Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #128: (1/12/98)
Alea comes down the stairs of the Center.
Briel is now known as Bcal.
Wise Snake decides to have mercy on B'cal and let her go back to the Center.
B'cal sighs and rubs at her forehead before glaring at SNake.
Wise Snake tries to think of some way to phrase this without offending B'cal... again...
Wise Snake: Um... gosh! Look how high the sun is getting.
Wise Snake: Must be time to er...
B'cal: I'll say.
Wise Snake winces at the glare.
B'cal glares.
Wise Snake: Do you want to go back to the Center now? [wince]
B'cal: Well, it would be nice if I got there before tonight.
Wise Snake blinks several times.
Wise Snake: I'll take that as a yes?
Alea goes over to the desk clerk and searches through the piles of papers.
Wise Snake thinks B'cal is deliberately trying to give her a hard time or something.
B'cal: You'd be right.
B'cal rolls her shoulders to get the stiffness out of them.
Wise Snake: Ah! [seizes upon solid information] Good. Let's go.
Alea finds the last of the destroyed reports that came from her office and pulls them out ot redo them.
Wise Snake starts off through the still-falling snow.
B'cal: How is that other Donor working out?
Cpt Button sets mode: +o NickR wisesnake checks to make sure B'cal is staying close behind.
Wise Snake: Darron? He's... well.. I'd really have to work with him more to really get an idea.
B'cal nods.
Wise Snake: Anyway, I only had him for the two days.
B'cal trudges through the snow, refusing to fall behind, keeping her attention focused on Snake.
B'cal: I see.
Alea takes the papers to her office and begins to painstakingly to copy the information she can read to new forms.
B'cal: What are you going to do today when you drop me off?
Wise Snake: I'm behind on... er... "tax collection"... people will expect me to be around, with the weather this bad, so I'll probably do that. Hopefully there will be a bunch of sick people to look at.
Wise Snake thinks it's a good thing to do with no Donor since it's mostly a bunch of trudging around freezing your tentacles off.
Wise Snake sighs.
B'cal: Tax collection.
B'cal growls.
B'cal: I'm sure.
Wise Snake shrugs; they both know what it really is.
Wise Snake: Whatever you want to call it.
Ddraig: Tying up Snake? Do you think she'll like it?
Ddraig: =====wrong window===
Wise Snake: ./msg Alea well I don't know, I never tried it with TWO women before but I'm game.
Wise Snake: ==oops... scratch that===
Alea: ./msg Wisesnake Alea chokes the life from the slithering reptile.
Alea: Oops...Oh dear ===scratch that===
Wise Snake: Hey.. can we stop here for a second?
Wise Snake points to the Ferry Building tower visible about a block away.
Alea comes back out of the office with her forms and gives them to the deskclerk.
B'cal: The building you want to buy.
Fise wakes up.
Fise rubs the sleep out of his eyes.
Linn gazes out at the snow, thinking that the house is lonely, with Nick moved out and Snake gone most of the time.
Wise Snake: Yeah.
Wise Snake: Come on, it isn't far, and it'll only take a moment.
B'cal: That's where you're living now?
B'cal nods
Wise Snake: Uh... I wouldn't call it living.
Fise looks over to the other side of the bed. Treis to remember her name.
Wise Snake: ===note... Snake has not been back to the house since she moved out two days before.. see previous logs====
Fise: == Treis -> Tries ==
Alea returns the papers and wanders over to the empty wall about the couch, wondering what she could put there.
B'cal nods.
Fise shrugs and looks for his clothes.
B'cal: Neither would I.
Fise sets mode: +o Veraik wisesnake turns in the direction of the building.
B'cal goes with Snake to the building.
B'cal sets mode: +o Tramila
Wise Snake: Hmmm... do you think it's too obvious somebody's been coming in and out of here? [studies paths hacked through snow to the door]
B'cal looks at the Path.
Fise eases out the door.
B'cal: Nah, I'm sure any wino passing wouldn't notice.
Alea grins and nods.
B'cal [sarcastically]
Alea remembers how much Veraik hated her art....
Alea remembers his threats about hanging any art in his room....
B'cal looks at the outside of the building mentally estimating the amount it is liable to actually run if Snake can talk them down and shakes her head.
Fise goes down the street, shaking his head to try and clear it.
Fise stops, trying to remember when he was supposed to meet Snale again...
Alea goes up the stairs and down to Veraik's room.
Linn: ==scratch previous phrase referring to Nick moving out==
Wise Snake unlocks one of the doors and pushes it open.
Alea peeks in and sees Veraik isn't there.
Wise Snake waits until B'cal is in, then closes and relocks it.
Wise Snake: Watch out for all the... er... [kicks some debris aside with her foot]
Wise Snake: Sorry about this.
B'cal: Lockign the door?
Wise Snake: I don't want homeless people to get in.
Wise Snake: [unconscious of the irony]
B'cal: I see.
B'cal smiles sardonically.
Wise Snake starts climbing stairs.
Alea goes to the wall, slips the blue and silver painting off Veraik's wall that she painted...moves one to help cover the missing one..then slips back out of Veraik's room.
B'cal follows.
Alea goes back downstairs dragging the picture with her, which she procedes to hang on the wall over the sofa in the lobby.
Alea is certain Vreaik won't notice it missing.
Alea steps back and studies it.
Wise Snake climbs up to the third floor.
B'cal: Is there where you spent the night?
Wise Snake: Yep.
B'cal: That night you didn't make it to pick me up?
Wise Snake goes to a door and opens it.
Wise Snake: Yeah.
B'cal: And the Donor didn't freeze to death. wisesnake jumps up and retreives her stuff from on top of a very high makeshift shelf.
Wise Snake: You mean Alea?
B'cal pulls her cloak closer about her, watching her breath in the air.
B'cal: Yeah.
Wise Snake: I was augmenting. She was warm enough, once she'd gotten in from outdoors.
B'cal: Uh huh.
B'cal frowns and looks at the stuff Snake pulled down.
Wise Snake restocks the medical kit.
Fise can't remember, and decides to go home and clean up. Worth doing anyway, and maybe it will clear his head.
Wise Snake frowns and shakes one bottle, trying to determine if its contents have frozen.
Wise Snake zlins, shrugs.
Wise Snake: This is ridiculous.
Wise Snake tosses it and a few other things in the kit and closes everything up.
B'cal: You know, Snake, I think working out your problems with Nick and Linn would be benefical isntead of staying here where you're liable to end up hurt, sick, who knows...
Wise Snake: Give me a break, B'cal. This is only temporary until the City decides one way or another. They sent me a letter saying my proposal had been received and was under consideration.
Alea steps back and looks again at the picture and nods with satisfaction.
Wise Snake: As soon as I have the legal right to do so, I'll get the plumbing and heating going.
B'cal: And until then?
Wise Snake hopes this will be soon; rubs cold hands and tentacles together, before shouldering the bag.
Wise Snake: And then it will be much warmer in here.
Wise Snake stashes the stuff back on shelf... pauses, frowning at a hole chewed in the corner of one bag.
Wise Snake looks at the molding, realizes it's wide enough for a rodent to crawl along.
Wise Snake: Great. [mutters]
Wise Snake: Come on... let's get you back to the Center.
B'cal: Finally.
Wise Snake trudges out the door, closes it to keep the cat out, and goes down the stairs.
Wise Snake: Look at this.
Wise Snake stops on 2nd floor, points out the doors to a balcony over looking a large space.
Wise Snake: The main terminal...wouldn't that make a great meeting hall?
B'cal: Yes?
Wise Snake: Look.
B'cal: Yes, it would.
Wise Snake goes out on balcony.
B'cal: This is part you're not going to black off?
Wise Snake: Look at that stone. I love Gen Territory architecture.
B'cal follows.
B'cal sets mode: +o Lowren
B'cal studies the stone.
Wise Snake: What? Ucch, no. This will be blocked off for a long time. At least during winters.
Wise Snake: It's too big to heat efficiently.
B'cal: Good.
B'cal: I see you do have a mind for business.
B'cal: Unusual for Farrises[mutters]
Wise Snake grimaces.
Wise Snake: I'm only half a Farris, you know.
B'cal: Ah, so there is hope for you.
Wise Snake shakes her head and goes back to the stairs, continues down.
B'cal turns and follows, thinking Snake is harder to bother today for some reason.
Lowren rides along, squinting in the bright sunshine.
B'cal looks around the building thinking that Snake made a good choice as far as buidlings go, wonders why no one else has bought it yet.
Wise Snake reaches the foot of the stairs and unlocks the door, holding it open to admit a blast of cold air and sunshine.
Wise Snake: Shen. It stopped snowing really suddenly.
Alea suddenly remembers something she was suppose to do and hurries back to her office.
Wise Snake squints up at the sky.
Wise Snake: That's really creepy.
B'cal looks up too.
B'cal: That's a problem for you?
Wise Snake: No!
Wise Snake: No, not at all.
Wise Snake wonders if B'cal will whine less now that it has stopped snowing.
B'cal: I didn't think so. Thought you should be used to creepy by now.
Wise Snake leaves the building.
Alea writes out several notes to friends and some to people on the city council and then takes them back out and gives them to someone to have delievered.
B'cal: It snows at V'lar, but it's been a long time since we had this much snow.
B'cal walks alongside Snake.
Lowren's breath (and that of the horse) condense in the frigid air.
Wise Snake locks the door behind them.
Wise Snake walks with B'cal.
Wise Snake pushes back her hood, squinting as the wind blows her hair around.
Wise Snake: Snow and sun make it too bright. [opines]
B'cal: Imagine all the flooding when this melts off.
Wise Snake: Flooding?
B'cal: Low lying areas that don't drain fast.
Wise Snake: Oh... very little flooding Bender Cove. It all runs downhill to the lake.
Wise Snake: I suppose up in the farms there must be some though.
B'cal nods.
B'cal: Places where the water backs up as it's all trying to run to the river.
Wise Snake: Nah... what you usually get is really icy streets... sheet icicle.
B'cal: I see.
Wise Snake: It makes for quite a spectacle if one cart slips and causes a chain reaction. A lot of people and animals get hurt.
B'cal: Vlar gets flooding.
B'cal: Of course, our terrain is different than here.
B'cal: I would say so.
Alea comes out and gathers her cloak.
Alea slips it on, plus her gloves and scarf.
Wise Snake is now known as ghostly1
Ghostly1 is now known as gonebyby.
B'cal watches Snake fade and disapper and shakes her head disgusted.
B'cal: Those Farrises. They think they can do anything.
B'cal continues on to the Center alone.
B'cal is now known as Sissy`
Veraik sets mode: +o LinnH
Veraik sets mode: +o NickR
Veraik walks into the lobby and notices HIS picture but says nothing.
Alea wraps the scarf around her head and starts toward the back to go for a walk.
Veraik: Alea?
Alea pauses.
Alea: Yes, Hajene?
Veraik: Nice picture in the lobby. [jaw set]
Alea smiles.
Alea: Thank you, Hajene.
Veraik: Are you going out? Alone?
Alea: Yes.
Veraik: [neutral look]
Alea: Out back to walk.
Alea lifts an eyebrow in question.
Veraik: Don't you think you are taking a risk since you are a Farris Donor and pregnant besides?
Alea: Walking in the garden is a risk?
Veraik just looks at her.
Alea stares back.
Veraik: With you, everything is a risk.
Alea: You know, Veraik.....
Alea gapes.
Alea: Oh, well, then if everything is a risk, walking in the garden won't matter, will it?
Veraik: Besides, you usualy venture further than the Center walls.
Veraik: Yes.
Lowren tries to keep the horse off the ice and out of the deep snow, which doesn't leave much leeway...
Veraik: I guess not or would you like an escort for your little adventure?
Linn is now known as nag.
Alea stares again.
Alea: I don't mind an escort.
Nag snorts, wishing this guy would make up his mind whether he wants the ice or snow.
Veraik: Then please allow me to get my Liorie cape and I will attend you.
Lowren speaks soothingly. "It's all right. We're almost there."
Veraik goes to his office to get his cape, zlinnig to verify that Alea is following him.
Sissy walks slowly along wondering at Veraik's generous offer.
Sissy: ==Alea==
Nag puts his ears back, having heard this for the last ten #%% miles.
Veraik: After putiing on his cape, Veraik holds the door open for Alea. "I zlin that you are doing well. Is that how you feel?"
Alea smiles.
Alea: Yes, Veraik. I'm much better today.
Veraik: Good. I understand that you told Tarsh yesterday. How did he take it?
Veraik zlins to assure himself that Alea is warm enough.
Alea shrugs.
Lowren sees a milestone, covered in snow.
Alea: I think he was happy.
Alea glances at Veraik.
Alea: How was the trip to Liorie?
Veraik: {Looks straight ahead] I'm happy for you.
Veraik: Relaxing for the most part.
Fise: Whoa!
Ddraig is now known as Passerby.
Veraik: I had time to myself and a chance to talk to the Sectuib.
Passerby is walking along the road to Farfall, bundled against the cold.
Fise dismounts.
Nag is, in fact, starting to think that a warm stable and a bale of hay is about as atainable as a weekend off during crush.
Fise: == scracth that ==
Veraik: [Half laugh, half snort] And I had one of the best transfers I've ever had.
Lowren dismounts.
Lowren brushes snow off of the stone.
Alea: I'm glad to hear that.
Passerby sees a stranger up ahead and watches him with distrust.
Alea ~~means it~~
Veraik zlins and relaxes.
Lowren peers at the stone's overly worn lettering.
Passerby approaches cautiously.
Veraik: Briel did a great job during my absence.
Nag takes advantage of his momentary distraction to paw the snow away from the dried grass underfoot and snitch an illegitimate nibble.
Passerby: You lookin' for something stranger?
Lowren decides that this stone is from too long ago, and to illegible to trust.
Lowren turns, surprised.
Alea: Yes, she did.
Lowren: Hello!
Veraik: Or the Tecton wouldn't have plaved confidence in her to the point of offering her an opportunity at the Controller's position.
Lowren: Yes, I'm looking for the Drake place, near far Fall.
Passerby: Drake place eh?
Passerby: Yeah, I know them.
Lowren: I'm Lowren. From over hamish way.
Lowren: If you could direct me there, I'd be much obliged.
Passerby: Hamish, huh? Long way from home, ain't ya?
Passerby: You're on the right road. You take it through Farfall..
Alea: I'm glad for her.
Veraik: Yes.
Lowren: Yeah, I'm do'in an errand for a friend. Got a message for his folks.
Veraik: Are you ready to go in?
Passerby: His folks?
Alea turns into one of the paths of the garden.
Passerby: Just who's your friend?
Veraik follows.
Lowren: Jon. Jon Drake.
Passerby: Jonny? Jonny Drake?
Passerby: He's still alive? We all figured when he turned up missing that something happened.
Lowren: Yes.
Nag tugs on the reins, trying to reach another clump of grass.
Passerby's eyes narrow.
Lowren: Not, he's alive and well. I saw him about a month ago.
Passerby: He didn't turn Sime did he? Like his brother kane?
Lowren steps to the side unconciously.
Passerby: That was nasty business, but we took care of him real good!
Lowren: Nope. He's human as you or me. Getting a beard now.
Passerby: A beard! He was only a little sprite. He almost got himself killed that night.
Passerby: Lordy be...
Passerby is lost in thought...
Veraik stops and looks at Alea. "Since you and Tramila missed transfer together two months ago, you qualify to have another transfer together." [Looks up and out at nothing] Both you and Tramila deserves to have another transfer together therefore I'm assigning the two of you to trasnfer again this coming month."
Fise finishes dressing. he checks his hari again.
Alea: Briel already did.
Alea: But I'm glad you both agree on this.
Veraik's nager and jaw squeezes. "Of course she did."
Fise: So I go through town on this road? How far beyond that?
Alea: Well, you have been making yourself scarce lately, Veraik.
Alea: I could be wrong.
Alea: Was it you who assigned us and she just carried the message?
Veraik: [Feeling his responsibility but wanting to leave] "It is time that I go back to work. Shall we?" [indicates with tentacle pointing towards the door]
Veraik: No.
Fise comes downstairs and out into the street.
Alea: Running again?[softly]
Veraik: I'll have to do a better coordination with Briel in the future.
Alea: Communication. That's the key.
Veraik: Running? [Looks at Alea] No. [sighs] No, I'm not.
Alea: Good.
Alea moves up continuing to offer support.
Fise: == make last Fise line Lowren ==
Veraik: ~~ flash of anger then gone in a second~~~
Fise: == 2nd fise line back hari -> hair ==
Veraik takes the support.
Passerby: Oh, of course. Head to the other side of town, then cross the bridge at the creek and turn to the right.
Alea: I hope, now that we've both had time to cool off that we can work together in peace.
Veraik: We can. I know that we can.
Veraik opens door to the Center and waits for her to enter.
Alea: I'm glad, hajene.
Alea moves inside, slipping her cloak off.
Veraik drapes Liorie cape over his arm. "So am I."
Lowren: Other side of town, over the bridge, turn right.
Passerby: Right.
Veraik: You are safe now. IT is time that I report to the transfer clinic.
Lowren: I'm much obliged to you, sir. Anything I can't help you with?
Alea: Thank you for the walk, Veraik.
Alea: Have a nice day.
Alea thinks she was always safe on the grounds but decides Veraik is just going to be Veraik--always.
Veraik: You are welcome, Alea.
Passerby: No, no. Just headin' into town.
Fise picks his way down the street, trying not to get anything on his clothes.
Alea slips the scarf from her head and then nudges the gloves off her fingers.
Lowren: Well, thank ye kindly, again.
Lowren: [ to nag] Ok. Time to get going. I'll get you some corn later.
Passerby: No problem. Little Jonny....
Alea folds the cloak over her arm and goes back to the lobby.
Passerby: How's the kid doin?
Veraik sets mode: +o wisesnake
Lowren: He's doing right well for hisself. Got a good city job.
Nag grunts as his unwelcome burden settles back into place, then plods on.
Alea stops in the lobby to hang the cloak up
Passerby: Heh! Figures. Never thought he was cut out to be a farmer...
Passerby chuckles to himself and continues on his own way.
Tramila is now known as Rhelana.
Lowren is glad he didn't have to say what *kind* of city job.
Rhelana sees Alea in the lobby. "Hello." [pleasant smile]
Alea slips the gloves and scarf into the pocket of her cloak.
Alea turns, sees Rhelana.
Alea: Good day, Rhelana.
Nag is now known as LinnH.
Rhelana: Glad to see that you are all right. [glad she can't zlin]
Alea smiles sensing Rhelana's field.
Alea: Thank you, Rhelana.
Alea: How is the job working out?
Rhelana: It's wonderful and my boss is the greatest.
Alea: I'm so glad you're happy.
Rhelana: I'm so glad I get to work with him ALL the time.
Alea: I'm sure you are.
Alea smiles again.
Wise Snake looks around.
Wise Snake sees snow, sky, buildings, no B'cal.
Alea: Would you like to go for tea?
Rhelana goes hyper with Alea's nager.
Alea: I don't have to work...
Alea pulls Rhelana duo wisesnake looks first puzzled, then distinctly annoyed, although there is nobody to see this.
Alea: Rhalana?
Rhelana gasps. "OH! Sorry."
Alea: No problem, dear.
Fise trudges through the Lower Garden district.
Alea: Would you like to go for a cup of tea?
Rhelana: "Tea? Uh.uh. All right. That is...if you really want me."
Sissy is finishing the grocery shopping.
Lowren turns down Peach, heading towards Vine.
Alea: I wouldn't miss it for the world, Rhelana.
Sissy comes out of the store, two large bags of groceries.
Veraik is now known as Tramila.
Lowren: == Fise, not Lowren ==
Wise Snake stands indecisively in the middle of the street.
Alea nods toward the hall.
Alea: Let's take it in the kitchen.
Tramila walks down the street and zlins Wisesnake.
Wise Snake frowns to herself.
Rhelana: All right. [baths in Alea's nager] ~~Hyper~~
Alea pulls Rhelana duo again and holds her there.
Lowren rides down the street, past a line of shops.
Tramila: Wise?
Sissy starts out across the street intending to walk home.
Wise Snake looks at Tramila.
Wise Snake shakes herself.
Wise Snake: Tramila?
Lowren pulls nag up hard. "Whoa!"
Tramila: Hello WiseSnake.
Wise Snake looks like she's seen a ghost.
Sissy looks around sees the nag and jumps out of the way, dropping her groceries.
Fise comes around the corner, and walks up the steps to Snake's house.
Wise Snake: Oh... hello, Tramila.
Tramila adjust ambient. What happened?
Lowren dismounts. "Sorry about that Missy. I shoulda been looking sharper."
Rhelana stays duo and inches closer to the Farris nager.
Sissy is clutching at her chest, heart beating at twice its speed.
Rhelana: Tea? Right?
Fise kicks snow off his boots on the steps.
Wise Snake: Happened?... nothing.
Sissy: No, no. I apologize. I was thinking about ... someone. Wasn't watching where I was going.
Rhelana: I'm SURE Tarsh won't mind.
Lowren: Are you hurt?
Wise Snake zlins Tramila.
Alea: You are entitled to breaks throughout the day.
Linn answers the door when Fise signals.
Tramila: You zlin......oh well.
Wise Snake: I was just... [pauses]
Linn: Hello.
Alea goes into the kitchen and moves to the stove to put on water.
Wise Snake: I was... bringing B'cal back to the Center?
Tramila: "Who is your transfer partner this month?
Wise Snake: Simone.
Linn can't quite remember who this person is, though she remembers meeting him once.
Fise: Hi. Is Snake here?
Sissy looks down at the mud and snow spatter up on her and shakes her head.
Sissy: Just a mess.
Tramila: He's good. [smiles]
Sissy looks at all the scattered groceries and sighs.
Linn: No. [depressed]
Sissy: Mom is going to die when I bring these home like this.
Lowren starts picking up the groceries from the ground.
Sissy grabs a bag and starts refilling that.
Alea rummages through the cabinet looking for the right kind of tea.
Alea smiles.
Rhelana: Yes I am. I'll make the tea.
Fise looks annoyed. "when will she be back?"
Alea: Oh, no. It's no problem.
Alea: I'll be glad to.
Linn: I don't know.
Wise Snake: I hope so. [remembering the previous time]
Linn just hopes it happens at all.
Alea finds the tea and pulls it down, turning back to Rhelana.
Alea: Unless you would like to help?
Wise Snake: Did.. B'cal make it back to the Center?
Tramila: I was just on my way to the Center but I have a little time, if you do. Would you like to go someplace and talk?
Fise is puzzled. "You don't? Isn't this her house?"
Linn: Well...
Rhelana basque with the attention.
Linn decides that it's more Snake's home than the condemned Ferry Building.
Wise Snake looks at Tramila with increased interest.
Wise Snake: Sure... okay.
Lowren: You tell your mother that it wasn't your fault.
Linn: Yes. This is her home.
Tramila: Where is a good place? [smiles]
Sissy: By the way, my name is Leena Drake.
Linn: Were you supposed to be meeting her here?
Sissy sticks out her hand to shake belatedly.
Sissy is now known as Leena.
Fise: I'm Fise Lendis. I have business with Hajene Snake.
Alea: WOuld you get two cups, please Rhelana?
Alea: They're right over there[motions].
Wise Snake: Uh... [looks around to see where she is]
Wise Snake: How in shen did I get way over here?
Lowren is surprised and takes a moment to remeber to shake the hand.
Rhelana: Sure. [bounces over to get the cups]
Wise Snake: [muttered]
Alea puts the tea out and gets some spoons.
Wise Snake: There's a teahouse about two blocks that way.
Tramila concerned.
Lowren: My name is Lowren. You're Jon's sister, aren't you?
Alea: I find the kitchen so much quieter than the cafeteria.
Leena: Jon?
Tramila: That sounds good.
Leena's eyes widen in surprise.
Leena: You know Jonny?
Linn tries to figure out what to do with this person.
Leena: I thought he was ... dead.[whispers]
Rhelana: [eyes shining] You have sure a wonderful nager.
Alea ~~annoyed~~
Fise wonders what he should do now.
Linn looks at Fise's clothes, and decides that he's either legitimate or a pimp with better taste than most. wisesnake leads the way to Beetwack's Herbal Imports and Eatery.
Alea smiles though and turns to lean agains the counter, keeping her field nuetral.
Linn: What is your business with Snake?
Leena: Where is he? Is he okay?
Leena ~~eager for news~~
Rhelana: I've never been around a Farris before. Do all of you zlin this incredibly? [worship]
Lowren: Yes, I'm a friend of his. He asked me to come here and see if his family was alright.
Leena: Oh! WHere are my manners? Mom and Dad will be excited to know he's okay.... He is okay isn't he? I mean ... he hasn't come back home and we wondered...
Lowren: Yes, He's fine. He's living over by the Lake.
Passerby is now known as BarakDrak.
Tramila: Oh. I've heard of this place. I've been meaning to come here sometimes.
Alea: I don't know. I suppose you'd have to zlin them, Rhelana to know.
Alea: Now, let's get that tea.
Barak Drak is in the barn, tending to the animals.
Wise Snake pushes her way into the pungently aromatic shop/cafe.
Alea turns to the stove to see the water boiling.
Rhelana hands her the cups.
Fise: I'm a channel. She said I could do some work for her.
Wise Snake: They have a lot of really obscure types of tea here... and even coffee, if you go for that kind of torture.
Alea lifts the water to pour into the cups.
Wise Snake: I don't recommend coffee for Farrises.
Tramila follows Snake.
Alea is very careful not to spill it.
Linn blinks.
Alea: There we go.
Linn: Snake is willing to pass work on to someone else?
Tramila blanches but not surely they have a cup of trin we can indulge in.. [smiles]
Lowren: I was just riding out to your family's place.
Leena hefts the bags and motions toward the way Lowren was heading.
Rhelana: ./me lets out the breath she has been holding.
Leena: Oh, good.
Wise Snake goes to the counter and points out the price list on the back wall.
Wise Snake: Fifteen different varieties.
Leena starts walking that direction.
Fise: Yeah, some. I can't keep up with her, but she wanted me to fill in sometimes.
Wise Snake: And for 30 per ounce you can get tea from Veraik's roses.
Leena: Come on. I know they'll be excited. Please, tell me all he's been up to how he's doing...
Wise Snake: That's not on the public menu, obviously.
Tramila: Which one do you want to try. my trick since it was my suggestion.
Alea hands a cup to Rhelana.
Alea moves over to a table to sit down.
Lowren let me carry those. If you could lead my horse.
Leena pauses, then smiles.
Wise Snake studies the list.
Leena: Why, thank you.
Linn decides that this guy's request to see Snake is both legitimate and urgent.
Rhelana takes the cup. ~relief that the Donor didn't spill on herself~~
Leena hands the groceries over to Lowren.
Wise Snake: I hear the "Purple Rose of Passion" is better than it sounds.
Tramila: All right. Let's wickedly try that one.
Alea: So, tell me Rhelana. where did you work before here?
Alea sips her tea.
Wise Snake orders a pot of the tea and then finds a table in a corner by the window.
Wise Snake points out the shelves of bottles crowding the wall.
Lowren grabs the bags and shifts them to a relatively comfortable position.
Rhelana: Householding Tien.
Wise Snake: Some of these labels make fascinating reading.
Wise Snake: And not just for people in First Year [adds]
Leena takes the reins of the horse and resumes walking, studying Lowren curiously.
Tramila following Wise, zlinning all the things she is pointing out.
Alea: Tien?
Alea: Really.
Alea: So why did you end up getting transfered here?
Rhelana: Yes. I'm from the Householding.
Linn: Well then, I'd better explain.
Leena: He's not ... he's okay then?.
Leena ~~worried~~
Linn decides that she's not particulary comfortable having Fise in the house.
Rhelana: I wanted to learn more about the Centers so that I can help the new changeovers with intigrating into Sime society.
Alea: Oh.
Fise: If you could, Tuib.
Alea: That's interesting.
Alea sips her tea.
Barak Drak makes sure the cows and the horses have enough feed.
Lowren: No, he's fine. He did get hurt in a fight, but he healed up fine.
Wise Snake sits at the aforementioned table.
Leena: I'm so glad to hear that.
Linn: There's a tea house nearby. Why don't we go there for a bit.
Leena: WHen you said he wasn't dead, well, the only reason I could come up with that he didn't come back was because he turned into a ... well ..... killer.
Lowren: He was working in the yards, there, and doing construction.
Fise: Certainly, I'd be happy to.
Alea: Have you learned much since you've been here, Rhelana?
Tramila: What do you mean, not just for people in First Year?
Alea: Toward your goal, that is.
Linn grabs her coat, and starts leading the way for the only place in Bender Cover that serves a decent cup of coffee.
Linn: You see, Snake has moved out.
Linn: Two days ago.
Fise: No, No. He's a gen, all right. No doubt about that. Getting a beard now.
Tramila: Some but I just arrived. Learning requires observing and I haven't had enough time for that.
Fise: == Lowren, not Fise ==
Tramila: ===Tramila - Rhelana====
Leena: Oh, that's so good. You say he worked in the yards? Where? I don't think you said where he lived.
Wise Snake: I... just meant that... never mind.
Tramila: How are you doing with B'Cal and Nick, Wise?
Lowren looks at Leena closely, trying to decide how much to tell her.
Alea: Ah well, I'm sure hajene Veraik or Briel will make sure you have enough time to learn.
Leena ~~nervous~~
Leena: You know, I'd really like to contact my brother, talk to him if possible.
Leena leands Lowren out of town toward the farm.
Wise Snake: Um...
Rhelana: [smiles] Oh yes and hopefully that handsome boss of mine as well. [knowing smile]
Wise Snake: I'm not doing anything with Nick. And B'cal... what can one really do with her?
Lowren: I can give you his address in Bender Cove.
Alea takes another sip of her tea.
Wise Snake thinks that's unfair.
Wise Snake: B'cal has really been much better lately.
Fise waits for Liin to get her coat.
Tramila laughes then sobers.
Tramila: Good. I'm really glad you are getting along with B'Cal.
Alea: I'm sure your supervisor will upt forth every effort to make sure you understand your position as cashier too.
Leena: Bender Cove?
Leena eyes widen.
Leena: Isn't that ... Sime Territory?
Wise Snake wonders what she did that prompted B'cal to abandon her halfway to the Center... or... whatever happened there.
Rhelana: Yes.
Fise: == scratch last ==
Wise Snake frowns.
Fise follows along with Linn.
Wise Snake: There's still a certain level of... stress involved, of course...
Wise Snake certainly hopes SHE didn't do something to abandon B'cal.
Lowren: Yes. Yes it is. I live there too.
Wise Snake: Did you say B'cal arrived at the Center all right?
Tramila: That's just First Year.
Wise Snake: What's just first year?
Leena: And he's not SIme?
Barak Drak trudges out to the chicken coop.
Fise: Moved out? Where to?
Linn: I'm not sure of the details, but she quarreled with Nick, her Donor, and I haven't seen her since.
Leena looks hopeful.
Lowren: Nope. Lots of Gns live in Sime territory. Especially in Bender Cove.
Tramila: The amount of stress you are experiniencing.
Barak Drak looks out toward town, wondering when his daughter is going to learn not to dawdle.
Tramila: And yes. B'Cal did arrive safely to the Center.
Barak Drak thinks a moment and realizes that she's almost as old as Kane was when he...
Leena: What if ... perhaps he would kow about ... turning into a killer if he lives around so many...
Leena looks worried.
Wise Snake: Ah. Good.
Linn: It doesn't matter. She's never at home, anyway.
Wise Snake: ~relieved with a little worry still hidden underneath~~
Alea: Do you have any hobbies, Rhelana?
Alea thinks other than bouncing around looking bubbly all the time.
Lowren: Yes, he knows something about turning into a Sime. Simes don't have to be killers anymore. Not since Klyd Farris made the Tecton.
Tramila zlins Wise but says nothing.
Leena ~~diseblief warring with hope~~
Tramila: This tea is very different but I like it.
Fise sniffs. "Donors, well, they can be difficult."
Wise Snake tastes it.
Rhelana: Several [knowing smile]
Wise Snake: I like the cheap stuff better. [admits]
Alea: Oh really? Like what?
Alea takes another sip of her tea.
Lowren: They can go to a Sme Center, and a channel will give them transfer.
Linn: So can channels.
Rhelana: Just some hobbies.
Fise: Yeah I suppose.
Wise Snake thinks this is really surreal... her and Tramila sitting in a cafe making small talk.
Wise Snake rubs her forehead.
Tramila smiles. "I agree but still, it is nice for a change."
Leena: What if someone was certain they were going to be one of these Simes? Could they go to this place and they'd really help them? I mean, they wouldn't have to be shot down that way, right?
Fise: How is she going to manage, though? Without a Donor, i mean.
Wise Snake: Yes... sometimes change is good.
Linn finds this agreeability a novelty after Snake's Farris arrogance.
Alea realizes Rhelana is going to talk to her no matter how friendly she tries to be and sighs.
Lowren: No, err, yes, they would help them.
Linn: I don't know.
Lowren: No, they wouldn't be shot.
Lowren: No one has guns in Sime Centers.
Tramila: I'm glad we are talking Wise. It is nice to be around you like this.
Leena eyes widen with true hope.
Leena: Look. T here's the farm.
Leena points.
Lowren: You jsut have to go to a Sime Center when you know you are in changeover.
Lowren cranes to look at the farm.
Leena: What about if you know you're going to be a Sime. Can you go early?
Leena: So you won't get shot?
Leena is cluthing the reins so that her knuckles are white.
Lowren: Yes, so you won't get shot.
Lowren: Did they have changeover classes in your school?
Wise Snake: It's... weird...
Wise Snake: I'm sorry. It's just that so much has happened.
Linn: My advice would be to ask around, and see where Snake is expected.
Leena shakes her head.
Leena: They don't talk about that here.
Fise: Any suggestions as to where to start?
Alea sits her tea down.
Linn: Well...
Alea: Well Rhelana, if you have any questions, please feel free to come ask.
Fise: Do you know if she is working at the Hospital yet?
Tramila: I know but that is part of learning to cope but as a Channal AND as a Farris.
Linn thinks that Nick is really the person to ask, if he weren't terminally depressed.
Alea: I know it's hard, getting to know people at a new Center. I'm always around somewhere.
Wise Snake is confused.
Rhelana: I WILL and thanks for the tea.
Lowren sighs. "Not talking about it won't stop it. It just makes it more dangerous."
Alea takes her cup and sets it in the sink.
Alea: I'm glad you had time to chat.
Rhelana: [like how that delicious boss of her was in bed---oh she was going to find out]
Lowren: My best friend changed over. But he went to a Sime Center, and now he works with me in bender Cove.
Barak Drak finishes feeding the chickens, then distractedly heads back to the house.
Wise Snake covers her lack of any idea how to respond to that by opening a menu.
Rhelana: Me too. It was fun.
Barak Drak: On the way up to the porch, he looks at the bell.
Leena points.
Leena: There's my father now.
Tramila follows Wise's lead and looks at the Menu.
Wise Snake: You're not allergic to coconut, right? They say the coconut custard here is very good.
Barak Drak touches the bell, watching it swing slowly, not far enough to begin ringing. It may have to do that soon enough.
Wise Snake has, of course, never tasted it herself.
Alea thinks keeping the wayward renSime duo was not fun, but taxing though she doesn't say so.
Alea starts down the hall to the lobby.
Barak Drak hears the sound of the wagon and turns.
Tramila: Yes. I wasn't very fond of it.
Tramila: No alergic reaction but the taste just wasn't for me.
Wise Snake: Ah.
Linn leads the way into the shop.
Wise Snake runs out of things to say.
Linn: Like I said, you'll have to look around.
Rhelana bounces her way back to the cashier's box, zlinning for Tarsh.
Wise Snake looks helplessly at the menu thinking it all looks threatening and unfamiliar.
Fise comes in, unwrapping his scarf.
Leena looks worriedly at the stranger.
Barak Drak: ===scratch wagon reference===
Linn spots Snake sitting with Tramila.
Leena: Please don't mention what I said to my father, about you know changeover.
Leena ~~nervous~~
Barak Drak turns when he hears the sound of a horse. He sees his daughter walking with someone he doesn't recognize at this distance.
Leena: I shouldn't ahve asked so many questions. I was just curious ... for a um, friend who is certain she is going to changeover.
Lowren: Ok, Leena, i won't.
Barak Drak wonders what that damn fool girl is up to now.
Leena relieved.
Leena: Thank you Lowren.
Lowren: You should ask questions, so you can help your friend.
Leena looks at her father and shakes her head nervously.
Lowren sets mode: +o wisesnake
Linn: Alternatively, you couold go over there and ask her.
Tramila: Perhaps a Fruit pie with a Fruit you have tasted before and know that you are not allergic to would be a good choice.
Barak Drak heads out to the road.
Leena: No, I dont' want anyone to know what I think .... my friend thinks. It's not, a good thing to ask.
Fise: What? [ turns to look ] Oh!
Linn nods towards the table where Snake and Tramila are sitting.
Wise Snake zlins LinnH and Fise and jumps.
Wise Snake: [startled]
Fise goes over to snake's table.
Tramila zlins the two approaching.
Leena: Hi daddy. [smiles nervously]
Wise Snake looks and zlins completely unprepared for this sight.
Barak Drak is stern.
Fise: Hello snake.
Lowren: Good afternoon, Mr. Drake.
Barak Drak looks at the stranger.
Wise Snake: Uh... Fise... I missed our appointment, didn't I? [weakly]
Barak Drak: Leena Drake! How many times have I told you to stay away from strangers?
Leena realizes she is still leading the horse and that Lowren is carrying her groceries.
Fise: Hu-* yeah, but don't worry about it. I know how it is.
Leena: I ... I'm sorry, Father. He's a friend of Jon's though.
Barak Drak gives a barely polite nod.
Barak Drak: Good afternoon.
Leena reaches out for the groceries.
Barak Drak pauses.
Linn looks at Snake, concerned about the erratic behavior, circles under the eyes, and other symptoms of stress.
Leena: May I take those from you?
Barak Drak: J-Jon?
Leena: Thank you so much for carrying them for me.
Lowren: Of course.
Wise Snake: Well... uh... I see you've met Linn.
Lowren squats down to hand over groceries.
Fise: Linn?
Wise Snake points a tentacle in the direction of the lurking Linn.
Wise Snake: Didn't you come in with her?
Leena acceots them and awkwardly tries to hand back over the reins to the horse.
Fise turns to look at her.
Barak Drak: You know Jon?
Fise zlins Linn.
Barak Drak can't believe that he's still alive.
Lowren accepts the reins.
Tramila zlins the interplay and watches how Wise handles the situation.
Lowren: Yes. Jon Drake is a friend of mine.
Linn wonders why this overdressed individual seems so surprised.
Fise considers Linn as a Gen for the first time.
Leena: I'll just go put these up.
Linn is a bit nervous about the way the guy is zlinning her.
Leena hurries off toward the house.
Barak Drak: Well, I'll be.
Fise: He asked me to see how you all were doing.
Wise Snake gives Linn a "not to worry" gesture behind Fise's back.
Barak Drak looks a bit suspiciously.
Fise: == Lowren, not Fise ==
Barak Drak: Jon...he's still....he's not....
Fise belatedly smiles at Linn before trurning back to snake.
Linn's nervousness abates (mostly) and is replaced by a growing indignation at Fise's poor manners.
Fise: "I hadn't caught her name."
Lowren: Jon is alive and well. And Gen.
Barak Drak breaths a sigh of relief.
Linn wonders what her name has to do with the price of trin in Lanta.
Barak Drak relaxes.
Barak Drak: Well, Mr...?
Lowren: Jorlen. Lowren Jorlen.
Tramila: How are you Linn?
Tramila: And Wise, you haven't introduced me to the Channel yet?
Leena hurries back out so she won't miss anything said about Jon.
Wise Snake grimaces.
Tramila: [stands, impossingly]
Linn nods a polite greeting to Tramila.
Wise Snake gestures for them to have a seat.
Wise Snake: Have some of this expensive tea, Fise. [hiding her own dislike for it behind an impenetrable Farris showfield]
Fise sits down. He waves to the waitgen.
Linn slips into the chair next to Snake, and happily orders the coffee.
Wise Snake: Tramila, this is... Fise.
Barak Drak: Mr. Jorlen, I bet your hourse is cold and hungry. Why not stable him in the barn a bit. We can get you something to warm yourself up too.
Barak Drak: I'm sure the wife won't mind.
Lowren: Why thank you sir. I'll do that.
Nick is now known as nag.
Wise Snake hopes Tramila will not ask any really embarassing questions but it seems almost inevitable at this point.
Lowren: I have had this horse out a long time today.
Nag is very glad to hear that he'll be out of the #*$&@! snow at last.
Fise takes a cup from the waitgen without comment and samples the tea.
Linn wraps her cold fingers around the coffee mug and inhales the aroma blissfully.
Linn: I do miss coffee.
Tramila: [zlins] Fise. How are you? [observes that he has no House]
Tramila: [cool demeaner]
Leena: You want me to show him where the feed is daddy?
Leena grinning hopefully.
Fise raises his eyebrows. "This is a good tea. Gulf?"
Nag nods vigorously.
Barak Drak nods.
Fise: I am doing as well as could be expected.
Wise Snake squints at the prices board.
Barak Drak: I'll go inside and tell your mother to set another place.
Linn takes a careful sip, savoring the taste.
Tramila looks at Wise and wonders about the relationship between Fise and the channel.
Wise Snake: It says... [finally sees where the tea came from and decides it would be better not to say] sorry, can't read it from here.
Fise: ~~ low 3rd channel, 4 days past turnover, hypo ~~
Leena hurries over to the barn, going inside.
Wise Snake zlins Tramila's curiousity and hopes Tramila will decide not to ask.
Lowren leads nag inside to a stall.
Wise Snake deduces from the lack of excitement at the introduction that Tramila has no idea Fise is considered missing in action.
Lowren holds the cup in his hands only and seems to be savoring the smell.
Leena gets some feed and returns to the stall wehre Lowren is at.
Lowren: == Fise, not Lowren ==
Wise Snake zlins Linn serrupticiously.
Lowren takes off the saddle and bridle.
Tramila: Good tea? [zlins carefully]
Leena puts the feed down and then leans against the stall looking over it and watching Lowren work.
Leena: How far away is Bender Cove?
Fise: Oh yes. I know quality when I smell it. ~~ arrogant but sincere ~~
Linn takes another sip of coffee, thinking that it's the best thing that's happened in two days.
Leena: Oh, wait. It's by Eastcove, isn't it.
Leena nods.
Leena: Wow.
Fise looks at Tramila, look for a Tecton ring.
Leena: Is it nice there?
Wise Snake: I guess a childhood on the streets has conditioned me to the worst Trin. I wonder if I have enough of First Year left to learn to like the pricy stuff instead? [idly]
Tramila unconsciously fingers her combination Zeor/Tecton ring.
Tramila laughs. "On that accound Wise, it is never too late."
Lowren: Yes, EastCove is right across the border.
Tramila takes another sip then politely puts the almost empty cup down to finish cooling.
Lowren: Yes it is nice, there. It snows a lot, though.
Leena: I like the snow.
Fise: There's always time for the finer things in life.
Wise Snake kind of wishes she wasn't the least-cultured person at the table.
Rhelana is now known as Amandaa.
Leena looks cautiously around.
Linn is concentrating entirely on the pleasures of coffee, having decided that it would be a pity to spoil the treat by worrying.
Lowren opens a saddle bag.
Lowren: Leena?
Leena would like to ask more, but is afraid to.
Leena: Yes?
Leena looks at Lowren.
Wise Snake zlin's Linn's intense concentration on the coffee and thinks with some proprietory pride that Linn would make a great 3rd order Donor for somebody one day.
Lowren: Jon asked me to give this to you.
Leena smiles, eyes shining.
Lowren holds out a starred cross.
Leena: He sent something to me?
Lowren: Yes. I'll give you all something inside, but Jon wanted this to be a secret.
Leena tentatively reaches out for it tears pooling in her eyes.
Amandaa: Hello Barak, Leena said we had a visitor.
Fise sees Linn savoring the coffee and considers that Linn has some sense of style, unlike snake.
Barak Drak: Yes. He says he's a friend of Jon's.
Wise Snake slurps her tea, manages to control the gag reflex.
Tramila zlins Fise and disapproves of his nager.
Lowren: This is a starred cross. Do you know the legend?
Leena: It's beautiful.
Wise Snake zlins Fise approving of Linn and smiles to herself.
Leena: It has a story behind it too?
Tramila signals the waiter and has him bring Wise another cup of tea. "I didn't realize that you were allergic to that one, Wise. [nager says that she is trying to cover for Wise]
Lowren: If you trust in the starred cross, it will keep you safe. "Trust the Starred Cross, and Do Not Fear the Sime in Need."
Wise Snake goes up to the counter and orders a single cup of something a little more her speed... "Rosie's Cheeks" a local backyard variety.
Leena looks at the necklace and sighs saying softly, "But what if I'm the Sime..."
Wise Snake aborts her mission and orders it from the waiter instead.
Wise Snake: ~relief~
Leena takes it and slips it around her neck. Somehow knowing her father won't approve, she tucks it inside her shirt.
Leena: When you see him will you tell him I trust it to protect me no matter what, Lowren?
Leena touches the necklace through her shirt.
Wise Snake: So... um... Linn... have you given any more thought to what you wanted to do with yourself rather than volunteering?
Lowren: Jon sent one for Tim too. Could you give it to him later? Don't tell your parents about it.
Tramila indicates to the waiter that she doesn't want another cup.
Leena: I promise.
Leena holds out her hand for the gift.
Leena: I'll tell him what you told me too.
Fise holds up his cup without looking at the waiter.
Linn: The work permit came through yesterday.
Lowren smiles. "Thank you."
Linn covers her cup to indicate that she doesn't want a refill.
Lowren gives her another starred cross.
Wise Snake thinks after all the weeks it took for a simple work permit to hack its way through the red tape of City bureaucracy, a proposal to buy public property will take years.
Tramila: Where DID you learn your manners, Fise? In a garbage truck. [looks at him for his reaction with cool, calculating eyes]
Leena goes across the room and hides it in an old feed box now filled with odds and ends.
Wise Snake's new tea arrives and she sips it gratefully.
Fise looks at Tramila. 'Excuse me?"
Wise Snake flinches at Tramila's words.
Wise Snake gives Tramila an appalled look.
Fise puts the feed in the trough for nag.
Wise Snake: ~~what are you doing???? nager~~
Fise: ~~ indignant ~~
Linn: There was some confusion, about a donor rating, but that seems to have been overcome...
Tramila: ~~~~Finding out who this person is??? nager~~~~
Wise Snake signals Linn: Later; sorry.
Linn looks around, trying to figure out what sparked the heated exchange.
Wise Snake: [to Fise] Please excuse Tramila, she's.. been working very hard lately.
Leena goes back over to where Lowren is standing.
Tramila: Your nager is almost fam...... [looks at Wise, indicating that they should talk about it later]
Wise Snake signals to Tramila: Later.
Wise Snake nods.
Wise Snake shakes her head.
Alea: Thank you so much Mr. Jorlen. I've got to go find Timmy for dinner. Please go on inside when you're done. I .... hope .... I get to talk to you again before you leave.
Lowren: Shall we go in, now?
Wise Snake wonders how she gets herself into these situations.
Alea: ==Leena==
Lowren: Ok. Thank you leena. Remember what I said.
Leena: I will.
Wise Snake watches them warily to make sure they are going to behave, now.
Tramila stands. "IT has been most pleasant Wise but it is time that I returned to the Center.
Fise shrugs.
Leena grabs the necklace nodding before turning to leave and find Timmy.
Wise Snake looks at Tramila, slightly let down.
Wise Snake: Oh.
Wise Snake thinks, so much for talking "later"
Fise looks to see if there are cookies or some such in sight.
Wise Snake: Thank you for the tea.
Tramila zlins and sits back down. "I can stand if, however, you would like me to stay."
Lowren gets a bundle out of the saddle bags.
Linn graciously takes the hint.
Tramila: ===stand - stay=====
Linn: I really should be getting back.
Wise Snake sees Linn getting up.
Wise Snake: ~alarm~
Wise Snake: ~despair~
Linn sits back down.
Linn: What's the matter, Snake?
Wise Snake: ~confusion~
Wise Snake wonders if she's getting everybody's signals wrong.
Lowren takes the bundle and goes to what he guesses is the kitchen door.
Fise wonders what the game of musical chairs is about.
Wise Snake: I'm sorry... I'm just... go ahead.
Wise Snake looks at Tramila.
Wise Snake: I know you have work... you said you only had a short time. Go ahead.
Fise knocks politely.
Barak Drak: Come in!
Fise: == Lowren, not Fise ==
Lowren carefully scraps off his boots and goes in.
Tramila: I do but I can take a little extra time if you would like me to stay Wise. [smiles]
Wise Snake wants to talk to Tramila but not in front of the others... wants to talk to Fise and Linn, but not in front of Tramila.
Fise is annoyed, since he can't talk to snake in front of this Tecton Channel.
Wise Snake sighs in frustration.
Wise Snake: Look.. I'll come early to pick up B'cal. Can you get a little time off then, perhaps? That would be ideal.
Barak Drak: Honey, this is the man I told you about.
Tramila: Sure, Wise. Just message me when you arrive.
Wise Snake: I will. Thank you.
Tramila: Actually this is better for me. I really do feel like I should work some of these kinks out of my system.
Tramila goes to the waiter and pays for the tea then leaves.
Lowren takes off his hat. "Pleased to meet you, Miz drake."
Wise Snake relaxes a little.
Wise Snake: Shen [mutters] of all the rotten timing...
Linn: Snake, you look awful.
Wise Snake turns back to Linn and Fise.
Wise Snake pauses.
Wise Snake: I do?
Lowren thinks 'This is news?' but then realizes linn doesn't mean clothes or hygiene.
Linn: Yes. When was the last time you ate? Or slept?
Amandaa: And it is nice to meet you too, Lowren.
Wise Snake looks like she went three or four days without sleep, one with 8 hours of sleep, and has been frozen and thawed several times... aside from not having been bathed recently.
Lowren: == Fise, not Lowren ==
Wise Snake: Um... I ate yesterday.
Wise Snake trying to remember if that was morning or evning.
Wise Snake: And I slept night before last. 8 hours.
Wise Snake still can't believe Alea did that to her.
Linn waves the waitperson over, giving Snake a stern look.
Lowren: I'm a friend of Jon's, and when he heard I was coming over this way, he asked me tocome by and see how you all were here.
Wise Snake: Of course 8 hours of sleep on a freezing floor might count as more like 3 hours...
Linn glances at the menu, and orders a Sime meal heavy on apples and light on Farris allergens.
Barak Drak: How is Jon doing out there?
Amandaa: That was very nice of both of you, to think of us so.
Wise Snake shoots an embarassed look at Fise.
Wise Snake: So.. uh.. Linn, you were saying about that work permit?
Linn nods.
Lowren: Shucks, ma'am, tweren't nothing.
Wise Snake is puzzled when Linn only nods.
Wise Snake: WHAT were you saying about it? Some kind of problem?
Lowren: Jon said to say he sends his love, and he wants you to know he has a good job.
Amandaa: You look tired, dear. Why don't a make up a bed of you and you can get some rest.
Barak Drak: Yes. Get some hot food in you then you can sleep. We can talk tomorow.
Amandaa smiles. "Oh how wonderful."
Linn: Oh, yes. They asked the Sime Center to confirm my donor rating. The records there said GN-3, and only one donation last fall.
Lowren: Why thank you ma'am, and sir. That does sound real good.
Amandaa: I'll have anything ready in a jiffy.
Wise Snake: Oh.
Fise: ~~ surprise at 'Gn-3' ~~
Wise Snake: Do you remember when I asked you how you felt about the medical field...?
Wise Snake signals Fise: Later.
Linn: Yes.
Wise Snake: Thought about it at all? [casually]
Amandaa sets a plate a food in front of Lowren then rushes off to make a nice soft, warm down bed.
Linn: Well, there was a nurse's aide position advertised in the Eastcove Times, but it's basically an unskilled post, and doesn't pay as well as teaching. Still, there wouldn't be the language barrier.
Lowren digs into the old-fashioned country cooking he's been missing.
Wise Snake: Very true. Say,just a minute.
Wise Snake turns to Fise.
Wise Snake: I'm still working on getting that Donor for you, Fise. Do you want to reschedule our appointment for, say, tomorrow at 8am?
Fise looks up from his tea.
Fise: OK. Where?
Wise Snake: Hmmm.. your place?
Fise: Fine. My place at 8am.
Tramila reappears. "Your bed is ready. Just leave the plate and come with way."
Tramila: ==Tramila - Amandaa===
Wise Snake: Great. Thank you for understanding.
Lowren follows along with his bundle.
Wise Snake: ~~genuine seeming friendliness~~
Lowren: Real good food, ma'am. Thank you.
Fise gets up. "Till tomorrow then."
Wise Snake smiles and waves.
Fise turns, stops, turns back. "Nice to meet you Linn."
Amandaa: Thank you Lowren. Here we are. Have a good night Lowren.
Linn nods politely.
Linn: Likewise.
Lowren: Night ma'am.
Fise goes out, wrapping his scarf again.
Wise Snake waits until Fise is gone and then takes the remains of his tea and pours it into a fern so she won't accidentally drink any.
Wise Snake replaces the cup.
Wise Snake: [to Linn]
Linn wonders at this burst of horticulture enthusiasm.
Amandaa: Night. [smiles] [walks away]
Wise Snake: I'm sorry about that.
Wise Snake: Well... I know of a position which would pay significantly better, and be a good deal more challenging, at that same hospital.
Linn: Oh?
Wise Snake: ~angelic truthfulness~
Linn is very interested.
Wise Snake smiles with fairly genuine pleasure at what she zlins.
Linn has also learned enough not to ask questions about Snake's information sources.
Linn: I thought such jobs all required specialized skills and training.
Fise is now known as CBlogging.
Wise Snake: True, true. But you already have some of the training, and can acquire more.
Wise Snake: This is perfectly legitimate. I want to hire Fise to pick up most of the hours in the changeover room and he could really use an assistant for some of those hours.
Linn: An assistant? In a changeover room?
Linn is more than a little alarmed.
Wise Snake: Yes. Your duties would be a lot like... well... sort of a cross between teaching, and doing those mathematics demonstrations we did a few weeks ago.
Wise Snake looks confused.
Wise Snake: What's the matter?
Linn: Snake, I've learned enough to know I have no business being anywhere near a Sime in hard need.
Wise Snake: Linn, you have the field of a GN-1. If you keep control of yourself the way you did during your last transfer, there is no renSime on earth that could kill you.
Wise Snake: ===transfer=donation===
Linn: What?
Linn is completely dumbfounded.
Wise Snake: Fear equals the "resistance" or "impedance" in the equations.
Wise Snake: No fear - no resistance.
Wise Snake: No killing.
Wise Snake: You certainly have more than enough selyn to serve a renSime.
Linn mentally reviews the relevent equations.
Wise Snake sips her tea after carefully making sure it is the right cup.
Linn realizes that previously, she'd only been worried about the "max speed" part of the equation, because that was what was worrying Snake about Nick.
Wise Snake's food arrives and she picks at it cautiously, then starts eating when it turns out to be pretty good.
Linn's nager turns mornful at the thought of Nick.
Wise Snake looks over at Linn as her nager takes a turn toward the negative again.
Wise Snake: ~~worry~~
Linn notices that Snake has stopped eating, and turns her attention to the delectable pastries displayed behind the counter.
Wise Snake: Well?
Wise Snake starts shovelling food in her mouth again automatically at the stimulus.
Linn: I hadn't thought about those sections of the equations.
Wise Snake: All you'd be doing is assisting him in keeping focused while he's helpign the kids.. and of course, reassuring them that everything will be okay and they won't kill anybody.
Wise Snake: Fise is not a super-sensitive channel so you wouldn't have to worry about accidentally hurting him or anything.
Wise Snake: And to be perfectly honest, the majority of the kids so far have either been Gen already or were just sick, not going through changeover. Of the ones really changing over, many can be sent to the Sime Center.
Linn: Snake, that's really a Donor's job.
Wise Snake: Yes! [quite pleased with her quickness] Yes, it is.
Wise Snake: And I think you'd do quite well at it. You're responsible, and genuinely caring, and have excellent focus and attention to detail.
Linn looks at Snake, apalled.
Wise Snake smiles pleasantly at Linn.
Linn realizes that Snake is serious--seriously insane, that is.
Wise Snake: What.. you don't think you can do it?
Linn: Snake, would you like me to go fetch N..., er, B'cal?
Wise Snake: What?
Wise Snake: What in the world... no?
Wise Snake: What's the matter?
Linn: You're not feeling well.
Wise Snake: Of course I'm not feeling well but what does that have to do with anything?
Wise Snake: Look, Linn, what part of this don't you think you're capable of?
You are now known as Bcal.
Wise Snake: I can tell you I've thought this all through very carefully. Did I forget to mention one of the parts?
You are now known as wind`
Linn: Snake, if Fise is a channel, then his own Donor should be doing that kind of work with him. Otherwise, even I know that it could create real problems--for both of us.
Wise Snake: Fise doesn't have a Donor, Linn.
Wise Snake: Fise has unique problems and a Donor would have to be specially trained for him. I'd like that person to be you.
Linn: WHAT!!!
Wise Snake quietly goes hypo and rubs her forehead.
Wise Snake: What what?
Linn leaps to her feet, eyes wide.
Wise Snake looks up at Linn, trying to read her expression.
You are now known as Shockambi.
Linn is shocked, terrified...and angry.
Linn: Are you trying to get me killed?
You are now known as Angryambi.
Wise Snake: No.
Wise Snake: Please sit down, Linn.
Linn puts her hands on her hips.
Wise Snake looks up at Linn, wearing a genuine headache on her face.
Wise Snake: Please?
Linn: Or am I just someone to be used while its convenient and discarded without a thought, as you discarded Nick?
Wise Snake's expression turns incredulous.
Wise Snake: What in the world did he tell you?
Linn: That you ignored him when he told you how much he was hurting, and told him to leave when he showed you instead.
Wise Snake: Hurting? Hating is what he showed me.
Wise Snake: Hate of B'cal.
Wise Snake: Nick had a problem he wanted to approach me about. Instead of approaching in a professional manner and explaining his problem or proposing it in a dignified manner, he instead played nager games with B'cal all morning and then hit me with some of the most flagrantly disrespectful and disobedient, not to mention dangerous, behavior I have ever seen out of any Donor... outside of Alea, of course...much less out of him.
Wise Snake: ==proposing it = proposing a solution===
Wise Snake: I cannot tolerate a Donor who cannot conduct himself in a safe manner around me.
Wise Snake: Nick is of the opinion that if he is emotional enough about an issue, that my wishes and my safety are no longer important.
Wise Snake: I disagree.
Linn: Snake, were you actually injured by what Nick did? In anything but your pride, that is?
Wise Snake: When Nick came to work for me, I set up very clear guidelines for his behavior. He stuck to them very well up until now.
Wise Snake: What he damaged was my ability to trust him, which has been very carefully nurtured.
Wise Snake: ===has = had===
Wise Snake: I cannot tolerate such erratic behavior from a Donor. I cannot. I have enough problems of my own.
Linn nods, well aware of how difficult Snake finds trust.
Wise Snake: Maybe... [massages temple] maybe... again... one day. But no time soon.
Linn looks Snake over in a measuring fashion.
Wise Snake looks like something the cat dragged in...after toying with it until it was exhausted.
Linn thinks that Snake looks as bad as Nick.
Wise Snake cautiously goes duo again.
Wise Snake sips her tea, trying to avoid that look.
Linn: So, you find working with Nick as frightening as I find the thought of being a Donor for FIse.
Wise Snake shakes her head.
Wise Snake: We are so different from one another that the comparison is entirely impossible.
Linn: Not impossible. Not even difficult.
Wise Snake: For one, you are not afraid. You are offended.
Linn immediately demonstrates authentic offense.
Wise Snake shrugs.
Wise Snake: I will tell Fise you are not interested. He will have to do without, as will you. Perhaps it will make no difference to you.
Wise Snake: But if it is as much of a parallel to Nick and I as you claim, then it should.
Linn looks down at her empty coffee mug.
Wise Snake massages her forehead with the fingers and tentacles of one hand, and feels in her pocket for a couple of Farris painkillers.
Wise Snake finds them already gone and sighs.
Wise Snake: Well. I'm sorry to have disturbed you by bringing this matter up. If you will excuse me.
Wise Snake picks up her cloak and the medical satchel.
Linn sighs.
Linn: Snake, I've learned enough, and seen enough, to find the thought of being a Donor as exciting as it is terrifying.
Wise Snake stops.
Wise Snake looks at Linn.
Linn: I'm just not convinced it's possible for me to survive the learning process--just as you don't think you can survive until Nick learns the control you require.
Wise Snake: You will not convince me by drawing a parallel between you and I that is frankly nonexistant.
Wise Snake: But your lack of consent is enough.
Wise Snake: I will not bring it up again.
Wise Snake rises.
Linn: I'll make you a trade, Snake.
Wise Snake looks at Linn in disbelief.
Wise Snake: A trade?
Linn: I'll give you the chance to show me that I can learn to be a Donor--if you'll give Nick the same chance to show you that he can master control.
Wise Snake: Linn.. [softens]
Wise Snake: I realize you are concerned about Nick and about me, but...
Wise Snake: You can't offer that for Nick. He has to be willing on his own. And that willingness just wasn't there.
Wise Snake: ~regret~
Linn: I think, if we consulted Nick, that he would agree.
Wise Snake shakes her head.
Linn thinks, at least about his half of the deal.
Wise Snake: You can't do this for him, Linn.
Wise Snake: He has to come to me on his own terms, in his own time, for his own reasons and with his own words.
Wise Snake: He has to make his own case.
Wise Snake: It's a matter of trust broken. It can't be covered over lightly.
Wise Snake: It would take a good deal of time, even if we began now it might be months or even years before we achieved what we had before.
Wise Snake: I appreciate your... your offer. But that isn't a true trade. I'm sorry.