Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #116: (12/31/97)
Wise Snake and B'cal come up the front steps of the Center.
B'cal walks with Snake up the steps.
Wise Snake reaches for the door handle.
B'cal jerks open the door sailing into the Center.
B'cal: Hurry up, Snake.
B'cal: You're going to make everyone sick holding that door open like that.
Wise Snake stares after B'cal, then follows her in, a bit sulkily.
Wise Snake lets the door close behind her.
Wise Snake: You don't have to snatch it out of my hand.
Jorgre sees the first orders entering and zlins.
B'cal simply glares.
B'cal looks around the lobby, checking the walls and pleased when no new weird artwork has appeared there.
B'cal: Looks like someone has finally gotten some sense knocked into them.
B'cal looks at the floor and sneers.
Wise Snake scratches the back of her neck and looks anywhere else.
Wise Snake is, as always, embarrassed by B'cal's behavior.
B'cal: You[to Jorgre]get someone to mop this floor!
Wise Snake looks at Jorgre and remembers him as the unfortunate fellow who walked in on her during a... supplies run... once.
Jorgre stares at Bcal then Snake and turns and walks off.
B'cal waits until he is gone then turns to Snake.
B'cal: I have something I want to speak with you about Snake.
B'cal ~~simmering~~
B'cal also knows snake isn't going to like this either.
Wise Snake looks up at B'cal.
Wise Snake: Oh?
Wise Snake: And what is that?
B'cal: You're transfer isn't for three weeks yet.
B'cal: Something has come up.
B'cal ~~anger~~
B'cal: I have to be gone a week.
Wise Snake's look turns dangerous; she waits for the rest of it.
Wise Snake: A week?
B'cal: Well, that's what I'm estimating.
B'cal: My house has recalled me.
B'cal: I have to go there and set them straight on some things.
Wise Snake thinks that sounds unpleasant for her House.
B'cal reaches in her pocket and pulls out a letter, thrusting it at Snake.
Wise Snake: This has already been decided then...?
B'cal: It seems Briel didn't mouth off to my house at all.
Wise Snake takes letter.
B'cal: No, she sang my praises knowing exactly how to get me recalled.
Wise Snake opens the letter and reads it.
B'cal: I cannot believe that woman could be so manipulative.
B'cal: She told them your speed no longer matched what I could deliver.
B'cal: See ... there..
B'cal points.
B'cal growls low and turns to the window.
B'cal doesn't like being outmaneuvered by anyone.
Letter: "above and beyond the call of duty in serving a channel who overmatches her significantly in the areas of draw speed and .."
Wise Snake looks at both sides of the paper.
Wise Snake: Huh.
Wise Snake: I see here she also mentions you have excellent taste in art.
B'cal turns furious.
B'cal: That channel....
B'cal can't think of anything to describe how angry she is.
B'cal forces her field slowly under control.
Wise Snake: Well, she certainly went out of her way to make you look as good as possible [admits]
B'cal: I'll make sure the house understands...that you still...require assistance.
B'cal snorts.
B'cal: They should have zlinned her writing it.
Wise Snake thinks Briel was probably laughing her ass off while writing most of it.
Wise Snake: True...
B'cal: I was going to have to make a trip anyway.
Wise Snake: Oh?
Wise Snake wary again.
B'cal: There is a young boy who has expressed an interest in joining V'lar. I had to take him there.
B'cal: But I would have been back overnight.
B'cal: This..
Wise Snake: I see.
B'cal motions at the letter.
B'cal: Is going to take some time to explain.
Wise Snake: Uh... what exactly are you going to tell them?
B'cal glares, then reluctantly admits.
B'cal: I don't know yet.
Wise Snake: None of this is lies... you'll have to think of something that both supports your point and doesn't contradict any of this.
B'cal ~~surprise~~
B'cal: Well....of...course it's not..uh..lies.
B'cal didn't agree with most of it..thinking she has not done anything to help snake.
Wise Snake zlins B'cal's reaction, and frowns.
Wise Snake: Well, it isn't.
B'cal: I'm not sure what I'll tell them.
Wise Snake: It says you have helped me and have been performing well.. it hasn't said anything untrue has it?
Wise Snake looks at B'cal.
B'cal: I...suppose not.
Jorgre comes back into the lobby with some charts in his hands and begins filing the paperwork.
Wise Snake hands the letter back to B'cal.
Wise Snake: So.. when do you leave.
B'cal sighs.
B'cal: Tonight.
Jorgre hears the question and the answer and beams with pleasure.
Wise Snake looks haunted as she looks forward to a week of nights alone... nights during which anything can happen...
Jorgre has heard rumors and zlinned the reactions of people in this Center to know B'cal is mostly at fault.
B'cal: Remember the training.
B'cal: You were alone some while I was ill.
B'cal: You'll be...fine.
B'cal sneers, not liking to show any venerability to anyone.
Wise Snake shudders and looks down, knowing if she tells B'cal just what happened while she was ill, the Donor will only become angry.
Wise Snake: Sure... sure.
B'cal glances back at Jorgre.
B'cal: Where is the person with the mop?
Jorgre looks around and smiles blandly.
Jorgre: I don't know.
B'cal: You don't....I just sent you after someone.
B'cal looks at Snake and glares.
B'cal: These people are incompetent.
Wise Snake looks up suddenly.
Jorgre thinks housekeeping isn't his job.
Wise Snake: B'cal... couldn't you just... not go back?
Wise Snake: You could write them a letter explaining...
B'cal looks surprised.
B'cal: They will already have another assignment for me. I don't dare wait that long for mail to get there in case it's a channel.
B'cal: They'll have to reschedule and it could cause some major problems.
B'cal: No, I just can't trust this to mail.
Wise Snake blanches at the thought of some other channel getting B'cal long term.
B'cal: And I do have that young boy to take to V'lar.
Wise Snake fidgets nervously.
Wise Snake: Of course... of course..
B'cal: If you wanted to go with me...
B'cal: But then of course, you'd lose business which you can't afford.
Wise Snake: And it's only for a week... what could happen? ~~dread and looming disaster~~
Wise Snake stares at B'cal's words.
Wise Snake: Go with you??
Jorgre looks curiously over to snake, wondering what it was he just zlinned and sharpening on what's going on.
B'cal: Yes, come with me, let V'lar's people zlin you, see what I'm working with.
B'cal: They could probably come up with some work for you while we're there.
Wise Snake doesn't know what to say for a moment.
Wise Snake: Wouldn't it be... awfully risky... traveling like that? [thinking of her more-or-less illegal status]
B'cal sneers.
B'cal: Why?
B'cal: A channel and Donor?
B'cal: A child.
Wise Snake: I'm not Tecton.
B'cal: And at V'lar...
B'cal shrugs.
B'cal: Everyone involved knows that.
B'cal: A channel is a channel.
B'cal: V'lar sees to their channels and companions first, the tecton second.
Wise Snake: I can't leave Nick here alone.
B'cal sighs.
B'cal: Bring him if you must.
B'cal: It might do him some good, to see a real householding before you start trying to form one of your own.
Wise Snake looks increasingly interested despite herself.
Wise Snake: I've never been anywhere besides here and Zeor. [admits]
B'cal: You say your house will be built upon loyalty.
B'cal: Ours is built upon Honor.
B'cal: Honor first..honor always to our house.
Wise Snake: How long is the travel there?
B'cal: Nick could learn how people interact who have the same ideals.
B'cal: A day and a half.
Wise Snake: I... guess the entran wouldn't get too bad. [cautiously]
B'cal: As I said.
B'cal: When V'lar sees you, and the shape you are in, they'll allow you to work.
B'cal: What goes on in V'lar is V'lars business, not the Tecton's.
Wise Snake: I see.
B'cal: Even though you are a Farris, Sectuib will make sure that nothing is said though I can't say everyone will accept you.
Wise Snake considers.
B'cal: Nor will they trust you.
Wise Snake: It will be strange to be surrounded by people who don't trust me.
Wise Snake: But it's not as if I haven't seen it before. [thinks of the Center]
B'cal: I didn't say everyone wouldn't trust you.
B'cal: There will be people...wary.
B'cal: If you are half the channel I think you are, then your duties and work will speak for itself.
B'cal glares.
B'cal: So don't embarrass me.
Wise Snake's tentacles writhe as she imagines being in a strange place, surrounded by strangers... thinks of her first days in Zeor and shivers.
Wise Snake looks at B'cal soberly.
Wise Snake: I wouldn't try to embarrass you.
B'cal peers at Snake curiously.
B'cal: You're insecure about this, aren't you!
B'cal gapes.
Wise Snake looks nervous.
B'cal: You, Snake, are insecure?
Wise Snake: What? What are you talking about?
B'cal plops her hands on her hips and glares.
Wise Snake sweats and fidgets.
Wise Snake avoids looking at the glare.
B'cal: If you can handle me, which you have certainly tried to prove over the last two nights, what in shenned has you so nervous about a household that doesn't' care two whits what the tecton thinks about you.
B'cal: They'll judge you on your own merits...maybe with a few preconceived Farris notions.
B'cal: But they won't judge you according to tecton standards good--or bad.
Wise Snake: Ahh.. it's just... [licks lips] .. a new place, is all. I expect the worst would be over after the first day.
B'cal: It'll certainly be a lot easier than going out on the street and facing those people.
B'cal studies Snake then nods.
B'cal: Yes, it will.
Wise Snake: Except that I grew up with those street people. These will be strangers. It makes a difference.
Wise Snake: But don't get me wrong.. I want to go.
B'cal: We're a nice size house, pretty isolated. We do interact with the town some...but...research and languages are our strong points.
Wise Snake looks up at B'cal.
B'cal: We have more people traveling in and out.
B'cal: Researchers, archeologists, linguists.
Wise Snake: I will have to make a lot of arrangements, between now and tonight, if I'm going to be gone that long.
B'cal nods.
B'cal: Good.
B'cal: I'll get some sleep then and make sure Muffin is ready to go.
Wise Snake thinks of people's transfers, people's donations, the hospital they were supposed to start work at this week...
Wise Snake starts.
Wise Snake: Muffin?!!?
B'cal looks sharply.
Jorgre ears perk up and his zlinning increases.
Wise Snake: Muffin is the kid you're bringing back with you?
B'cal: What?
B'cal: Yes.
B'cal: So?
B'cal: He will make a superb companion or channel.
B'cal: One day.
Wise Snake: I... I would have thought you'd find him beneath you. [confesses]
B'cal stiffens.
B'cal: The kid shows potential.
Wise Snake had felt sorry for Muffin when the kid told her B'cal was nice.
B'cal: He has the ability to learn what honor is.
B'cal: It is the duty of V'lar to help a child like that..it will benefit V'lar one day.
Wise Snake thinks the kid will learn how to dance on his hands and play the shiltpron with his feet if that's what it took to ensure himself a good life.
Wise Snake: No doubt.
Jorgre grins thinking what he has heard is certainly interesting.
Jorgre thinks the old battle-ax isn't immune to kids.
Jorgre wonders if they should move a hoard of kids in if the old woman comes back.
B'cal: Well, then, I'll let you get ready.
B'cal: I have got to get some sleep.
Wise Snake: Good bye, B'cal.
B'cal: I imagine the kid will be full of questions.
Wise Snake: Which train shall we meet you for?
B'cal nods curtly, pauses to glare at Jorgre and then climbs the stairs.
B'cal: The seven forty five.
Wise Snake watches B'cal leave.
You are now known as Briel.
Wise Snake waits a few beats, then turns her pale gaze upon Jorgre.
Wise Snake thinks he certainly seemed interested in their business.
Jorgre grin fades and he turns to the files.
Jorgre: Yes Hajene?
Wise Snake bestirs herself to walk over to where Jorgre is.
Jorgre finally sets down the files and looks at Snake.
Wise Snake: Eavesdropping, Jorgre? A nasty habit. [soft voice]
Jorgre: But a very interesting one, too.
Jorgre: Nice to know the ... Hajene B'cal has feelings.
Wise Snake narrows her eyes.
Wise Snake: A good deal of sensitive information was overheard by you just now.
Jorgre wonders why he didn't leave and stay gone when the firsts entered the lobby. Most people did.
Jorgre: Yes, I imagine it was.
Jorgre nods slowly.
Wise Snake: If you are wise, you'll forget most of what you heard... particularly about me.
Wise Snake thinks she couldn't care less what the guy blab's about B'cal's emotions.
Jorgre: You can be assured that no information heard has any reason to go beyond me, unless for some reason, security or some other something of such dire import was affected.
Wise Snake zlins for truth.
Jorgre: Or should be affected at a later date.
Jorgre ~~truth~~
Wise Snake: Very good. You believe the information has no REASON to go beyond you... now tell me that it won't.
Jorgre swallows nervously.
Jorgre: It would do me no good to lie to you, Hajene Farris, so I won't.
Jorgre: If something comes up, something I can't foresee ...
Jorgre: Something that required this information, I would not withhold it if it meant the difference between life and death.
Jorgre: That's as well as I can promise you.
Wise Snake: Let me put it this way. If I find out I have been hurt by information you gave out, rest assured "the difference between life and death" will definitely be a part of it.
Jorgre: Of course, isn't that the way of any channel, to preserve life?
Jorgre meets Snake's eyes.
Wise Snake: [cold; somehow inhuman]
Jorgre: What could a second order be called in on that would require information like this. Rest assured, the information will not ever be needed
Wise Snake: See that it isn't.
Jorgre ~~nervous/truth~~
Wise Snake turns and stalks out of the Sime Center.
Jorgre collapses into the chair.
Jorgre: Shenned first orders.
Jorgre: Think they own the world.
Jorgre wipes a hand down his face.
Letter is now known as Zethraim.
Zethraim shuffles laboriously into the lobby, pushing a mop bucket.
Jorgre sets mode: +o Zethraim
Zethraim's breath is whistling in his nose.
Jorgre sees Zethraim.
Zethraim shuffles determinedly toward a fairly centralized location; it is taking quite a while.
Jorgre: Ah Zethraim, can you see that the floor here is mopped.
Jorgre doesn't look at it as giving in, simply something he would have requested too like he just did, if Zethraim happened to walk into the room.
Zethraim stops.
Zethraim turns slowly to study Jorgre.
Zethraim rubs his bristly chin as he ponders Jorgre's words.
You are now known as Gorge.
Zethraim: Well, son...
Zethraim: As it happens, Ah was jest on meh way the do they right now.
Gorge hurries down the street, hands in pockets.
Jorgre: Good, good.
Jorgre: I'm glad to hear that.
Gorge needs money.
Gorge wants money so he can go have his fun tonight since he is running low.
Gorge: Of money.
Gorge goes to the Post Office
Zethraim: You know, these reminds me of a saying may old Uncle Jessyi used to tell me...
Jorgre who had started to turn back to the work of filing the files, pauses and looks back up at Zethraim politely.
Jorgre hasn't met Zethraim yet.
Gorge signals at the office's door.
Jorgre wouldn't have looked his way if he had already met him.
Babazooma moves majestically to the front door of the office and opens it.
Gorge smiles.
Gorge: Ah baba baby.
Gorge: Good to see you again.
Gorge grins lasciviously.
Babazooma is a WELL built Gen woman with a flame-orange slit sheer gown, about 40 pounds of diamond (?) necklaces, and a hat with Bird-Of-Paradise arrangement on it.
Babazooma: Well, hello, big boy. Come on in! [interested]
Babazooma stands [barely] aside to allow this regular customer ingress.
Gorge move by Babazooma making sure to rub suggestively up against her.
Gorge: I'm here to find that channel...Snake.
Zethraim: My uncla Jessyi allays used to say, "
Gorge: Can you help me out? I'll make it worth your time later.
Gorge winks.
Babazooma: Well! I sure can say your offer is appealing...
Babazooma lowers her too-long eyelashes alluringly.
Jorgre: I see.
Jorgre nods.
Jorgre returns to his files.
Zethraim fails to notice Jorgre is busy.
Jorgre figures Zethraim lost his train of thought and will now go on mopping so he can finish his work and get into doing transfers.
Zethraim: He alleys said, "Son..." thet was me, by theh way... I was a youngun back then...
Jorgre sighs, pausing again to look up patiently.
Jorgre thinks Zethraim is turning out to be as bad as some of the women he has dated.
Jorgre thinks all they wanted to do was talk.
Gorge: Yes?
Babazooma: Well, she isn't here today [pouts]
Babazooma: Can I get you on the schedule for another day?
Gorge features collapse.
Babazooma: I can be sure to get you a... good.. slot.
Gorge ogles Babazooma's Gazongas and drools.
Gorge: A slot?
Gorge can think of the perfect ... slot.
Babazooma smiles with interest.
Babazooma: We have plenty of slots available, of course!
Gorge: Good...good...sign me up.
Babazooma sails over to the signin book and opens it, picking up the pen (with a large peacock feather on the end of it)
Gorge follows, his eyes never rising above chest level.
Babazooma: Now... where shall I stick you? [very friendly]
Gorge eyes nearly pop out of his head at the question.
Gorge: Anywhere you want.
Babazooma grins.
Jorgre thinks his hair is going to turn gray before this conversation is over.
Babazooma: Ooh, you rascal, you.
Jorgre wonders what the story is behind this guy.
Zethraim: He said, "Son, you kin lead a horse to water..."
Zethraim stops and wiggles his mustache back and forth, pondering.
Jorgre thinks with all of the secrecy and hush hush and odd goings on with the firsts, this guy might just be the result of working too closely with them.
Jorgre vows to steer clear of the firsts from now on.
Gorge: Oh yeah, baba, I can be a rascal or anything you want. Just sign me up.
Gorge: As soon as possible.
Babazooma pencils Gorge in for her own 5:00 slot.
Gorge: Sooner.
Babazooma erases it.
Babazooma turns the page forward.
Babazooma: Here... how about two hours from now?
Gorge nods eagerly.
Babazooma pencils Gorges name in lovingly.
Gorge decides if necessary, he'll go to the Center to donate.
Babazooma: There you are, baby. See you then. [winks]
Gorge goggles then swallows and races for the door to go find a channel to donate to immediately.
Zethraim: "You ken lead a horse to water, but you cain't make him drink."
Jorgre slides down into the chair and taps his tentacles on his leg underneath the desktop.
Zethraim points a gnarled finger at the welcome mat, which is mostly clean, but has muddy footprints leading away from it into the Center.
Wise Snake hurries down the street, with Nick in tow and a million thinks on her mind.
Monzo slithers down the alleyway, looking left and right as he moves up toward bug lumps' establishment.
Jorgre: Yes, yes, very dirty.
Jorgre grabs the folders determinedly and begins to remove the paperwork.
Zethraim: Mah uncle Jessyi... he were my sister's husbands' brother, now....
Monzo looks left and right, sees no one and melts around the corner of the street to enter the building.
Wise Snake zlins Monzo and is momentarily distracted from her plans.
Wise Snake looks around, trying to zlin where he went after that first glimpse.
Monzo is on his way to make a major pick-up of ... merchandise.
Wise Snake motions to Nick and backtracks a short distance until she sees the back door of Stickies Bar.
Monzo looks around again, then taps.
Wise Snake: Hold on Nick, let's wait here a minute. I have a surprise for someone who's going to be coming out of there in a few minutes.
Jorgre jerks off the files for donors and transfers in the last twelve hours and stacks them in alphabetical order.
Jorgre: Yes, yes, Zethraim.
Jorgre: I've never heard truer words.
Zethraim lifts the mop slowly from the bucket, dribbling water all over the floor and bucket.
Zethraim: Well, Mah uncle Jessyi useta have a saying for all different setuations.
Zethraim: He woulda looked at this here floor an' said,
Zethraim: "Son... look at this floor."
Jorgre: What?
Jorgre looks.
Monzo finally slinks back out, pockets full.
Zethraim: Thes is a perfec example of leaden a horse to water. These people know howta walk acrosst the door mat but have no idea whet it's fer.
Jorgre realizes Zethraim is still telling a story.
Jorgre: Oh. Yes, yes, you're right.
Wise Snake slides out of the shadows and into Monzo's path.
Jorgre: Wiping their feet.
Wise Snake: Hello, Monzo. [ready for anything]
Monzo skitters to a stop.
Wise Snake: [Nick is at Snake's side, supporting]
Wise Snake smiles; a nasty smile.
Monzo: Ah Snake, my girl..how.....nice to see you again.
Wise Snake: Yes, it has been a while, hasn't it?
Monzo ~~nervous/evasive/lying~~
Monzo: Sure..sure has...
Wise Snake: Where's my money? [suddenly hard]
Wise Snake: You've had long enough.
Monzo: You know, I was just thinking the other day...you know, I haven't seen Snake around lately...
Monzo swallows.
Monzo smiles an oily smile.
Monzo: Well you see there, snake...it's like this...
Wise Snake waits impatiently.
Monzo: I've been looking for you, I have...only..well..this job came up.
Monzo: And I thought..you know, instead of trying to donate, I can really get her the money this time.
Zethraim slops the mop heavily up and down, sudzing up the water good.
Monzo: So she would want me to take this here job, she would.
Wise Snake waits skeptically.
Monzo: You would, wouldn't you snake.
Monzo nods.
Wise Snake: What job is that?
Monzo: I'm running errands for a dude uptown in the garden district.
Monzo: He's paying me good.
Monzo: I'll have that money right as rain I will...
Wise Snake: You know, this is starting to be a little tiresome.
Monzo: I'm taking him some...merchandise right now, then he'll be paying me and I'll have the money to...
Wise Snake: How much do you have on you right now?
Monzo lifts his hands.
Monzo: Hey man...I only have a little bit...and what I do have belongs to the man I work for.
Monzo: You don't want to go messing with him.
Monzo thinks he doesn't' want to be messing with snake either.
Wise Snake: Oh yeah? Who is this guy?
Monzo begins to sweat.
Monzo: Ah well...just a guy who well...geez, snake, I can't tell you that.
Monzo: He's liable to end my life.
Monzo really sweating now.
Monzo doesn't note the cold at all as he pulls at his collar in discomfort.
Monzo reaches down and touches his pocket nervously.
Wise Snake: What are you moving for him?
Jorgre finishes with checking the papers and making sure all are filled out properly and the copies are separated and then he slips them into the boxes for the other works who have to do weekly reports on them as well as the other million an done things, including finances.
Monzo: Just some stuff.
Monzo: You know...
Monzo shrugs.
Wise Snake zlins monzo's stash.
Jorgre wonders if he could sneak these reports down to the CFO's office without Zethraim noticing him leaving.
Zethraim: Tell me, young boy... do you have any family?
Jorgre isn't sure the old man has it all together anyway....
Jorgre: Uh...well....no.
Jorgre: No I don't.
Zethraim lifts up the mop and slops it down on the muddy floor, begins moving it about in large, slow circles.
Jorgre: The Tecton has been my family for several years now.
Zethraim: Ye thinken on starting one, someday?
Jorgre eyes widen.
Jorgre: Uh well.
Wise Snake: Rainbow Brite? [disgusted] That's Garden-level junk, all right.
Wise Snake: Give it here.
Wise Snake holds out her hand.
Monzo starts agog.
Monzo: You can't be serious.
Monzo: Do you know how much this is worth?
Monzo voice squeaks.
Wise Snake: Come on, I don't have all day.
Monzo: But..but...
Monzo looks left and right.
Wise Snake impatiently I'll give it back. Come on.
Monzo reluctantly pulls it out and hands it to snake.
Wise Snake: [Nick moves automatically to block the transaction from zlinning and sight]
Jorgre shifts swallowing uncomfortably.
Jorgre: I..well...I don't know.
Wise Snake looks at the loot.
Zethraim: Family is the most important theng in a man's life.
Jorgre thinks he's been enjoying himself fine as things are, why would he want to tie himself down with family.
Zethraim: Why, effin a man ain't got family, why, he ain't rightly no kind of man, at all.
Jorgre doesn't quite agree with that.
Jorgre stiffens.
Wise Snake: I suppose you're cheating him, aren't you? How much of this is slush, 5%? 8%?
Jorgre: I would say family isn't as important as serving the tecton and seeing that your daily life is taken care of. Why take on responsibility and ..
Jorgre realizes he is letting the janitor get to him and shakes his head.
Zethraim keeps mopping, leaving brown stirred up suds in his wake.
Monzo: Hey..I don't go cheating him.
Monzo: It's...well...
Monzo gives in.
Monzo: 11%
Wise Snake: Bold of you, Monzo. I see you haven't learned a thing in the last six months.
Monzo: Hey, I have expenses...I have to live.
Wise Snake fishes a bag from her pocket and opens Monzo's, dumps some in the new little bag.
Monzo: Hey!
Monzo: What'd you think you're doing!
Jorgre rubs at his head.
Jorgre: I don't' need family, Zethraim. The Tecton gives me everything I require. wisesnake stops when she estimates about 11% has been transferred, then hands Monzo's bag back to him and pockets the small one.
Monzo: He's gonna notice the difference!
Zethraim: The Tecton genna give you Grandchillen?
Wise Snake: Not if you keep your hands out of what's left.
Monzo scowls.
Monzo: You're gonna make me end up starvin' you know that?
Wise Snake: I thought you said you'd get money when you delivered this. Are you changing your story now?
Jorgre thinks he doesn't even want kids, let alone grandchildren.
Jorgre hasn't been around kids and prefers it that way.
Jorgre thinks all of this talk of kids makes him nervous.
Zethraim: The Tecton genna take care of yeh in yer old age?
Monzo: Man snake...you just ain't fair.
Monzo shakes his head.
Jorgre: I'm still young.
Jorgre: I have plenty of time to worry about that later.
Wise Snake: Fair? I lent you money to buy a house and you spent it on drugs. Life isn't fair, Monzo.
Monzo grumbles unable to answer.
Wise Snake: Come on, Nick.
Wise Snake and Nick leave Monzo standing there.
Monzo decides maybe if he added just a bit more..slinking off down the street.
Wise Snake [to Nick] this stuff is revolting but the Householding types love it. Lucky to find it before we left.
You are now known as Briel.
Zethraim finishes mopping the floor and slops the mop back into the bucket.
Jorgre: Well, I see, Zethraim..but tell me..have you seen any women round here that look the motherly type?
Jorgre thinks the old man probably never looked at any of the women being too old.
Jorgre smiles in smug satisfaction and stands to leave.
Zethraim thinks of Alea and gets hot.
Zethraim: Kid... yer standin right on the welcome mat now. Es up to you whether you wipe your feet or just walk on across the floor without realizing what you done.
Zethraim nods at Jorgre and shuffles slowly out of the room.
Jorgre should have known he'd think of something philisophical to say.
Jorgre shakes his head and goes to drop off the copies of his papers.
Zethraim shuffles slowly down the hall, wheezing away.
Tommi hurries down the street scoping out his next victim.
Tommi isn't in a good mood.
Tommi had big plans for muffin...big plans...then some old biddy comes threatening him with all kinds of suits if he didn't sign over papers.
Tommi spots a Sime and Gen walking down the road, looking wealthy enough and ready to be relieved of the Gen's money.
Tommi takes a deep breath and concentrates on his future helper that's getting taken from him as he heads forward toward the Gen.
Tommi thinks there's enough of a crowd that the average Sime shouldn't be alerted.
Tommi brushes past the Gen, slipping his fingers into the pocket of the unsuspecting victim.
Tommi: Scuse me [mumbles]
Wise Snake augments to snatch Tommi's arm.
Tommi starts forward then jumps when he's snatched.
Tommi: Hey..why ya accostin....
Tommi eyes widen.
Wise Snake unhands Tommi of Nick's moneypurse.
Wise Snake hands it back to Nick, who looks sheepish.
Tommi: You're a Farris....
Tommi: That ... Snake person.
Wise Snake: And you're Tommi Two-Fingers. Your brother has sung your praises extensively.
Tommi glares.
Tommi: The little brat never did know how to keep his mouth shut.
Tommi shuffles from foot to foot.
Wise Snake: Aren't you a little old to be picking pockets?
Tommi: Hey, I gotta make a livin' somehow.
Tommi: There ain't no decent jobs for a man like me.
Wise Snake: Make yourself a decent man, and maybe there will be.
Wise Snake lets Tommi go.
Tommi slinks off down the street.
Wise Snake mutters to herself.
Wise Snake catches Nick's eye.
Wise Snake: What? Don't look like that. It could happen to anybody.
Avaleia comes up the stairs of the Center, smiling softly, singing her arms clasped fitfully around a book.
Jirelle returns to the lobby with an armful of paperwork from the donations she has taken today.
Jirelle pauses in front of the desk to sort them out for refiling.
Avaleia moves to the door and swings it open, still singing.
Jirelle looks up, hearing the beautiful sound of a person singing.
Avaleia goes into the center zeroing in on the only person in the room.
Jirelle sighs, thinking that was just what she needed to perk up a day of work...
Avaleia's words come clearer the closer she comes.
Avaleia: Simes...Simes...to death all Simes...
Avaleia over and over and over.
Jirelle hastens to remind herself that the Center is not dreary by any means... no, she enjoys working there a lot.
Avaleia pauses in front of the desk.
Jirelle thinks it's just that the sound of music can be uplifting.. just listen to the glee in that Gen's voice as she sings!
Avaleia: You aren't the same one.
Jirelle looks up and smiles at Avaleia.
Jirelle: Hello, may I help you? [kindly]
Avaleia: Where is he...
Avaleia looks down at Jirelle's arms and smiles strangely.
Jirelle: I'm sorry, who are you looking for?
Avaleia: Simes....Simes...
Jirelle: [helpfully]
Avaleia begins to hum and looks back up at Jirelle.
Avaleia: You do know that true unity can only be established when the infectious parasites are wiped out.
Avaleia: It's so sad really..waht we're taught today...
Avaleia: What we don't understand..
Jirelle looks at Avaleia, wide-eyed.
Avaleia frowns.
Avaleia: He wouldn't listen...he had brainwashed that girl with him.
Avaleia smiles back up at Jirelle.
Jirelle: Infectious parasites?
Jirelle thinks those certainly don't sound good.
Avaleia: Yes...yes...
Avaleia: They must be eradicated, you understand, don't you?
Jirelle: Who did you say you were looking for?
Jirelle: Well, parasites... [nods, then shakes her head in confusion]
Avaleia: He was here...but maybe the parasites have been partially eradicated.
Avaleia: Yes..that is possible.
Jirelle smiles encouragingly.
Jirelle: Well... we do have a bit of a problem with vermin..
Avaleia: Ah....I see you do understand.
Avaleia: I'm so very sorry...
Jirelle: I think Acting Controller Briel is doing what she can about it though. She's very busy.
Avaleia sets the book down.
Jirelle wonders what Avaleia could possibly have to be sorry about.
Jirelle: No need to be sorry...?
Jirelle: ~~encouraging/kindness/confusion~~
Avaleia: Flips open the book and pulls out a knife the size of a meat clever.
Avaleia: It's my job to see to this you understand.
Avaleia: I failed the first time.
Jirelle is surprised.
Avaleia launches herself forward the knife held high, slicing down.
Jirelle: Failed to do wh---!!!!
Avaleia: Die!!!!
Jirelle jumps backward under augmentation.
Avaleia: Parasitic pest!
Jirelle: Yeeoww!
Avaleia misses and lunges again.
Avaleia slashes wildly.
Jirelle finds herself back to a wall and dodges wildly to the side.
Avaleia kicks out, jerking back with the knife and begins to sing, laughing as she does. "Simes, Simes, die all Simes"
Jirelle vaults over a couch, another couch, and a chair.
Avaleia weaves the knife back and forth before lunging again.
Avaleia jumps up over the couch and tries to follow Jirelle.
Jirelle snatches up a book of regulations and uses it to block a blow; book is chopped in half.
Jirelle drops the two halves of the book in a shower of papers, and backs off, tentacles crawling inside her arms for safety.
Jirelle: Eeeek!
Avaleia: You blood sucking parasites....warping our minds...forcing us to split into two sects...
Jirelle: Heeellp!!!
Avaleia makes a wildly slash ...heaving herself forward.
Jirelle jumps behind the front desk.
Jirelle hits the deck just in time.
Briel zlins a disturbance.
Jirelle: HEELLP!!!
Avaleia slaps the knife on the desk.
Avaleia laughs low, eerily.
Avaleia: I'm coming to get you..you said you understood.
Avaleia: Don't make this so hard.
Jirelle pulls out the desk's pencil drawer to use as a shield.
Avaleia: Parasites should die..you know ... you said you knew.
Avaleia stands on the desk and kicks the desk drawer out.
Jirelle: I'm sure I must be misunderstanding something here...
Jirelle: Aiee!
Avaleia [crack...splat]
Briel figures it must be Alea again up to some weird...something and sighs.
Jirelle crawls under the leg hole part of the desk.
Jirelle: HEEELLLLP!! [hoping someone, anyone, hears her]
Avaleia: Come out come out and seeeeee meeeeeee.
Avaleia: Hahahah....oh, this is fun.
Avaleia: The other one..he just curled up ... and hid...
Avaleia: I didn't know parasites could actually think.
Avaleia slashes under the desk.
Jirelle grabs desperately for Ava's wrist; manages to catch it.
Briel gets up, opens he door to her office and is hit full in the face with panic.
Jirelle: Eeee!
Briel: Jirelle?! Panic?!
Briel augments down the hall.
Avaleia: Oh..no no no..no you don't!
Jirelle squeezes Ava's wrist, trying to force her to drop the knife, while cringing from the pain this causes.
Avaleia twists around screaming and kicking at Jirelle.
Jirelle: Ohh! oh no!!! [in tears]
Briel stiffens the pain hitting her.
Briel: Shen!!!!!
Briel flips into working mode and skids into the lobby.
Jirelle snatches up the fallen knife and turns her back on Avaleia so all she can kick is Jirelle's back.
Avaleia kicks viciously.
Jirelle: Heeelll--Uh!--- ppp!!
Briel zlins the situation not slowing, dashing straight for the woman before she has a chance to turn and register her presence.
Avaleia: DIe..die...diiiiiiieeeee.
Avaleia: Simes...Simes....die all Simes........
Avaleia screaming the sound out.
Frutata runs into the Lobby, hearing sounds of a struggle.
Briel slides in, slipping an arm around Avaleia and forcefully pulling avaliea away, throwing her under augmentation across the room.
Frutata sees the situation and comes up behind Briel, trying to support.
Frutata ducks.
Avaleia flies hitting the wall.
Avaleia ~~Pain~~
Frutata: ~~support of Briel; professional, reassuring~~
Briel falls back on it before regaining her stamina and sprinting forward, tackling Avaleia.
Avaleia: Die..die...
Avaleia shakes her head, raising her arm...disoriented.
Frutata hastens to follow, seeking a way to help.
Briel twists her arm, jerking the knife away before slamming her in the jaw and knocking her unconscious.
Briel: Oh shen...
Briel shaking jerks back.
Frutata concentrates on Briel, protecting her from Avaleia's pain.
Briel shudders, grabs at Frutata.
Frutata: ~~support~~
Briel: Than-ank you.
Frutata: ~~there for you~~
Briel takes a deep breath and then turns and rushes back over to Jirelle.
Briel drops down next to the desk, zlinning.
Frutata follows in a hurry.
Jirelle is curled up in a ball with her back to the opening.
Jirelle: ~~ conscious/pain/cautious hope~~
Briel: Oh, sweetie....it's okay[soft soothing, murmurs]
Jirelle: Is it over? [small voice]
Briel reaches out and rubs a hand up and down Jirelle's back.
Briel: Yes...everything's fine now...
Briel: Come on out...
Jirelle uncurls and backs painfully out of the opening.
Jirelle is shaking.
Briel zlins Jirelle carefully.
Jirelle stands up, looking very subdued, and holds up a large meat cleaver.
Briel slips an arm around her in support.
Briel eyes widen.
Jirelle: I think I said something wrong. [ashamed]
Jirelle: She was really mad.
Briel: No..no. It wasn't you, sweetie.
Briel: She came after Tarsh a couple of months ago.
Briel: I THOUGHT she had been locked up.
Jirelle glances over at Avaleia's slumped body and gulps.
Jirelle: She was so nice and happy when she first entered...
Briel ~~offers support~~
Jirelle: ~guilt~
Briel: She's crazy.
Briel: Don't you dare feel guilty.
Briel: She hurt you. you did nothing to deserve that.
Briel: Do you understand me.
Jirelle leans on Briel's support, amazed at how good it feels [a 1st!!]
Jirelle: O - okay. [trying to please Briel]
You are now known as unconscious.
Jirelle smiles hopefully.
Briel: I'll tell you...that scene scared ten years off my life sweetie.
Briel: I don't know how you stood up so well to someone like that.
Briel: I'm very proud of how you handled yourself.
Briel: How about we go to the infirmary and heal those bruises?
Jirelle: Okay. [gratefully]
Briel looks at Frutata.
Frutata continues to support Briel.
Briel: Want to come along and continue that support?
Frutata: With pleasure.
Briel smiles.
Briel: You're good.
Frutata accompanies Briel and Jirelle to the infirmary.
Briel goes into the infirmary with Jirelle.
Briel: Just sit right over here, okay.
Briel: I don't zlin any major damage, though she did bruise the shen out of your back.
Jirelle sits obediently, wincing.
Jirelle looks down and sees her hands and tentacles shaking.
Jirelle: I was so scared.... that knife... and I had to reach right toward it...
Jirelle: Oh, I know I'm being silly.
Jirelle: ~~embarassed~~
Briel: No, you're not, Jirelle.
Briel: One slash of a lateral...you were in a life threatening situation.
Briel: What you did....
Briel shakes her head.
Briel: You did wonderful.
Jirelle: Oh... you're so kind to me, Briel.. really.
Briel chuckles.
Briel: I'm being honest.
Briel: I feel like tossing my breakfast right now too..I'm just more apt at shield that from you.
Jirelle's spirits lift at the sound and feel of laughter.
Jirelle: What about.. that unhappy woman?
Jean1: Hi.
Briel: She'll stay unconscious for awhile I'm sure.
Briel: Let's just get you healed.
Frutata continues to support Briel.
Briel: Hi Jean!
Jean1: Hi Briel.
Jirelle stares at Jean.
Jirelle: A GHOST!
Frutata blinks.
Jean1: Just checking that one of our connections works.
Jean1: Nope--a wer-Gen.
Frutata doesn't see any ghosts... and thinks he's qualified to recognize one.
Jirelle smiles tentatively at Jean1
Jirelle's eyes widen as Jean1 fades from sight.
Briel shakes her head thinking Jirelle is certainly .... imaginative.
Jirelle's eyes roll up into her head and she slips quietly unconscious.
Briel catches Jirelle.
Briel: Oh dear...
Briel sets mode: +o Frutata
Briel lifts Jirelle gently onto a bed.
Jirelle's eyelid flutters as she dreams more hallucinatory visions.
Frutata supports Briel.
Briel extends her laterals to heal Jirelle's back.
Briel: Poor dear.
Briel: I think it just really shook her up.
Briel: Of course, it shook me up too.
Jirelle is now known as Avaleia.
Avaleia sits up groggily.
Briel: You know, you'd make quite a Donor.
Alea comes walking into the lobby.
Frutata: I am a Donor... but not as you know Donors.
Avaleia remembers her mission is not yet complete.
Briel: Really?
Alea looks oddly and wonders why there isn't anyone to help this woman.
Alea starts forward, sees the butcher blade.
Alea looks at the open book on the desk...
Avaleia stands up slowly, seeing a Gen reading the Words of Love.
Alea turns and sees the woman.
Alea: YOU!
Alea: Oh Shen.
Avaleia is now known as wisesnake.
Alea eyes widen with dismay.
Lanyi comes out of the cafeteria with a mug of tea.
Alea: How'd you get out?
Alea looks around for something to subdue the Gen.
Avaleia smiles at Alea, eyes a bit crossed and mismatched from concussion.
Avaleia walks unsteadily forward and reaches for her book.
Alea moves back.
Lanyi enters the lobby.
Alea: Watch out Lanyi.
Avaleia sees Lanyi and hurls the Book of Love wildly in Lanyi's face.
Avaleia: DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alea flinches.
Avaleia snatches the meat cleaver up off the desk and launches herself wildly at Lanyi.
Alea: Shen!
Avaleia: DIIIEE!!! DIIIIIIEEE! DIIIIIIIIEEEE!!!!!!!!!!
Lanyi dodges the book.
Lanyi sees Avaliea with the clever. "Shuven!"
Avaleia's butcher knife flies in 50 directions like a juggling-chef's implements.
Avaleia: HoyyyyyyyyOOUUUU!!
Avaleia chops at Lanyi.
Alea grabs a chair and shoves it at Avaleia.
Lanyi augments to the side.
Avaleia's insanity-greased reflexes allow her to leap up onto the sliding chair, then backflip off of it to face them both, knife still whirling.
Alea eyes widen and she gulps.
Avaleia: The Exterminator has arrived, buggies!
Alea: Exterminator?
Avaleia leaps at Lanyi again, in a blur of sharpened steel.
Alea: Oh shen...oh shen...
Alea isn't sure which way to run.
Lanyi grabs a clipboard and spins it at avaliea.
Avaleia cleaves the clipboard in twain... [THWOK] [papers flutter to either side]
Avaleia: HeyyyyyyAHH!!!!
Alea thinks flying things and Donors mix about as well as cleavers and....
Alea: Yikes.
Alea heads toward the hall.
Frutata looks up, thinking he heard something.
Briel finishes treating Jirelle's back and then rolls her carefully over.
Lanyi feints left, dodges right, and tries to trip.
Frutata touches Briel gently, bringing her toward duoconsciousness.
Briel stops, zlins.
Frutata: I believe we still have a problem in the lobby.
Briel: Shendoni! Not again!
Briel jerks up the metal side and augments out of the room, grabbing Frutata by the arm.
Avaleia's cleaver chops into the wall to the right, then the left.
Lanyi really wishes she had a staff.
Alea jumps back, seeing someone augmenting down the hall.
Avaleia lets out a horrible scream like a gut-wounded horse, only twice as loud.
Briel flies into the room, stopping short of avaliea.
Briel jumps back.
Lanyi: "KNIFE!"
Briel: Again!
Avaleia: ~~~nager zlins like the sun shredded in a cheese grater, only brighter, sharper and more painful~~~
Briel: Shen shen shendoni.
Briel backs into Frutata.
Frutata supports Briel, shielding her.
Briel: Listen...uh.....
Briel not sure if she wants attention drawn to her or not after last time.
Avaleia: Die, Spawn of Satan!
Avaleia launches herself at Briel, shrieking.
Avaleia chops! chops! chops!
Briel lunges sideways, jerking her Donor with her.
Lanyi charges at avaliea.
Frutata is yanked to one side as his channel grabs him.
Alea grabs a nearby mop and shoves it at Avaleia's feet.
Avaleia swings wildly at Lanyi.
Briel releases Frutata and lunges back at Avaleia.
Avaleia trips and the knife goes flying out of control through the air.
Lanyi ducks under the swing and kick at avaliea's knee.
Briel tackles her around the shoulders slamming her down to the floor.
Avaleia's pain shatters the ambient as her knee is kicked out from under her.
Alea: KNIFE!
Avaleia slams into the floor, Briel wrapped around her.
Alea drops to the floor to avoid the flying instrument.
Avaleia: OOOF! Get off me, you Flexidactylous Cow!
Avaleia tries to bite... arms.
Briel slips tentacles into her hair, jerking her head back and pinning it to the floor.
Frutata freezes as the knife thuds quivering into the floor an inch from his nose.
Briel: Shendoni, Lanyi...help me....
Lanyi grabs for avaliea's wrists (not forearms).
Briel shuddering.
Avaleia: ~~~~ pain!!! rage!!! hate!!!~~~
Briel slips her free arm across her neck.
Avaleia: AAAARRRGHHHHHH!!!!
Briel: Oh shen oh shen oh shen....
Avaleia: AAgggggglkkkklll.
Briel stiffens.
Avaleia choking, turns beet red.
Briel releases her just enough to allow air in.
Alea rushes up offering Lanyi support.
Frutata hurries to behind Briel and supports her, trying to block as much of the woman's nager as he can while not preventing Briel from zlinning.
Briel sucking in sharp quick breaths.
Lanyi yanks avaliea's wrists, extending her arms as far as possible.
Avaleia jerks herself toward Lanyi, trying to bite, butt, anything.
Avaleia struggles against Briel's and Lanyi's holds.
Alea plops down on avaliea's legs, keeping her nageric attention on Lanyi.
Briel: Ideas here, Lanyi?
Avaleia is still screaming.
Briel: Last time I..just...knocked-her-out!
Briel yelling over Avaleia.
Frutata winces.
Lanyi: Get her arms behind her.
Briel doesn't mention throwing her against the wall thinking she was crazy to have done that.
Avaleia: You're all gonna DIIIIIIIEEE!!!!!!!!!
Lanyi tries to get avaliea's right arm up behind her back.
Avaleia has foam coming out of her mouth.
Briel twists her hair forcing her head to turn.
Briel grits her teeth.
Avaleia: AAAIigh.
Avaleia panting, furious/hating.
Briel: Her feet...turn them.
Briel: Help me flip her.
Briel isn't going to let go of her head for anything.
Frutata moves forward to help them turn the woman over.
Alea lifts up and shoves at a foot, trying to get them crossed.
Lanyi tries to swing avaliea's left arm over to help flip her,
Frutata grabs her butt.
Frutata: [Avaleia's]
Briel forces her head over until her cheek is against the floor
Briel: Strong...Shuven...
Avaleia bites the floor, snarling.
Lanyi: Yeah.
Avaleia: I'm gonna get you.. get you.. [delirious]
Alea moves up Avaleia pushing at her legs, helping Frutata get her turned over.
Lanyi is behind, arms around her to hold her wrists in a parody of a hug.
Briel moves back when she sees Lanyi has her securely.
Alea moves back over to support Lanyi.
Briel: How the shenned did she wake up so fast?
Avaleia radiates hatred and insanity at Lanyi.
Briel looks around for something to bind the woman with.
Lanyi twists, trying to get the left arm up behind the back.
Briel: Frutata..go get tape..medical tape..quickly.
Avaleia: Gggrrr....rrrr... huhhhh..hhh... hrhrr...
Frutata gets up and goes to get the tape.
Frutata returns with it a few moments later.
Alea focuses on Lanyi, shifting her position.
Lanyi tires to get avaliea's wrists crossed behind her back.
Briel: Her feet.
Briel motions.
Avaleia's wrists have scars.
Briel: You two bind those feet.
Lanyi: [ to avaliea ] I like you too dearie.
Briel: [to Alea and Frutata]
Frutata tapes Avaleia's ankles securely.
Alea assists.
Avaleia tries to pound Briel's fingers between her head and the floor.
Lanyi zlins the wrist scar while waiting on the tape.
Avaleia tries to bite Briel's tentacles.
Briel jerks her arms out of the way shifting them away from her mouth.
Briel: This isn't doing you any good, you know.
Avaleia: [scars are some years old]
Avaleia: Hate.. you.... killers must die...
Briel: Frutata..the tape.
Briel nods toward Lanyi.
Frutata moves over to tape the wrists securely together.
Frutata then thoughtfully tapes Avaleia's mouth shut.
Briel: No..no..she'll choke.
Lanyi tries to slide hold up towards hand to make room and not get taped too.
Avaleia snorts rage.
Avaleia: MMMMMm,!!! NNNNnnnnnn.
Avaleia: HHhh hHhhh HHhh gggnnn nnn gGRrrrr rrrr
Briel decides they'll zlin the choking in time and nods to Frutata her acceptance of his move.
Avaleia falls back against the floor, furious but unable to attack further.
Frutata steps back to resume his undivided support of Briel.
Lanyi zlins for nasal congestion and clear airway.
Briel sits back, pulling Avaleia's head into her lap so she can't slam it against the floor.
Alea moves closer to Lanyi in support.
Avaleia's nager spawns bits of random lightning... if she had any idea how to slam, she would have done it already.
Avaleia's eyes are dark and shining.
Lanyi: Where did she come from?
Briel flips her over.
Briel: Oh.
Briel shakes her head.
Briel: It's a long story.
Alea: She came in...preaching, attacked Tarsh about a couple of months ago.
Briel nods.
Briel: She was supposedly locked away.
Briel rubs at her neck, wincing.
Avaleia chuckles nastily through her tape gag, staring off into nothingness.
Briel: I zlinned something earlier..found Jirelle under the desk, being kicked by this...person.
Lanyi: She's got scars on her wrists. Not sure from what.
Briel: Not from us.
Lanyi: How is Jirelle?
Lanyi: No, old ones.
Briel: Bruised up quite a bit..unconscious....the shock...
Briel: I was just finishing up on her when I zlinned that the uh...Gen had woken up.
Alea: She saw Lanyi and went crazy...just like last time [whispered]
Lanyi: What do we do with her now?
Briel: Shen I don't know.
Briel: Haul her body downstairs and toss her in the security room until The police can pick her up?
Lanyi: I suppose.
Lanyi goes to pick avaliea up.
Briel: I...suppose we should heal her first.
Lanyi zlins Briel.
Briel thinks she caused most of the damage and winces leaning back closer to Frutata.
Lanyi: I'll take care of that. You go... rest.
Briel nods sharply, but doesn't stand, certain her legs wouldn't hold her at this moment.
Frutata supports Briel.
Alea stands with Lanyi.
Lanyi starts carrying avaliea in her arms, ignoring the thrashing.
Avaleia still rocks back and forth, grunting voicelessly.
Avaleia's fingers grope at, but cannot reach, the tape holding her wrists.
Alea keeps up with Lanyi.
Avaleia's fingers seeks whatever of Lanyi she can reach, clawing.
Briel: Shen I must be crazy.
Briel grabs Frutata by the arm.
Frutata sticks close to Briel, solicitously helpful.
Frutata: ~~supportive~~
Briel: Wall has to be fixed where I threw her earlier...
Frutata: How are you doing, Briel?
Briel: She was trying to murder Jirelle...
Briel shudders.
Lanyi takes her downstairs. "Alea can you open the security room?"
Briel: I'll survive.
Alea slips around Lanyi and pushes open the door.
Alea: There you go.
Avaleia's struggles are quieting down.
Briel forces herself up to stand.
Briel: Do you realize most of the injuries on her were caused by me?
Avaleia is still tensed stiff as a board, but not actively trying to get free.
Briel: A channel..hurting a Gen.
Lanyi zlins to make sure avaliea is getting enough air.
Frutata concerned, supportive.
Briel reaches out to Frutata.
Frutata offers her his hands.
Briel: Let's go sit down.
Frutata: Of course.
Frutata accompanies Briel.
Briel feels like a noodle left in water too long.
Avaleia is breathing hard, but seems to be getting enough.
Lanyi puts avaliea down on the bunk with her back towards the wall.
Alea: Anything I can get you Lanyi?
Lanyi zlins avaliea's injuries.
Alea moves up next to Lanyi.
Avaleia is beaten up, and her knee is somewhat damaged, but nothing life threatening.
Avaleia is coming down off of an incredible adrenaline charge.
Alea clasps her hands together studying the Gen.
Avaleia is a small, soft looking, woman wearing a light pink sun dress.
Lanyi opens her mouth, but closes it with out saying anything.
Lanyi: "some water. In a nonbreakble cup."
Alea turns from the scene and moves over to the door, slipping out and filling Lanyi's request.
Briel turns to Frutata.
Briel: Thank you.
Alea returns and hands Lanyi the water.
Frutata: It was my pleasure. It's been too long since I worked in supporting a channel.
Lanyi puts the water down.
Lanyi spreads her tentacles to do some non-contact healing work on the knee.
Lanyi: ~~ need ~~
Avaleia's eyes follow Lanyi.
Avaleia breathing hard still.
Avaleia's body responds to Lanyi's need projection.
Alea focuses on Lanyi.
Frutata supports Briel.
Briel: I....why has it been so long?
Briel's breathing is slowing.
Frutata: I was on a voyage at sea when my channel was lost.
Briel: Oh?
Frutata: It was two months before I even saw shore... and three more weeks before I made it here and to safety.
Briel's breathing slowly evens out and her muscles loosen.
Frutata: ~~regret~~
Briel feels the regret.
Frutata continues to support Briel, not allowing his emotions to affect her.. only to show enough for her to recognize them.
Briel: You must be grieved over that.
Briel leans back against the couch, sighing.
Frutata: Sometimes it seems like another world... so much has happened between then and now.
Lanyi: That wasn't terribly effective was it? You got roughed up worse than any of us Simes.
Avaleia's eyes move up to Lanyi's.
Avaleia panting.
Avaleia: Mmmhhmm HHHnnmbbmm.
Alea wonders if Lanyi expects the Gen to answer back and hopes Lanyi isn't going to remove the tape from her mouth.
Briel: So, where are you going to be working next?
Frutata: ~~gentle sadness~~
Frutata: I do not know. Since I am now well, I must begin trying to learn how to find my way back home. I can't imagine the return trip will be easy to fund... and it would take at least two months in any case, across the sea.
Lanyi: If you stayed out-territory you'd be allowed to shoot all the unretainered Simes you could find. Isn't that enough for you?
Avaleia moans.
Alea doesn't like the sound of that moan.
Lanyi: Now you're going to end up in prison. A prison run by Simes.
Briel studies Frutata's dark skin and listens to the odd accent in his deep voice.
Briel: That's a long time.
Alea wonders if Lanyi is trying to tempt Avaleia into another attack.
Frutata runs a finger softly down Briel's arm; not to entice, but in comforting.
Frutata: Yes. It seems like forever.
Briel sighs.
Frutata wonders if his homeland is even still intact; for he had taken his channel to sea in order to escape an attack on that homeland.
Briel: We could use a Donor like you here.
Lanyi zlins over to zlin if the door to this room is reasonably soundproof.
Avaleia watches Lanyi.
Lanyi: Now. I've helped your knee start healing, and nudged your bruises that way too.
Frutata looks at Briel
Briel rolls her head over to look at Frutata.
Briel: Are all your Donors like you back home?
Lanyi: Your going to have to wait in here. Do you want me to take the tape off your mouth?
Frutata: Your ways are different... in my homeland, every Gen is a Donor.
Frutata: Not all of them are like me, however.
Alea thinks great...now is the time to find out Lanyi is tenderhearted.
Briel blinks.
Briel: All?
Briel zlins Frutata.
Frutata thinks, especially after the experience at sea, that made him for a short time a god of life, dispensing selyn to an endless stream of starving renSimes.
Briel: Well yeah, I can see how they couldn't all be like....you.
Frutata: ~~truth~~
Frutata: Yes. In my homeland, the Simes and Gens live together in marriage. Channels are for healing and matchmaking.
Frutata: It is a different way of life.
Briel: I...should say...so.
Avaleia watches Lanyi, bright-eyed.
Briel thinking what the tecton would think of that here.
Briel thinking she already knows and shudders.
Frutata: But one which perhaps exists no longer. When I last saw my homeland, it was under siege.
Briel: Under siege?
Briel: Is that why you were on a ship?
Briel: Running?
Frutata: ~~ another tinge of regret... combined with grim knowledge it was the best thing to do at the time~~
Frutata: Yes.
Briel nods in understanding.
Briel: Sometimes it's the only thing you can do.
Frutata: I had to get Malaktu to safety. To start again if all we knew was destroyed...
Frutata lowers his eyes briefly.
Alea: Uh, Lanyi...
Alea: Are you sure you want to take that tape off her mouth?
Lanyi: If she'll be have we could take it off and she could have some water.
Alea: I imagine she's thirsty after all that screaming.
Alea shakes her head.
Avaleia's eyes dart between Alea and Lanyi.
Lanyi: [ thinks: And we could leave her in her without worrying she'd suffocate ]
Alea: I wouldn't let her have any though.
Lanyi: E should show her more compassion than she shows us.
Lanyi: == E -> We ==
Alea: Why?
Alea looks disdainfully at the Gen.
Frutata imagines himself coming home to a restored city, at a time of peace, with a replacement channel at his side.
Frutata: ~~spirits lift~~
Alea: According to her, you're worthless.
Avaleia: [nager guarded]
Lanyi: Answering hated with hatred just gets you into a vicious cycle.
Lanyi: The world has tried that and it doesn't work very well.
Briel zlins Frutata again.
Frutata: I shouldn't be gloomy with you here.
Briel: What are you going to do until you can earn passage home?
Frutata offers support.
Briel: OH, I'm much better now.
Frutata: What do you suggest? I still know little of your culture.
Lanyi: I certainly don't agree with her beliefs, and I won't let her impose them on others.
Briel: Well,
Alea: Of course not, Hajene.
Lanyi: But that doesn't change her essential humanity.
Briel: You could always...donate.
Briel winces.
Briel: But we need Donors.
Briel: You're field. It's...amazing.
Briel: You might consider becoming a Donor for awhile until you decide what you want to do.
Frutata: Thank you. I value your advice.
Briel: Working with channels.
Briel: Talk to some of the people here at the Center.
Briel: See what they have to say.
Alea: But how can you want to be around her when she...attacked you like that?
Frutata: I will. Thank you.
Lanyi: So. What do you say? Will you behave if I take the tape off your mouth?
Lanyi: Don't worry, I can read you intent in your nager.
Avaleia looks at Lanyi, expression indecipherable, nager drawn up against her like a knot.
Lanyi: [ thinks: Who said I wanted to. ]
Avaleia: ~~ hate, born of an underlying fear and pain ~~
Lanyi: I'm a channel. Healing Gens is a big part of that.
Alea looks at Avaleia and then turns her attention fully on Lanyi.
Avaleia: ~suspicion~
Lanyi: I'm ambrov Dar. Protecting yourself and others from attack is a big part of that.
Lanyi: She's suspicious of me. Hardly surprising, I suppose.
Alea sighs.
Alea: No, I suppose not.
Alea: I don't understand why she thinks you would hurt her though.
Briel stands.
Briel: Thank you, Frutata for your assistance.
Briel: I should go check on Jirelle and then Lanyi plus make some calls.
Frutata: Certainly. ~regret, well-hidden~
Frutata stands also.
Briel nods and moves off down the hall.
Lanyi shrugs. "I've never killed anyone. With the conditioning, I can't.."
Frutata walks slowly back to his recovery room.
Alea: Well of course you can't.
Lanyi: Alea, could you go check and see when the authorities will get here?
Alea nods.
Alea leaves.
Briel is now known as Bcal.
Frutata is now known as wisesnake.
Alea heads upstairs and toward Briel's office a little shaken over the events.
B'cal comes downstairs suitcase packed.
Alea signals then enters Briel's office.
Wise Snake approaches the Sime Center, still worrying if she forgot to reschedule anything. Nick is with her and they have their stuff.
Alea gets the information and heads back to inform Lanyi.
B'cal steps off the stairs.
Alea stops dead.
Avaleia looks up at Lanyi.
Alea eyes the suitcase in utter shock.
Wise Snake and Nick climb the front steps.
Wise Snake opens the front door and Nick lets her hold it for him; Snake smiles.
B'cal: Don't get your hopes up little lovebird...I'm only going for awhile.
Alea sees Snake and Nick with their things and her eyes widen further.
B'cal chuckles nastily.
B'cal has muffin in tow.
Snake ignores Alea but Nick gives her a polite nod.
Alea: I...
Alea nods back.
Alea turns and sprints down the hall to Briel's office.
You are now known as Briel.
Briel comes out of her office, striding down the hall, zlinning.
Wise Snake looks to B'cal. "All ready, I see."
B'cal: Did you think I wouldn't be?
Wise Snake shifts her duffel bag.
B'cal ~~arrogant~~
Wise Snake: I wasn't sure... we are a bit early.
Briel slides to a stop in the lobby, looking at the occupants.
Wise Snake zlins B'cal's arrogance and decides the Donor is afraid to face her House members back home.
Lanyi looks down at avaliea. "did you want something?"
Wise Snake and Nick look over as Briel skids into the room.
Wise Snake nods politely to Briel as Nick ignores her.
B'cal looks at Briel and smiles.
Briel zlins B'cal.
Avaleia lies quietly, shrunk back against the wall, looking up at Lanyi with guarded eyes.
Briel thinks Bcal must be messing with her mind...
Briel: Ah, I see you got the letter?
Avaleia looks like a caged dog... that same look.
Briel smiles.
Briel glances back at Nick and Snake.
Briel: And just why are you...packed?
B'cal: They're going with me.
Wise Snake hadn't believed B'cal's claims about Briel before, but seeing the smile actually wonders now.
B'cal looks at Briel like she's an idiot.
Lanyi sighs. "I have no intention of hurting you. But I won't let you hurt others."
Briel shakes her head.
Briel: You aren't going with her are you?
Wise Snake: Yes.
Briel gapes.
Briel: Why?
Wise Snake: I'm sorry, Briel, but I'd rather that than go without support at night for another week.
Briel nods.
Briel: I see...
Wise Snake shudders, nager shielded.
Briel nods again.
Wise Snake figures she'll get a tongue lashing from B'cal later for saying that openly.
Briel nods one more time then realizes she is staring at them stupidly and shuts her mouth.
Avaleia remains silent, since she can't talk and is beyond mindless howling.
B'cal pats Muffin's head and motions him toward the door.
B'cal smiles again at Briel.
Wise Snake avoids Briel's eyes now.
B'cal: You know, you really wasted your time. I had to leave anyway.
B'cal ~~smug~~
Briel temper sparks.
Lanyi maintains a need showfield to nudge avaliea's healing along.
Briel looks from snake to Nick to B'cal.
Wise Snake shifts her pack on her back, and withdraws her nager from B'cal's presence, annoyed by the smugness and the half-lie.
Briel turns on her heel and storms back down the hall.
Wise Snake steadies as Nick strengthens his support.
B'cal looks at Snake.
B'cal: Problem?
You are now known as Alea.
Wise Snake shakes her head without looking over in B'cal's direction.
Wise Snake: ... No/
Wise Snake: .
Alea starts back down the hall, in the opposite direction to the basement and the secure room.
Wise Snake heads toward the door after Muffin, Nick at her side.
B'cal moves up by Snake.
Wise Snake's eyes flick up to B'cal's.
B'cal looks at Snake in question.
Alea nods.
Alea: That should be soon enough[to herself]
B'cal: It'll be fine.
B'cal: You'll like V'lar. They won't test you like the streets did.
B'cal thinks not too much at least.
Wise Snake: I... I was thinking of Zeor. [glad they are out of the Center so she can say this]
Alea goes down the stairs and to the secured room.
B'cal: Zeor?
Wise Snake: In the beginning.. the... testing.
Alea signals.
B'cal: We are nothing like Zeor, believe me.
Wise Snake: I just wish it wasn't so... unknown.
Wise Snake nervous restlessness.
Wise Snake: I guess it won't be.. after the first day. [lamely]
Lanyi: Come in!
B'cal: I doubt it'll half of what you've been through already
Alea goes in, pushing the door to behind her.
Wise Snake hates to admit it even to herself, but she is probably going to stay close to Bender Cove for the rest of her life.
Alea: Thirty minutes.
Alea: That's on the good end.
Alea: The bad news is, it could be two hours.
Lanyi: Ok. We can manage that. The local police or the Tecton Marshall's office.
Alea: Tecton has questions for her this time.
Wise Snake falls silent as they walk the long distance to the train station.
Avaleia is now lying passively, and her eyes look like she doesn't care what happens.
Avaleia is still wearing the tape across her mouth.
Alea: You're right, Lanyi, she looks thirsty.
Alea: Perhaps we should take the tape off.
Lanyi zlins avaliea.
Lanyi reaches out and takes hold of a corner of the tape.
Avaleia: ~~nihilistic~~
Lanyi pulls the tape off abruptly.
Alea watches Lanyi's movements.
Avaleia flinches.
Avaleia's lips are red and puffy from the tape.
Lanyi: Sorry, but tape is like that.
Alea moves to get the water.
Lanyi moves avaliea to a sitting position.
Avaleia lets her ~~aches and pains~~
Avaleia doesn't care.
Alea takes the water over to them.
Lanyi takes the cup. "Thanks."
Lanyi holds the water up to avaliea's mouth, watching carefully for bites.
Avaleia passive.
Alea: Do you think it's the tape?
Alea glances at Lanyi.
Alea: I mean..the scares...could she have been imprisoned like this before?
Alea looks back at Avaleia watching her carefully.
Lanyi: I suspect she's gone apathetic since she knows she isn't going to get what she most wants.
Avaleia seems docile... almost mindless.
Alea doesn't think so, but accepts Lanyi's decision.
Alea: As you say, Hajene.
Lanyi: Possibly. I'd assume professionals will be able to handle her more gently.
Alea nods.
Alea: There you're right.
Lanyi: Well if you're not thirsty, we'll leave you for a bit. take a nap if you like.
Alea backs up a bit.
Lanyi lies avaliea down on the bunk on the other side from before.
Avaleia lets her do it.
Lanyi pick up the cup and goes to the door.
Alea turns and follows Lanyi.
Lanyi carefully secures the door.
Alea studies Lanyi.
Lanyi looks in the window for a while, to see if avaliea is doing anything.
Alea: Are you okay after that scuffle earlier?
B'cal is now known as Jorgre.
Avaleia turns her head to see if anybody is looking in the window.
Avaleia sees only a mirror on her side.
Avaleia listens.
Avaleia hears nothing through the soundproofing.
Avaleia curls her legs up behind her and slowly begins to rub the tape on her wrists against the edge of the sole of her shoe.
Lanyi: Yeah, I'm fine. I'm worried about Jirelle and Briel.
Alea: Yeah.
Lanyi: Let's go look in on them.
Alea: Good.
Alea goes down the hall with Lanyi.
You are now known as Briel.
Avaleia is now known as Jirelle.
Jirelle shifts, coming toward consciousness.
Jorgre shifts and looks over.
Jorgre: Well, I see you're coming around.
Jorgre stands and moves over to the side of the bed.
Jorgre zlins Jirelle.
Jirelle: ~~ sore, but more or less okay ~~
Jirelle h... oh, hi, Jorgre...
Jirelle a little bit dazed.
Jorgre: You've had quite a day today, Jirelle.
Jirelle: Was it all a dream?
Jorgre: Would you like some fosebine for that soreness.
Jorgre shakes his head.
Jorgre: Not likely.
Jirelle winces, realizes at least part of it had to have been real.
Jirelle: I saw.. a ghost.
Jorgre eyebrows shoot up.
Jorgre: Really?
Jirelle: Yeah.. she appeared right here..
Jorgre walks to the cabinet and pours some fosebine and mixes it up.
Jorgre turns.
Jirelle points at where Jean manifested.
Jorgre: Really?
Jorgre: What'd she look like?
Jorgre walks back over with a glass of fosebine.
Jirelle: Sort of...
Jorgre is familiar with the ghost stories of the Center.
Jorgre: Never mind.
Jirelle: Well, she was a female Gen, with dark hair...
Jorgre: Here, just drink this.
Jorgre: Shush.
Jorgre slips an arm under Jirelle and lifts her, placing the glass to her lips.
Jirelle drinks it down obediently.
Jorgre carefully lowers Jirelle back to the bed.
Jirelle: Thank you... I'm fine, I think... just tired...
Jirelle is healing nicely.
Jorgre: You've been through a lot.
Jirelle: I wish I knew what I'd said that made her so angry. [thinking of Avaleia]
Jirelle: If I'd known she had such a temper I would have tried to be a lot nicer...
Jorgre: Hajene Briel briefed me. You look like you're going to be fine.
Jirelle: I wish I'd been paying attention. [frowns unhappily]
Jorgre chuckles low.
Jorgre: Jirelle, you couldn't be any nicer than you already are.
Jorgre: Everyone knows you'd never provoke a flea.
Jirelle: Oh, thank you Jorgre... you always know how to say the right thing. ~~gratitude/friendship~~
Jorgre: Relax and know it wasn't your fault.
Jorgre nods.
Jorgre: You just sleep, rest.
Jorgre: That's what will heal you best.
Jorgre: Someone will be here with you all night.
Jirelle: Really? For me? [touched]
Jorgre: Of course.
Jirelle: Thank you. [lays back, relaxing more]
Jorgre: Would you like me to put you to sleep?
Jorgre reaches out and puts Jirelle to sleep then resumes his seat by her.