Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #119: (1/3/98)
B'cal touches Snake gently on the shoulder.
B'cal: You awake yet, Snake?
Wise Snake flinches slightly at the touch and stirs, eyes slitting open.
Wise Snake: Whh-- [groggily]
B'cal: Train is here. You ready to go?
Wise Snake's eyes open wider [bloodshot] as she remembers what had happened before.
Wise Snake: T-train? Oh.
Wise Snake rolls over and crawls out of bed.
B'cal: I suppose if you want to wait a few more days....
Wise Snake: No... no... I'm fine, just give me a moment.
Wise Snake looks like chopped weasel on toast.
Wise Snake squints, peering around the room.
Wise Snake: Is everything all packed?
B'cal: Of course.
B'cal looks indignant.
Wise Snake raises her hands in surrender.
Wise Snake: Okay, I was just asking.
Wise Snake: Where's Nick?
B'cal: He's downstairs with the luggage.
B'cal smirks.
Wise Snake rubs her eyes.
Wise Snake looks around for her clothes and starts pulling them on.
B'cal: I have food packed for the trip.
B'cal changes topic to "Bender Cove: Sime~Gen Roleplaying"
Wise Snake: Good. [remembers a day and a half of zlinning Nick starving, on the trip out]
B'cal: Safe food. I checked it myslef.
Wise Snake: Ah... that was probably a good idea.
Wise Snake debates ignoring personal hygeine, then realizes B'cal would probably tell on her when she got back and Linn would have a fit.
B'cal: Well, the people here are great, and they KNOW Farris problesm from school...but accidents can happen.
Wise Snake takes her kit into the bathroom and combs hair, etc.
Wise Snake: They sure can. [grimaces]
Wise Snake wonders if that guy ever got the tools up the ladder safely, or if he is now in an infirmary somewhere.
B'cal nods her approval of Snake's appearance.
Wise Snake frowns at her appearance in the mirror: Even more haggard than usual, and dark marks on her from the cat scratches... looks like she was in a swordfight.
B'cal heads toward the door, pulling it open and waiting for SNake.
Wise Snake stuffs the things back in her kit and returns to the room.
Wise Snake: Unbelieveable. All I did was went for a simple walk around the grounds.
Wise Snake joins b'cal.
B'cal: You attract danger like a lightten rod attracts lightening.
B'cal heads down the stairs.
Wise Snake: Do I? [grimaces again]
Wise Snake follows.
Pamlos smiles at the Snake and B'cal.
Pamlos: Leaving, I see?
Wise Snake: I'll tell you, I have started to reconsider that Ferry Building as a HOuse... there would be too many Gens doing maintenance for my peace of mind.
Pamlos strides forward to b'cal and snake.
Wise Snake looks up.
B'cal: So hire Simes.
Wise Snake nods at Pamlos.
Pamlos: I am sorry for the inconvience hajene Wise.
Pamlos: Allow me to thank you for the opportunity of working with you though.
Wise Snake: Ah.. well... it couldn't be helped... evidently.
Wise Snake: Um.. you're welcome. And my offer stands.
Pamlos nods then chuckles.
B'cal: What offer?
Wise Snake wonders what is supposed to be so funny.
Pamlos: She's just joking, B'cal, don't worry.
Pamlos: We'll miss you too. Hurry back.
Wise Snake: I told him he would be welcome to accompany me back to Bender Cove and work as my Donor.
B'cal sneers at Pamlos.
B'cal looks at Snake.
B'cal looks back at Pamlos.
B'cal: She wouldn't joke about that. ANd no, you are NOT going!
B'cal glares at Snake.
Pamlos just shakes his head.
Wise Snake backs off a step, and averts her eyes.
Pamlos: Now, B'cal, remember what we talked about. Stop scaring your Channels.
Wise Snake mutters to herself something about Donors and nagers.
Pamlos grins at Snake.
B'cal smiles, with narrowed eyes at Snake.
B'cal: Of ocurse, Pamlos. What could possibly motivate me to want to scare her.
B'cal: Come on, Snake. We're going to be late. Or Nick might wander away and get lost...how wyould you like to find him...searching all over V'lar again?
Wise Snake meets Pamlos' eyes warily, and tries to look more smiley for appearance's sake.
Pamlos: Don't forget to write, B'cal.
Wise Snake: Nick doesn't wander. [testily]
Wise Snake imediately becomes quite paranoid imagining what could happen.
B'cal glares and moves toward Snake.
Wise Snake's testiness turns to uneasiness.
Wise Snake: That is... he hasn't in the past...
B'cal smiles.
B'cal: Let's just make sure, then.
B'cal heads toward the door.
Pamlos waves.
Wise Snake hurries out after B'cal.
Fraeyan is standing with Nick by the wagon.
Wise Snake: ~~nervously~~ What was all that about?
Fraeyan talking with Nick.
B'cal: What was what about?
Wise Snake sees Fraeyan is there and declines to answer.
Fraeyan nods to Nick and turns to Snake, zlinning.
Fraeyan: HOw are you feeling today Snake?
Nick is relieved to see Snake is up and about again, having been berating himself for not being there when the accidents happened.
Wise Snake: Much beter, thank you. ~~opaque showfield~~
B'cal keeps her attention tightly focused on Snake, offering extra support since it's only a day after the accidents.
Fraeyan: Good to hear.
Pamlos comes hurrying from the Center.
Pamlos: B'cal, just a minute.
Nick is now known as Fraeyan.
B'cal turns, glaringt at Pamlos.
B'cal: NOW WHAT!
B'cal getting frustrated by the continuing delays.
Wise Snake jumps, shaken by B'cal's sudden shift of attention and mood.
Pamlos lifts and eyebrow and moves forward next to B'cal.
Pamlos whispers.
Pamlos: You forgot something.
Wise Snake decides it would be prudent to retreat over by Nick.
Pamlos hands her a brown paper bag.
B'cal grabs the bag, sneers at Snake for leaving her side.
B'cal opens the bag and turns red.
Wise Snake avoids her gaze, then zlins what's in the bag and goggles at B'cal openly.
B'cal glares back at Pamlos.
Pamlos grins.
Fraeyan zlins what's in the bag
Pamlos: Nice seeing you again.
Fraeyan: ~~surprise~~
Pamlos: Hurry home. We all miss you.
Fraeyan really wishes he hadn't.
Pamlos turns and moves over to stand next to Fraeyan.
B'cal growls low, tosses the bag in the back and moves back over to Snake.
Fraeyan waits until B'cal has turned away then gives Pamlos an incredulous look.
B'cal: YOu know I control my field, stop running from me.
Pamlos shrugs and grins, a very smug, self-satisfied grin.
Wise Snake sidles nervously about but finally edges closer to B'cal.
Wise Snake avoiding her look hoping B'cal will stop being angry about.... the... item.
B'cal knows her control has not been as good lately because of the two different times she's been burned.
B'cal wonders if going back is really worth it at all.
Wise Snake is honestly bewildered by how B'cal could even think of.. that.... considering her condition and time of the month but realizes it would be suicidal to ask.
B'cal: Will you stop THINKING aobut what you Zlinned!
Wise Snake jumps, badly startled.
B'cal ~~frustration/embarrassment~~
Wise Snake: Yes!
Wise Snake: Yes.
B'cal nods.
Pamlos Chuckles.
Wise Snake tries to forget all about it.
Wise Snake rubs her forehead.
B'cal blanks her mind forcing herself to relax completely and allow only the cool professional Donor part of her out.
Fraeyan looks at Pamlos and mouths "Here... are you sure????" when B'cal isn't looking.
Fraeyan: ===here = her ====
Pamlos shrugs.
Fraeyan is now known as NickR.
Nick wonders what could be in there that would embarass B'cal... hadn't thought B'cal could be embarassed by anything.
Pamlos winks at B'cal, gives a thumbs up at Snake and turns back to the Center.
B'cal prods at Snake.
B'cal: Come on..into the wago.
Wise Snake jumps and edges away.
Wise Snake: FIne...fine.. I'm going.
Wise Snake climbs into the wagon.
B'cal gives Nick a warning look then glances back at Pamlos, watching him leave.
Nick climbs up too.
B'cal finally turns and follows the two into the wagon.
Wagonmstr: Giddyup there...
Wagonmstr [wagon jerks to a start]
B'cal: Just pay attention to the road. We'll get you back and get you feeling better.
B'cal: All should be well then.
Wise Snake leans on B'cal physically.
Wagonmstr begins to sing in old world Prussian.
Wise Snake: What was that stuff? I still feel weird.
Nick gulps, thinking the guy sounds like a stepped on cat.
B'cal: The meds or the soap?
Wise Snake shakes her head.
Wise Snake: I don't know. The stuff with the wild hallucinations. I have never been so scared in all my life.
Wise Snake: I seriously believed the Universe was going to drain my life essence.
Wise Snake wonders if one chemical or the other might have had strange reaction to some other... medicines... in her system at the tiem.
B'cal: Oh, the soap. IT was a dioxyl compound that must have set you off.
B'cal: That's the only thing I can figure.
Wise Snake: Remind me not to do the tango with V'lar janitors again.
Wagonmstr switches to ancient scottish.
Wagonmstr pauses.
Nick blinks in amazement, looks at B'cal and Snake wondering why neither of them has commented on the awful singing.
Wagonmstr moves on to genlan.
Wagonmstr: Whoa there.
Wagonmstr stops in front of the train station.
B'cal immediatley gets down and grabs her suitcase and "the bag" and waits.
Nick jumps down and grabs his things... and the food.
Wise Snake climbs down more slowly.
Wise Snake sighs and retrieves her bags.
Wagonmstr: Well there, little lady, you be careful.
Wagonmstr turns to the wagon, snaps the reins and rumbles off.
B'cal: Okay, then, let's get onto the train.
B'cal hurrying Snake and Nick along impatiently.
Wise Snake is becoming more and more on edge.
Wise Snake his herded by B'cal toward the train.
Nick hoists his bags and moves with the other two.
Wise Snake: ===his is===
B'cal finally sighs.
B'cal: Okay, Snake, waht is it this time?
B'cal settles into her chair, slipping her bags under it.
Wise Snake blinks, realizing she missed the bit where they got on the train.
Wise Snake is always a little shaken when that happens.
Wise Snake: Nothing... nothing.
B'cal looks back out the window, back toward V'lar.
Wise Snake sinks down into the chair beside B'cal and bends to look for something in her bags.
Nick sits across from B'cal and looks out the window also.
Nick notices B'cal's expression and realizes she is sorry to leave her House again; the reason for the rushing.
Nick gives B'cal a sympathetic look, then a moment later wonders what's gotten into him.
B'cal wonders if the sympathetic look is for the bag and glowers.
B'cal feels heat in her cheeks and glances at Snake to see if she's going to say anything.
Nick, who had no clue what was in the Bag and had kind of forgotten about it, thinks B'cal is irritated by his intrusion on her feelings.
Nick thinks that sure wasn't worth the trouble, and gets out a math book to study.
Wise Snake's attention is on a pair of pills she just got done weaseling out of a pocket of her pack.
Wise Snake did not notice the exchange.
B'cal leans back and closes her eyes as the train starts away.
Alea thinks how peaceful it has been around the center since Snake and B'cal left.
Alea is grateful they have almost a whole week left before they'll be back.
Wise Snake is now known as Jirelle.
Alea is also glad she doesn't have to guard her feelings around Snake.
Jirelle is in the cafeteria working on a new, severely budget-limited version of her redecoration plan.
Alea starving, goes into the cafeteria to eat.
Nick is now known as Voopere.
Alea grabs her tray, sees Jirelle and goes over ot her.
Alea: May I sit here?
Jirelle: Of course! [smiles]
Alea motions to the chair near her.
Alea: Great.
Jirelle makes room for Alea.
Alea sits down.
Alea takes her napkin and places it in her lap, looking at the paperwork spread out before Jirelle.
Alea: What are you working on?
Jirelle: Oh, Briel asked me to come up with a proposal for redecorating the Center... to make it more welcoming and comfortable. I'm just putting the finishing touches now.
Alea eyes the omlet the kitchen prepared specially for her and sighs. SHe doesn't have the heart to tell them she isn't craving cucumber, strawberry omlet with chocolate sauce this time around.
Jirelle smiles, flattered that a First would be interested.
Alea: Realy?
Alea: Fascinating.
Alea: And waht ideas have you come up with so far?
Jirelle is somewhat giddy at Alea's physical presence, actually.
Alea focuses her attention on Jirelle as she waits for her to explain.
Jirelle's spirits soar under the attention.
Alea takes a bite of her omelet and wodners how she ate this before.
Jirelle: Well [flushed] you see... I thought maybe a different arrangement in the Lobby... with the couches all in a circle, instead of in rows not facing each other.
Jirelle starts to take a sip of her tea, then discovers she is no longer interested in it for some reason.
Jirelle sets it back down.
Alea nods, smiling.
Alea: Perhaps a semi-circle?
Alea opens her omelet and smiles her hunger restored as she starts picking out the strawberries.
Jirelle: And.. what?
Jirelle studies her drawing again.
Jirelle: Do you think so? I had thought a circle, but maybe...?
Alea: A circle is a really good idea except it might make it hard for some people to slip into the circle if it's a tight circle.
Jirelle has a sip of tea.
Alea pushes the omelet aside when she is certain the person who prepared it isn't looking and nibbles on toast instead.
Jirelle: Oh.. well I had left two breaks in the circle... here.. and here. [points with a tentacle]
Jirelle feels a weird rush as extending the tentacle gives her nearest lateral some more room to really get a good zlin of Alea.
Alea smiles at Jirelle.
Jirelle: Also I thought maybe [emboldened] a different decorating scheme.... different colors, and some specially purchased artwork...
Alea: I think you've got some good ideas there, Jirelle.
Jirelle: Thank you! [positively fawning]
Alea sighs.
Alea pushes her food away trying to projet hunger to Jirelle even though she's not hungry so she won't ruin the young channel's appetite.
Jirelle moves closer to Jirelle.
Jirelle: ===to Alea===
Jirelle's tentacles all come out to enjoy Alea's awe-inspiring field.
Alea: I heard you are re-doing...
Jirelle: I really value your opinion. Everybody knows you're a great artist.
Alea blunts her field gently.
Alea chuckles.
Alea: Well, there are those who would debate that.
Jirelle: I was so impressed by that one you did.. the blue one... Veraik left it hanging in his bedroom so he must have liked it too!
Alea: Actually, I'm hearing the same about you, that your taste is very..
Alea lifts an eyebrow wondering how Jirelle knows it's still in Veraik's bedroom.
Jirelle notices what her tentacles are doing and withdraws them sheepishly, hoping Alea wasn't offended.
Alea: That you..uh...are..have impecciable taste.
Jirelle zlins the change in Alea's field and fears the worst.
Alea smiles to put Jirelle back at ease.
Jirelle: Well.. I.. I... ahhh.
Jirelle's tentacles come out onto the table like drool out of a salivating mouth.
Jirelle: I was partly inspired by your work, when I did this...
Alea: Really?
Jirelle: I thought it would be a good idea to have a mixture of art for Simes and art for Gens in the lobby and transfer rooms.... and for the Sime art I picked transfer images because of your work. [blushes]
Alea: How sweet.
Alea ~~flattered~~
Jirelle is almost overcome by giddyness when she zlins Alea is flattered by her words.
Alea: Well...
Alea smiles.
Alea: Perhaps sometimes you can show me your work.
Alea stands.
Jirelle's brain starts to swim up toward reason again as Alea moves away.
Jirelle: Well... sure.. okay, Gee, that would be great! [grinning still]
Alea nods.
Alea: You be sure to eat. I'll see you later.
Jirelle: Wow!
Jirelle: I mean.. of course!
Jirelle: Gosh.
Jirelle is all aflutter as Alea leaves.
Jirelle's heart is going pitter-pat.
Jirelle drinks some tea and fans herself.
Alea pauses.
Alea: By way, Jirelle. I'm so glad to see you're out of the infirmary.
Jirelle: Oh... thank you [embarassed]... I didn't handle that very well did I?
Alea frowns.
Jirelle: Oh.. I was meaning to ask you.. [curious]
Alea: WHy in the world do you think that?
Jirelle stops.
Alea: YOu disarmed the woman.
Alea: You protected your laterals.
Jirelle: I shouldn't have made her angry in the first place... I don't know what got into me.
Alea: It was unfortunate you had no Donor around to help you is all. OR another Sime.
Jirelle: I should always be friendly and courteous to all visitors.
Alea starts laughing.
Alea: Oh, sweetie.
Alea moves back over to her.
Jirelle looks confused.
Alea: Do you mean you don't know who that woman is?
Jirelle: No?
Jirelle: But it shouldn't matter... all customers and clients of the Center...
Alea: She came in one day trying to convert .. someone ... to another type of belief and tried to MURDER Tarsh.
Alea: She is totally insane.
Jirelle's mouth falls open at this bald statement.
Jirelle: But surely... I mean, it's so easy to misunderstand another's motives..
Alea: You could have smiled and offered her anything and she would have tried to murder you simply because you are Sime.
Alea sahkes her head.
Alea: I was there, with Tarsh when it happened.
Alea: And then with Lanyi too, later while you were in the infirmary.
Jirelle can't believe anybody else could possibly want to hurt anybody else on purpose...
Alea: Beleive me, she only had murder on her mind.
Alea: It took FOUR of us to hold her down.
Jirelle: Oh, that poor woman.. what could have made her so upset?
Alea: She hates Simes. Blames them for all the woes of the world I suppose.
Alea's gaze hardens.
Alea: But she almost deprived m-us...of a renSime, two Channels and a few Donors.
Alea: If she comes back here, I won't hesitate to do everything in my power to stop her.
Alea gaze softens. "What would we have done without you? You're abright spot in this Center."
Alea winks.
Alea: I'll talk to you later.
Jirelle looks confused as Alea leaves.
Alea goes out of the Cafeteria and to her office to lay down and rest.
Wise Snake notices B'cal is hungry.
B'cal ~~growling Stomach~~
Wise Snake: Do you want to go to the dining car? [feeling a little hungry herself, probably ebcause of B'cal]
B'cal nods and stands.
B'cal: Since Nick ATE all the food that Pamlos packed.
B'cal glares at Nick.
B'cal scoots out into the asile.
Wise Snake follows B'cal.
Wise Snake is feeling a lot more mellow since slipping those pills.
B'cal goes into the dining cart.
Wise Snake follows.
B'cal: Here, here's a table.
Wise Snake: Ah. good.
Wise Snake sits.
Wise Snake: You know.. that whole experience was no where near as bad as I'd feared it would be.
Sime Bond moves through the crowded dining cart.
Wise Snake: Granted, the part with the soap water and cat scratches was unpleasant, but overall...
B'cal picks up a menu and peruses it.
B'cal: Of course not.
B'cal: You were pretty, out of it at the time though.
Sime Bond spots the person he's suppose to meet.
Wise Snake: You're telling me. I still see sparkling pseudopodia when I close my eyes.
Wise Snake picks up a menu also; scans it.
Voopere is now known as Contact.
Sime Bond stares at the small dishevled looking Sime with the odd eyes.
Contact is sitting at a table across the aisle from Snake and B'cal's.. nobody is sharing it with him.
Contact feels somebody zlinning her and turns to stare at SimeBond.
Wise Snake: ===Snake===
Contact sees SimeBond and prepares for their secret meeting.
Sime Bond nods to the Sime with the ood eyes then nods toward the door.
Wise Snake zlins SimeBond.
Wise Snake looks both ways then darts her eyes at B'cal.
B'cal can't decide what she wants and is studying the menu intently.
Contact feels a certain amount of alarm, which he attempts to conceal, when he sees SimeBond making contact with another person.
Contact hopes this means he was just a plant, and the other person was the real contact... because otherwise, something may be about to go horribly wrong.
Wise Snake thinks this guy wants to buy some drugs or something.
Wise Snake shrugs and gets up, follows SimeBond.
Sime Bond stops in between the cars and tursn to snake.
Sime Bond: Okay..give it to me.
Sime Bond slips something out of his pocket.
Sime Bond: And guard this with your life.
Sime Bond slips a small square shape box double locked with special security into Snake's pocket.
Wise Snake takes the piece of paper and scans it; it looks like the key to a code.
Wise Snake: ==scratch==
Wise Snake jumps as the guy reaches into her pocket.
Wise Snake: What the---
Wise Snake: What is it?
Sime Bond: Oh..and..[quirky smile]be careful opening it...you don't want to blow the train up.
Sime Bond sees soemone else coming.
Wise Snake's mouth falls open.
Sime Bond decides he doesn't need what else he'd come for, smiles and augments up onto the top of the train.
Wise Snake: Hey, um, wait a minute...
Sime Bond dashes off.
B'cal: Where the shenned did Snake go?
Wise Snake shakes her head.
B'cal looks up and around.
Wise Snake: Shen, maybe I DO attract trouble.
Wise Snake turns and goes back to B'cal.
B'cal: Trying to skip meals again, I'll wager.
Wise Snake takes the box out of her pocket, studies is briefly, shrugs, drops it back in, and forgets about it.
B'cal sighs long and loud, thinking how she normally does these things and she must be the most patient Donor in the world.
Wise Snake rejoins B'cal at the table.
Wise Snake: Sorry.. somebody wanted to talk to me.. I guess.
Wise Snake picks up her meny.
Wise Snake: U.
B'cal: I have decided I awnt the liguila salad with special dressing.
Contact stares at Snake.
B'cal closes her menu.
B'cal: You ARE going to eat, correct, Snake?
Wise Snake puts her menu down and gives Contact an odd look, wondering why the guy is staring at her.
Contact looks away hastily.
B'cal: ,e dpesm.
B'cal: ==scratch==
B'cal doesn't notice the byplace as she gives her order to the Gen.
B'cal: So, tell me, Snake, what are your plans for Nick.
Wise Snake looks up.
Wise Snake: Immediate, or long term?
B'cal takes a sip of her tea.
B'cal: His next transfer.
Bondo Dist slips into the dining car, looking around.
Bondo Dist risks zlinning.
Wise Snake: Ah. Well... I daren't risk trying him myself. That much was made abundantly clear during my trasnfer with you. [moody]
Wise Snake: I'll have to find a high first... someone who can stretch him without hurting him.
B'cal studies Snake.
B'cal: They'll have someone there, for you, when we return.
Wise Snake looks beat up and pale from the events of the day before, and now kind of grim because of the subject matter.
B'cal: Yes, you will.
Wise Snake: So they say..
Wise Snake thinks of Simone and shudders [I wish...]
B'cal: Perhaps we should have allowed faeyan to have transfer withNick.
B'cal thinks though I'm not sure how well Pamlos would enjoy that.
Wise Snake: Are they in step? [thinks] Well I suppose it's possible... three weeks is correct.
Wise Snake curious at the possibility.
Wise Snake: Would he accept the terms, though?
B'cal nods.
B'cal: A week past transfer[smiling]
B'cal looks at Snake.
Wise Snake notes somebody is zlinning the whole car... the hair on the back of her neck prickles as she hopes it's not cops or something.
B'cal: You aren't serious. Report to the Tecton? What we're doing?
B'cal shrugs.
Wise Snake carefully avoids looking, or letting her nager change.
B'cal: We would do strictly the basics necessary.
Wise Snake: Explain.
Bondo Dist moves forward and sits Down with Contact and watches.
Wise Snake is definitely intrigued by the idea of encouraging Nick.
Wise Snake:'s capacity without involving the Center.
B'cal: Whatever was necessary.
Contact wonders who the hell BondoDist is; but since the guy doesn't say the password, pretends to not notice/care he is there.
Bondo Dist orders a drink and nods to contact
Wise Snake: That would..necessarily.. involve sending Nick to V'lar alone?
Wise Snake shudders at the thought.
Wise Snake thinks it's worse than some other things, though.
B'cal: Possibly. [admits]
Contact wonders again who this person is.. begins to worry.
Bondo Dist zlins contact and wonders what he's so worried about. Gaze sharpens.
Contact thinks it's been too long for SimeBond to return... did SimeBond give the key to the cipher to that other Sime?
Wise Snake rubs her chin.
Wise Snake: Service sure is slow here... I don't think I've seen a single waiter since we came in.
B'cal rubs at her head.
Wise Snake accidentally brushes a cat scratch scar on her neck and grimaces.
B'cal: You know, Snake, I think I'm going back to the other car. My head is hurting and I'm exhausted.
Wise Snake: Shenned cat.
Wise Snake looks up.
Wise Snake: But... aren't you hungry?
Wise Snake: ~~concern~~
Wise Snake gets up solicitously.
Wise Snake: Can I help at all? I mean... I have some experience with head aches.
B'cal: No. Well, yes. You stay here. I'll just go back and rest.
B'cal chuckles.
B'cal: I just need some sleep and quiet. The rocking of the train I think is irritating it and I don't think you want to try to heal me here out in public.
Wise Snake: ~~reluctant~~ Well okay.. do you want me to bring you something?
B'cal: Just pack up my food if you will when they bring it.
Wise Snake: Okay.
Wise Snake thinks this will be a while since the shenned waiter hasn't even bothered to come take their order yet.
B'cal walks out.
Bondo Dist gets up to zlin around some more.
Wise Snake notices the two people at the opposite table staring nervously at each other and wonders what's up with the people on this train.
Wise Snake looks out the window.
B'cal is now known as SimeBond.
Sime Bond head appears at the window.
Wise Snake jumps out of her skin.
Sime Bond pointing and mouthing something.
Wise Snake wonders how he could do that... hide his nager... decides the train must be better insulated than she'd realized.
Wise Snake decides to skip trying to figure out what in hell the guy is DOING out there, and instead tries to figure out what he's trying to say to her.
Wise Snake thinks this is all a little bit surreal.
Wise Snake looks where he's pointing.
Sime Bond motions with a tentacle spelling out...d-a-n-g-e-r.
Sime Bond of course, does it backward where she can read it.
Wise Snake mouths danger? to herself, not understanding.
Sime Bond makes an okay sign, then disappears from sight.
Wise Snake makes a "what?" mouth motion, and tries to figure out what he's pointing at.
Sime Bond is now known as Bcal.
Wise Snake thinks Danger and then Okay????
Wise Snake reaches into her pocket for some more of those downers, finds nothing.
Wise Snake: Shen, just my luck.
Wise Snake isn't about to go back and get 'em out in front of B'cal.
Bondo Dist comes back in zlinning wisesnake sighs and fiddles with the menu, hoping the waiter comes soon.
Wise Snake looks up curiously at BondoDist, since he is coming from the direction she's facing now, and obviously isn't a cop.
Bondo Dist ~~tall lean Sime nondescript in appearance~~
Bondo Dist gaze suddenly sharpens on Snake.
Bondo Dist ~~ah ha~~
Wise Snake thinks she is being paranoid... nothing new there, but she really doesn't need the stress.
Wise Snake jumps as she zlins the a-ha.
Bondo Dist grins oily and walks forward, slipping into the seat the Gen was in.
Wise Snake stares at BondoDist, flinching from his attention and wondering what the hell...
Bondo Dist: Hello there. Mind if I join you?
Bondo Dist nager plainly says he doesn't care if she does or not.
Wise Snake: Uh... go ahead.
Wise Snake guards her nager.
Bondo Dist: I think you have something that I want.
Bondo Dist picks up B'cals glass and sips at it.
Wise Snake notices she is skulking in her seat and tries to look more dignified... but it just doesn't come naturally, especially under the peculiar circumstances.
Wise Snake stares at BondoDist and wonders if he knows he's getting Dragon germs.
Bondo Dist sets the tea aside and slips a hand under the table.
Wise Snake knows SOMETHING is going on here, but has no clue what it might be.
Bondo Dist: Just cooperate and slide it over to me, okay, and no one gets hurt.
Wise Snake jumps and shrinks back from the hand.
Wise Snake: Er.... slide what?
Bondo Dist: Playing difficult?
Bondo Dist: Well, I suppose with that nager comes a little arrogance.
Bondo Dist: Boy, they pull out hte big guns, don't they.
Wise Snake: No... but I expect you to tell me what you're talking about if you want me to comply. [a bit annoyed]
Bondo Dist: The box.
Wise Snake: They? What in shen are you talking about?
Bondo Dist zlins the channel.
Wise Snake: The... oh.
Bondo Dist smiles satisfied.
Wise Snake: ~~ impenetrable Farris showfield ~~
Wise Snake: ~~ box in pocket ~~
Wise Snake: How much is it worth to you?
Bondo Dist lifts an eyebrow.
Bondo Dist: Let me just say how much is your life worth to you. I've come a long way for that. I won't leave without it.
Wise Snake looks at BondoDist a bit incredulously.
Wise Snake: You're threatening me?
Bondo Dist chuckles.
Wise Snake does not get threatened often.
Bondo Dist: Would I threaten someone like you?
Bondo Dist eyes narrow.
Bondo Dist: Take it as friendly advice.
Wise Snake realizes being surrounded by people who don't know who she is has more complications than she had originally imagined.
Bondo Dist thinks she must be shendoni high first to block her field so well but sees no markings of a house.
Wise Snake's eyes narrow reflexively in response.
Wise Snake: I have to admit I'm not used to being... threatened by strangers.
Wise Snake: What is in the box?
Bondo Dist ~~suddenly cautious~~
Bondo Dist: You don't know?
B'cal is now known as SimeBond.
Sime Bond drops down, peeking in another window on the opposite side of the train up from Contact.
Contact looks up from his menu and almost spits coffee across the room as he sees the bad guy now sitting with the person he thinks was SimeBond's "real" contact.
Wise Snake: A complete stranger slipped it into my pocket less than three minutes ago. I've hardly had time to look into it between then and now.
Bondo Dist stares incredulously, unable to believe his luck.
Contact tries to think what to do; set cup down carefully.
Contact: Set == sets.
Bondo Dist smiles.
Bondo Dist: I must apologize for my behavior earlier.
Bondo Dist: YOu see, the box is of great importance to me. It could mean the destruction of my people. I've been trying to find it, to get it back.
Wise Snake zlins BondoDist carefully.
Bondo Dist: I do hope you can help me by just handing it over.
Bondo Dist ~~truth~~
Wise Snake: Really? What did you say was in there?
Wise Snake: Hmmm... [considers]
Bondo Dist: A special paper that will explain the goings on of my people.
Bondo Dist: ~~truth~~
Sime Bond waves his tentacles in the window to get Snake's attention.
Wise Snake can't help but notice the weirdo outside the window is back; decides maybe she should cut down on the mood altering substances until the cat scratch episode is well behind her.
Sime Bond motions for Snake to come back out to where they met.
Wise Snake: Well... I can see your difficulty. Perhaps you will allow me to think about it?
Bondo Dist frowns.
Bondo Dist: I don't have time to wait.
Bondo Dist: I have got to have that, now.
Bondo Dist eyes narrow.
Wise Snake: Ah. Well... you see, my difficulty is this. I do not yet know why the person who entrusted this to me did so. Not knowing that, it is difficult to judge whose cause is more deserving, no?
Wise Snake: And with no.. material.. profit for me in it either way, it falls upon me to make a moral decision.
Wise Snake has never been good at those.
Bondo Dist stares at Snake.
Bondo Dist: You would really rather make a scene here?
Wise Snake smiles rather unpleasantly.
Wise Snake: I'll deal with you.. if you'll deal.
Sime Bond waves his arms wildly, eyes crossing in his attempt to get Snake's attention.
Bondo Dist: I don't deal with Tecton pigs[low, vicious]
Wise Snake flicks a go-away-I-saw-you gesture at the window, without breaking eye contact with BondoDist.
Wise Snake looks mildly surprised.
Sime Bond slaps his forehead, dragging his hand up his face, since he is really hanging upside down, and then disappears from sight.
Wise Snake: Tecton? That's the last thing I'd be accused of association with.
Sime Bond is now known as Bcal.
Wise Snake: At least by those who know me.
Bondo Dist laughs
Bondo Dist: Then why are you carrying tecton information?
Wise Snake blinks.
Bondo Dist: I gave you a chance for the easy way. The hard way it is.
Bondo Dist suddenly jumps up and lunges at Snake.
B'cal decides to see if Snake has anything for headaches and pulls out Snake's luggage.
Wise Snake augments and bolts in the other direction.
Bondo Dist crashes across the table flipping so he lands upright and takes off after Snake.
Contact jumps up, fumbling for his pistol.
Contact brings it out and shoots wildly after Snake and BondoDist.
Wise Snake arrives at the end of the car and snatches the door open.
B'cal hears a noise and grabs at her head, thinking they should really get those brakes fixed.
Contact: [window in door of next car shatters, hit by bullet]
Simebond reaches down and snatches at Snake with tentacles, jerking her to the top of the train.
Bondo Dist ducks, rolls, comes back up on feet, heading for the door.
Wise Snake dives through the opening where the glass was, into the next car.
Contact runs after them, swearing and trying to pull his napkin out of his collar.
Simebond wonders how she slipped through his tentacles like that and groans.
Bondo Dist tears after snake, pulling out a whip and slinging it at her.
Bondo Dist [crack]
Wise Snake looks back and sees BondoDist is still following her.. puts on a burst of speed and augments to the end of the next car.
Wise Snake is astonished having never been attacked by a whip in her life.
Simebond jumps up and runs along the top of the car, augmenting to the next car.
Bondo Dist ignores the ladies hat that is split in half and cracks the whip at Snake again as he runs.
Wise Snake dodges the end of the whip and seizes the door handle, yanking the next door open.
Simebond drops down in front of Snake.
Wise Snake realizes she is never going to escape from him this way even as she snatches at the handle of the next car's door.
Wise Snake leaps back; near heart-attack.
Simebond: Oooaf.
Simebond is knocked down.
Wise Snake bolt back in the other direction.
Wise Snake thinks the two are in cahoots.
Simebond jumps up and takes off after Snake, beginning to worry.
Bondo Dist grins as he sees Snake wisesnake runs wildly at BondoDist, hoping to catch him off-guard.
Bondo Dist rares back with the whip, going hypo.
Wise Snake leaps wildly aside to avoid the whip, landing in somebody else's laps in their seats, scrambling.
Simebond flies at Snake, body tackling her.
Wise Snake: Aaiiiighhh!!
Simebond: He's the enemy dear..you're running the wrong way!
Wise Snake is mashed against the window by SimeBond's impact.
Simebond says this into her shoulder, face scrunched.
Wise Snake's hands and tentacles claw at the glass squeakily.
Bondo Dist realizes the whip is no good in enclosed spaces and throws it..going after them with his bare tentacles.
Wise Snake: Ouch! [as she is elbowed in the stomach by one of hte people at the bottom of the pile]
Simebond leaps backward, pulling at snake with him.
Simebond: Come on!
Simebond releases snake and starts back down the isle.
Wise Snake yelps and claws wildly for something solid---grabs the emergency release for the window.
Wise Snake: Whoops
Wise Snake: [window pops loose and topples out of the moving train]
Bondo Dist lunges at snake, running into her as he trips over the person crawling out from under snake.
Bondo Dist watches Snake fly out the window.
Wise Snake slaps BondoDists's hands away from her pocket automatically.
Wise Snake finds herself no longer in the train.
Bondo Dist jerks back, trying to protect his laterals.
Wise Snake rolls into a ball and hits the hard ground, rolling.
Wise Snake thinks she's well rid of THAT situation... then remembers her Donors are still on the train.
Bondo Dist thinks what the devil, and dives out after her.
Wise Snake: Oh, Shen.
Wise Snake ignores BondoDist and augments to run with the train, trying to find a way to jump back on.
Bondo Dist curls into a ball, flying through the air, before opening up, twisting and falling gracefully tot he ground.
Wise Snake thinks, show off!
Wise Snake is covered head to toe in bruises from her own landing.
Bondo Dist flies past Snake who is augmenting with the train ~~shock~~
Bondo Dist turns, starts augmenting after the channel.
Wise Snake makes a wild leap and catches a molding strip on the side of the train with her tentacles.
Bondo Dist manages to jump in between two cars...until one runs into him.
Wise Snake finds her nose pressed against the bottom edge of a window as she struggles to keep her grip, lower body dangling.
Wise Snake sees B'cal looking through her stuff, on the other side of the window; stares.
Simebond is now known as Bcal.
B'cal eyes widen when she sees just WHAT Snake has in this basket.
Bondo Dist: Ow...
Wise Snake feels the deathshock as BondoDist meets his yecchy end.
Bondo Dist staggers up, shaking his head, thinking Simes are suppose to be graceful.
Wise Snake: ===wishful thinking===
B'cal: Why that...she Told em she was OFF these!
Wise Snake recovers from what she sees and decides to worry about THAT threat to her life later... this one is more immediate.
B'cal: I should have had her ZLINNED!
B'cal opens the bottle and dumps the pills in her hand..sticking them in the sandwich Nick had requested earlier.
Wise Snake manages to grab hold of a higher molding and pull herself up onto the roof of the train.
B'cal is now known as Simebond.
Simebond grabs at Snake.
Simebond: Good girl, I say.
Simebond: Now, give me the case. You've been made.
Wise Snake: ~fright~
Wise Snake avoids SimebOnd's grab.
Wise Snake: Who the shidoni...
Bondo Dist crawls up on top of the car.
Bondo Dist: Ah ha!
Wise Snake realizes the two have her surrounded.
Simebond starts forward.
Wise Snake: Oh, shen.
Bondo Dist: Give it to me!
Bondo Dist ~~threat~~
Wise Snake: Wait!
Wise Snake: Wait...
Wise Snake spreads hands and tentacles.
Wise Snake: Let's be reasonable about this.
Simebond: No old girl, give it to me. You turn now, you'll regret it.
Simebond ~~promise~~
Wise Snake: Both of you... cool it...
Bondo Dist makes a flying tackle for her feet.
Wise Snake: I don't know who either of you are, or what's in the box, so let's just take a few deep breaths and discuss this like adults.
Wise Snake: ~~trembling~~
Wise Snake augments to jump over BondoDist.
Simebond leaps, aiding him of the train with a kick in the pants.
Simebond: ==him BondoDist==
Bondo Dist: YIIIiiiiiIIIIIII!!!!
Wise Snake takes the opportunity to run away over the tops of the trains.
Bondo Dist fades into the distance.
Simebond turns.
Simebond: Hey! wait!
Wise Snake runs faster.
Simebond takes off after the channel.
B'cal: I cannot believe that Farris.
B'cal shakes her head.
Contact is stuck in one of the cars, having roamed through the train terrifying people with the gun until a few brave conductors tackled him. He is now pinned under several old graybearded guys
Simebond gains on Snake.
Simebond: Just give me the box!
Wise Snake looks over her shoulder and realizes she is running out of train.
Wise Snake puts on a burst of speed, then suddenly dodges down between two cars.
B'cal goes through some more and grumbles at what she finds.
Simebond leaps over then comes back, dropping down after her.
B'cal: What is this? A letter to...who?
B'cal incredulous.
Wise Snake wrestles her way into a car and starts running through it.
B'cal is tempted to open it and read it.
Simebond goes after her.
Wise Snake keeps running through cars, back the other direction, dodging people.
B'cal puts on a burst of augmentation, flying through the air after her.
B'cal: ===Simebond==
B'cal opens the letter.
B'cal: Dear Tramila.
B'cal: Wonder why the devil she is writing a letter to HER!
B'cal grumbles some more, wishing it would wake Nick up so he could eat his sandwich.
B'cal feels she owes them this after getting her in trouble with Pamlos.
Wise Snake has to slow down to grab at another door handle.
B'cal: I want you to know when you came to me and explained it was a very disturbing experience for me.
Simebond grabs Snake.
Simebond slides his hand in her pocket.
B'cal: Understand I had become accustomed to fearing and hating your strength where I had once found it a haven.
Simebond grabs the box.
Wise Snake struggles.
B'cal: I was wrong to hate you, I understand that now. But nothing can change what happened or the effect it had on me.
Wise Snake: Get off me! ~~fear~~
Simebond [box goes flying off the train]
Simebond stares incredulous.
Simebond looks at Snake, smiles, touches her cheek. "We'll talk next time and I'll explain." Jumps off the train after the box.
B'cal: I can't be the child I was when I came to Zeor, whose mentor you were. That person is lost. Nor can you advise me now as it lies outside your experience.
B'cal: But if you thought you might like to speak to me sometime, know that I won't reject it and despite all that has happened, I will still consider you a friend." Signed, Wise
B'cal sneers.
B'cal: What drivel.
Wise Snake lies panting on the floor, nearly in tears, and very dizzy from all the augmenting.
Wise Snake: Shen....
B'cal stuffs it back in the envelope and leans back to get some rest.
Wise Snake: Well that does it for any chance of having transfer with Nick [to herself; panting]
Simebond is now known as Alea.
Wise Snake drags herself up and staggers along the train, trying to look inconspicuous, until she gets back to B'cal and Nick.
B'cal wonders just why Snake feels she has to say that to anyone.
B'cal is now known as Bcal.
B'cal decides it must be that insecurity thing and she will work with Snake on it.
Wise Snake arrives at her seat pale, sweat-drenched, and still shaking.
B'cal opens her eyes and gapes.
Wise Snake flops down into it and massages her eyes.
Wise Snake: Shidoni.. you'll never believe what just happened to me.
B'cal: What the shenned have you been doing?
B'cal looks her up and down, and notices she does NOT have their food.
Wise Snake: Do you remember that guy who wanted to talk to me in the dining car?
B'cal blinks.
B'cal: No.
Wise Snake: He slipped some kind of a box into my pock.. NO?
Wise Snake disturbed.
B'cal: No, I do not. There was no guy wanting to talk to you. Maybe after I left?
Wise Snake: Well... there was this guy. He came and asked me to talk to him. We went into the other car and he slipped a box into my pocket.
Wise Snake: No, you were there.
B'cal: What's this about a box?
Wise Snake: I came back and... then after you left.. a guy came and sat down across from.. a stranger.
B'cal studies snake growing concerned.
B'cal: Snake, I sat right there. No person came up to you.
B'cal ~~concern~~
Wise Snake: Said he wanted the box.. meanwhile the first guy appears outside the window, hanging down upside down and waving at me like "don't do it! don't do it!"
Wise Snake: The guy sitting across from us was staring at me too.
B'cal reaches over to wake up Nick.
Wise Snake: Everybody was staring at me.
Wise Snake: I didn't know what to think!
B'cal: You know what I think your problem is, Snake.
B'cal: I think you've been taking too many meds, meds you told me you'd thrown away.
Wise Snake: What? ~~confused~~
B'cal: Paranoia, hallucinations.
Wise Snake: Er... don't change the subject..
B'cal: Are you sure you're over your reaction of yesterday?
Wise Snake sweats.
Wise Snake: What??
B'cal shoves at Nick.
B'cal thinks the man can sleep through anything and sighs.
B'cal: I mean, Snake, you did not have a man contact you.
Wise Snake: Of course.. do you think I imagined getting thrown out of the train and having to run after it.. or getting tackled by two ugly guys with Adventure complexes?
Wise Snake notes Nick's sandwich has only one bite taken out of it and frowns.
B'cal: Okay, where's your proof? Let me see the box.
Wise Snake wrenches her eyes away from the sandwich.
Wise Snake: The what? the box?
B'cal: Yes. You said he gave you a box. Where is it?
Wise Snake: I don't have it anymore. One of the guys grabbed me and stole it.
B'cal gives her "the look"
B'cal: I see.
Wise Snake shrinks from "the look"
Wise Snake: But... what?
Wise Snake: I don't... what?
Wise Snake: And anyway, what in shen were you doing going through my bag?
B'cal: Snake, you're a Farris. We all know how some Farris reactions can be quite severe.
B'cal reaches down and digs through her bag.
Wise Snake: Don't try to deny it, I saw you doing it while I was clinging to the side of the train for dear life...
B'cal: Oh, I see, this was all a ploy for pity so I wouldn't get angry that you stood back there and zlinned us...You what?
B'cal shakes her head and digs until she finds the meds and pulls them out.
B'cal ~~disbelief~~
Wise Snake zlins the pills inside Nick's sandwich and reaches out to peel the bread off, exposing them.
Wise Snake stares at them, dumbfounded.
B'cal pulls out the meds to relax Snake and help the hallucinations.
Wise Snake stares at B'cal.
B'cal sees them, then looks at Snake.
Wise Snake: What in shen...?
B'cal: I had to do something with them.
Wise Snake growing anger.
B'cal: So you wouldn't be taking them.
Wise Snake: You gave them to NICK??
B'cal: No, I put them on his sandwich.
Wise Snake: What, were you trying to murder him? That's a little too far even for you, isn't it?
B'cal hands Snake her pills.
B'cal: Take these.
B'cal: No, I wasn't trying to murder him.
B'cal: I was hiding them from you.
Wise Snake zlins the sleeping Gen with concern.
B'cal: All they would have done is make him a little more ... energetic.
B'cal: I wonder when he took a bite of that sandwich.
Wise Snake is frankly shocked.
B'cal: I was keeping a close watch...hmm....
Wise Snake: B'cal, Nick doesn't take drugs at all. He's not habituated to...
B'cal: I know that.
B'cal: He wasn't suppose to eat it.
B'cal: It was simply a hiding place.
Wise Snake snatches up the sandwich and looks around for somewhere to get rid of it.
Wise Snake: Did you TELL him that?
B'cal: He was asleep when I did it!
B'cal: How could I tell him.
Wise Snake stands up, outraged.
Wise Snake: Are you completely out of your senses, woman??
B'cal had actually planned to wait until he woke up, took a bite and THEN tell him.
B'cal turns, glaring.
B'cal: I would think it is You who is out of her senses.
B'cal: Rambling on about bad guys and boxes...
B'cal: Hanging outside of trains.
Wise Snake: That! Happened! [tensely]
B'cal: Spying...
B'cal decides she isn't helping snake any so she forces herself to calm down and concentrate on soothing Snake.
B'cal: Okay, of course it did.
B'cal: Now, just sit Down and relax.
Wise Snake: Look at me! Look at me. [displays torn up clothes, weeds stuck in her underwear, bruises, etc.]
B'cal studies Snake.
B'cal: I must apologize, Snake.
Wise Snake: I shidoni got thrown OUT of the train and ... shen... you're impossible.
B'cal ~~contrite~~
Wise Snake falls back down into her chair and closes her eyes.
Wise Snake: No... no... forget it.
B'cal: I should never have left you alone. It is my duty to protect you. I knew you weren't in perfect health. I ... promise ... to stay with you until I'm sure you're over this.
Wise Snake holds her hand out for whatever B'cal was going to give her.
B'cal gives snake the pills, truly concerned for her.
B'cal: Theses will help you relax, and help the uh....any other problems.
Wise Snake takes them and lays back, trying to Marshall her resources.
Wise Snake: I'm going to come due early this month... Shen, I hope that Tecton donor will be able to handle it.
B'cal ~~soothing~~
B'cal: Of course he will.
Wise Snake: Would you stop it! Stop pretending you believe me when you don't. It's not like I can't zlin that's what's going on.
Wise Snake breathing hard.
Wise Snake tries to calm down.
B'cal: Please Snake, this isn't good for you.
B'cal: Just relax.
Wise Snake: You're telling me... this is the LAST time I ride on a train... I've always hated them anyway.
Wise Snake shivers.
B'cal: That's not an issue right now. The only thing right now that is an issue is that you are ill, and you have got to calm down.
B'cal reaches out and touches snake's hand to increase the comfort she is projecting.
Wise Snake: I am not... for shen's sake B'cal, if you don't believe me, go ask one of the conductors...
B'cal: Later.
B'cal: Let's just get you calmed down right now.
Wise Snake's voice trails off as B'cal's influence tries to sap her of initiative.
Wise Snake grimaces.
B'cal ~~rest/peace~~
Wise Snake sits resentfully, feeling the importance of the issue slip away.
Alea: That's it. Just ... relax.
Alea: ==Bcal==
Wise Snake starts feeling cold and shivers again.
B'cal reaches under Nick's chair and pulls out a blanket.
Wise Snake: Why don't you make sure Nick is all right? [still angry]
B'cal: Here, Snake. Let's get you warmed up.
B'cal wraps it around Snake.
B'cal: He's fine.
B'cal: You're the most important person at the moment.
Wise Snake of course considers herself the most important person all the time... but that doesn't stop her from caring about others.
Wise Snake's shivering subsides as the blanket warms her.
B'cal pushes Snake's hair back, frowning over the grass she pulls out.
B'cal finally decides Snake is okay and turns to Nick.
B'cal moves over next to Nick and leans up close to his face so she can peering his eye when she lifts the eyelid.
Wise Snake waits until B'cal is distracted and pulls her bag up to look through it and see what B'cal interfered with.
B'cal: Normal pupil reaction.
B'cal: Just asleep.
B'cal glances at Snake and frowns.
Wise Snake: He'd better be fine.
B'cal: What are you doing?
Wise Snake finds the letter opened... frowns in annoyance... looks to make sure everything is still there.
Wise Snake: Checking to make sure my possessions haven't been pillaged.
B'cal: The only thing pillaged was the pills I told you to get rid of. I was looking for something for my headache.
B'cal realizes she is still practically in the sleeping Nick's lap and sits back.
B'cal sneers at Nick.
B'cal: Sleeps like the dead. Walks like the dead when he gets up in the morning.
Wise Snake glances at Nick.
Wise Snake: Well.. true.
B'cal: I would be more than willing to wake him to prove he's okay if you still don't believe me.
B'cal grins with anticipation.
Wise Snake: Uh... no.
B'cal: I thought as much.
Wise Snake: That will not be necessary... unless you'd like him to return the favor sometime. I'm sure he'd want to.
B'cal gets up and moves back over to Snake's side of the chair.
Wise Snake sees that B'cal left the rest of her... meds... in the bag and is satisfied.
B'cal: I'm sure he'd love to try.
Wise Snake pockets a couple of things and puts the bag back on the floor.
Wise Snake leans back.
B'cal thinks Nick is too much of a gentlemen to do anything and shakes her head, sighing.
Wise Snake winces, reaches back, and untangles a rock from her hair.
B'cal closes her eyes.
Wise Snake looks at it, then throws it on the floor and leans back again.
Wise Snake: Hey [pokes B'cal]
B'cal: Hmmm? [eyes still closed]
B'cal [head: pound pound pound]
Wise Snake: Look... [points at window]
B'cal cracks an eye open and finally looks out the window.
B'cal: Yes?
Wise Snake: No... look AT the window. [points to imprint of nose and tentacles where Snake had clung.
Wise Snake: That's where I was when I saw you look through my stuff.
B'cal looks at it ... does a double take, then thinks Nah, impossible.
B'cal looks at it again, though considering.
Wise Snake zlins B'cal's head ache, decides she'll never get any rest with THAT sitting next to her, and goes through some of her inner pockets looking for something.
Wise Snake: A-ha... here it is.
Wise Snake offers B'cal a giant pill.
Wise Snake: This will take care of that head ache for sure.
B'cal looks at it, then at Snake.
B'cal: And that's all it'll do?
Wise Snake looks innocent.
B'cal not sure to trust Snake.
B'cal ~~promises long miserable nights if it does anything besides that~~
Wise Snake: I feel it is beneath me to sell drugs under false pretenses.
Wise Snake: [delicately]
B'cal nods and swallows the pill.
Wise Snake smiles and leans back, eyes closed.
B'cal begins to snore.
Wise Snake lies with her eyes closed and after several moments of peaceful, painless sleeping Gens nearby, she too falls asleep.
Poovlar stomps into the Sime Center, snarling.
Alea comes out of her office yawning.
Poovlar slams his fist down on the clerk's desk and slams a piece of paper down next to it with his palm.
Poovlar: WHAT!! Is the meaning of this!!!!
Poovlar is a large, swarthy Gen wearing overalls and a horrible glare.
Alea blinks and hurries over to assist clerk.
Alea: May I be of some assistance.
Poovlar whirls upon Alea.
Alea does not like to see the desk clerks abused.
Alea takes a step back, looking up at the Gen.
Poovlar snatches up the piece of paper and slaps it against Alea's chest.
Poovlar: Well????
Poovlar: [demands]
Alea gasps, then grabs the paper, before glaring.
Alea: Just calm down please and allow me to look at this.
Alea takes her time smoothing out the paper to read it.
Poovlar waits impatiently.
Alea studies it, reading it once, then twice, then a third time.
Alea: Yes?
Alea looks back up.
Alea: Is there a problem? It's simply a construction permit.
Clerk sinks down lower and lower in her chair, hoping to slip underneath the desk entirely.
Poovlar: Again! For the same shenned thing! How many times do I have to go to court with you people!!!!
Poovlar snatches the paper and points one blunt finger at the words 'fence, to be extended'
Alea doesn't like the way the big ugly Gen is acting and glares up at him.
Poovlar: This is just exactly the same thing as the court order prevents you from doing, only in different words. What the shenned difference does it make whether it's a "wall" or a "fence"???
Alea: Yes. I can read. It's good to know you can too.
Poovlar slaps Alea.
Poovlar: You show some respect, missy.
Poovlar: [angry]
Alea grabs her cheek, shocked.
Poovlar: And send someone up here who knows what the hell is going on!
Alea: Now just a minute here.
Alea anger building.
Alea: You have no right to come in here, acting this way at all.
Alea: If you're stupid enough not to understand the difference between a wall and a fence, that's not my problem.
Poovlar grabs Alea by the arm and drags her to the door.
Poovlar opens the door, shoves Alea out, closes the door again.
Poovlar glares at the clerk.
Alea gasps and begins struggling.
Alea: Let go of me.
Poovlar: Get someone up here who knows what's going on now! [finger points at clerk's nose]
Clerk quails.
Clerk crawls out from behind the desk and hurries toward Briel's office.
Alea still holding her cheek, sitting in the snow, stares, dumfounded.
Clerk looks over her shoulder several times, then signals at Briel's door.
Briel: Come.
Clerk stands there biting her lip and sniffling.
Clerk enters timidly.
Briel pushes the paperwork aside.
Clerk: Um... Hajene.. I didn't want to disturb you but...
Alea angry, gets up, brushes the snow off and goes back inside.
Briel: Yes?
Poovlar: I know you're in there! Come out you coward!!! [roars loudly enough to be heard from Briel's office]
Briel eyes widen, then narrow.
Briel: What the Shenned is going on in there?
Poovlar: Shenned slimy spineless administrative [mutter mutter]
Clerk: I - I - it's something about a work permit.. I don't...
Alea moves around Poovlar on her way to explain to Briel.
Briel zlins the clerk and sigh.
Briel: I'll see to it.
Clerk: ~relief~
Briel strides out of her office and toward the lobby.
Clerk decides to stay behind and straighten up a few papers on Briel's desk rather than going back out there.
Briel strides into the lobby, nodding for Alea to support her.
Briel: Just what seems to be the problem here?
Poovlar looks Briel up and down.
Poovlar: YOU'RE in charge?
Briel smiles grimly.
Briel: Yes, I am.
Poovlar obviously thinks this is preposterous.
Briel: You don't like it, there's the door. But I don't' appreciate anyone coming into my Sime Center and harassing my employees.
Poovlar: Yeah, yeah, can it lady.
Poovlar hands her the permit.
Briel reads the permit and flicks it back at him.
Briel: A permit.
Briel: What about it?
Poovlar: Do you mind explaining why for the FOURTH time you people are building YOUR fence on MY land??
Alea supports Briel, keeping her attention on her.
Poovlar: The courts agree with me. The police agree with me. I've had the shendoni wall torn down three times now and STILL you're building the shendi-flecking wall!
Poovlar: What does it take to get through to you people???
Briel: Are you done yet?
Briel waits.
Poovlar gives her a long, hard look.
Poovlar: I'll be done [quiet voice] when you are done invading my property.
Poovlar: ==quiet = lowered ===
Briel: That is a request to build.
Briel: The property line is still in question. As was the question of what type of structure we were going to put up.
Briel: We'll see what they have to say this time.
Briel: Until then, I would appreciate it if you would not come around here unless you can keep your temper in check.
Poovlar: They'll say the same be-shenned thing they said the other three times.. or is your Tecton money going to find the right official to bribe this time?
Briel smiles coolly.
Briel: I think this conversation is over.
Poovlar: I've got a family and kids. If my house is torn down to satisfy your stinking rewriting of property lines, I promise you you'll regret what happens then!
Briel: I'm sure I will.
Briel: Now, if you'll excuse me, we have a Center to run.
Poovlar: You think you're so big, you Tecton pushing the little people around. But it has to stop.
Poovlar: ~dangerously~ I'm a respected man around here. People will listen.
Briel refrains from shrugging and simply stares.
Briel: I am glad to hear that.
Poovlar: What you're doing is wrong! And somebody has to make a stand.
Briel sighs.
Briel: That's what the court system is for Poovlar.
Alea continues to support Briel, wishing she'd just toss the bum out.
Poovlar: For your money to bribe? Is that how you think it is? [snarls] That won't last forever, Tecton. It won't last forever. Mark my words.
Poovlar: The people have rights too.
Briel: Consider them marked.
Poovlar turns and stalks out.
Poovlar is now known as gone.
Briel turns to Alea.
Clerk finishes rearranging Briel's desk (3 or 4 times) and creeps back out, sitting at her desk as if she'd never been gone.
Briel: Please warn me if that man steps one foot on this property again.
Briel: [to clerk]
Briel zlins Alea.
Briel: Go have a channel take care of that cheek.
Alea nods.
Alea: Of course, Hajene.
Alea moves off, still shaken
Briel turns back to Clerk.
Clerk looks up at Briel, nose red.
Briel zlins clerk.
Briel: Are you okay?
Briel: Or did he slap you too.
Briel zlins no damage just maybe shattered nerves.
Alea goes off down the hall to find a channel to heal her cheek.
Clerk shakes her head timidly.
Clerk: No... he didn't touch me.
Briel: Do you have any idea what he was so angry about?
Briel: Something I might have missed? Or not been informed about?
Alea makes it halfway down the hall, ducks into the conference room and begins to shake.
Tarsh is now known as Q`
Clerk gulps.
Clerk: Well.. I.. wouldn't presume.. er.
Briel sighs.
Briel: It's okay.
Briel moves forward.
Briel: Just tell me if I have missed something. It's entirely possible[mildly]
Clerk: Well, I know there has been a problem with his... er.. house next door to the school... the changeover school in Eastcove...
Clerk bites her lip.
Clerk: I think Veraik was dealing with it?
Briel: Ah.
Briel: I see.
Briel ~~frustrated and angry~~
Clerk: ~relieved she said what Briel wanted~
Briel: Thank you.
Clerk's hands are together, almost wringing but not quite.. more like prayer.
Briel: I'll have to check into this.
Briel: Is there something else?
Clerk: You're... oh, no, you're welcome... no, there's nothing else.
Briel moves over and leans against the desk trying to calm her.
Clerk effusive/nervous.
Briel: You did what was right. To come get me. clerk is intimidated by the Acting Controller.
Clerk: Oh I... I did? ...er... oh, thank you Hajene.
Clerk desperate.
Clerk trying to please.
Briel finally nods and turns to leave, thinking she is only upsetting the girl worse.
Clerk sits down in relief and stares at her desk blankly.
Clerk looks at her watch, realizes she has had this job for only 3 and a half hours... and is already thinking of quitting.
Briel strides back down to her office to make some phone calls and find out just who the shenned Poovlar is and what is going on.
Clerk bites her lip, tempted, then sternly tells herself she should give the job a fair chance... she should wait at least until lunch time.
Gone is now known as Jirelle.
Jirelle pops into the conference room to snag some sugar for her cup of tea, and is surprised to see Alea in there.
Jirelle: OH! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...
Jirelle stops as she zlins Alea's condition.
Alea: No, it's .. okay.
Jirelle: Alea? Are you all right?
Alea tries to smile.
Alea: I just had a um ... shock that's all.
Jirelle: ~~concerned~~
Jirelle sits down by Alea and offers her the tea.
Alea: I am suppose to find a channel ... why thank you yes.
Jirelle: I just poured this.. do you want some?
Alea: Yes, I would.
Jirelle zlins Alea's cheek is stinging and her jaw is sore.
Jirelle: What happened? [gently]
Alea: It was my turn to have the irate customer in the lobby today.
Alea: I don't think he appreciated my attitude.
Jirelle: ~~sympathy~~ Oh, wow, what a bummer, I'm so sorry.
Alea: It happens.
Alea shrugs.
Alea: I am just trying to be more careful lately and didn't appreciate him tossing me out the door.
Jirelle: Do you want to go over to one of the treatment rooms and let me examine you, just to make sure?
Jirelle thinking of the baby.
Alea: Yes, please, I think that might be a good idea.
Alea stands, trembling.
Jirelle takes Alea's arm, supportingly.
Alea: So, how are those plans coming along?
Jirelle: There, there, everything will be fine. Okay... just come with me.. Oh? they're going fine. I'm almost done. Would you like to see them sometime? [leading Alea]
Alea: Yes. Yes I would.
Jirelle leads Alea down the corridor and into an unused treatment room.
Jirelle helps Alea up onto the table.
Jirelle: There you go.. easy, now.
Alea: I'm fine, Jirelle. Really.
Alea lays down.
Jirelle smiles.. "Of course... I just wouldn't want to rush you or anything..."
Jirelle closes the door for privacy.
Jirelle returns to the table.
Alea smiles at Jirelle then winces.
Jirelle: Here.. let me take that [gets tea cup, sets it aside]
Jirelle zlins Alea carefully.
Alea: Shendoni idiot.
Jirelle: What happened to your face? [kindly]
Alea: Has a temper. I had no idea what he was talking about.
Jirelle: It sounds awful. [projects need near Alea's cheek]
Jirelle: Would you like some fosebine?
Alea: Uh, yes. Please.
Jirelle goes to mix it.
Jirelle comes back and gives it to Alea, watching while she drinks it.
Alea drinks it and hands the glass back to Jirelle.
Jirelle sets the glass aside.
Alea: Everything look okay.
Jirelle zlins Alea's midsection, checking the baby.
Alea waves at her abdomen.
Jirelle: Everything is fine, [smiles] nothing to worry about... although with the shock you had, you'll want to be careful for the next 24 hours.... be sure to come to someone right away if you start feeling bad or think something's wrong.
Alea nods.
Alea: That's ... I'll do that.
Jirelle: Would you like to rest in here for a while? I could post the room as taken so you won't be disturbed?
Alea: No. I'm fine. really.
Jirelle nods.
Jirelle: All right. [offers a smile] You take it easy, though... okay?
Alea: Of course.
Alea: I'm so sorry to trouble you.
Alea: Please do bring those ideas by and let me see them.
Alea smiles.
Jirelle: Oh, no, no problem at all.
Jirelle: Oh! I will. Thank you. [smiles genuine liking for Alea]
Alea slips off the table and goes to leave.
Jirelle cleans up the small mess they made, then reclaims her now-empty tea cup, looks into it.
Alea goes down her hall, grabbing some more tea and heads to her office, thinking she should have just stayed asleep.
Jirelle smiles and thinks what a nice person Alea is, and wonders what could have really befallen her in the lobby... surely nobody would have been mean to someone like Alea.
Jirelle leaves to resume her duties.
Go on to Episode #120: (under construction)