Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #125: (1/9/98)
Valrie stumbles through the icy streets like an automaton, muttering to herself.
Alea comes down the stairs, doing her best to avoid any Sime in the area.
Alea feels awful.
Briel is going through the shot up files, trying to make heads and tails of them.
Briel: Shen.
Briel moves one more to her stack.
Valrie sees the Sime Center and pauses, still muttering, and clutching a book under her arm.
Briel picks one up and studies it, turning it sideways, front back.
Briel: Tarsh's.
Briel tosses it in his file.
Briel rubs at her neck.
Briel: Shen, this is going to take forever.
Valrie turns with almost military precision and trudges down the walk.
Briel picks up another one, squints at it...
Briel: Teaching section? How the shenned did THAT get in here?
Briel rubs at her eyes.
Briel moves from Clerk's chair.
Briel: I think you get the idea.
Valrie opens the door and stumbles inside.
Briel: Just keep doing this. If you have any more questions just stick those in a separate pile and I'll look at them later.
Briel turns, zlinning the Gen.
Briel hurries forward.
Briel: Valrie? Are you okay?
Valrie looks at Briel, her eyes slightly glazed, then marches past her to Clerk.
Alea who just hit the bottom of the stairs stops to see what's going on.
Briel shrugs and turns back to her office.
Briel: Don't forget what I said, Clerk.
Briel leaves.
Valrie: You mustn't stay here. (mechanically)
Alea moves forward.
Alea: Valrie, is it? Are you okay?
Valrie blinks at Alea.
Valrie: You, too. You have to go, quickly.
Valrie: You can't stay here.
Alea: Go? Go where?
Alea: Why?
Valrie: It's the Simes.
Alea ~~concern~~
Valrie: You have to leave the Simes.
Alea: Why do you say that?
Alea wonders what's going on in this young woman's mind.
Valrie: Because if you don't, you'll end up in Hell.
Alea sighs.
Valrie: That's like the punishment shed, you know.
Alea: Valrie, that's not true. You've been here to donate. You know Simes aren't dangerous.
Valrie doesn't sound all that confident.
Alea: That they aren't demons and monsters and wrong.
Valrie: Simes are dangerous. If you talk to them, you end up in the punishment shed.
Valrie: And then you have to pray and pray before they let you out, and you get so hungry and thirsty...
Alea motions to the sofa, taking Valrie's arm and urging her toward it.
Valrie: And when they finally let you out, you have to work twice as hard to make up your work. It's not worth it.
Alea: Let's talk about this. Why don't you explain why your attitude toward Sime's suddenly changed?
Briel is now known as Bcal.
Valrie: I can't tell you. They'd put me back in the punishment shed.
B'cal moves through Snake's house, a cup of tea in her hand.
Alea: Valrie, if you can't tell me, then why did you even come here?
Alea: You know we believe in unity here, working together.
B'cal moves toward Snake's desk.
Valrie: They said I was so bad that the only way I could save myself was to save others. So I came here.
Alea: Well, I'm sorry but we don't' want that here, Valrie.
Wise Snake feels a I-want-to-go-back-now-cloud come over the ambient.
B'cal looks over Snake's shoulder.
Valrie stares vaguely across the room.
Wise Snake hunches her shoulders.
Alea: Now, if you'd like to talk about this with us, then we can do that.
Wise Snake is writing a letter.
B'cal: Who you writing to?
B'cal moves over and leans against the desk.
Alea: But talk is all I can do, unless you'd like me to get a channel to examine you?
B'cal sips the warm sweetened tea.
Wise Snake: Your Sectuib.
Wise Snake sets mode: +o NickR
B'cal lifts an eyebrow.
B'cal: Good idea.
B'cal nods and sips some more of her tea.
B'cal: Sure is cold out today.
Valrie looks at Alea, a bit of desperation showing through the brainwashing-induced haze.
Valrie: They'll put me in the punishment shed again.
Alea: Valrie, you're an adult. No one is going to do that to you unless you go back and let them.
Nick looks up from his own tea, wondering what business Snake would have with B'cal's Sectuib.
Wise Snake looks up at B'cal.
Alea: Why don't you let me see to helping you.
Wise Snake: I take it you want to go back now?
B'cal shrugs.
Wise Snake looks at B'cal oddly.
B'cal: I can wait.
Valrie: Helping me?
B'cal: After all, you ARE writing my Sectuib.
Valrie looks like a lost child.
B'cal allows a small smile to play about her lips as she looks over at Nick.
Alea: Yes, sweetie, helping you.
B'cal: And when you're doing something as important as writing the Sectuib in V'lar, well then, let me just say that I can wait until you are done.
B'cal: Most assuredly.
B'cal: Mention my regards will you, toh im and Pamlos.
Wise Snake: Um... sure. As a post script.
Nick hopes the letter is about getting rid of B'cal as soon as possible.
Nick is more than fed up with B'cal's little games.
Valrie has long since given up hope that she can be helped.
Alea: I'll just find someone...
Alea: First though, why don't you tell me what happened after you left here? Why didn't you come back for Donors training?
Wise Snake turns her head and gives Nick a long, searching disturbed look.
B'cal: Thank you Snake.
B'cal: I'm sure they'll enjoy knowing that all is going well here.
B'cal takes another sip of her tea.
B'cal smiles again.
B'cal thinks of their time at V'lar.
Wise Snake gives Nick the hand signal: We have to talk.
Valrie: My father sent me to a camp. It took a week to get there. wisesnake turns back to her letter and finishes it.
Nick raises an inquiring eyebrow, and nods.
B'cal: Could you also ... query ... if he'll be brining a Companion or will I be required to support him?
Wise Snake pauses.
Wise Snake: I thought we were talking about sending Nick there. You mean he is actually willing to come here?
Wise Snake: ~surprised~
B'cal: It would be better to send him there in my opinion, but I had hoped...
B'cal realizes Nick is listening and shrugs.
B'cal: He'll have to go there.
B'cal sets down her tea with a click and goes to the closet to retrieve her cloak.
B'cal: Might do him good, that exposure in a household setting.
Valrie: He said I had to learn how life really was, and stop being so wild.
Alea nods, feeling more ill by the minutes, glad the young woman is a Gen.
B'cal slips on her cloak on and brings Snake's to her.
Valrie: We were supposed to learn how life should be, without the Tecton.
Valrie: We had to spend all our time praying and working in the fields, and studying religion.
Alea: Nothing the matter with that, unless they were teaching what I think they were[mutters]
B'cal: Are you ready to go?
B'cal holds out the cloak.
Wise Snake sighs and gets to her feet.
Wise Snake: Sure. [takes cloak]
Wise Snake: I didn't say anything either way in the letter... except that I would welcome his input regarding the arrangements.
Nick has already collected his cloak and the medicine satchel, so that Snake won't have to walk all the way back home without support.
B'cal nods.
B'cal: Fine.
Wise Snake sees Nick is going to accompany them to the Center again, and feels a stab of dread.
Nick is still less than enthusiastic about said arrangements.
Wise Snake: Are you two going to behave yourselves this time?
Wise Snake nervously.
B'cal smiles thinly.
B'cal gives her a who-me? look.
B'cal: I imagine after the brawls we ended up in last night, I'm just too tired to worry about anything.
Wise Snake zlins B'cal's and Nick's emotions and looks gloomy.
B'cal: You sure know how to pick the establishments.
B'cal: That's two nights in a row now.
Wise Snake holds the door open for them and then locks it afterward.
Wise Snake: What, are you saying you don't want to work in any more shiltpron parlors? Is that it?
B'cal: You know, it might be nice if Freayan could come here. He might enjoy seeing a few of those shiltpron parlors and what I end up involved in.
Valrie: They finally let me go out to spread the word and sell copies of the Book.
B'cal smiles at Snake.
Valrie holds the heavy book out to Alea.
Valrie: Would you like to buy one?
Valrie is not very hopeful.
Wise Snake: I ... think if he did come, the shiltpron parlors would be the last thing I'd want him to zlin.
Alea: Why don't you let me take you to a room where you can nap. Afterward, after the nap, then we'll talk about it.
Valrie: Oh.
B'cal: Oh, but that is part of your job.
B'cal shrugs.
B'cal: Besides, he knows all about that.
B'cal goes down the street, careful not to slip on the ice.
Nick reflects that at least Freayan has somewhat better manners than B'cal.
Valrie stares glumly at the floor.
Alea: What is it?
Wise Snake: I don't think we have to show Fraeyan every last detail of what I have to do.
Wise Snake: It's not as if he'd be here for that long...
Valrie: If I don't sell my share of books, I'll be back on field duty. And no one wants to buy them.
B'cal looks at Snake and smiles.
Alea: Do you like selling these, Valrie?
Valrie: I've asked and asked.
Valrie: Like?
Wise Snake shakes her head.
B'cal: I doubt he'll be able to come so it's probably moot.
Alea: Yes, like.
Valrie is no longer able to think in terms of what she likes and dislikes, only what is allowed and forbidden.
Alea: You know, like as in something that gives you a good feeling.
Alea rubs a hand over her face.
Nick wonders if B'cal would behave better if her Sectuib was able to observe her.
Alea: Valrie, have you ... taken anything I should be worried about?
Valrie: Good feeling?
Valrie has forgotten the last time she felt good.
Valrie also suspects that feeling good may be forbidden.
B'cal: How is the other project coming along?
B'cal moves out of the way of an oncoming wagon avoiding the worst of the ice.
Alea shakes her head.
Wise Snake: Other project? [waffles as Nick and B'cal go around the cart on opposite sides, almost gets run over]
B'cal: The one you've been working on for two weeks now. The building.
Nick can't help feeling glad that Snake chooses his side in the end.
Nick manages to keep the gladness from turning into smugness.
Wise Snake: [when they have rejoined each other again] Well, like I say, I turned in my proposal day before yesterday. Now it's a matter of waiting... and of course, massaging all the neighborhood groups for good will.
Alea: Why don't you just rest. if you rest you'll feel better and probably have more luck with the books.
Alea: Let me just put you up in a room.
B'cal nods.
B'cal: That's right.
B'cal: Still say you should have put wonder Gn in charge of it.
Nick nods, recalling all the work they've been doing in that part of town.
B'cal smiles blandly at Snake.
Wise Snake clams up at B'cal's once again bringing up a subject Snake told her to drop.
Wise Snake: ~resentment~
Nick sees Snake's irritation and offers support.
B'cal sets mode: +o Mostan
Valrie repeats "room" and manages to get to her feet.
Valrie is moving very stiffly.
Alea stands, concerned, deciding she is going to find a channel to examine the girl once she is resting.
Alea: Let's just go down the hall here.
Alea reaches out and takes her arm.
Valrie follows Alea obediently.
B'cal turns toward the Center.
B'cal: Nasty streets. Don't they ever clean them off.
B'cal dodges a huge pile of snow.
Nick: Why bother, when more falls almost every day?
Mostan is now known as Lanyi.
Alea leads Valrie to a treatment room.
Alea is very concerned that the Gen is so slow and stiff and 'out of it'.
Valrie looks around the room vaguely.
Wise Snake waffles when Nick and B'cal pass around the snowdrift on opposite sides, then stumbles over the snowdrift in an embarrassingly unSimelike maneuver.
Valrie: I remember this place.
Lanyi comes jogging down the street towards the center.
B'cal reaches out for Snake
B'cal ~~concern~~
B'cal focuses her complete attention on Snake.
B'cal: Are you okay?
Alea: Yes, sweetie. It's the Center. I want you to come in here and lie down.
Wise Snake: Yes, yes. I'm fine. [annoyed with herself, and them]
B'cal ~~soothing~~
Alea: We'll just look over you and then you can rest and feel better.
Alea: How does that sound?
Nick sees that B'cal is finally paying more attention to her job than to making trouble, and lightens his own support to avoid interfering with her efforts.
Lanyi slows down as she comes to the door.
Wise Snake is somewhat mollified by B'cal's efforts and Nick's moderation.
B'cal goes up the Center's steps.
Wise Snake: I should have been zlinning where I was going.
Valrie: It's not time to rest. It's not allowed until midnight. I think.
B'cal: Yes, you should have. You're a Farris.
Valrie looks at Alea, confused.
Alea: But we have different rules here.
Lanyi sees the three at the door.
Valrie: If you sleep at the wrong time, they put you in the punishment shed.
Alea forces down her nausea and opens the door.
Alea: Well they won't know.
B'cal waits for Snake to open the door.
Wise Snake opens the door and holds it for everybody.
B'cal goes through.
Alea escorts Valrie inside.
Lanyi slows to a walk and comes up behind them.
Valrie blinks, even more unsure about the offer of rest, since her recent experience suggests that "they" have ways of catching shirkers.
B'cal nods to snake, ignores Nick and goes up the stairs.
Nick sighs in relief to see her go.
Alea: Just think. With a bit of rest, you'll sell more books.
Valrie: More books? (hopefully)
Alea: Yes.
Alea: But you have to rest first.
Wise Snake restrains herself from snapping at Nick, or at the world in general.
Lanyi: Morning.
B'cal is now known as Briel.
Nick: Good morning.
Wise Snake: Good morning. [mutters... not sure if she wants to talk to Lanyi since the last time they met, Lanyi had some pretty negative opinions]
Wise Snake remembers Linn is now a GN-1 and smiles suddenly, cheered again.
Nick distrusts Snake's sudden glee.
Alea: You just lay down right there and Ill be right back. Okay?
Alea motions to the bed.
Valrie looks at the bed.
Valrie: Are you sure it's all right?
Alea: Of course it is.
Lanyi: Did Linn Get home ok yesterday? We had an incident here.
Wise Snake: Yes. I escorted her.
Valrie shuffles over to the bed.
Alea gets a blanket to cover her with.
Wise Snake can't fathom why Linn keeps visiting the Sime Center when she keeps getting terrified there... glutton for punishment, maybe.. same reason she cleans house for Nick and Snake.
Alea covers Valrie with the blanket.
Alea: I'll be right back.
Alea leaves, stopping to get some tea to drink and settle her stomach on the way back to the lobby to find a Channel that is on duty.
Alea glides into the lobby and pauses at everyone she sees in there.
Nick reflects that at least Linn let Snake finish healing her leg without making too much trouble.
Veraik is now known as Rhelana.
Alea: Hello Snake.
Alea moves over to where Lanyi is standing
Wise Snake: Hello, Alea [nervously]
Wise Snake moves nearer to Nick, hoping he can keep the negativity to a dull roar.
Alea keeps careful control of her field, working to support Lanyi.
Lanyi: Morning Alea.
Alea nods, smiling.
Nick is ready to do the half-transformation if Alea throws anything nasty in Snake's direction.
Alea: Hajene, when you have a moment, I'd like to speak with you.
Lanyi: Certainly.
Lanyi goes over to Alea.
Paulatino beams as he walks down the hall. 'A Channel...a new First-Order Channel and **I** served her.
Alea: We've got a young woman in treatment room five. She came in dazed, out of it. She's walking stiffly, half frozen.
Alea: I'm very worried bout her.
Alea: This was a young woman we thought might become a Donor one day, but is suddenly spouting anti-Sime warnings.
Alea: Would you have the time to zlin her?
Lanyi: Hypothermia? Of course.
Alea shrugs.
Alea: I'm not sure.
Alea nods to Snake.
Alea turns to go back to where Valrie is.
Nick looks at Snake.
Lanyi follows Alea.
Wise Snake: Well, Nick, let's go.
Wise Snake turns and leaves the Center.
Nick: I see the flow of interesting problems is still tramping through the lobby here.
Nick follows Snake.
Rhelana gives the donor her money then looks around for the sweet, delicious-looking CFO, Tarsh.
Nick waits until they are out of zlinning distance from the Sime Center, then turns to Snake.
Nick: So, you wanted to talk with me about something?
Wise Snake: Yes. Your attitude.
Alea pushes the door open to where Valrie is.
Wise Snake: It's extremely annoying and I wish you would do something about it.
Alea motions to Lanyi where Valrie is laying on the bed.
Wise Snake sets mode: +o Tarsh
Tarsh: Rhelana. Hi. Is last night's disbursements report in there?
Valrie is sleeping fitfully on her side, curled up in a fetal ball, chewing on her fist.
Lanyi comes in and looks/zlins Valrie.
Alea: I am really worried about her, Lanyi.
Alea: Valrie was so full of life before.
Lanyi: Before?
Rhelana: Turns and retrieves the file then removes the report.
Rhelana: Here it is
Alea: Before..when she came in donating.
Alea: She was even considering becoming a Donor.
Alea: Took literature on it.
Valrie: ~~half frozen, malnourished, and covered with a colorful mix of old
and new bruises~~
Tarsh: Thank you. How has business been this morning?
Alea: We haven't seen her in a month or so and now, just look at her.
Rhelana: A little slow but I understand that there is a heavy schedule this
afternoon.
Alea: I'm afraid her father got hold of her and hurt her. She said he sent
her to some camp.
Lanyi: I zlin. What on earth has happened to this child?
Alea clasps her hands worriedly and moves forward.
Lanyi face hardens. "Oh."
Nick: Snake, I told you I'd try to get along with B'cal, but until she makes
at least a token effort to return the favor, it's not going to work too well.
Alea: I'd say someone has been beating the shen out of her fairly regularly.
Wise Snake stops.
Rhelana: It's a clear, crisp day. Would you like to have a picture by the
Gnome for lunch?
Lanyi: Yes. Someone has.
Alea: I was afraid of that.
Alea ~~angry~~
Wise Snake: Nick... you're training to become a Donor. You're training to
become one of the best Donors that ever lived... or at least that's what
you'd have to be, if you want to serve me.
Wise Snake: Being a good Donor has nothing, absolutely nothing, do to with
how others are acting around you.
Lanyi: Someone who has carefully avoided places that would do serious or
permanent damage.
Wise Snake: You are required to maintain an even field and a pleasant, or
at least professional, attitude at ALL times.
Rhelana: ==picture - picnic===
Alea: Shen.
Alea reaches out and carefully touches the woman.
Wise Snake: I don't care if B'cal comes after you with a fire ax and a machete,
I don't want to zlin anything but maybe a hint of surprise and curiousity
from you, do you understand?
Wise Snake realizes she is shaking; hadn't realized she had to say this so
badly.
Nick: Tell that to B'cal. Linn's been leaving the house before dawn every
day, just so she doesn't have to be around to endure B'cal's abuse.
Alea: Can you heal her and talk to her when she awakens.
Wise Snake stares at Nick, outraged.
Alea: Perhaps you can help her.
Alea looks up at Lanyi worried.
Tarsh: Yeah Ok. Just so Gnome doesn't talk...
Wise Snake: I'll talk to B'cal how I choose and when I choose. I am talking
about you. Now.
Lanyi: Of course.
Rhelana:
Alea sighs, relieved.
Alea touches Valrie's shoulder.
Alea: Valrie, sweetie?
Wise Snake: B'cal is temporary. You want to be permanent. Don't wreck your
training out of some petty argument with someone who's only going to be around
one or two months!
Rhelana: I'll bring some of the delicious mushroom soup that the Gens can't
tolerate.
Valrie whimpers in her sleep, chewing harder.
Rhelana: IT will be lovely.
Lanyi looks around. 'What kind of "camp" was this?
Alea: I'm not sure. They made them work, locked them in a room...a punishment
shed, she said.
Tarsh: I haven't had that since....
Rhelana: I know. Me neither but a friend sent me a few and I'd love to share.
Tarsh: Haven't gone anywhere besides the cafeteria here in some time. Too
much work.
Rhelana: Then now is the time. [smiles]
Lanyi picks up a copy of the book and looks at the cover and blurb.
Alea gets another blanket and tenderly places it over the woman.
Tarsh notices the word "handsome" and wonders if he has missed something
in this conversation.
Alea moves down and carefully removes Valrie's shoes from her feet.
Alea takes a foot, trying to warm it between her hands.
Rhelana uses her nager to brush against Tarsh's.
Nick: Snake, if I weren't practicing all the restraint humanly possible,
B'cal would have been at the bottom of the lake weeks ago.
Lanyi: "The Tecton and God's Plan"
Alea glances up.
Nick: Or I'd simply manage never to be around when she was, the way Linn
has.
Alea: I was afraid of that.
Rhelana: I'll just go prepare the soup now since the next donation isn't
schedule until after lunch.
Lanyi moves over to Valrie and shows a need field while leafing through the
book...
Wise Snake studies Nick, narrow-eyed.
Wise Snake: Is that it, then? You draw the line?
Tarsh: Ok. Should I cover for you here then?
Tarsh: Oh. Sorry. I'm not thinking today. Be sure to lock up.
Tarsh: [ mock sterness ]
Alea moves to the other foot. Takes that in her hand and works to warm it
too.
Rhelana: I will. I promise. [sweet smile]
Valrie tugs the foot away as Alea brushes against a blister.
Lanyi: This starts out sensible and tries to draw you into a bunch of Sime
hating pentrash.
Tarsh: I'll be in my office [ Wondering what I've gotten into. ]
Alea pauses to look at her foot and retrieves some antiseptic for the foot.
Lanyi puts the book down.
Lanyi: Did her parents not approve of her donating?
Rhelana locks the door then purposes touches a tentacle to Tarsh's arm.
Alea looks up, surprised.
Alea: That's right. You weren't here then.
Alea shakes her head and sighs.
Alea: This woman's father is a big wig in Eastcove. He hates Simes.
Nick: Snake, I'm not asking you to choose between us. I know why you can't
let B'cal go just now. But as long as she keeps sniping at us, neither Linn
nor I is going to be happy about it.
Rhelana: Your office. I'll see you soon. ~~nager beaming with sensual promise~~~
Tarsh looks puzzled.
Tarsh: == scratch last ==
Tarsh: ~~ trying to hide disquiet ~~
Tarsh: Fine [ false smile ] See you then.
Wise Snake: Am I speaking a foreign language? I'm not asking you to like
it, I'm asking you to behave like a professional.
Lanyi: You think he sent her to a camp to insure that she kept up the tradition
of hate?
Tarsh goes down to his office.
Alea: I wouldn't put it past him.
Wise Snake: Look, Nick...
Alea: The man is rotten to the core.
Alea finishes up the foot and tucks the blankets securely around her feet.
Nick wonders why this requirement doesn't apply to B'cal, who has been a
Donor much longer than him.
Wise Snake: I thought you learned this lesson long ago. When you project
dislike, resentment and other negative emotions I have to deal with them.
I have enough other problems without having that to deal with too.
Lanyi seethes with rage. "Might have been better off she'd changed over.
Then she'd be free of him, one way or another."
Alea looks up at Lanyi.
Alea: She is of age and is in Sime Territory.
Wise Snake: As a working Donor you must lay those emotions aside until such
a time when you are not with me and can feel them without disturbing the
channel you are supposed to be supporting.
Rhelana runs to her room and retrieves the mushrooms to make the soup. Then
she uses one the cooking alcoves to prepare the soup.
Alea: If we could talk to her, I was hoping perhaps you could reassure her
and then help me to convince her to stay here, in-Territory.
Nick looks at Snake in some surprise.
Nick: You think I'm NOT setting my feeling aside when I'm with you?
Wise Snake: Nick, I KNOW you're not. Or at least, not well enough, since
they are still interfering.
Nick: If I weren't, _this_ is how I'd zlin.
Wise Snake backs off quickly.
Lanyi: Certainly.
Wise Snake: Nick! What's gotten into you?
Nick drops his control, letting his anger and frustration show for a brief
moment, then picks it up again.
Alea: Should I wake her for you?
Wise Snake angry and frustrated.
Lanyi: No, let her sleep. My need showfield will help her and she can use
the rest.
Alea nods.
Wise Snake turns and walks quickly away from Nick.
Lanyi: Could you send for some food and drink for when she wakes up?
Alea: Of course, Hajene.
Alea finishes tucking the blankets around her and goes to the door.
Alea: I'll be right back.
Nick follows, his nager once more controlled.
Tarsh sits down at his desk and talks to the file cabinet. "She can't mean
what I think she does, can she?"
Alea leaves, pulling the door quietly closed behind her.
Alea goes down the hall toward the kitchen.
Wise Snake: ~~badly upset~~
Valrie is now known as LinnH.
Linn hurries down the road, scanning the faces.
Alea goes into the kitchen and gathers up a meal.
Lanyi looks through the book, muttering.
Linn sees Snake stamping down the street, with Nick trailing a bit farther
behind than usual.
Linn: Snake!
Alea gathers enough to encourage Lanyi to eat, then has a piece of toast
to settle her stomach and takes it all back to the treatment room.
Wise Snake shies away from Linn, then forces herself to stop.
Wise Snake: [clearly upset] Yes. Linn.
Tarsh: Shen. Feast or Famine, It's always one or the other...
Linn reaches into her purse and pulls out an envelope.
Linn: The letter you were waiting for just arrived.
Alea carries the tray carefully down the hall, doing her best not to spill
it.
Wise Snake takes it, puzzled.
Wise Snake: Which..?
Nick catches up and stops in his usual spot, offering a remarkably professional
level of support, under the circumstances.
Wise Snake turns it over and reads the return address.
Wise Snake grimaces and waves a tentacle at Nick to back down, making a mental
note to have a talk with him about sarcastic support.
Nick backs down precisely the indicated amount.
Alea goes to the door and signals.
Lanyi: Come in.
Alea looks down at her full hands and makes it plain in her nager she needs
help.
Alea: Could you um...open the door please?[calls through the door]
Lanyi: Huh? Sure.
Lanyi comes over to open the door.
Alea comes in with a tray full of food.
Linn looks at Nick.
Linn: What's got her so upset?
Alea places it on the counter.
Wise Snake opens the letter, which is from the Urban Redevelopment Office,
and reads it thoughtfully.
Alea: I brought enough for you too, Lanyi, so that you might eat some.
Lanyi waves book. "This just gets worse and worse. Did you know we torture
you here, and make you like it?"
Alea lifts an eyebrow.
Alea: Is that so?
Lanyi: Yeah, maybe.
Alea moves over to peer over Lanyi's shoulder at the book.
Lanyi: [ Illustration of how the Hidden Pens are concealed in a standard
Sime Center. ]
Nick shrugs.
Alea: I'm a pen Gen. Imagine that.
Alea unable to believe what she is seeing.
Linn: Oh. B'cal again.
Lanyi: That's just Us demons controlling you mind.
Alea nods.
Alea: Disgusting.
Lanyi: Yeah.
Linn's nager is much weaker than Nicks, but her feelings are remarkably similar.
Alea: But she knows better.
Alea: She was here. She saw us working.
Alea: How did they draw her in?
Lanyi: Have they got her believing this junk?
Alea: I'm not sure.
Alea: I think there was some doubt there.
Alea: She was trying to sell the books but it seemed she just might have
wondered...
Lanyi: If she's from out-t she may have thought she had to go because her
father said to.
Alea moves over and sinks down into a chair.
Alea: That's what I thought too.
Lanyi: Family obedience is big there.
Lanyi: Do you know how old she is?
Alea looks up and studies Lanyi.
Wise Snake: Look. Why don't you two go and have a nice rant session about
B'cal. I'm going to go somewhere where I can get some peace of mind.
Wise Snake turns and walks away from them both.
Wise Snake goes to the Susan's and flops down at a table, holding her head.
Alea: Out-territory I think she's fourteen.
Alea: She's not been established long.
Alea: You speak like the voice of experience.
Alea: I take it you grew up out-Territory?
Alea thinks she's going to have to pull Lanyi's chart and read it.
Lanyi: Yes. My Father was a sergeant in the Gen Army. A time-server. But
at least they didn't by this crap! [ shakes book ]
Nick looks at Linn and shrugs, then follows Snake at a distance, keeping
far enough away that his nager won't influence Snake.
Alea ~~support~~
Briel stops in "Susan's to get a hot cup of tea before returning to the Center"
Linn returns home.
Wise Snake orders a tea... NOT the Zoiks... to try to calm her nerves.
Linn is now known as Valrie.
Lanyi: Thank you Sosu.
Alea: For what?
Alea looks surprised.
Lanyi zlins Valrie again.
Briel looks around for a table and sees Snake.
Nick sees Snake enter Susan's, and nabs a window seat in the bar across the
street from which to order some tea of his own.
Briel tells the waitress she'd like to sit.
Wise Snake is sitting in a table in the corner, gripping a tea glass a little
bit harder than is, strictly speaking, considered a good idea.
Briel moves over to Snake's table.
Briel: Mind if I join you?
Briel zlins it and goes hypo.
Wise Snake looks up at Briel, with a haunted expression.
Wise Snake: What?
Briel doesn't wait for an invitation but slips into the chair across from
her.
Valrie tosses restlessly, whimpering as she lands on a particularly nasty
bruise.
Briel: Hello.
Wise Snake: [belatedly] what... oh... sure. [flicks a tentacle at other chair]
Briel orders some tea.
Alea moves forward.
Lanyi murmurs. "Glad I'm not in that dream."
Briel: There are easier ways to commit suicide than lateral mutilation.
Briel motions with a tentacle at Snake's tea glass.
Nick sips his tea, waiting patiently for Snake to be ready for the day's
work.
Wise Snake stares at Briel.
Alea: Oh, but you probably are. You and every other Sime...
Wise Snake: .... what?
Wise Snake looks down.
Wise Snake lets go of the glass hastily.
Alea: Unless she is dreaming about how awful the Gens treated her.
Lanyi: Not a role I'd care for, I'm sure.
Alea shakes her head, doing her best not to allow her anger into her nager.
Valrie: (mutters) Not the shed, Daddy! I'll be good.
Briel accepts her tea and leans back against the chair.
Briel: Want to talk about it?
Briel sips her tea.
Alea: Shen...
Alea closes her eyes.
Valrie: Don't let them put me in the shed again.
Alea: How could her own father allow something like that. wisesnake rubs
her forehead.
Wise Snake: I don't even know what to say about it.
Briel: Had to be bad if it made you leave your Donors.
Lanyi whispers. "Out-parents have to be ready to beat their own children
to death. It make them ... callous."
Alea ~~nausea~~
Alea touches her stomach and is glad she won't ever have to worry about that.
Alea: I ... see.
Valrie: Daddy, no!
Wise Snake: Nick is going through some kind of crisis.
Briel nods, not commenting and takes another sip of tea.
Lanyi: That's why were here. That's what the tecton means. Being able to
love your children.
Wise Snake: I don't know exactly what to make of it... but today he first
contradicted my judgment with regards to his training, and then deliberately
hit me with an anger flare.
Alea nods again.
Alea: But for every kid we see, I suppose there are five times as many we
don't.
Briel looks surprised, and just a little wary.
Briel: Deliberately?
Briel: That field of his could cripple doing that.
Wise Snake: Well he did it deliberately. I'm not sure if he fundamentally
understands the damage he could have done.
Wise Snake: That's just as frightening as the disrespect and contradictions.
Briel: True. He is new at all of this.
Briel agrees.
Lanyi: I know. I had to get myself to a Center. I didn't think I could trust
anyone to help me.
Lanyi: Good think I had done my research.
Wise Snake: I'm just lucky I was trying not to zlin anyway.
Wise Snake: Shen... I don't know what's gotten into the guy. Do you think
he's afraid he won't be able to perform for his second transfer? His assigned
partner is rather famous.
Lanyi: == think -> thing ==
Alea: You're parents...
Wise Snake: Or... maybe he is the kind who can't work hard at something after
he has already achieved his main goal?
Briel: Who is his assigned..[shakes her head]. I don't know. Has Nick shown
signs of nervousness about transfer?
Wise Snake: I mean, his goal was to become a Donor. He is that now. Maybe
he just doesn't have it in him to work hard to be mine?
Wise Snake: Nervousness? No.
Briel: Do you know what his main goal is? I thought it was serving you?
Lanyi: My parents were... they didn't make waves. Did what everything was
doing.
Wise Snake: Not around me, anyway.
Wise Snake frowns.
Alea: I see.
Wise Snake: It's going to come out sooner or later. I've arranged for him
to give transfer to Fraeyan ambrov V'Lar.
Alea glances back down at Valrie and wonders if this is how she was raised.
Lanyi: They had let me down too many times as a child to trust them then.
Briel eyes widen.
Briel: Shen, Snake you've certainly got...uh...what I mean is, B'cals Sectuib?
Briel: Doesn't Nick hate B'cal? And he is having transfer with her Sectuib?
Briel can only imagine the Sectuib is as bad as the woman.
Wise Snake: Shen, Briel, Nick's met him.. the two are nothing alike. Fraeyan
is every inch the stereotypical Householding Sectuib.
Briel smiles.
Briel: Really?
Lanyi: I learned early to rely on myself first, last and always.
Briel: And he and Nick hit it off.
Alea: Sounds like a lonely childhood.
Alea: But also one that paid off, since you're alive.
Wise Snake: Yes. And B'cal's nothing like the way she acts here, when she's
at home. [adds]
Briel ~~disbelief~~
Lanyi: == early -> early ==
Wise Snake: Uh... I can't say they hit it off. Nick didn't see that much
of Fraeyan after all. But there was nothing to dislike.
Rhelana signals at Tarsh's door with a picnic basket including a thermos
of mushroom soup.
Briel: Maybe that's the problem.
Lanyi: Yeah, and in a profession that requires you to trust your Donor. That's
ironic, isn't it?
Wise Snake looks disgusted.
Briel: You said it was some sort of crisis.
Tarsh: Come!
Alea grins.
Alea: Very ironic.
Wise Snake: Shidoni, don't tell me you're going to climb on my back about
liking and disliking also?
Briel: Me lifts her tentacles in surrender.
Rhelana: It's ready Tarsh! Get your cloak, the Gnome awaits.
Briel: Want to explain that to me?
Briel: Liking, disliking.....ahhh.....so that's what happened? Nick is riding
you about Bcal?
Rhelana has stars in her eyes for the very male renSime.
Tarsh comes out the door. "Ok. Let me go get it."
Tarsh heads towards the lobby.
Rhelana follows.
Wise Snake: Nick stated quite clearly that there will be no room for improvement
in his nageric behavior until he is satisfied that B'cal has been chastised
and shown what he sees as improvement.
Briel: Oh, my.
Briel is very thankful Nick isn't her Gen.
Wise Snake hears the tea glass squeak in strain and quickly unhands it again.
Wise Snake picks it up and drinks three or four swallows and pushes it away.
Rhelana: [thinking how wonderful it is to watch him walk from the back. YUM.]
Lanyi: One of the instructors a the First Year Camp was ambrov Dar.
Wise Snake: He looked me right in the eye and said it... and then he said
if I thought he wasn't controlling his emotions before, I should feel THIS
-- and hit me with it.
Briel: Did you explain to him that you would handle Bcal how you saw fit..
That her behavior shouldn't affect....
Lanyi: [ "Camp reminds Lanyi to check her patient" ]
Briel: Oh...shen....
Briel zlins Snake.
Alea: That's how you got into Dar?
Alea: Through the instructor?
Alea looks on with Lanyi at the patient.
Wise Snake: Yes, yes, I explained it all. He doesn't understand.
Wise Snake: ~~shaken up - demoralized~~
Lanyi: Yeah. I liked his style.
Lanyi zlins Valrie again.
Briel: But why?
Wise Snake: As near as I can tell, he feels that until B'cal puts forth a
certain amount of effort to be pleasant, he is not obligated to protect me
from his emotions about her or any stress they may create between them.
Briel rubs a hand down her face.
Wise Snake: Or rather, he believes until I* put forth a certain amount of
effort to attempt to force B'cal to be pleasant, I do not deserve the protection.
Briel: Donors!
Rhelana shifts the blanket from one tentacle to the other.
Alea: How is Valrie doing?
Briel looks up at Snake.
Wise Snake looks lost.
Briel: I can't imagine you not putting forth an effort.
Briel reaches out with her field to offer support and encouragement to Snake.
Wise Snake: I thought she WAS doing better.
Briel is very careful as she does it.
Briel: Was?
Valrie's whimpering becomes a scream, and she starts awake, sitting bolt
upright.
Briel: Then she improved and then ... what happened?
Briel: She digressed?
Wise Snake: Oh, shen, I don't know.
Paulatino is now known as Tramila.
Tarsh finishes putting his cloak on. "Let's go."
Alea: Valrie.
Wise Snake: Maybe I was just imagining it but two days ago I thought we could
almost become friends.
Alea: It's okay.
Alea: We're here.
Wise Snake: Today I barely rated a nod.
Briel thinks for a moment.
Valrie stares at Alea and Lanyi, eyes unfocused and wide in terror, and bites
her hand to keep from screaming again.
Wise Snake: Between the two of them, I'm going to freak out. Do you hear
what I'm saying?
Lanyi ~~ shows a neutral showfield ~~
Briel continues to offer support.
Briel: Yes, Snake. I do.
Rhelana: It will be so much fun. I haven't had a picnic in a long time.
Briel: I probably understand more than others.
Wise Snake accepts the support tentatively.
Briel: I tend to be overly sensitive to Donors moods
Tarsh: You only do it when it's cold?
Rhelana: And I heard the place of the Gnome is the perfect place. [nager
brushes Tarsh's]
Briel: And as such, I can only imagine what it does to a Farris who can't
HELP but be sensitive.
Valrie relaxes a bit when she realizes that she isn't in the punishment shed,
after all.
Briel: Is there something that triggered the change in Bcal?
Lanyi: [ English ] It's all right. You're safe here.
Briel: Something that triggered a change in Nick?
Briel: Obviously, if everything was going okay until a couple of days ago,
something had to have happened to change that.
Rhelana: Ohhhh I do it whenever I can....at least I do it during the first
two weeks after transfer, that is. [beams]
Briel isn't so sure about that.
Wise Snake: Maybe... maybe B'cal got too close.
Wise Snake: It is true that Nick didn't get that much time with me while
we were in V'lar.
Briel looks surprised again.
Briel: Is it possible he might want that time and Bcal resents it ... or
is backing off?
Tarsh: That is the best time for it, of course...
Briel: Maybe she feels she is interfering. Or maybe he thinks you have no
use for him?
Rhelana spreads the blanket over the ground and opens the picnic basket.
Wise Snake: I don't know. All he talks about is how there is a bad atmosphere
between them and it is all B'cal's fault. B'cal won't be nice around him
because she doesn't want to show weakness... and even respect for him would
be considered a weakness. In private she compliments him.
Rhelana: After pouring a cup of soup, she hands it to Tarsh. "How long have
you been here?"
Wise Snake: Nick has the same bad feelings whether B'cal is there in the
room or not.
Briel rubs a hand over her face.
Tarsh: About seven months.
Rhelana: Do you like it? So far, I like the Center a lot.
Briel: It sounds like he is set to dislike her and there is nothing you can
do about that.
Briel: However....
Briel looks at Snake.
Rhelana: It's so...soo friendly. Like you. [grins]
Briel: That's not the problem.
Briel: The problem is, he can hate her guts if he wants to, but when it comes
to you, he has no right to allow any of that to show in his field.
Tarsh looks distant.
Briel: And he hasn't had that much training.
Tarsh: Things have been ... variable here. Good and Bad.
Briel: So he is still learning how to separate the two, I'd say.
Briel: It might be best if you sent Bcal away. That would ease the tension,
ease things with him until he can learn a little more about control.
Lanyi: Valrie. You are safe here. We are your friends.
Wise Snake glowers.
Briel: But then you wouldn't have that second Donor, and no telling who you
would end up with to replace her--if you could find someone at all.
Wise Snake: Watch yourself, Briel.
Briel: What?
Rhelana: Anyway, I'm glad we're having a picnic today. I hit turnover yesterday
but it usually doesn't bother me too bad for the first day or so but after
that....well, you know. [blush]
Alea: Valrie, this is Lanyi.
Tarsh: Yes, I do.
Alea: I asked her to come take a look at you.
Rhelana: [shy] How's the soup? [drinks a little of her own]
Valrie moans and shakes her head, broadcasting fear.
Valrie: No, no. She's a Sime. They'll put me in the punishment shed again.
Tarsh feels an awkward silence and resorts to triviality. "So, where are
you from?"
Tarsh: It's very good soup. Thank you.
Lanyi: No. We won't let them.
Rhelana: I'm from Householding Tien.
Alea nods to Valrie, trying to convince her it's the truth.
Rhelana: [red, red blush] Thank you.
Valrie peers up at Lanyi.
Rhelana: And you, where are you from?
Tarsh: Tien? That's the Householding that does disjunctions, right?
Wise Snake picks up her tea glass and carefully drains its cold dregs.
Briel: Honestly, Snake. I was only giving out ideas. I meant in no way, to
offend you.
Tarsh: I grew up in a place in territory.
Rhelana: Yes and almost the one that specializes in training people from
Out-Territory.
Valrie: How could you stop them?
Wise Snake: Then I will not take any.
Wise Snake sets the glass down.
Briel: I am just trying to figure out an amicable solution between the two.
Rhelana: Ahhh. In-Territory. It must have been nice.
Briel: Bcal won't allow weakness to show. Nick takes her refusal to show
"her type of weakness" [rolls her eyes] personally.
Briel: From what you say it's about to tear you apart.
Briel: That is not a healthy atmosphere.
Wise Snake: It's not your problem. I'm sorry I dumped it on you.
Tarsh looks away. "Yes. Mostly."
Briel nods.
Briel: Of course.
Wise Snake: No, but it is temporary. B'cal will be gone in another month,
or two at the most.
Briel: There is that.
Briel smiles.
Rhelana touches a tentacle to his arm, sensing a problem unspoken.
Tarsh is distracted and puts a hand over her tentacle.
Briel: Two months at the most and the problem will be solved.
Wise Snake rises.
Briel pulls out some money and tosses it on the table before rising too.
Rhelana breathes in at the touch of his hand on this tentacle.
Wise Snake: See you tonight.
Briel: Of course.
Wise Snake leaves the Susan's.
Briel pulls her cloak back on and leaves to go to the Center.
Nick's vantage point gave him just enough warning to drop money on the table
and rebutton his coat.
Tramila goes to the infirmary, hoping to find Alea.
Alea: You don't have to go back, Valrie.
Nick falls in beside Snake, nager perfectly neutral.
Alea: That's how we can stop them.
Tramila enters and sees Alea and Lanyi with a familiar-looking Gen.
Wise Snake is visibly still upset.
Tarsh: Morning Hajene.
Tarsh: == make that Lanyi.
Wise Snake: Nick, I'm going to make sure B'cal never comes to the house you
live in, and make sure you never accompany me when I am with her.
Tramila: Good Morning.
Wise Snake: Further more, when I am spending time with her outside of work,
I will be careful to do it some other place than my own home.
Nick nods.
Nick: That's a start.
Wise Snake: But if you feel that I do not know what you require in the way
of training, or if ---
Wise Snake stops, staring at Nick completely appalled.
Tramila baths in the nager that says Alea.
Wise Snake: WHAT did you say?
Nick: If you can keep her from drugging my food as well, things will work
out much better for everyone.
Wise Snake: ~~cold fury~~ You don't understand, do you.
Tramila zlins the battered Gen. "What happened?"
Wise Snake: I'm telling you you are on very dangerous ground.
Alea keeps her attention focused on Lanyi as Tramila moves up.
Wise Snake: If you feel I have nothing left to teach you as a Donor, or if
you ever, EVER deliberately attack me nagerically again, I will begin training
another. Do you hear me?
Rhelana: Do people make wishes to the Gnome, Tarsh?
Lanyi: She was staying with people who were not her friends. Burt she is
safe now.
Valrie looks at Tramila.
Valrie: I remember you.
Tarsh: Hmmm?
Tarsh realizes where his hand is and snatches it away. "Oh, I'm sorry."
Tramila: "Yes." She moves to Val's side. "What happen?" [gently strokes her
forehead]
Rhelana: It is lovely, Tarsh. You really didn't have to remove it.
Rhelana: Takes hand and replaces it on her tentacle. "I like it." [bats eyes]
"Don't you?"
Tarsh: Uh....
Briel strides up the stairs of the Center and into the lobby.
Nick shrugs, past caring.
Tarsh breaks into a sweat. [ quite an accomplishment in this weather ]
Nick: I hear you.
Briel takes off her cloak and hangs it on the cloak rack.
Nick reflects that Snake hasn't been finding much time to teach him lately,
anyway.
Rhelana strokes a tentacle over his hand.
Wise Snake zlins the emotion in Nick's nager and slumps.
Wise Snake: Fine. If that's how you want it... fine.
Briel goes down the hall, snatching her stack of papers from the clerk as
she goes, looking at all the forms she is going to have to fill out all over
again.
Wise Snake: I knew this wasn't about B'cal.
Briel thinks she is glad she doesn't have Snake's problem.
Tarsh takes his hands away and folds them together. "Actually, I've only
heard of people asking Gnome for advice."
Briel thought at one time, having two Gens around would be nice and secure.
Certainly more so than never knowing if she was going to have one at all.
Rhelana: Would one of them include you? [sighs from the lack of contact]
Wise Snake: ~defeat~
Briel decides she's better off this way...one Donor, if she's lucky, supporting
her when he or she can.
Alea: She was taken to a camp to be reformed.
Alea tells Tramila this.
Alea: Looks like she was beaten, put in a shed of some sort...
Alea shudders.
Tarsh: I .. uh ... I ... uh...
Tramila blanches. "I've heard about those camps. No wonder she zlins this
way."
Alea nods.
Tramila: [shudder]
Rhelana: Looks at Tarsh and waits.
Nick wonders a bit forlornly if he's going to have to accept Sectuib Fraeyan's
offer after all, since he can't bear the thought of never knowing transfer
again.
Tarsh: No. Not that I recall.
Rhelana: Then let's make one together, shall we?
Wise Snake massages her forehead and can't believe this is happening to her.
Tramila: Can you tell me the name of the camp, Val?
Tarsh gets up hastily. "No.
Rhelana rises as well.
Tarsh: Thank you for the soup, Rhelana, but uh ... I have to ... do something.
Rhelana: It's all right. We don't have to. Just relax and enjoy the moment.
Rhelana: Don't go! Please!!
Rhelana: [frets] What have I done?
Alea feels her stomach turning at the toast she ate and thinks this is just
great. She's going to make two Channels sick.
Tarsh: No! You haven't done anything.
Valrie: The Camp of the Blessed Angles.
Tarsh: It's just ... my fault.
Valrie: But we weren't blessed enough.
Rhelana: What's your fault? I..I don't understand.
Valrie: That's why they put us in the shed.
Wise Snake: Why are you following me? Go take your nager to the Tecton.
Lanyi: Blessed?
Tramila: [thinking that she knows that one and knows who to contact to pay
that Camp some attention in the near future]
Lanyi: Sheds have nothing to do with blessing, Valrie.
Alea covers her mouth, certain she is going to be sick.
Wise Snake: ~pain~
Rhelana: Nothing is anyone's fault. [nager suppresses in fear]
Tarsh: Rhelana, I didn't ... I'm sorry to have led you on.
Tramila reaches for Alea and helps her to the nearest restroom.
Alea bolts out the door.
Rhelana: Led me on? But I thought. [tentacle in mouth] Oh!
Nick: I don't work for the Tecton--and we're expected at three nursing homes,
the fish gutting sheds, and Eastcove Hospital.
Alea is violently ill.
Rhelana gathers up the blanket, nager flat and suppressed.
Tarsh looks guilty. ~~guilty~~
Alea: Shen, Tramila. I just ran out on a channel.
Rhelana: Eyes watering.
Tramila: The channel will be fine, Alea. For the moment.
Alea ~~feels like death~~
Tramila: YOu know that you did the right thing. Staying would have been worst.
Wise Snake: The best I can do wasn't good enough for you, Nick, and the best
you can do isn't good enough for me either.
Alea stands shakily and rinses her mouth and splashes her face.
Wise Snake: You don't work for me anymore than you work for the Tecton. Not
anymore.
Tramila: Let me put you to bed then I will go check on Lanyi, all right.
Alea stiffens.
Lanyi: It's all right Valrie. Would you like something to eat?
Alea: No. I wont' desert a channel.
Alea hangs her head and takes a couple of deep breaths.
Tramila: Alea. You are sick. Please. You nager. You should rest.
Alea concentrates, forcing her nausea under control.
Tarsh: I'm so sorry, Rhelana.
Tarsh: I didn't understand what you meant.
Alea: I'm perfectly fine, Tramila. I got up ill this morning and didn't eat
properly. I guess the gulped tea and toast didn't do the trick.
Valrie sniffs the food on the tray, suddenly starving.
Rhelana nods then turns and walks away, blanket and picnic basket tightly
clutched in hand.
Rhelana: She stops and turns back.
Alea takes another deep breath then turns, very pale but much steadier and
attempts a smile at Tramila.
Alea: See?
Nick stays in his usual place at Snake's side, ignoring his new-found
unemployment.
Nick: Snake, I'm not going to leave you to work alone.
Wise Snake: Frankly a Donor who doesn't listen to a word I say is the last
thing I'd want at my side right now.
Wise Snake shaking.
Briel is now known as Jorgre.
Jorgre heads out the back to take a walk, almost walking into Rhelana
Lanyi offers the tray to Valrie.
Tarsh looks at Gnome.
Tarsh: You see All of this. What do you think?
Nick casts a judicious eye on Snake's shaking and subtly adjusts his nager
to steady her.
Valrie takes a sandwich and starts wolfing it down as if she were starving--which
isn't far from the truth.
Rhelana finally turns away and walks back to the Center, thinking that it
was going to be hard to face her boss all the time then brightens a little,
thinking 'So I'll just have to win him over."
Jorgre gets out of the way, shaking his head and goes for a walk.
Gnome: I think you are a fool to have rejected her.
Alea: Please, Tramila, if you'll excuse me.
Alea: I started this with Hajene Lanyi, I'll finish it.
Wise Snake turns around and starts walking toward her house.
Lanyi is glad to see her eating.
Tarsh: I don't think Alea would agree.
Nick follows.
Gnome: Probably not....Alea. And That's a woman.
Tramila lets her go.
Alea slips past Tramila and goes back to Lanyi.
Tarsh: Yeah, but is she too much of one for me?
Alea signals at the door.
Gnome: Too much? Why? It is because she is a Donor? wisesnake keeps walking
until she reaches the house and climbs the front steps.
Tarsh: A *Farris* Donor. And I'm just a renSime from nowhere in particular.
Gnome: So you are feeling sorry for yourself.
Gnome: Love should transcend such matters but then again what is love over
lust or even lust over love?
Gnome: Which do you want?
Tarsh: You left out need/
Nick follows Snake into the house.
Tarsh: I don't know anymore. If I ever did.
Gnome: Need. Hah! So THAT is why you like Alea, is it?
Wise Snake zlins for Linn.
Alea pushes the door open.
Valrie is now known as LinnH.
Tarsh: I've put that behind me.
Alea: Excuse me, Hajene? [to Lanyi]
Linn is sweeping the kitchen floor.
Lanyi: Yes?
Gnome: Have you? Need is always a factor.
Tarsh: I don't know.
Alea: Do you still require my support?
Alea: I .. apologize for bolting like that.
Gnome: With Alea, you will never have to fear death.
Lanyi: No, I think I'll be Ok.
Alea nods.
Lanyi: It's all right. Were you ill?
Wise Snake: Linn.
Alea flushes, angry with herself.
Alea: Just the baby.
Alea: I rushed through a meal earlier.
Gnome: Is that what you are after? Where do your emotions fit in?
Linn: Yes, Snake?
Lanyi: Ah.
Gnome: And what about you? You are a man. You require a little spicy thing
like Rhelana, don't you?
Lanyi: I don't know if Valrie will want to share right now. She's pretty
hungry.
Wise Snake: You and Nick have made it clear how you feel about B'cal.
Alea chuckles.
Alea: Well, I don't want to ruin what appetite you might have so I'll just
find something else to do.
Wise Snake: I am offering to make sure B'cal never enters this house and
that when I spend time with B'cal, it will not be with either of you.
Wise Snake: This was not good enough for Nick. Nick will now make other
arrangements.
Linn smiles, openly relieved.
Wise Snake: Now would be a good time for you to decide how you feel about
this and make your own arrangements if necessary.
Wise Snake takes the medical kit from Nick.
Wise Snake walks out of the house.
Tarsh stands think about what gnome said.
Alea: Would you like me to find Jon Drake for you?
Lanyi: Please.
Alea steps back and pulls the door to.
Linn looks at Nick, confused.
Alea turns and goes down the hall to look for Jon.
Nick shrugs.
Nick: I'll explain later.
Alea finds Jon and sends him to Lanyi.
Nick ducks back out the door and follows Snake at a distance, ready to close
the gap between them if it appears that Snake requires assistance.
Alea decides to go for a walk, grabs a cloak and Lawana and goes out the
door.
Sumulo see the Donor and her channel.
Alea walks through the garden stopping when she sees Tarsh.
Alea: Hi Tarsh.
Sumulo: Which way to the Center.
Tarsh jumps.
Wise Snake flees into the city.
Wise Snake is now known as gone.
Tarsh: ~~ guilt ~~ Alea! I .. I ... uh....
Tarsh blushes.
Alea curious turns and motions for Lawana to move away.
Alea: You okay?
Alea keeps her field carefully controlled.
Tarsh: Yeah. I'm fine. Just ... talking to gnome. That's all.
Alea nods.
Alea: I didn't mean to startle you.
Sumulo: Stop standing there and give me directions to the Controller's office.
Nick follows Snake, keeping her in sight.
Alea pauses.
Alea looks the Channel up and down, sneering.
Alea: Go in that door, down the hall until you reach the lobby. The desk
clerk can help you.
Alea turns her back on the Channel.
Sumulo is a 2 order channel who is always arrogant.
Alea studies Tarsh.
Tarsh: It's all right I was ... thinking.
Sumulo: Stop! The desk clerk? You are a Donor. You show me the way.
Alea: Oh? really?
Alea eyes widen and she slowly turns.
Sumulo: You don't know who you are dealing with.
Alea looks the puny little Channel up and down then turns her back on him
deliberately.
Alea: Would you like to walk?[to Tarsh]
Tarsh looks this rude channel.
Sumulo: I'm Sumulo ambrov F'Jord of the F'Jord Motor Company.
Alea ignores him, smiling up at Tarsh.
Tarsh: Of course, dear.
Tarsh offers his arm.
Alea slips her hand through his arm, and waves Lawana off.
Sumulo: Steps up and wraps tentacle around the Donor's arm. "I said to attend
me."
Alea stops.
Tarsh glares at Sumulo.
Alea glares coldly at Sumulo.
Sumulo: HE is only a renSime.
Alea: Please remove your tentacles from my arm.
Sumulo: You come with me.
Alea: I am on a break. A very required break.
Alea: You can find your own way.
Alea turns waiting for him to release her arm.
Gone: ==for clarification purposes: Snake did not allow herself to be followed===
Sumulo: Not anymore. Take your break later.
Tarsh: I'm sorry, when were you made Controller here?
Alea ~~frustration~~
Sumulo: [sneers] I don't have to be Controller to be obeyed. I'm a Channel.
Alea: Not a good one if a channel doesn't learn he depends on the goodwill
of his Donor.
Sumulo: Who are you to say that? I can make sure you never have a good transfer
again.
Alea forces her building anger away so she won't hurt Tarsh.
Alea: Farris Donors are in too much demand for you to have any say over that.
Alea: Now, release me.
Alea pulls against his hold tentatively.
Sumulo suddenly releases her and gulps dryly.
Tarsh: [ cold ] you heard the lady.
Alea moves behind Tarsh.
Alea: Are you ready to go, Tarsh?
Sumulo: Then...then I will find my own way this time.
Tarsh: Yes dear.
Sumulo: [arrogance restored] I will see you later.
Alea shudders in distaste.
Sumulo: Disappeared into the Center.
Alea: I apologize for that, Tarsh.
Alea: Are you okay?
Tarsh: Why you didn't do anything?
Alea: I tried not to.
Tarsh: Tell me he isn't that new Channel Briel requested.
Alea smiles.
Alea: She REQUESTED that jerk?
Tarsh: I mean, you didn't do anything to apologize for.
Tarsh: Not specifically, no.
Alea: Well, at least that's something.
Alea: I meant what I said. Lanyi gave me a break so I decided to take it
in the garden. It was only luck running into you.
Tarsh is glad of the distraction to divert Alea from finding out about Rhelana.
Alea keeps strict control over her field.
Tarsh: My lucky day then.
Alea: So, what was bothering you earlier?
Tarsh: Nothing.
Tarsh: How are you feeling?
Alea thinks he is using the common tactic people use when they hide something.
Answer shortly and change the subject.
Alea decides if he doesn't want her to know then it's none of her business.
Alea: Why do you ask?
Alea wonders if she still looks like she did earlier, then decides impossible.
the arrogant second should have put color in her cheeks.
Tarsh: You said Lanyi gave you a break. Just wondering.
Alea flushes.
Alea: I am a little under the weather.
Alea: But I'm fine now.
Tarsh: Glad to hear it.
Tarsh pats Alea's hand.
Alea: There is a stack of papers about a foot high that the clerk has set
aside with your name on them.
Alea chuckles.
Alea: I heard Briel groaning all the way in my office when she snatched up
her pile.
Alea: Perhaps you should go get your work and I'll see you later.
Tarsh: Yes. I'll see you later.
Alea: I don't mean to be nosy, but I would LOVE to hear what Briel says to
the arrogant braggart.
Alea smile, leans up and kisses Tarsh's cheek.
Alea: Until later.
Tarsh is relieved he managed to get out of this without arousing Alea's
suspicions.
Alea turns and goes to find Briel.
Jorgre is now known as Briel.
Briel is in her office.
Briel is patiently rewriting all of the reports that got shot up.
Briel: Shen!
Briel [well, semi-patiently]
Briel rubs at her neck.
Briel shoves the newest paper to the side and starts trying to decipher the
next sheet.
Sumulo storms down the hall to Briel's office. "The nerve of that DONOR.
Sumulo signals at Briel's door.
Briel looks up, zlinning.
Briel: Come.
Briel sets the stylus aside glad for a break.
Alea goes back into the center, concerned why Tarsh would be so nervous,
sweating like that in such cold weather and thinks to find out.
Sumulo: I hope THIS is a right place because the other "Controller" [scathingly]
was out!
Alea thinks but first and heads toward Briel's office.
Briel shields
Briel: May I help you?
Briel hands fist and her tentacles pull in at the outburst.
Sumulo: What kind of Center is this that can have TWO Controller's. Isn't
one enough!?
Briel thinks great--her Donor is gone on an errand for her and she gets the
crazies coming to her office. Wonders who is on in the lobby?
Briel stays hypo.
Briel: Please get yourself under control or leave.
Sumulo zlins the disjunction Channel and sets his shoulder in utter arrogance.
Alea hears the shouting and moves up the hall leaning against the wall where
she can listen but not be zlinned well.
Sumulo: You can't talk to me like that.
Briel: That's it.
Briel picks up the phone.
Briel: Please send security to my office to remove a channel.
Sumulo: Besides, if you are Briel then you asked for me.
Briel gives the nageric description.
Briel pauses.
Briel: I seriously doubt that.
Briel: What would I want with a second order who doesn't know how to control
his field?
Sumulo: [hands over order] Read it.
Briel accepts it and scans it.
Briel looks up at him.
Briel: I revoke it.
Briel hands him the order back.
Sumulo: You can't. My family will destroy you, if you do.
Briel: Let them.
Briel: I'd rather be destroyed than have half my center destroyed by an
incompetent channel like you.
Sumulo tries to control the fields.
Sumulo: [sputters] Incompetent!
Alea goggles in shock, not realizing Briel had it in her--then remembering
several times she'd been called on the carpet and decides well..maybe.
Sumulo: You have no right! After all, you are just a disjunct!
Briel: Only an incompetent channel would come in here blaring his outrage
like that.
Briel: A competent disjunct.
Briel smiles ferely.
Briel: Now, if you would like to talk, get your field under control. Otherwise,
I finish this call.
Briel motions to the phone she is still holding.
Sumulo: A disjunct in charge of a Sime Center. I doubt the Tecton will allow
it after I've talked to them.
Briel shrugs, puts the phone back to her ear and finishes the description
then goes into a physical description and just who he is according to his
papers.
Sumulo: Oh [bristles] very well.[ sniffs disdainfully]
Sumulo controls his nager.
Briel pauses, lifts an eyebrow, then tells the security to come on but to
wait outside her office in case she might require them.
Briel hangs up the phone.
Alea thinks no way are they REALLY going to keep this creep around.
Briel: Now, what is it you want?
Briel: I see your orders sent you here.
Briel: But from the way you came in here, I see you also have doubts that
you'll fit in.
Sumulo: [rolls eyes] The orders. You sent for me to be a replacement for
one of the seconds who left.
Sumulo: I'm a Channel. I will always 'fit' into a Center.
Sumulo: I'm also a better administrator than you are.
Briel: You nager plainly stated your doubt that you could work for me, a
disjunct. IF you still don't think you can, tell me now.
Briel: Well, I wonder why they didn't send you as an administrator if they
believed that.
Briel ~~amused~~
Sumulo: They are sending me on a tour of the Center so that I will better
understand how different Center's work. [sniff]
Briel looks back at his orders.
Sumulo ~anger~
Alea gasps, thinking this canNOT be true. They're stuck with this ... this
... idiot!
Sumulo ~~control~~
Briel: Okay.
Briel: Well, then.
Briel tosses his orders back on the desk.
Briel: I suppose you will pick up the duties of the second you're replacing.
Sumulo: And those duties are?
Alea sees the guards coming down the hall, see her and turn back to leave.
Briel reaches in her desk, pulls out several files and tosses them across
the desk.
Briel: Housekeeping admin.
Briel: As well as your normal duties as channel.
Sumulo: HOUSEKEEPING!!! Why This is an OUTRAGE!! I won't do it.
Briel: Good.
Briel smiles again.
Briel: I had hoped you'd say that.
Briel picks up the phone again.
Sumulo grabs the file. "I'll have your head for this."
Briel looks up.
Briel: I take it you mean you accept?
Alea crosses her fingers.
Alea thinks no no no ... go away.
Sumulo stands. "You see my acceptance. Where are my quarters?
Briel puts the phone back in the cradle.
Briel remembers that nasty room not fixed yet that freezes you in the winter.
Briel: Go down the next hallway, the Sime quarters, room 34.
Sumulo: The key? [tentacle waiting]
Briel looks down her nose.
Briel: The front desk. I'm a controller. I don't have time for 'menial' duties
like that.
Alea is stunned. She is certain she heard something about a key and quarters.
Sumulo sputters. "You are going to regret this."
Briel thinks she already does.
Briel: Please close the door on your way out.
Sumulo turns to leave.
Alea takes that as her cue to leave and hurries to room 34.
Alea goes in, opens the window
Sumulo slams the door, hinges splintering.
Alea looks quickly around to see if there is anything else she could do to
make his stay worse.
Briel picks up the phone and calls the Tecton District.
Alea shivers.
Alea thinks perfect and turns to leave.
Tramila is now known as Tecton.
Sumulo: Just what are you doing in MY room?
Alea jumps realizing she wasn't fast enough.
Alea thinks Shen, how'd he get the key that quick.
Alea: Oh, is this your room now?
Sumulo: Or is it that you want some action?
Alea nager goes flat.
Alea: Do not even think it.
Alea: I wouldn't stoop that low.
Sumulo: It is, if you have the key, give it to me.
Sumulo: I'd give it to you nicely.
Alea goes to move past him, wishing she hadn't just HAD to make him pay for
earlier.
Alea tells him very specifically what he can do with his offer.
Sumulo: You'd like it.... a lot.
Alea: I'm not into small game.
Alea: Excuse me please.
Alea moves past him.
Sumulo: There is NOTHING SMALL about me.
Alea ~~you wish~~
Sumulo laughs at the Donor's discomfort.
Sumulo goes to her and wrap a tentacle around an arm.
Sumulo: Come with me.
Alea looks down at her arm.
Alea: I believe we've had this discussion before.
Alea: Please let me go.
Sumulo brings her into the room and slams the door behind them.
Alea ~~surprise~~
Sumulo: Why baby?
Alea mouth drops open in shock.
Alea thinks why 'baby'
Sumulo: When you are so cute and after all you liked me so well, you were
here to welcome me in my new quarters.
Alea glares coldy at him.
Alea: Release me.
Sumulo leans in to kiss her.
Alea sputters.
Sumulo: You don't want that.
Sumulo: [licks ear[ Do you?
Alea stiffens, outraged.
Alea: I would suggest you let go of me.
Sumulo pauses at the power of her nager.
Sumulo: [smiles] Why? Don't you like me?
Alea: You might want to go talk to Lupo in the infirmary, if he's conscious
yet.
Sumulo: I can take you places you have never been.
Sumulo: Who is that?
Alea smiles sweetly, her eyes shards of ice as she stares at him.
Alea: The other Sime who wouldn't take no for an answer.
Sumulo pauses once again.
Sumulo: You wouldn't hurt me. I'm a Channel and you are a Donor.
Sumulo: Donor's don't hurt Channels.
Alea: Channels don't hurt Donors either.
Sumulo: Especially FARRIS Donors. [brushes the black with a tentacle]
Alea shudders in revulsion.
Sumulo: But I'm not hurting you.
Sumulo: Make love to me baby. I know it's what you want.
Alea: Do you?
Alea: [sarcastically]
Alea begins to shiver from the cold as the room gets colder and colder...
Sumulo augments to bring up his body temperature. "I can make you warm. In
fact, I can make you hot....for me."
Alea: No, thank you. I have someone who keeps me more than warm.
Alea wonders how she gets herself into these situations.
Alea looks up at the ceiling trying to decide just how to get herself OUT
of this situation.
Sumulo: That renSime. [laughs as he remembers seeing the female renSime with
the one she is referring to]
Alea simply stares at Sumulo, smirking.
Alea: YOu can compare in no way to him.
Alea: Now, since you know I am otherwise engaged...
Sumulo: Forget the renSime, let me get a female renSime to handle his post.
You are too much for him.
Alea lifts an arrogant eyebrow, looking down her nose at him--which is hard
since she is smaller.
Sumulo: Now take me. I can handle you just fine. [nuzzles ear]
Alea: Well honey, if he can't handle me with all of his finesse then there
is no way you could handle me.
Alea incompetent Channel..incompetent in other areas as well...
Alea: Get your wet lips off my ear.
Sumulo: You AR.....
Alea pulls back trying to turn her head.
Alea ~~disgusting~~
Sumulo: But you like it. I can zlin it.
Sumulo: So soft.....
Sumulo: Just go with it.
Alea thinks she is going to give him something to zlin if he doesn't let
her go.
Sumulo: I can make you happy.
Alea's field goes flat and she stills.
Alea thinks no response to be the best response.
Alea begins planning what she has to do the rest of the day.
Sumulo zlins her flat field. "You really play hard to get, don't you.:"
Alea thinks after she gets out of here she should go finish the work in her
office.
Alea then has a short rest break an extra one since Briel knows she's pregntant,
then she has got to go to work with Tramila.
Sumulo: Well, we will see, I'll have you in the end and I'll.....[zlins]
Sumulo: You BITCH!
Alea jumps.
Sumulo: It's that little prick's, isn't it?
Alea ~~wary~~
Alea: What?
Alea ~~soothing~~
Alea decides to try using her field to manipulate him.
Sumulo: You're pregnant!
Alea: Why, yes. I am.
Alea smiles.
Sumulo: Why did you come here, if you are pregnant?
Sumulo: [idea] I know.
Alea: I was in this wing...
Alea: Oh really?
Sumulo: It's because you really want me. [sneer]
Alea laughs.
Alea: You presumptuous second.
Sumulo: Tightens his hold and kisses her.
Alea: Why would I want yo--
Alea ~~ugh~~
Alea struggles.
Sumulo: Zlins her nager and throws her across the room.
Alea slams into the wall.
Sumulo: Get out!
Alea ~~stars~~
Alea slides down the wall.
Sumulo: Grabs her and tosses her out the door. "I SAID Get OUT!
Alea blinks a couple of times wondering why the shendi flecking channel isn't
reacting to her pain.
Alea falls hard on her hands and knees in the hall.
Sumulo falls to his knees with the contact of a Farris in pain.
Sumulo: Stupid Bitch.
Alea stays in that position for a short time until she thinks she can walk.
Sumulo crawls to the door and slams it shut.
Alea would love to think nasty thoughts about the channel, vows to get even
with her enemy, but no more because her head hurts too much.
Alea thinks one good thing, he got what he deserved.
Alea: The idiot didn't even have the sense to go hypo.
Sumulo is now known as Tramila.
Alea staggers down the hall.
Alea ~~shaken~~
Alea: Shen.
Alea: Should have known better.
Tramila walks down the halls and zlins Alea.
Alea: Am out of practice.
Tramila: Alea!
Alea: Shouldn't have stopped spying...
Alea blinks.
Tramila: Take her by the arm.
Alea: Oh.
Alea: Hi.
Alea: I'm fine.
Tramila supports her.
Tramila: Let me be the judge of that.
Alea debates telling Tramila what happened, but doesn't want it all over
the Center right now. Decides she wants her revenge first.
Alea ~~dizzy~~
Tramila wraps tentacles about her shoulders. "Tell me what happened?"
Alea: I ... slipped and fell.
Alea reaches up to touch her head.
Alea: Is the baby okay?
Tramila: Reaches up and brushes a lock of hair away.
Alea ~~concern~~
Alea: Oh shen, the baby.
Alea ~~alarm~~
Alea: If he hurt...
Tramila: I zlin the truth Alea but I will let it pass for now.
Alea clamps her mouth shut.
Alea: Let me handle this.
Alea: YOU know I can.
Alea meets Tramila's eyes.
Tramila nods. "Just let me help you."
Alea nods.
Tramila: And Tell me if you require any 'help' with whatever you are planning."
Alea knows Tramila is one of those who knew all the inner workings of Zeor
and certainly knew of her past.
Alea: Of course, Tramila.
Alea: Please.
Alea: Can you zlin..the baby?
Tramila smiles.
Tramila: May I zlin you?
Alea: The baby first.
Alea ~~guilt~~ that she might have inadvertently caused the baby harm with
her actions.
Tramila: Let's go to your room, it is the closest.
Alea crosses back through the lobby and up the stairs to her room.
Tramila supports Alea then waits for her to open the door.
Alea opens it and goes inside.
Alea sinks down onto the bed.
Alea looks to Trmaila.
Tramila sits with her then waits for Alea to offer her her arms.
Alea holds them out.
Tramila takes her arms then makes fifth.
Alea sits tensely.
Tramila: Finally Tramila releases.
Tramila: The baby is fine.
Alea sags, then reaction sits in and tears start streaming.
Alea: I am soooo glad.
Alea: I was stupid. Just plain stupid.
Alea shakes with relief.
Tramila: And I think a strong dose of fosebine will cure your head.
Alea nods, then winces.
Alea: I was going to do some work, then take my rest break. Then I was to
meet you in the transfer rooms for work.
Alea looks helplessly at Tramila.
Tramila hugs her then goes to a cabinet to mix a glass of fosebine.
Tramila: I'll be fine.
Alea: I know you will be.
Tramila: In fact, I haven't felt this good in a long time,
Alea: I just ... my job is by your side.
Alea smiles.
Alea: I'm glad.
Alea: Ooh.
Alea reaches for her head.
Tramila hands her the glass.
Alea: Except for my headache pounding out at you, I imagine.
Alea takes the glass and downs it.
Alea: Ugh.
Tramila: Rest. That blast of head would cripple others.
Alea hands the glass back.
Alea ~~guilt~~
Tramila washes the glass and replaces it where she found it.
Tramila smiles.
Alea lays back on the bed, feeling bad that she's not going to be helping.
Tramila: It's all right Alea. I understand.
Alea wraps her arms around her and nods.
Alea: I really am sorry.
Tramila: Please don't feel guilty. I truly can handle it. After all, we just
had transfer.
Alea: My shenned impulsiveness got me into this mess again.
Alea: Yes, we did.
Alea reaches for the blanket.
Alea: I think ... I'll just ... lay here for a ... bit.
Tramila: But I see that you are learning. The situation isn't happening as
often as it used to. Have patience with yourself.
Alea reaction setting in.
Alea: I'm ... trying.
Tramila: I know.
Tramila tucks the blankets around her.
Alea closes her eyes thinking over and over again how foolish her actions
were, how she could have hurt this baby too.
Tramila: Do you want me to put you to sleep or can you manage it?
Alea shakes her head.
Alea: I - I won't be able to ... sleep.
Alea thinks not with the thoughts haunting her.
Tramila: Then close your eyes.
Tramila touches her forehead with her tentacles and puts Alea fast to sleep.