is holding his field steady, not letting himself feel much right now.
Briel shakes her head.
Wise Snake's tentacles curled in knots.
Alea: But someone has to get in. They found a way to slip someone into the distect. We had to grab it now. I was available, according to them.
Alea: They backed off when I told them I couldn't go, pregnant.
Alea clasps her hands.
Alea: Shen.
Alea: I don't know what they'll do now. You guys were never suppose to be involved.
Alea drops down onto the couch and grubs at her temples.
Briel: I....
Briel: I take it they didn't take Veraik's threats seriously?
Briel looks to Jon.
Briel: Why don't you tell us what you know about today's incident?
Briel: About the distect Jon?
Alea shrugs thinking would Zeor really take the threats of a single channel seriously.
Briel growls low in her throat and beings to pace.
Jon Drake: Me? A couple of months ago. a distect renSime came into the Center.
Jon Drake: I tried to help her.
Briel: I don't like being caught between Zeor and the distect. This is a Sime Center.
Briel: This is not...not..some place to conduct.....questionable business.
Jon Drake: Veraik barred me from her care.
Briel: AH yes, I remember.
Briel: But that wasn't the woman today?
Briel: Was she involved?
Briel studying Jon Drake.
Alea: No, she wasn't.[quietly]
Jon Drake: She later escaped. I tried to find out what happened to her, but with now success. Jules disappeared.
Briel turns on Alea.
Jon Drake: No, that was not the woman.
Briel: Unlike Veraik, I am not blinded here.
Briel: I am not going to protect you, nor am I going to threaten Zeor.
Briel: But if I go to the Tecton, Zeor will immediately know.
Briel: If I approach Zeor who knows what they'll do.
Briel: And veraik..heaven forbid I wait until he is back or we all know he'll go off half cocked after Zeor.
Briel: Shen.
Briel: Snake?
Briel: Any suggestions.
Alea: If it's any help, Hajenes.
Alea looks to Snake and Briel, avoiding Jon's gaze.
Wise Snake looks up and meets Alea's eyes.
Alea: I love Zeor, will always love Zeor, but my heart is here now, with Tarsh.
Alea: I don't plan on running off on any more spy crusades for Zeor.
Alea: Had I any idea this one could have backfired I would have given up my pledge to Zeor before risking it.
Alea: I have more than just Zeor to think of now.
Alea intensely at Snake.
Briel sighs.
Wise Snake stands up.
Briel: Jon, you're not off the hook yet. So, just keep thinking about the distect and why you knew Alea was into this.
Wise Snake walks to the door, walking carefully around Alea and not meeting her eyes again.
Briel: I'll talk to you later.
Alea ~~grief~~
Wise Snake unlocks the door and slips out.
Briel stares at Snake.
Briel glances back at Alea.
Wise Snake flees the Center.
Briel: You have no idea what would have happened if Veraik was here, do you?
Briel: What could have happened?
Alea serious.
Alea: Yes, I do.
Wise Snake is now known as fled.
Jon Drake is confused. A part of him doesn't know quite what Briel is talking about, he also has yet to see the threat that so many here seem to see in Distect.
Alea: That's one of the reasons I wanted out of it. I won't endanger the people here anymore. But how do you tell someone you've been spying for that you can't do it anymore.
Briel shakes her head.
Briel: Looks like B'cal was right.
Briel chuckles nastily.
Briel: I am going to have to cover this up.
Briel studies Alea.
Briel: It was wrong of them to use you or this Center, wrong of you to put the Center in this position.
Briel: But the distect...shen.
Briel ~~angry/hurt~~
Briel: They have no idea how dangerous they are.
Alea: I mean it Briel, zlin me. Jon Drake, I was telling you the truth. I don't want anyone at risk here.
Alea: Perhaps...well...you know...
Briel zlins Alea.
Briel: What?
Jon Drake: Briel?
Briel: Yes?
Briel turns to Jon
Briel eyes show the pain she is experiencing not knowing what part he played in this exactly.
Jon Drake: I know that the Distect are considered an outlaw organization, but I have yet to understand why people are so worked up over it.
Briel ~~pain/shock~~
Jon Drake: What is it about their ideas that people are trying to fight?
Briel: I...Jon....
Briel ~~betrayal~~
Jon Drake: I'm from out-territory, so I don't know all of the history.
Alea: There is a way we could stop this. Let me "rescue" D'Laura...I have to meet someone in less than an hour...let me take her, get her out then no one will know what's going on...things could be righted.
Briel looks from Jon to Alea, then deciding what Alea said would keep Jon from possibly question D'Laura nods.
Briel: Fine.
Briel: Do it.
Jon Drake: I've read that Zeor and Rior were closely linked.
Briel: But without anyone else's help.
Briel: Now, get out of here. Ill talk to you later.
Briel turns back to Jon Drake.
Briel: Yes, they were.
Alea sighs, gets up thinking she is very lucky Jon spoke up when he did and leaves, already going over her plan on how to help D'Laura escape.
You are now known as Gone`
Briel: The founder of Rior was actually the Donor of the Sectuib in Zeor.
Jon Drake: So why is everyone so afraid of Rior and the distect?
Briel: From what I've read he was given land and founded Rior as a place to help people...
Briel: OH Jon...
Jon Drake: People seem to view the Distect as my parents viewed Simes.
Briel: The Distect is totally opposite of what the Tecton is.
Briel: Whereas the Tecton preaches safety, the distect preaches pleasures first.
Briel: Think about it.
Briel: The Tecton will go to any length..ANY LENGTH to protect the Gens..
Jon Drake: So much of what my parents taught us has been lies born of fear...
Briel: That's why we, Donors and Channels, are so overworked.
Briel: No, no no..you don't see.
Briel: The Distect...They think it is perfectly fine to have renSimes take transfer from Gens.
Briel: Not Donors like you, Jon, but Gens.
Briel: If you need an example of what happens when that occurs, just think about the call we went out on the other night..the dead Gen and the junct renSime.
Briel: It only takes once..only once, and the renSime or Channel will be junct the rest of their lives.
Briel: After first year there IS no way to disjunct.
Briel: This is what the Tecton is trying to protect the Gens from.
Briel: Don't you see....?
Jon Drake: True... I've heard people say that Mostan was apparently able to keep his little group safe.
Briel: No...that's not true.
Briel: Tarsh told Alea the other day that one of their people who should not have been burned was badly burned. Something happened, went wrong.
Jon Drake: Hmm...I guess....
Briel goes over and takes Jon's hand.
Briel: Oh, Jon...they're wrong.
Briel: What if we didn't monitor and control? What if we weren't a buffer between the Gens and the renSimes?
Briel: We'd be right back like we were when there were pens in every town.
Briel: Because before long, those renSimes that couldn't' control and lost it..and killed would have to have kills.
Jon Drake tries to understand Briel's conclusions.
Briel: Raiding would be back...wars to protect their borders.
Briel: The juncts would form groups to protect themselves and eventually we'd be back in the same situation.
Briel: We signed an agreement promising to protect the Gens no matter what...and we wouldn't be doing that by allowing dangerous transfers to take place...
Briel shudders.
Briel: Believe me, once you've killed.. if you are in first year and have a chance to give it up it's the hardest thing you'll ever face.
Jon Drake: Yes, I can see that.
Briel: That's the distect...the danger...the life they offer...a chance to have Gen transfer. but death too, in my opinion...
Jon Drake: I can't help but see the effects all this has on you and the others. None of the Channels here are healthy? Don't you think that is a concern?
Jon Drake: None of the firsts, at least.
Briel: At least we're alive.
Briel: We wouldn't be if that agreement hadn't been reached and we hadn't agreed to protect the Gens.
Jon Drake: You say you're concerned for the Gens. I can't help but be concerned for Simes, especially you channels I've come to know...
Briel: We'll be fine.
Briel: It's our job.
Briel: No one said your job would be perfect. All jobs have their downside.
Briel: There is a lot I don't like about the Tecton.
Briel: But this...the distect...I agree with the tecton.
Jon Drake: I've seen your scars, Briel.
Briel: We can't risk anarchy again.
Briel shrinks away from Jon.
Briel zlins Jon Drake.
Briel: You have serious doubts about the Tecton[whispers]
Jon Drake: I can't help but want to help you heal your pain.
Jon Drake: Look here--we work together, don't we?
Jon Drake: I've also been attacked in kill mode and have defended myself.
Briel: But Jon...you're...Donors can't be compared to regular Gens.
Briel ~~shaken~~
Jon Drake shrugs.
Briel: Oh shen..
Briel drops her gaze to the floor her chin resting on her chest.
Jon Drake squeezes Briel's hands.
Jon Drake: Briel.
Jon Drake: I'm trying to understand.
Briel wraps a tentacle around Jon's hand then looks up at Jon in question.
Jon Drake: You and the others have opened up my life, shown me a side of myself I never knew existed.
Briel: I wish you could see what it's like...the tecton..households...have gone to school instead of receiving on the job training here.
Briel: Maybe then, with a wider range of experience, you could see just what the distect does.
Briel: What dangers it poses.
Briel: You're so young....
Briel: I forget that sometimes.
Fled is now known as wisesnake.
Jon Drake: I read that unlike the Channels, Gen divisions are not limited by genetics. Any Gen has the potential to develop, to care.
Briel: No.
Briel shakes her head.
Briel: Some don't.
Briel: Oh Jon.
Jon Drake: Some?
Briel cups Jon's cheek.
Briel: I wish I could make you understand.
Wise Snake stops at a woefully disreputable bar in a wretched part of Dockside, sure that this is the last place anyone from the Sime Center would dream of looking for her.
Briel: It's not the Gen, anyway, it's the Sime we have to worry about.
Wise Snake enters The Hole and slumps down on a stool at the bar.
Briel: A Gen can be willing to give and help..but if that Sime is stronger...no willingness in all the world is going to help that renSime who is used to taking from a Gen.
Wise Snake give a few people dirty looks to make sure she won't be bothered.
Dotti who is polishing the bar zlins the new person who enters.
Wise Snake: Hello, Dotti. Give me a Porstan, please.
Jon Drake: But if we could train more Gens...
Dotti nods, tosses the rag onto the counter and fills up a mug.
Dotti: Here you go Snake.
Dotti sits it down in front of Snake.
Briel: It's not the Gens, Jon. It's the Sime.
Briel: That hunter need.
Wise Snake fishes out a couple of rumpled bills and pays for the drink.
Briel: They get used to taking transfer from a Gen, when they're in need, they go to the Gen...If their Gen isn't there, they will have to have transfer...
Briel: And who's Gen do they take? And then what does THAT Sime do if her or his Gen is suddenly low field?
Briel: And on and on...
Wise Snake slumps there and sips her Porstan, extremely depressed.
Dotti: You're looking mighty down.
Dotti stuffs the bills in the register and begins to wipe at the counter again.
Dotti: As a matter of fact, the only time I see you in here is when you're feeling down.
Jon Drake: I'm trying to understand--I just can't take everything on faith anymore.
Briel feels the blood drain from her face.
Briel: What do you mean by that?
Wise Snake: Uhnn.
Wise Snake: [half grunt, half moan]
Dotti: Looks like you lost your best friend. yessiree...I've seen that look before.
Dotti: Don't you nevermind me now...I understand that look.
Dotti nods and pours drinks for another group of people and sends them out then returns to snake, wiping at the counter again.
Jon Drake: Like I said, I had my faith shattered when I ran away from home. I finally got to the point where I couldn't see Simes in the same way my parents did. My experience has shown me how wrong they were, how much they let fear cloud their views.
Briel: And?
Briel pulls back.
Wise Snake: I just found out somebody I thought was basically harmless is one of the most dangerous people I've ever known. Politically, I mean.
Briel: What are you saying?
Dotti shakes her head..well ain't that a shocker...
Dotti: Yep, people put on masks...usually aren't what they seem to be...I've seen it plenty in here...
Dotti: No one ever is what they seem to be.
Briel: Jon..you're scaring me here...
Briel nibbles on her lower lip.
Briel: You aren't planning to go find the distect and join up are you?
Dotti zlins snake again.
Jon Drake: I guess I have a hard time taking anything on faith anymore. I hesitate to demonize anyone out of hand.
Dotti: It's a crying shame it is...
Briel stiffens.
Jon Drake: No, Briel. I've given my oath.
Briel: But you're heart's not in it, is it?
Jon Drake: I'm just trying to understand. It seems like there's so much about the Tecton which hurts people. Especially the Channels.
Wise Snake's showfield is utterly impenetrable to Dotti.
Wise Snake sighs.
Briel ~~alarm~~
Wise Snake: The question is... what do I do about this person.
Jon Drake: I don't like to see all of you hurt. I wish there were more I could do for you.
Dotti swipes at the darkly polished counter again.
Wise Snake ponders the question of Alea.
Dotti: Well, I suppose you could hate 'em. Some people do that.
Dotti: Of course, you could never speak to 'em either.
Wise Snake was thinking of something a little more... decisive.
Dotti: Then again...if you want my advice...like I said..we all wear masks...and if this persons is your friend...I think maybe Id consider that.
Dotti: When I was making my decision.
Dotti: We don't have too many friends now.
Jon Drake: I was reading about some of the old writings during the era of Klyd and Hugh. The Tecton I see seems so far from Klyd's ideal, let alone Hugh's.
Briel: I don't know.
Briel: What you want, Jon.
Jon Drake: To understand, most of all.
Briel: I see.
Wise Snake looks up at Dotti with narrowed eyes.
Dotti: What?
Dotti looks at snake.
Wise Snake: Nothing.... nothing.
Wise Snake looks down again and takes another pull of her Porstan.
Dotti swipes at the counter.
Jon Drake: I wasn't raised knowing this history. My town was fairly deep in territory and the changes didn't touch us much at all.
Briel: I see...
Jon Drake: I'm just afraid that the with all of this, the Tecton and the bureaucracy that has entrenched itself around it--that it's going to get even worse before it gets better.
Briel: But Jon...
Briel: They're doing the best they can.
Jon Drake: I shudder to think what is going to happen to channels like you as it gets worse with each generation.
Briel face gets tighter with tension.
Jon Drake: Are they? How can they, when the don't seem to care for the Channels, let alone the Simes?
Briel: But they DO, Jon.
Briel releases Jon and begins to pace.
Jon Drake: How can they, when they say that they are here to support Gens, but treat most of them like children or worse?
Briel sets mode: +o Tramila
Briel backs away from Jon.
Dotti: Yep, well, Snake, let me tell you, a friend is a friend...you don't want to go losing friends if you can keep from it.
Briel: Jon...you....don't....understand.
Briel goes over to Veraik's couch and collapses down on it.
Briel drops her head into her hands, thinking this is all she needs on top of everything else.
Briel thinks her Donor...her Donor...Alea, a Donor...the world is going crazy.
Briel thinks both Jon and Alea..she can't imagine losing them both...
Briel realizes she doesn't know either one.
Jon Drake: I was reading a bit on the history of Keon around the time the Tecton took over the Nivet government.
Briel moans softly into her hands.
Jon Drake: They didn't do things precisely the way the rest of the Tecton does.
Jon Drake moves over to Briel.
Briel: Yeah, they just risked death and dismemberment everyday[muttered into her hands]
Jon Drake: Brie, I'm sorry if I am upsetting you.
Briel: No..no..it's fine.
Briel ~~lying~~
Briel: You had to ask someone.
Briel: You're just scaring the shen out of me is all.
Briel: After finding out what Alea has been up to and then to hear you questioning if staying here is right--if the distect..
Jon Drake: I'm sorry, Brie.
Briel: The distect is...
Briel: It's okay..it's fine...
Briel rubs at her temples with her tentacles, her face still buried in her hands.
Jon Drake tries to comfort Briel.
Briel sighs responding to Jon's field.
Wise Snake stares into her Porstan morosely.
Dotti: Buck up, Snake.
Dotti: It'll work out.
Wise Snake makes a conscious effort to look more optimistic, while inside she's thinking doom...doom.. Alea working for Trel all this time....
Briel finally lifts her head and stares at Jon.
Briel: I have literature if you'd like to read it. I could also point you to some others who have been through problems...even Tarsh...
Briel: And Mostan.
Briel: I don't know what else to tell you, though, Jon.
Jon Drake looks into Briel's eyes.
Briel: I wish I could help you more.
Jon Drake: Yes, I'd like to read this.
Jon Drake: I know, Brie.
Jon Drake: I know that Gens don't have the dramatic First Year Simes do, but still, there have been so many changes, I'm motivated to understand so many things.
Jon Drake: The last thing I want it to do is to upset you, Brie. Understand that.
Briel: I do, Jon.
Briel: Go to Tarsh and Mostan and ask them. Even Veraik will be able to explain it better than I have.
Jon Drake: Ok.
Briel: Well...
Briel sighs.
Briel: I suppose we should leave Veraik's office before he somehow figures out I've been in here.
Jon Drake: If you're up to it, maybe we should get to work.
Briel groans.
Jon Drake gets a gleam in his eye.
Briel: Shen, I suppose Alea will be breaking D'Laura out any minute and when that's discovered the entire center s going to be up in arms.
Briel wary.
Briel: What JD?
Briel: Why are you looking like that?
Jon Drake: You know it might help to sneak out for a bit of jog if there's time.
Briel stands and glares at Jon.
Briel: I don't THINK so.
Briel: You want to jog..YOU jog.
Briel: I have no desire to go out in this mess and run around in circles for no reason at all except to expend selyn.
Wise Snake pushes herself away from the bar.
Briel shakes her head, horrified at the thought.
Dotti: Well now, SNake..you take care, you hear?
Wise Snake leaves a tip next to her empty Porstan glass.
Wise Snake: Thanks, Dotti.
Dotti: Think about what I said and take it easy.
Jon Drake pauses.
Jon Drake: I just thought it would help clear your head. Get some fresh air, some circulation.
Wise Snake sighs.
Wise Snake: I will. Thank you.
Jon Drake pauses.
Dotti snatches up the tip.
Wise Snake trudges out of the bar and towards home.
Dotti wipes the counter and grabs the mug.
Briel: You might be right..but will what's getting ready to happen, I'd better stick around here. We're going to have a long day ahead of us.
Briel: I was suppose to be in the infirmary an hour ago besides...
Briel: You ready to go to work?
Jon Drake: I guess I'm talking too much like Kaymeil, eh?
Briel groans.
Jon Drake: Yes. Let's go.
Briel: You know, maybe that's the problem. You have too much time on your hands. Perhaps I should send you to Dar to pledge to them.
Briel: Now there, there you wouldn't have time to question things.
Briel goes to the door and opens it, slipping out.
Briel waits for Jon to exit too before locking the door
Jon Drake groans at the suggestion.
Jon Drake: I don't know about THAT.
Briel chuckles.
Jon Drake smiles and gives Briel a wink.
Briel: Then behave or I'll consider it.
Briel smiles back.
Jon Drake stiffens in false formality.
Jon Drake: Yes, Controller.
Briel eyes narrow.
Briel: Do NOT pin me with that title...Veraik will be back in...eight days...eight days and counting.
Briel: Then I will NOT have to worry about crazy Donors anymore.
Briel: No wonder the man is missing part of his sanity.
Briel: It's the Donors in this place.
Briel shakes her head and goes down the hall toward the infirmary.
You are now known as Alea.
Jon Drake: Sure, pin it on us! :-)
Alea slips down the stairs, everything in readiness as she approaches the door.
Jon Drake takes Briel's hand and give it a squeeze on the way to duties.
Alea: D'laura, it's me. I've come to help you.
Alea swears this is the last time she will ever do something like this again. With a deep breath, she pulls the door open.
Alea helps D'Laura out of the room and from the center where they meet the other person and then sends them on their way.
Alea then heads back toward the Center wondering what it's going to be like when she returns..how much problem this is going to caue..feeling overwhelmingly guilty for the Center being dragged into this.