Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario

Episode #134: (1/18/98)

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Lanyi: So you'd like me to look in the files and answer some questions?

Wise Snake: I'd like, if possible, for you to contact Inspector Tormer and ask him what information the local authorities require to proceed on their investigation, and to provide whatever information is required.

Lanyi: I don't see any problem with that.

Wise Snake: It probably would not involve any more than looking in some files, or perhaps a small amount of internal investigation if the records are in any way damaged or incomplete. Nothing you wouldn't be well qualified for or authorized to do.

Wise Snake smiles with relief.

Wise Snake: I'm glad to hear you say that.

Wise Snake: In this day and age cooperation is everything, don't you agree?

Lanyi: Reasonable cooperation with local authorities is in accordance with tecton principles as I understand them.

Lanyi smiles. "What *is* the Tecton about, if not cooperation."

Wise Snake: My feelings exactly, and I don't believe he will be asking for anything unreasonable.

Lanyi: Is someone at the center a suspect?

Wise Snake: I don't think they have any idea at this point, although if I may be permitted to speculate I don't see how an object of that much value could have been stolen from under Zeor's nose without it being an inside job, and what better method of transmission afterward than the Tecton assignment system?

Lanyi purses her lips. "I see your point."

Wise Snake: I'd be surprised if the thing was even still in Bender Cove.

Lanyi: Do they know if it has been taken for monetary reasons, or something political?

Wise Snake: I don't know. The whole investigation has been so hush-hush that most of the people performing the investigation don't know much.

Lanyi chuckles. "Not the kind of place I'd associate with high stakes crime. But perhaps that's the point."

Lanyi: Must make the work difficult.

Wise Snake: Yes. Perhaps you can help at least from the Tecton angle. I had already put out the word around town I was interested in leads, but I may do so again.

Wise Snake: To be honest.... [hesitates]

Lanyi raises eyebrows.

Wise Snake: To be honest, I think that the very fact I haven't learned anything, or indeed wasn't involved in the theft, indicates this was a high stakes job based entirely outside of Bender Cove. The object was probably passed through here quickly and has even perhaps already reached its purchaser.

Lanyi looks distracted as she tries to parse through that first sentence. Did Snake mean to imply involvement with the local crime establishment?

Wise Snake: At any rate, without more information it is difficult to speculate. I have told you everything I know at this point.

Lanyi: Just somewhere to change trains and lose pursuit, as it were?

Lanyi: Ah. Well I thank you for your trust.

Lanyi: I'll contact ... *Inspector* Tormer, was it? and see what I can do to help.

Wise Snake: Yes. He is stationed at the police house just down the block from here.

Wise Snake: Thank you for your time.

Lanyi: [ inquiring look ] "Should I mention your name?"

Wise Snake rises.

Lanyi rises also.

Wise Snake: You may, if you like... tell him that I contacted you in the interests of opening communications between the police and the Sime Center. I'm sure he will be happy to talk to you.

Lanyi: I'll zlin him soon then.

Wise Snake smiles, and then leaves Lanyi's office.

Lanyi stands there thinking for a while, tentacles pushing against each other.

Wise Snake: ===the preceding was a dual session intended to be inserted into the log of 1/16/98.====

=========================================

Jan 18.txt.

Characters:

Fise, Snake, B'cal, Alea, Tramila, Gnome, Tamlen, Tarsh, Briel, Simoene, Tramila, Rhelana, Katryn, Jorge, Kadi, Mouse, Lawana.

Fise stands at the window, trying to angle sunlight into a retainer to figure out how it works.

Wise Snake hurries down the street toward the Sime Center.

Wise Snake hopes B'cal is in a good mood today because it's sure going to be... interesting.

Wise Snake enters the Sime Center and hurries up to B'cal's room.

You are now known as Alea.

Wise Snake doesn't find B'cal there.

Fise experimentally inserts an arm into it.

Wise Snake puzzled goes back down and tries the cafeteria, etc.

B'cal comes striding out of Briel's office, face showing her anger, though not a sign shows in her nager.

Wise Snake comes worrying down the hallway, and finally zlins B'cal's nager.

Wise Snake: Ah! There you are.

Wise Snake goes up to her.

B'cal glares at Snake.

Fise winces as he pushes his arm in.

B'cal: You disappeared on me.

Wise Snake: Disappeared??? When was that? Look, we have to get going. We have to pick up Fise before we go to the hospital.

B'cal: Fine.

B'cal bristling.

B'cal: Let me get my cloak.

B'cal strides into the lobby and grabs up her cloak.

Fise tries to close the retainer, but that clearly won't work.

B'cal: Do you know what these idiots did here?

B'cal jerks on her cloak.

B'cal glares back at Snake.

Fise carefully tries to push his arm further in, and gasps in pain.

B'cal fastens up her cloak and starts jerking on her gloves.

Wise Snake: No? wisesnake finally notices B'cal looks angry.

Wise Snake: What's the matter?

B'cal: They have scheduled me for transfer.

Wise Snake: With who? [heart pounding suddenly]

B'cal: The co-Controller.

B'cal: Briel seemed amused when she told me, like it was a nice joke.

Wise Snake tries to tell herself it shouldn't matter... B'cal shouldn't take transfer with her again anyway... but it's hard to believe gut-level.

Wise Snake: Which one? Veraik or Briel?

B'cal: Veraik.

Wise Snake winces, trying to imagine what would happen if Veraik made a sexual advance on B'cal afterward.

Wise Snake: Uh.. be gentle with him, okay?

B'cal smiles evilly.

B'cal: Of course.

B'cal goes to the door and storms out.

Wise Snake thinks that did not sound, or zlin, particularly sincere.

Wise Snake leaves the Sime Center a bit more quietly.

Wise Snake catches up to B'cal.

Wise Snake: Well.. it's better than giving no transfer, isn't it? [trying to see the better side of it]

B'cal ~~flash of fear quickly covered~~

Wise Snake: And it's only for the one month. You'll be free again next month just in case.

Wise Snake leads the way toward Fise's apartment in a nicer part of town.

B'cal: We'll see if I have him this month. I still haven't talked to him about it.

B'cal follows Snake to Fise's apartment.

Wise Snake and B'cal arrive at Fise's apartment some time later.

Fise carefully pulls the retainer off. He extends his laterals to try and zlin its inner complexities.

Wise Snake signals.

Fise puts the retainer down.

Fise checks his hair in the mirror before going to the door.

Fise opens the door.

Wise Snake: Hello, Fise. Ready to go?

Fise: Good Morning Snake. Bcal.

B'cal studies Fise.

Fise: "Well, actually I can't ..." [ looks away ] [ mumble mumble ] ~~ embarassment~~

Wise Snake: What was that? Any difficulties?

Wise Snake: ~~concerned~~

B'cal: Where are your retainers?

Fise: ~~ arm throbbing ~~

B'cal looks at Snake and doesn't see them.

Fise gestures at the table.

Wise Snake: Let me see that arm. [sharply]

Fise: "I'm not sure they're right. Wrong size, maybe."

Fise holds his arm out.

Wise Snake: Those were custom made. They better not be wrong.

B'cal focuses on Snake.

Wise Snake takes the arm and zlins it carefully.

Wise Snake: That's a nasty sheath pinch you have there, all right.

Wise Snake massages the spot with her fingers.

Wise Snake: Fairly recent, too. No real damage done.. the sensation ought to fade soon.

Wise Snake lets go of Fise's arm and goes to examine the retainers.

Fise: No big thing. I was trying to put them on just now.

Wise Snake: Have you had much experience with retainers? They can be a bear to get on by yourself. Here, give me your other arm.

Fise: No, I've never gone out-territory.

Wise Snake opens the correct retainer and looks over it.

Fise holds his other arm out.

Wise Snake: Okay, well, let me show you how to get into one, and we'll see how the fit is. We'll take it slow in case there is a problem with the fit.

Wise Snake takes Fise's arm and positions the retainer under it.

Wise Snake: Okay, now extend your handling tentacles.

Fise: All right. Who designed those things anyway?

Wise Snake: See these grooves here? Make your tentacles sort of go into those.

Wise Snake: Gen torturers.

Wise Snake: I'm not kidding!

Fise: Extend? why? I won't be using them, that's the point of retainers.

Wise Snake: Yeah, I know... for some reason the things retain them in the OUT, rather than the IN, position.

Fise: I've got to keep my tentacles out all the time they're on?

Wise Snake: Yeah. You get used to it after a while.

Wise Snake: But fortunately you won't be in them that long. You don't have to put them on until we reach the border, and then it's only a short distance to the hospital from there.

Fise: ~~ extremely dubious about that ~~

Wise Snake grips Fise's arm and coaxes the handling tentacles out.

Wise Snake: Here, let me.. it's really not so bad.

Fise reluctantly extends his handling tentacles, probing around to find the a comfortable position, only to realize there isn't one.

Wise Snake: Okay... now your arm should be properly positioned for you to find the openings for your laterals.

Wise Snake: This is going to be hard to do, but see if you can make yourself extend your laterals and make them go into those openings.

Fise: ~~ outrage ~~ "My *laterals* _too!_"

B'cal sneers at Fise.

B'cal: What did you think they were for?

Wise Snake: B'cal, cool it.

B'cal shakes her head.

B'cal moves over to lean against the wall and wait.

Wise Snake: I know it's an uncomfortable idea. But it's a good skill to learn.

Fise: I hadn't thought about them at all, frankly.

B'cal extends her hand, looking at the fit of her gloves, waiting.

Wise Snake: The retainers will come off as soon as we reach our work area inside the hospital.

Fise: ~~ doubt of that ~~ wisesnake uses gentle fingers and tentacles to coax the laterals out of their sheathes.

Wise Snake: Come on, you can do it. The faster you get into them, the sooner you can get out.

Fise extends his laterals slowly, shivering at them touching dead matter.

Wise Snake waits until the tentacles are all correctly placed, checking carefully.

Wise Snake: All right. Very good. Now, it closes... like this... remain very still while I do this.

Fise gets his laterals into the proper place and his face into very twisted one.

Wise Snake closes the retainer carefully; the rollers come down and the catch makes a loud snap.

Wise Snake: ~~soothing~~

Wise Snake: That was perfect. You're doing quite well for your first time.

Fise: Is that it? Or do we pour boiling oil into them now?

Wise Snake: Now do you see, if your tentacles hadn't already been out, those rollers would have pushed them out willy-nilly.. I'm sure you can agree that this was a much better way, no?

Wise Snake: No boiling oil.

Wise Snake picks up the other retainer.

Fise: My compliments to the Gen Torturers.

Fise: ~~ sullen agreement ~~

Wise Snake: And this is after a considerable redesign.

Wise Snake assists Fise with putting on the second retainer as well, being careful of the sore sheath.

Fise: ~~ shudders at the thought that these are the _pleasant_ models ~~

Fise sets mode: +o wisesnake wisesnake sees that both retainers are now fitted.

Wise Snake zlins Fise's level of discomfort and decides his don't fit any worse than anybody else's.

Fise: Thanks snake. ~~ grudgingly ~~

Fise gets his cape and finds that his usual flamboyant doing of it catches it on the retainers.

Wise Snake smiles at Fise.

Wise Snake: No problem. No problem at all.

B'cal readjusts the glove on her hand, smoothing the lines then pushes away from the wall to follow Snake.

Wise Snake: Ready to go, then?

Fise: Yeah. Onward.

Wise Snake leaves the house.

Wise Snake leads them to the border.

Wise Snake pulls out her trick retainers and hands them to B'cal.

Fise follows along.

B'cal motions for Snake to hold out her arms.

Wise Snake does so.

B'cal snaps them on with a satisfying click, looking over at Fise as she does so.

Wise Snake: Watch what you're doing, there [uneasily]

B'cal lifts an eyebrow.

Wise Snake massages her wrists and nods.

Wise Snake: All right, let's go.

Wise Snake starts walking toward the hospital.

Fise is looking at a woman going through the crossing.

Wise Snake follows his glance.

B'cal sneers.

Fise: Do we require papers or anything?

Wise Snake: No. We're employed by the hospital and we're wearing proper retainers.

Wise Snake thinks, well, evidently proper anyway.

B'cal is glad they don't check Snake's retainers.

Fise: Ok. Is it far?

Wise Snake leads the way to the hospital.

Wise Snake: No.

Wise Snake: Under a quarter mile.

B'cal switches to unaccented English since they've changed border sides.

B'cal: Just how large is this hospital?

Fise can't follow what Bcal is saying at that speed in English, so he ignores it.

B'cal: I know the room you have is small, but I've never heard the actual size of the hospital itself.

Wise Snake: 300 beds, they tell me. Plus the emergency center and an outpatient clinic.

B'cal: Not bad.

B'cal glances at Fise.

B'cal: Have you seen it yet?

Wise Snake continues to speak in Simelan out of deference to Fise's lack of English.

Fise doesn't appear to have noticed Bcal's question in English.

B'cal suspicions confirmed that he knows little English brings an interesting smile to B'cal's lips.

Fise looks around at the familiar building style with the alien signs.

Wise Snake: This will be Fise's first time to visit the hospital.

B'cal: Of course.

Fise: I hope this isn't near the cutting people up part of the hospital.

Wise Snake: Nope. We have a well-insulated room in the basement.

B'cal wonders if she can arrange a tour of surgery for Fise.

B'cal thinks inadvertently of course.

Fise: I'm glad to hear that.

B'cal hears the word glad and makes a note to work really hard to get that tour for him.

Wise Snake: They assign us those patients they believe are going through changeover, and also any others that... happen to be included.

Wise Snake gives B'cal an odd look, wondering what the Gen is thinking.

B'cal smiles blandly at Snake.

Wise Snake thinks that's a bad sign.

B'cal ~~if you only knew~~

Wise Snake thinks that's a very bad sign.

Wise Snake makes a mental note to talk about this later.

Wise Snake: Now. There is a special entrance we are supposed to use.

Wise Snake approaches the hospital from a little-used direction.

Wise Snake follows a small path through some overgrown land to an old service door.

Fise: Do we treat the non-changeovers? Or just send them back?

B'cal: Send work away?

Wise Snake: Unless other emergencies prevent it, we'll try to treat everybody.

B'cal: No wonder he's had entran[mutters]

Wise Snake: Less people get cut up that way.

Fise ~~ bristles ~~ at having to come in through a servants entrance.

Wise Snake zlins Fise's reaction.

Wise Snake: Yeah, I know. Well fortunately, it's not because they think less of us... it's just so the hospital doesn't get bad publicity from somebody freaking out about Simes in the building.

Wise Snake: This route we don't go in the public areas at all.

Wise Snake pulls open the door and enters the hospital, a quiet corridor.

Fise: Those Gen cultists would make trouble?

Wise Snake approaches a security window and signs them in, explaining about Fise.

Wise Snake: [to Fise] here, wear this: [hands him a temporary badge]

Wise Snake: Cultists? Shen, no, in this town it would more likely be the regular citizens. Those who aren't desperate for ANY kind of treatment, that is.

Wise Snake leads them down into the basement level, and to their room.

Fise pins the badge to his shirt carefully, trying not to damage the fabric.

Wise Snake: [it is a well-equipped treatment room, with excellent lighting and facilities for storage and cleanup]

Fise looks around.

Fise: I don't recognize some of this equipment, but is does look clean. Glad to see they appreciate that, anyway.

Wise Snake: Yes. They are very big on cleanliness here. Regulations will require washing your hands between every patient.

Wise Snake: Why don't you look around? I'll be glad to answer any questions you might have. There are still a few minutes before we start work.

Fise: ~~ suits him fine ~~

Wise Snake starts her paperwork, thinking things have gone well so far.

Fise is now known as Tarsh.

Tarsh lies in bed.

Tarsh is dreaming.

Alea gathers her sketchpad, a book, and her chalks then grabs her cloak and goes out to the gazebo.

Tarsh is floating on a boat on the Great Lake.

Tarsh zlins desperately in his need.

Alea notes the small brazier she has ordered is in the middle of the gazebo.

Tarsh: [ a dolphin leaps form the water and falls back in with a splash ]

Alea gathers some wood and slips it into the brazier then grabs a match from the ones in a small holder.

Tarsh: [ the dolphin swims off in one direction, leaping in and out of the water ]

Tarsh paddles frantically after the dolphin.

Alea strikes the match and sets it to the kindling.

Tarsh augments and sights a ship on the horizon that the dolphin is leading him too.

Alea waves the sketchpad until the fire ignites the wood.

Alea then goes over and opens one of the top windows in the gazebo to let out the smoke.

Tarsh swarms up the side of the suddenly near ship.

Alea finally goes back over and sits down, but, instead of opening her book, she pulls out the sketchpad and begins to draw.

Alea finds releases from frustration and fears as she draws.

Tarsh leaps onto the deck, zlinning for someone.

Alea pauses, closing her eyes, getting the mental picture she wants then opens them and begins to sketch again, short sharp lines...

Tarsh zlins only renSimes, replete with selyn.

Tarsh zlins frantically for a channel or a gen, but zlins none.

Alea continues with the short harsh lines as the picture slowly forms on the paper.

Tarsh charges below decks.

Alea watches as the sketch takes shape.

B'cal is now known as Gen`

Tarsh searches throughout the bunks and holds, but finds only laughing renSimes.

Tarsh collapses in an aching void of need.

Gen comes up from the lower storage deck.

Tarsh snaps up to zlin Gen`

Gen: [pulsing nager replete with selyn]

Alea's breathing mimics the short harsh lines on the page as she works at the sketch.

Tarsh zlins the wondrous nager.

Tarsh leaps to his feet.

Gen turns to give his selyn to another renSime who is standing near the door.

Tarsh: NOO!

Tarsh leaps at Gen`, tentacles out.

Gen ~~desire to give~~ ~~joy~~ ~~completion~~

Gen turns toward Tarsh.

Tarsh reaches out for Gen`

Gen hesitates unsure.

Gen finally decides to try and thrusts his arms out at the attacking Sime...in offering.

Gen ~~willingness to give~~

Tarsh grabs the arms and his tentacles whip around them.

Alea adds shading and smoothes out the lines.

Gen offers, ignoring others who he has severed in the past only seeing the Gen in hard need ... far too gone ... in front of him.

Tarsh zlins the renSime behind gen` and suddenly realizes that she has no laterals, only pink stubs.

Gen grins malevolently.

Tarsh looks down at the joined arms.

Gen begins to laugh.

Tarsh is suddenly filled with an unreasoning horror.

Tarsh tries to unwrap his tentacles.

Gen suddenly sprouts tentacles that come out and snatch at Tarsh's laterals, wrapping tightly around them.

Gen is now known as SimeGen.

Alea ads more details to the picture.

Tarsh augments, trying to pull free from SimeGen.

Sime Gen keeps hold of the laterals, releasing Tarsh's arms so he can augment back......

Tarsh: WereGen! Let Me GO!

Sime Gen laughs again.

Sime Gen: You wanted a Gen. Punishment to those who want what they shouldn't have....[jerks on the laterals]

Tarsh pulls with all his augmented strength, trying to pull loose from hands and handling tentacles.

Tarsh: [ The combined pulls are concentrated solely upon Tarsh's laterals. ]

Sime Gen: [people around them all suddenly appear without laterals and they start fading and turning to skeletons before their eyes]

Tarsh's tentacles rip out from their roots.

Tarsh screams in ultimate agony.

Alea gasps as the picture finally registers in her vision.

Sime Gen Gen`

Sime Gen is now known as Gen`

Tarsh sits up in bed, arms clutched over his stomach.

Alea looks in horror at the gory picture of Tarsh without laterals and throws the sketchbook across the room.

Tarsh whimpers.

Alea runs out of the gazebo and is sick, next to the Gnome.

Tarsh is covered in sweat and his face is twisted in pain.

Tarsh slowly lifts up his arms.

Tarsh sees that they are covered in ronaplin, but intact.

Alea wet from kneeling in the snow, shakily makes her way back to the gazebo

Tarsh shakes violently.

Alea stares at the sketchbook across the room, unable to go forward but unwilling to leave it there.

Alea whispers "Transfer day." and begins to shake, sinking down to the floor in the gazebo, her gaze still on the sketchbook.

Tarsh scrambles out of bed and into the corner by it, dragging the sheets with him.

Tarsh huddles in the corner in terror.

Alea pulls her cloak closer around her, trembling.

Alea sets mode: +o Mostan

Tarsh is now known as Gnome.

Gnome is now known as Tarsh.

Mostan is now known as Gnome.

Gnome: "The purpose of Art is to reveal Truth, is it not?"

Alea hears the voice and looks back at the Gnome, tearing her gaze from the sketchbook.

Alea pushes herself to her feet and moves out of the gazebo, dropping to her knees in front of the Gnome.

Alea: Truth? What truth?

Alea's breathing slows.

Gnome: Did you draw the Truth?

Alea: No. NO!

Gnome: Is he truly a Sime?

Alea: Yes!

Alea trembles

Gnome: Or has his Simeness been taken from him?

Alea: How? What do you mean?

Gnome: What Gen gives him transfer?

Alea: No Gen does. He's a renSime.

Alea's eyes suddenly widen.

Gnome: But is not a Sime one who takes selyn from a Gen who gives it?

Alea: No...oh shen....

Alea covers her face and begins to rock back and forth.

Gnome: Ah. A renSime. Not at Real Sime.

Alea: You don't understand.

Alea: He IS a real Sime.

Gnome: He wasn't in that picture.

Alea: But he is. He is. You don't understand. He is.

Gnome: Is he?

Alea drops her hands and glares at the Gnome.

Alea: He doesn't have to have transfer from a Gen to be Sime.

Alea: He may want it, but a renSime can survive fully and very happily on Channel transfer.

Alea: They can lead a perfectly normal life.

Gnome stands mute at her insistence.

Alea wonders if Tarsh believes that...and is angry at her conflicted emotions.

Alea realizes her legs are numb and pushes up, going back into the gazebo.

Alea goes over and forces herself to pick up the book, looks at the picture then slams it shut.

Alea gathers up her other supplies and leaves the gazebo, pausing at the Gnome.

Alea: Perfectly normal.

Alea makes a note to watch Tarsh closer over the next few weeks

Alea goes on into the Center.

Tarsh is now known as Tamlen.

Gen is now known as Briel.

Tamlen is coming down the hall after his shift working.

Alea almost runs Tamlen over in her preoccupation.

Alea gasps, jumping back, dropping all of her supplies and books.

Tamlen: Whoa!

Alea: Oh! forgive me. I'm so sorry, Tamlen.

Alea leans down and starts scooping up all of her supplies.

Tamlen tries to catch some of them without success.

Tamlen: It's ok. Are you all right?

Alea looks up.

Alea: I - yeah.

Alea: I was just uh ...

Tamlen notices her damp knees and red eyes.

Alea picks up the rest of her stuff and stands.

Tamlen: You don't look all right.

Alea shrugs.

Alea: I just had a very ... odd ... experience.

Alea: I guess I'm not all right.

Alea looks around making sure there aren't any Simes around that she's pushing toward nervous breakdowns with her erratic field.

Tamlen: Come to the Donors lounge and sit down for a while.

Alea nods.

Alea moves with Tamlen toward the Donor's lounge.

Alea tosses her supplies on a table in the lounge and drops into a chair, feeling the tingling in her legs indicating the numbness is finally fading.

Tamlen goes over to fix some tea.

Tamlen: Weren't you one of the people hurt by that wild Killer Gn that we had here the other day? is this about that?

Alea: Oh.

Alea: No.

Alea: She well, yeah, I was hurt by her.

Alea: But no, this isn't about that.

Alea: I ...

Alea shakes her head.

Alea: It was so ...

Alea looks up at Tamlen.

Alea: I was drawing a picture that was forming in my head and it didn't turn out at all like I wanted it to.

Gnome looks puzzled.

Gnome: == Tamlen.

Tamlen: Can't you just start over?

Alea: Yes.

Alea: But this...well ... it touched something deep inside me.

Alea: I have a um ... friend. [looks away] And his um ... laterals were missing, gone, physically ripped away in the picture.

Alea: It was like having a needmare, except that I'm not Sime.

Alea shudders, turning white as she remembers the picture.

Tamlen: I'm afraid I've never understood art very - oh my goodness.

Alea flushes.

Alea knows Tamlen is going to think she has gone crazy.

Tamlen: Why did you draw it if it upsets you?

Alea looks helplessly at Tamlen.

Alea: I didn't start out drawing it. I had a perfect picture in mind, a very peaceful picture, but when I got done....

Alea: It was just ... there.

Tamlen doesn't understand how that can happen, but accepts it.

Alea is looking at her arms.

Alea: He was no longer Sime, but Gen.

Alea: It's normally wrong for a renSime to have Gen transfer. But in some cases, it is okay.

Alea says this low.

Alea looks up.

Tamlen nods.

Alea: That doesn't mean the renSime is any less a Sime simply because he takes transfer from a Channel.

Alea is wringing her hands.

Alea: What type of advice would you give someone who might think that way?

Alea thinks the Gnome has gotten to her and rattled her and vows to paint it purple at the first opportunity.

Alea thinks a nice violet purple should do.

Tamlen: Of course not.

Tamlen sighs.

Alea forces her hands apart, takes a deep breath, sits back and crosses her legs, placing a blank smile on her face.

Tamlen: That is against regulations, of course. So it is important not to get caught.

Alea: Yes.

Alea works on forcing her nager under complete control.

Alea folds her hands in her lap and waits for Tamlen to continue.

Alea is still pale but looks more composed.

Alea: And that's all you'd say to them?

Tamlen: I was there through the early days. A lot of semi-juncts tried Gen transfer to help spread out their.... extreme treatments.

Alea: I see.

Tamlen: There aren't enough Gens who can give transfers to handle the renSimes who would like it.

Alea: Yeah.

Tamlen: The Tecton is right that channel's transfer has to be the rule.

Alea: You're right.

Briel is now known as Bcal.

Tamlen looks around and whispers. "But rules have exceptions."

Alea: Yeah, but I don't think this person qualifies since he already has problems with wanting Gen transfer.

Alea ~~sad~~

Alea smiles at Tamlen.

Alea sets mode: +o wisesnake

Tamlen sighs. "It isn't something to encourage."

Alea: No, it's not.

Alea: After that picture, I suppose I'm just really worried about him...my friend.

Tamlen: The cases I knew about usually had only limited success.

Alea: I would think so.

Alea: Something like that just doesn't work out.

Alea: Perhaps that's all it is, is just worry manifesting itself in my drawings.

Tamlen: Most of the time, no.

Alea picks up the tea and takes a sip with now steady hands.

Tamlen claps her on the shoulder. "I'm sure that's all it is. Have some tea."

Alea: Thank you.

Alea sits back and thinks she knows it was more than that...but darned if she'll ever figure it out.

Gnome is now known as Fise.

Alea: Thank GOODNESS that Gnome is gone.

Alea: ==wrong window==

Fise: So are a lot of the cases like that? Just fever and swollen lymph nodes mistaken for changeover.

Wise Snake: Yes. They can't zlin and they're too afraid to take chances.

B'cal sniffs at Fise and turns to look out the window.

Wise Snake: What's really sad is a lot of these kids are murdered at home instead of brought here.

Fise: Murdered? Even if it was changeover, there would have been plenty of time to get her over the border.

Wise Snake: Yes, I know, but a lot of the parents aren't educated enough on the subject to realize that.

Wise Snake: There have been some efforts to introduce changeover education into the local school system, but so far it hasn't been well-received.

Alea finishes her tea, gathers up all of her supplies and goes to her office.

Tamlen snorts. "Out-Gens!"

Tamlen: == Fise not Tamlen ==

Alea leaves everything in her office and goes upstairs to shower and change.

Wise Snake: Be careful. That's our clients you're talking about.

Fise looks thoughtful. "So these kids I'm treating are going to be scared of me? Think I'm a killer demon?"

Wise Snake: Some will. Some will be so desperate for help they won't care.

Fise: How is my 'couchside manner' supposed to handle that.

Briel strides down the hall looking for her Donor.

Wise Snake: Try to put yourself in the kid's place... they think the world is about to end. Try to be as reassuring as possible... tell them that what is happening to them is natural and harmless and you will help them through it safely. Tell them that they will not die, and they will not kill.

Tamlen washes out the teacups and puts them on the rack.

Tamlen comes out of the Donor's lounge.

B'cal continues to support snake as she and Fise talk.

Briel: There you are!

Fise: They'll just be Sime. ~~ self-hatred ~~

Tamlen: Yes Briel?

Briel stops back from the Donor's lounge.

Briel: We haven't had time to talk this last week. Shen, I haven't seen you except once or twice.

Briel: If you have a minute, I'd like to talk to you.

Briel sets mode: +o Linn

Tamlen: Sorry, Hajene.

Tamlen: Of course.

Wise Snake looks at Fise in some concern.

Wise Snake: What's wrong with being Sime?

Briel goes to her office

Fise: ~~ everything ~~ "nothing"

Wise Snake: The average person who turns Sime goes on to have a perfectly normal and pleasant life. It is to the patients' advantage if you can project optimistic and pleasant feelings while dealing with them.

Linn is now known as Kadi.

Briel sits down at her desk and motions for Tamlen to do the same.

Fise: ~~ attempt to zlin cheerful ~~

Wise Snake: That's a lot better. The average renSime can't tell if you're depressed if you zlin like you aren't.

Fise: Ok. I'll try. How long do we stay today?

Wise Snake: It's six hour commitment, but we can stay as much longer than that as we wish.

Tamlen comes in and sits down in the Donor's position by her desk.

Wise Snake: My goal is to cover all 24 hours someday, so no kids will get murdered.

Wise Snake: But it may be some time before that is possible. We'll have to get you a Donor, for one thing.

Briel: I'd like to talk to you about the rifle incident the other day.

Fise entertains the idea that he might save someone's life.

Fise perks up at the mention of a Donor. "Any luck there?

Tamlen: I heard shooting. I came to investigate.

Briel rubs her face.

Briel: What is it about Donors and weapons?

Briel: I understand your concern, Tamlen. However, in the Center, we don't use weapons--ever. At least not firearms. That's why I confiscated the rifle in the first place.

Tamlen: We can't augment. We have to have help.

Tamlen scowls.

Briel: You can't ... you have....

Wise Snake: Not yet. The one I had in mind turned out to have other plans.. But I'm working on it. The good news is, the third order ones are not impossible to find in the rough.

Briel looking incredulous.

Briel: The best thing a Donor can do in that situation is run. Why is it our Donors here feel they have to put themselves in the line of pain and danger to protect us?

Briel: Do you know what would have happened if you had hit someone when shooting?

Briel: Imagine this.

Fise: First time being a third has done me some good then.

Briel: You aim at the person and shoot as I augment to grab the rifle from the Gen.

Briel: You would either shoot me...or shoot him filling the ambient with pain....

Tamlen: Because protecting channels is our job?

Briel: And the best way to protect a channel in a situation like that is to keep yourself safe.

Tamlen: And if he shoots you?

Briel: What would we do without you? I can't imagine what would happen to me if my Donor got shot right in front of me.

Briel: If he shoots me...

Briel sighs.

Tamlen: The best defense is a good offense. You shoot the other guy first. So he doesn't shoot you.

Briel: The chances of a Sime getting shot in that situation are less than a Gen getting shot.

Briel: We're trying to avoid getting shot all together, Tamlen.

Briel shudders thinking of what would happen if someone was shot in the lobby of the Sime Center.

Wise Snake: Actually, there are several ways in which being a Third is an advantage.

B'cal can't wait to hear this.

Wise Snake: Yes, it is easier to find Donors. And entran, while uncomfortable, is rarely immediately fatal. That gives you more flexibility in going without work.

Fise: I suppose so.

Wise Snake: I can't go more than two or three days without work. You went.... how long? A month or so?

Fise: But it takes longer to recover, so less work takes just as long.

Wise Snake laughs.

Wise Snake: Well, there is that...

Fise: Longer than that.

Wise Snake: But think of it: You have the power to heal, without the physical problems of a 2nd or a 1st.

Fise: More like two months.

Wise Snake: It's almost like getting the best parts of renSime and high order Channel without the bad points.

Wise Snake: You see? I would have been dead within a week on your schedule. Your thirdness has helped you.

Fise: Yeah, I know.

Fise: ~~ is less than overjoyed by his luck ~~

Wise Snake: Unless you are some kind of glory hound... and you really don't seem like that type... then what use would you have for flamboyant abilities and rapid recovery time anyway?

Wise Snake: Come on, Fise. You are what you are. What would you have rather been, a renSime who has to pay taxes hand over fist?

Wise Snake: A Gen?

Tamlen realizes he shouldn't be arguing with his assigned channel in deep need.

Tamlen: All Right Briel. No more guns.

Tamlen: ~~ supportive field ~~

Briel ~~relief~~

Briel relaxes.

Briel: I just wouldn't want you or one of the other Donors injured, Tamlen.

Fise: ~~ response to the renSime suggestion and ignores the tax talk ~~

Briel: Thank you for understanding.

Tamlen: Of course, Briel.

Tamlen moves over to rub Briel's shoulders.

Wise Snake: You wanted to be a renSime?

Briel relaxes further under Tamlen's assistance.

Wise Snake: Fise, how long has it been since you changed over?

Fise: No one really has a choice about that, do they? Not you, not me, not the kids who'll be coming in here.

Fise: We just have to try and get by.

Wise Snake: You're right. Nobody has that choice. But we can try to be the best we can be at what we are.

Fise: Almost two years.

Wise Snake: I think you can be a good third, Fise. I think you have it in you.

Wise Snake: Two years is a long time to regret something you can do nothing about.

Fise glances at Snake's hands at the "best we can be".

Fise: What's your point?

Tamlen: How have you been sleeping?

Briel opens her eyes and glances over her shoulder at Tamlen then back at her desk.

Wise Snake: I want to see you working hard at learning this. I know what you are capable of and I won't accept anything less than your best.

Briel: I haven't, except for the short times when, exhausted, I finally rested and had needmares.

Wise Snake: In return I'll give you whatever you require. Money, respect, a Donor.

Wise Snake: But I want you to say your good-byes to that renSime you didn't grow up to be. That person is gone.

Briel: But, Simes don't require as much sleep as a Donor.

Fise sighs. "Ok snake. I will try to do my best."

Wise Snake smiles.

Fise: ~~ vaguely sincere ~~

Wise Snake supports him with a firm ~~~optomism~~~~

Wise Snake: Of course you will. And I'll be here to help you until you are ready to go it on your own.

B'cal is surprised the channel is going to try.

Tamlen: I see. When is you next long rest? We're napping together.

Wise Snake: I know it won't be easy. Lack of hope is insidious, it can sap your strength. But it also becomes less, the more you have to be hopeful for. And you will have more. You'll see.

Briel looks around at Tamlen and scowls.

Fise: ~~ slightly rising spirits collapse at "on your own" ~~

Briel: I'm not sure. I haven't been keeping track. Besides, I'll be fine.

Wise Snake frowns.

Tamlen: Yes, you'll be fine after nap and something to eat.

Briel thinks food sounds completely unappealing at the moment.

Wise Snake: There is no reason you could not run this room with a Donor assisting. Does the idea not appeal to you?

Briel decides if it'll keep her Donor with her awhile longer she'll gladly force food down her.

Fise: I suppose. Less paperwork than the center.

Wise Snake zlins Fise carefully.

Briel zlins Tamlen's field again, just to make sure it's matching her need and sighs relieved.

Tamlen pats her on the shoulder. "Come on. I'm hungry even if you're not."

Tamlen: ~~ high, offering, hungry ~~

Wise Snake: If you required assistants, you could hire them. It would essentially be like running a small business. It could sustain you for many years to come, if you played your cards carefully in the beginning.

Briel stands and feeling much better than only a short time ago decides she might just be hungry after all.

Wise Snake: Until and unless Eastcove gets its own Sime Center, people will always bring their kids here.

Briel follows Tamlen.

Fise: ~~ is trying to be what he thinks snake wants ~~

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXare ;lines missing her tentacled???

Wise Snake: If you can prove to me you can do the job, and will keep doing it, then it's yours.

Briel smells the food and her mouth waters. She realizes she is reacting to what Tamlen is feeling and a reluctant smile curves her lips.

Briel sets mode: +o Bcal

Fise: Ok. Hajene. I'll try.

Wise Snake zlins Fise.

B'cal wonders if Fise really means it. Decides it's none of her business and ignores.

Fise: ~~ somewhat exasperated and reasonably sincere ~~

Wise Snake: All right.

Wise Snake drops the subject.

Tamlen goes through the line, taking a bowl of oatmeal, some rye bread, tea and fruit.

Wise Snake is now known as gone.

Briel gets some toast and tea.

B'cal is now known as Briel`

Tamlen leads over to a corner table, takes the seat towards the room.

Briel goes over to a table and seats herself.

Briel takes a bite of her toast and chews.

Briel: When did you go into the Army, Tamlen?

Tamlen stirs his oatmeal waiting for it to cool.

Tamlen: I got my call up at 17, like most guys.

Briel rubs a tentacle over her eyes trying to relieve the burning, scratchy feeling.

Briel: So, you were in it for quite a long time, then.

Tamlen: The usual training and drill. Then a post to a mountain border district.

Briel: Is that where you met the Sime that you got caught with in the snowstorm?

Tamlen: Only about 10-12 years.

Tamlen: No, that was later.

Briel thinks ten to twelve years sounds like a long time.

Tamlen: My shift to the tecton was a bit fuzzy.

Briel: Really?

Tamlen: I'd planned to serve my term and get out like other guys. Go home, marry my girl, try and raise kids who'd turn out right.

Briel takes another bite of her toast, then a sip of her tea, listening.

Tamlen: But then, 53 days before my hitch was up...

Briel finishes off her slice of toast and absently picks up another to nibble.

Briel: Yes?

Fise: I got a letter. There'd been a raid.

Fise: I didn't have a girl to go home to.

Briel lays down her toast.

Briel: I'm so sorry.

Briel: That must have been hard.

Fise: Yeah. So I reenlisted. Sorry, but all I wanted then was kill more Simes.

Fise: == last 3 Fise lines should be Tamlen ==

Briel: I understand. I was raised out-Territory. I can recall the fear of Simes.

Briel: Of course, I understand yours was motivated by anger not fear.

Tamlen: And after my second hitch, I stuck with what I knew. Army was safe, I was getting promotions.

Briel pushes her toast away, no longer hungry.

Tamlen: I volunteered for Madison's Madmen. I was proud they took me.

Briel: I imagine you were.

Briel: I remember hearing about them.

Briel nods.

Tamlen: And then word came that there was a big raider incursion in the Nor'West. We were sent to push them into Nivet.

Briel lifts her tea to take a sip.

Tamlen: I told you the rest, I think.

Briel: Yes.

Briel: You did.

Briel: I suppose that's why your rifle is so important to you.

Tamlen: After the treaty, I ended up as a liaison to the Sime army. Had to pull some strings, but I wanted to be around Simes again.

Briel smiles.

Tamlen: Yeah. My dad was real meticulous about keeping a rifle ready. In case of raids. Said it was a man's duty to be ready.

Briel: Did you carry one even when you became a liaison to the Sime army?

Tamlen: And of course, in training they give you all that "sleep with your rifle" hogwash.

Briel: Ah.

Briel: I suppose, out-Territory, a Gen has to be that way.

Briel: Anyway, so you became a liaison. How'd you end up with the Tecton?

Tamlen: As a liaison, I had to donate. I mostly just had a pistol then. Kept the rifle in my footlocker.

Briel: Had to donate or wanted to donate?

Tamlen: Had to, but I didn't mind. At least, not until I found out it wasn't the same.

Briel can't help but smile at that.

Tamlen: The channels knew something was going on. But officially nothing had happened out in that snowstorm.

Briel: I bet they knew something was going on.

Briel shakes her head.

Tamlen: And the Army wouldn't have cottoned to my becoming a Companion, as they were calling it then.

Briel: Companion. I like that word.

Tamlen: Half of being a good commander is knowing what _not_ to see.

Briel: And when did the channels find out you had given transfer?

Tamlen: It was odd. Not so much working with Simes, though that was odd enough, but becoming friends with them.

Briel thinks you ought to be raised out-Territory and then find yourself Sime, having fulfilled all fears of killing one of your own, but she doesn't say it out loud.

Tamlen: When Sedara didn't show up for her transfer appointment.

Briel: YOu stepped in?

Tamlen: Yeah. She was a Sime officer I met.

Tamlen: I hadn't thought I could care about anyone again. Certainly not a Sime. But life likes to throw these surprises at me.

Briel: It does at us all.

Tamlen half grins as he stirs the oatmeal he still hasn't started eating.

Briel: It went well then.

Briel takes another sip of her tea, then pushes it away and props her cheek on her hand and tentacles.

Tamlen: Yeah but she was from before the war. She always had a rough time getting transfers.

Briel: Really?

Tamlen: She was sick so much of the time.

Briel frowns.

Briel sets mode: +o gone

Briel: I'm sorry to hear that.

Tamlen: And she felt better with me around, especially when she was in need.

Briel: I bet she did.

Briel is basking in Tamlen's field at the moment.

Tamlen: And I found I *wanted* to help her.

Briel likes Tamlen's 'wanting to help'

Tamlen puts his spoon down. "So I did. And it helped her. For a while."

Briel: For a while?

Briel blinks realizing she was floating in his field, barely paying attention.

Tamlen: She was doing better for about six months, but then she started aborting off me.

Briel ~~concern~~

Briel: What was it?

Briel: Had to have a kill?

Tamlen sighs. Disjunct crisis.

Briel remembers her own days of the kill and disjunction and shudders.

Briel: I see[whispers].

Tamlen: Yeah. So the channel sent her off for "special transfer". I didn't know what that meant, but neither of them would let me go with her.

Briel nods.

Tamlen: She came back better, at least technically, but somehow she'd left something behind there.

Briel: Yeah.

Tamlen: The channel never gave us trouble about what we were doing, but he would help either. Another case of "what not to zlin."

Tamlen: == would -> wouldn't.

Briel: So, what happened? Someone find out and draft you into the Tecton?

Tamlen: We had five years together. But she never came all the way back from those trips.

Briel: Left part of her soul behind.

Tamlen looks down. "yeah. Somewhere in there I stopped being in their army. It may have technically have been a prolonged AWOL, but I don't think anyone back at HQ cared. Maybe they just forgot about me.

Briel: Well, in my opinion, it's the best thing that could have happened for the Tecton. To get you in our ranks.

Tamlen: Then she said she wasn't going away again. And she told me why.

Briel: You had no idea why before this?

Tamlen: I really hadn't known what they did there. I thought it was some fancy transfer from a disjunct Farris or something.

Briel: Oh!

Briel surprised.

Tamlen: Maybe I didn't want to know.

Briel: I guess people were embarrassed or ashamed to admit that back then.

Briel: And yeah, I imagine knowing someone was slowly dying would be something you wouldn't want to know either.

Tamlen: And she said she could do that anymore.

You are now known as Alea.

Tamlen: == could -> couldn't ==

Tamlen: 3 months later she died aborting off me.

Tamlen: ~~ gloom ~~

Briel: I'm sorry Tamlen.

Briel ~~sinks into gloom~~

Tamlen: Yeah.

Tamlen notices what he is doing and tries to perk up his field.

Tamlen: Sorry.

Briel glances over at Tamlen.

Briel: I'm fine.

Briel looks down at the one piece of toast still remaining and sighs.

Tamlen: Anyway, I reacted the same way I had before. Enlisted in the organization fighting what killed her.

Briel: And has it helped?

Tamlen starts eating his cold oatmeal.

Briel rubs at her tired eyes again.

Tamlen: Yes. I see what the Tecton does for people. How lucky the nonjuncts are.

Briel: Yeah. real lucky.

Briel sighs and leans her cheek back on the palm of her hand watching Tamlen eat.

Tamlen finishes his meal.

Briel: You know, Tamlen. If you would um ... I think I might could rest ... just for a short time, you understand.

Tamlen: Come on. Let's get some sleep. No needmares, I promise.

Tamlen: Of course.

Briel ~~great releif~~

Briel goes wearily with Tamlen.

B'cal walks through the snow with Wisesnake.

Wise Snake drops off Fise and then turns toward the Sime Center to drop off B'cal.

Wise Snake: I appreciate you taking it easy on Fise today.

B'cal: Fise did pretty good today, considering what he's been going through.

B'cal: The boy couldn't take my needling. I could see it right off.

B'cal: Anyway.

B'cal looks away.

B'cal sets mode: +o Veraik wisesnake and B'cal leave the nice neighborhood and descend into the nasty neighborhoods nearer the Sime Center.

Wise Snake: I'm glad you could see that.

Wise Snake: Fise had to be as cooperative as possible and I think he was.

B'cal: Yes.

Simone gets off the boat and retrieves his luggage.

B'cal moves around one of the mounds of snow, wondering when it will all melt.

Wise Snake moves with B'cal to stay in her field.

Simone: Bender Cover again. Well, at least I have a Farris this time instead of that inadequate Controller, Veraik.

B'cal keeps her attention closely focused on Snake, supporting.

Wise Snake: I don't think he's going to be willing to do what I originally wanted of him, though.

B'cal: Oh?

Wise Snake: I think I'll have to find another, or perhaps two more, Thirds if I want that place staffed full-time.

Simone shoulders his luggage and walks towards the Center.

Wise Snake: Fise just doesn't seem to want the whole thing.

B'cal: Ah, yes, I see.

Alea comes down the stairs.

Wise Snake thinks two thirds.... or one Second.

B'cal: It might be better to have more than one.

Simone sees a taxi and decides that walking in the snow wasn't his idea of fun so he hails a taxi.

B'cal: With only one, you could never be certain there would be someone to cover it.

Wise Snake: Well if he was more motivated, I wouldn't have to think about it. Someone who felt proprietary pride for the position would automatically fill it completely.

Simone finally arrives and pays off the driver.

B'cal: I suppose so.

Alea pushes the terrifying thoughts of earlier away and sets off to work.

Simone pushes open the door to the lobby and goes to the clerk.

Wise Snake: I have no idea what motivates Fise, but I am beginning to get the impression that what he wants is not a lot of hard work and living according to schedule.

Simone takes his room assignment and goes to unpack, thinking a shower would be really nice.

B'cal: I'm not surprised.

Wise Snake: That's all right, I guess. If he can learn to do it, and then settle down to putting in a certain number of hours a day on it, whatever number that is, then I will be pleased.

Wise Snake: ~~somewhat disappointed~~

Wise Snake: If I can find him a Donor. The one I wanted for him didn't pan out.

B'cal: Yeah.

Simone finishes his shower then puts his Tecton uniform on adding his black braids then leaves in search of his channel.

You are now known as Katryn.

Katryn comes into the lobby and smiles at Alea who she sees hurrying down the hall toward Tramila's office.

Simone walks down the hall straightening his braids and wondering when Snake will arrive.

B'cal: But if he doesn't like it...

B'cal: There's not much you can do.

Simone enters the lobby.

Katryn gets her schedule for donations for the day and smiles with anticipation.

Simone dampens his nager down.

Katryn turns to leave and zlins Simone.

Simone quirks an eyebrow at the Channel.

Katryn looks at the black and smiles.

Katryn: Another Farris?

Katryn: Wow.

Simone: You're new?

Katryn: Yes. This is my third day.

Katryn smiles.

Simone strokes his hair, knowing what his nager and his good-looks are doing to the new channel.

Simone: Simone Farris ambrov Zeor and you are?

Katryn: Uuuhh....Katryn. Uh, Katryn ambrov Jenier.

Katryn: Jenier of-ffers its greetings to Zeor.

Simone: The House of Zeor greets the House of Jenier.

Katryn smiles starry eyed.

Wise Snake climbs the front steps of the Center and holds the door open for B'cal.

B'cal walks in and stops, sneering.

B'cal tightens her focus on Snake.

Katryn doesn't hear the door, only continues to zlin the magnificent Farris Donor before her.

Wise Snake enters and nearly runs into B'cal.

Wise Snake sees Katryn and Simone and is frozen for a moment.

B'cal: Look who's here early, Snake.

B'cal says it sneeringly.

Katryn belatedly glances around and sees Bcal and Snake.

Katryn: Oh.

Katryn: Hi.

Katryn: This is..um..Simonie ambrov Zeor.

Katryn says Zeor like it's a religious symbol of some sort.

Simone smiles.

B'cal looks Simone up and down, not impressed.

B'cal sets mode: +o Tarsh wisesnake studies them both warily over B'cal's shoulder.

B'cal moves aside for Snake.

B'cal: You want him or do you want me to stick around?

Katryn: Oh, you know him?

Katryn is wide-eyed with awe.

Simone walks over to Snake then looks at B'cal. "Is there a problem?"

B'cal sneers.

Wise Snake seems rather reserved.

Katryn realizes she is still staring and goes reluctantly down the hall to start her donations for the day.

You are now known as Alea.

Alea goes into Tramila's office to be with her Channel.

Alea sets mode: +o Rhelana

B'cal moves closer to Snake, unwilling to leave until she is certain Snake is okay with it.

Simone waits patiently for Snake's answer.

Rhelana is now known as Tramila.

Alea: Hello Tramila.

Wise Snake remembers Simone pushing her around with his nager last time and is too intimidated to answer.

Alea is pinning her hair back as she enters, still damp from her shower.

Tarsh gets up from the corner.

B'cal ~~protective~~

B'cal turns and touches snake's shoulder.

Tarsh moves to the shower.

B'cal: Snake.

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X L I N E S MISSING -- ONE OR TWO XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX.

B'cal: Are you okay?

Simone watches the interplay and waits until Snake decides what to do.

B'cal ~~soothing comfort~~

B'cal: It'll be fine.

B'cal: If you want anything, I'll be here for you. Understand?

Wise Snake looks away from B'cal, then reluctantly up at Simone.

Alea: I'm sorry I'm running late. I took a second shower.

Alea doesn't say she took it to calm her nerves after her odd experience in the gazebo. Instead, she smiles and goes over to her side.

Simone stays neutral, waiting for the channel who he plans to serve.

Wise Snake reluctantly forces herself to move out of the comforting field into the neutral one.

Wise Snake looks at the floor.

Tramila zlin like you've been having a bit of trouble. Would you like to tell me about it?

B'cal shoots Simone a dirty look, wondering if he can't understand that Snake 'needs' his reassurance and caring.

Simone changes his nager to soothing support.

Alea: I'm fine.

Alea moves to a Donor's position to support.

Alea takes a few deep breaths, bringing her nager under strict control.

Tramila goes over to rub her back. "Sure you are."

Alea: You should be letting me do that Tramila.

Alea: I'm fine. Really.

Wise Snake turns to look at B'cal.

Wise Snake: See you this evening. [voiceless]

B'cal hesitates, then nods curtly and goes upstairs.

Simone: .me turns to b'cal. "Would you care for some trin? I just arrived and frankly I'm hungry and parched."

B'cal: If you need me Snake....

B'cal disappears up the stairs.

Wise Snake: I'll show you the cafeteria. [whispered]

Simone nods and follows her. ~ support promise ~

Tramila: No it's all right.

Wise Snake dully leads him to the cafeteria.

Alea relaxes.

Simone: ~~~ care ~~~~

Tramila: I'm really looking forward to another transfer with you.

Alea: And I you.

Wise Snake's mind turns to mush in the Gen's intense nager.

Wise Snake becomes less tense.

Alea smiles, projecting promise.

Wise Snake looks at the cafeteria line blankly.

Simone smiles. "I see that you are looking better than the last time we had transfer, Snake. Is the b'cal the reason?

Wise Snake: W-what? [surreal state]

Tramila: I would love to continue this Alea but I have a transfer appointment to take care of.,

Tarsh comes out of a cold shower. In need and cold too.

Tarsh pulls clothes on without noticing if they are clean.

Simone backs off a bit with his nager but still projects caring.

Wise Snake blinks.

Alea: I know that.

Alea: I'm here to work with you.

Wise Snake resumes walking to the cafeteria line, a little nervous at who is at her back.

B'cal is now known as Katryn.

Wise Snake gets trin for them both.

Wise Snake points out the food, not quite daring to meet his eyes.

Katryn is sitting at a table and sees Snake and Simone walk in and falls into adoring worship.

Tarsh stares out the window wishing time would go faster.

Wise Snake sees the cafeteria is very crowded, but not wanting to be alone with Simone, sees one table that has only one person.

Katryn looks around and sees how crowded the cafeteria is and decides to invite the Farris Donor and the Channel to sit with her.

Katryn meets Snake's odd eyes and smiles, sorta waving, inviting with her field.

Wise Snake sees the woman is staring at them.

You are now known as Alea.

Wise Snake waits until Simone has made his selections and then moves over to that table, keeping her eyes to herself.

Katryn sets mode: +s wisesnake sits down.

Katryn: Hello[to Snake]

Katryn: I'm Katryn ambrov Jenire.

Katryn smiles at her, then takes a quick zlin of her and Simone...her eyes widening a bit as she realizes this must be a powerful channel.

Wise Snake raises her head and studies Katryn.

Katryn smiles brightly.

Katryn sets mode: +o Veraik

Veraik is now known as Simone.

Katryn is just out of first year, third order channel, short red hair and a spattering of freckles across her nose.

Simone keeps his support and focus on Snake. ~ caring ~

Wise Snake looks down.

Alea sets mode: +o Tramila

Katryn is curious why the channel didn't introduce herself.

Simone sips his tea. "Why won't you look at me Snake?"

Katryn: I see you got assigned a Farris.

Katryn realizes she interrupted and blushes.

Katryn takes a quick sip of her tea.

Wise Snake's shoulders twitch.

Simone smiles.

Wise Snake looks up at Simone, reluctantly.

Katryn: You know, Farris Donors are suppose to be the best.

Katryn smiles at Snake.

Simone: ~~~ caring support ~~~

Katryn: I bet he's wonderful.

Wise Snake: [body language intimidated but holds the gaze]

Katryn can't understand the way the channel is acting and decides she is missing something here.

Tramila: Come Alea. It is time to give transfers.

Alea stands and stretches, then follows Tramila.

Katryn sneaks a glance back up at Snake.

Simone pushes her tea forward. "Drink something, little channel. You will feel better for it."

Katryn: Have you ever been with a Farris before Miz..uh..Hajene.

Wise Snake breaks the gaze with Simone and looks back at Katryn again, reaching for her tea and missing it.

Wise Snake: What?

Katryn eagerly pushes the tea forward.

Tramila enters a transfer room and starts the preparations.

Wise Snake's tentacles grope for the tea and then clutch it.

Katryn: Have you ever had transfer with a Farris?

Tarsh stares at his tentacles. Still glad they are there after his dream.

Alea keeps her attention on Tramila.

Wise Snake: Have I? Yes.

Katryn: Oh wow.

Katryn smiles back at Simone.

Wise Snake wonders who in the heck this person is.

Simone smiles at the third's enthusiasm.

Alea: I heard Simone is here.

Alea watches Tramila for reaction.

Tramila: Oh really. [frowns] for Snake???

Alea: Yes.

Katryn: I just got here from first year school.

Katryn: This is actually my very first assignment.

Katryn smiles.

Katryn: I haven't been around Farrises much.

Wise Snake: Oh.

Tramila: Then she is in good hands. [glad Alea can't read her nager]

Katryn: I mean yeah, they taught school and other things, but to work around them. How many Farris Donors and Channels do we have here?

Katryn: I've met, Tramila and Alea and Simone.

Alea: Tramila.

Alea sighs.

Alea: I'm worried about you.

Wise Snake: That's all of them.

Tramila: Yes Alea.

Tramila: Why? [smiles]

Wise Snake drinks about half of her tea suddenly.

Alea: I know from your records that you've had Simone. I know it didn't go as well as it could have. I wondered if you still had harsh feelings.

Katryn: That's a lot of Farrises on one staff. Isn't it?

Simone grins. "You left out Wise Snake." [takes another sips of tea]

Katryn eyes widen.

Katryn: You're a Farris too?

Wise Snake grimaces.

Katryn gets a worshipful look on her face. "Cool."

Katryn: So that's why you're with him.

Katryn giggles.

Katryn: I should have known. A Farris for a Farris.

Katryn begins to eat her soup.

Wise Snake clears her throat.

Wise Snake takes another sip of tea, carefully.

Wise Snake keeps her eyes to herself.

Alea: I won't ask you to answer that, Tramila.

Alea: I'll just say that if you're bothered by it, please come talk to me.

Veraik is now known as Simone.

Alea: If you'll excuse me.

Alea turns and leaves.

Alea decides to go back out to the gazebo and grabs her cloak and sketch book before she leaves.

Simone finishes his tea. "I've made the Channel's bed for you in my room, Snake."

Tramila waits for Tarsh to show up for his transfer.

Wise Snake gulps.

Tarsh realizes it is *finally* time.

Wise Snake: What? [squeaks]

Tarsh goes out to the hall.

Katryn sees the other Farrises reaction and thinks it's time for her to leave.

Katryn stands, smiling.

Simone: You need me, don't you? You are so close to transfer. I can help.

Katryn: Please excuse me.

Katryn hurries out.

Tarsh zlins carefully to make sure no Gens are along the way.

Wise Snake: But...

Simone looks at Snake. "Isn't that what you want?"

Katryn goes on to start donations.

Tarsh goes down and looks at the board.

Wise Snake meets his eyes with an effort.

Wise Snake: I -

Simone: You?

Wise Snake: Wasn't.. expecting... [doesn't have nerve to finish]

Alea opens her sketch pad and sees the last picture she drew and shudders.

Simone: ~~~ calm, soothing ~~~

Tarsh walks to the transfer room on the balls of his feet, alert and zlinning for ... something, anyway.

Alea is certain she could not have stayed in there with Tramila while he had transfer after the picture.

Wise Snake forgets what she was going to say.

Wise Snake finds it's easiest just to rest there passively, letting Simone take care of things.

Tarsh signals at the door.

Simone: Good. Then it is settled. Frankly, I've been having a few nightmares myself and will be very glad for your company.

Tramila opens the door. "Tarsh."

Tarsh zlins.

Tramila signals for him to go to the transfer couch while she adjusts her nager to raise his intil.

Wise Snake feels vague alarm at the word "nightmares" but can't summon enough willpower to think it through.. just sits there looking into her tea and resting on Simone's nager.

Tramila: ~~ Gen, ready, promise ~~

Tarsh slides into the room after this Gen.

Tramila: ~~ ripe, fully stuffed with selyn Gen ~~~

Simone: Tell me about b'cal. What is she like?

Wise Snake finds Simone's voice somewhat soothing, without actually comprehending the words.

Wise Snake: [in this nager she would find a four-alarm fire soothing]

Tarsh reaches for the Gen....

Wise Snake feels a vague unhappiness but it is far away and besides she doesn't have the willpower to examine it.

Tramila entwines tentacles, waiting for Tarsh to make fifth contact. ~ GEN ~

Alea flips back through the many pictures and sighs.

Alea sticks her feet out toward the brazier to warm them, then opens it to a back page and starts drawing the Gnome.

Simone finally realizes what has happened and steps his nager down a bit until she looks as if she can talk to him.

Tarsh reaches for the fifth, but feeling something odd...

Tramila: ~~~ GEN ~~~

Wise Snake shakes her head in confusion as she comes somewhat out of the daze.

Tarsh looks down and sees the tentacles.

Alea suddenly smiles and hurries back into the Center, returning shortly.

Wise Snake realizes Simone had been holding her under and feels a prickling chill of fear.

Tarsh: ~~ WEREGEN! Terror! ~~

Alea has something behind her back as she approaches the Gnome.

Simone smiles at the channel. "Are you better now?"

Tarsh tries desperately to pull back.

Wise Snake also feels an undeniable attraction to his field.

Alea smiles at the Gnome.

Alea: Hello, Gnome.

Alea: Remember me?

Wise Snake: I... Simone...

Tramila projects calm and yet takes him to hypo.

Alea: We talked earlier today.

Tarsh is disoriented at being forced hypo.

Tramila control the fields to bring Tarsh up to consciousness.

Tramila thinks a bit then simulates Alea's nager.

Tarsh: Alea....

Simone: Yes Snake.

Simone: [Looks down] Sorry. I guess I cam on a bit too strongly. Are you feeling better now?

Alea kneels down in front of the Gnome still smiling, before pulling out a palette full of colors.

Alea brings out her other hand with a paint brush and dips it in the purple.

Tramila: ~~~ Alea ~~~

Wise Snake: You... you scare the crap out of me, Simone.

Tramila: ~~ willingness to give ~~~

Wise Snake: I'm sorry.

Wise Snake trembling.

Simone smiles. "Sorry."

Tarsh drifts hyper and pulls, reaching for the 5th contact point.

Alea starts at the top, coloring the Gnome in mauves, purples, pinks, and a green nose and orange eyes.

Wise Snake is glad the cafeteria is too crowded for anybody to hear their words.

Alea smiles in satisfaction gets up, goes to the gazebo and then begins to sketch the Gnome, feeling much better.

Simone reaches over and gently takes a tentacle to stroke. "I feel it. Farris. We are going to have a great transfer together."

Tramila projects Gen and waits for Tarsh to take it.

Alea remembers Veraik's anger over Rior orange and wonders if he'll notice the eyes of that thing are the same color.

Tarsh makes contact and draws selyn ~~ Alea! ~~

Wise Snake's breath comes fast but she hold steady at the touch, tensed to pull away but also feeling she must remain near.

Wise Snake's attention is on the stroking hand.

Tramila reduces the Alea projection by increments and overlays it with her normal Gen projection.

Alea smiles evilly at the cartoonish picture of the Gnome she has drawn, then rips it out and sticks it up on a loose nail in the wall of the enclosed Gazebo, hoping the Gnome will see it and remember.

Tarsh draws faster, trying to get the Alea before she fades away.

Simone smiles and backs his nager back another knock while still stroking a tentacle.

Tramila gives selyn as fast as Tarsh will take it.

Tramila: ~~ joy, fulfillment, relief ~~~

Tramila: ~~ caring ~~~

Tarsh absorbs joy from Alea/Gen.

Tramila gives to Tarsh.

Wise Snake looks a little nervous, but no longer appears to be about to fall into shreds.

Tarsh: ~~ soaring pleasure ~~

Tramila gives. ~~ Gen ~~

Alea sighs, feeling much better after her rebellious action against the Gnome.

Tramila: ~~ peak pleasure, fulfillment, completion ~~~

Tarsh pulls happiness from Gen.

Alea looks back out and could swear the Gnome was wearing a miserable expression.

Simone smiles. "Better."

Alea wonders if anyone will notice the big black wart she added on the end of it's nose, then shrugs.

Tarsh slows as he fills with Gen's selyn.

Tramila gives more and more, as much as the renSime will take.

Alea feels toasty and tosses back her cloak, sticking her wet legs closer toward the brazier.

Tramila: ~~~ joy ~~~~

Tramila: ~~ completion ~~

Tarsh takes all the selyn he can and ceases his draw.

Alea finally turns to a fresh sheet and closes her eyes, picturing Zeor in the spring, the lush rolling hills, everything bursting with color and life....

Wise Snake pulls her hand away from Simone's and picks up her tea glass, drinks the rest in three swallows, sets it down unsteadily.

Alea remembers one place she really loved, a small garden, and begins to draw.

Wise Snake: Well...

Tramila waits patiently until Tarsh dismantles his tentacles.

Simone: About b'cal?

Wise Snake: B'cal? What about her?

Tarsh glides down to hypoconciousness as her withdraws his tentacles from - TENTACLES!

Tarsh: ~~ FEAR ~~

Simone: Tell me about her. Is she a good Donor? Do you like her?

Tarsh recoils, clutching his arms to his chest.

Tramila projects calm.

Tramila: Tarsh?

Wise Snake: She...

Tramila goes to Tarsh and holds him. "Talk to me Tarsh?"

Wise Snake: When I first met her, she terrified me. Now we are... almost friends.

Tarsh checks his arms to make sure all his tentacles are there.

Tarsh: I .. I...

Wise Snake: She is a good Donor, although very difficult to work with at times.

Katryn is now known as Lawana.

Tarsh: There was a needmare....

Wise Snake: And... I outrate her too badly now.

Tramila: ~~~ safety. security acceptance ~~

Simone: Oh. So that is why she was a bit upset to see me.

Tramila: A need mare.

Tramila: Tell me about Tarsh. It was help.

Wise Snake: No. She is never happy to see anybody. Don't take it personally.

Tramila: ~~ safe ~~

Simone raises his head a tiny bit when he says, "Ah. I see."

Tarsh: There ... was a WereGen. it ripped my laterals out.

Simone: What happened? Did you burn her?

Tramila covers up her horror.

Wise Snake: Yes. [shivers at the memory]

Wise Snake forces herself to hide the reaction.

Wise Snake: She couldn't work for many days afterward.

Simone: Well you have nothing to worry about this time. You won't burn me.

Simone: Sorry to hear that.

Simone: But she seems to be all right now. Right?

Tramila: ~~ safety ~~

Wise Snake: I... her honor demands that she protect me. She cannot bear the thought of not being able to stand as a backup for transfer. She tries to hide it but....

Tramila: Yes. But you know that it was a need mare now. Right? You are safe. It was only a dream.

Tarsh: It seemed so real...

Tramila: Picks up a tentacle with one of her own. "All your tentacles are attached and you are fine."

Simone: Yes. I know the kind and I know other members of her House.

Lawana strolls casually through the garden, pausing when she sees someone in the gazebo. Zlinning, she realizes it's Alea and goes in to sit down with her.

Simone: I just hope that she can came to accept me as your Donor.

Tarsh counts them just to be sure.

Tarsh: Yes. Thank you Tramila.

Tramila smiles.

Tramila: You are welcome Tarsh.

Wise Snake: You're only going to be here two days. What does it matter whether she accepts or not? You'll just be gone.

Tramila: I'm sorry you had such a bad time of it.

Lawana emerges a few minutes later and moves on around the garden.

Wise Snake picks up the tea cup to drain the last drops from it.

Tarsh: Yeah, well....

Simone: True. Perhaps accepts was the wrong word then How about trust?

Tramila: ~~ soothing calm ~~~

Tarsh gets up. He starts toward the door but stops halfway as he starts sobbing.

Wise Snake: She trusts me to know when I don't require her presence.

Wise Snake thinks that's a load of horse hockey.

Tramila goes to Tarsh and wraps a tentacle around his shoulder and leads him back to the couch.

Lawana doesn't bat an eye at the Gnome as she passes it, continuing on into the Center to go back to work.

Simone: A good trait.

Tramila: Just cry it out, Tarsh. I'm here in you want to talk or if you want only me to be here. I am here for you.

Wise Snake: Look, I... I don't stay at the Center. And I'll have work I have to do, in the next couple of days.

Simone: You don't?

Tarsh: Alea.... she ... the baby....

Simone: All right.

Lawana is now known as mouse`

Tramila: Yes. [holds Tarsh]

Mouse sniffs around for something to eat.

Mouse hurries and scurries from one place to another.

Mouse hurries back and forth, trying to keep from getting trampled.

Mouse ~~panic~~

Mouse ~~sees safety~~

Wise Snake puts her tea glass down just as she glances out the cafeteria window and accidentally catches sight of the garden Gnome in all its... brilliance.

Wise Snake: [glass misses table]

Mouse runs up Snake's pants leg.

Wise Snake: Shidon---Aii!

Wise Snake jumps up.

Mouse digs claws in SQUEAK!!!!!

Mouse burrows up higher and higher...

Wise Snake snatches the mouse through the cloth, pinning it in place.

Mouse SQUEmmmrrfffh....

Simone stands. "What's the matter?

Mouse wiggles, clawing.

Wise Snake squeezes it hard enough to stun it badly.

Wise Snake shakes it out of her pants.

Mouse ~~stunned badly~~

Mouse lays on it's back, blinking.

Tarsh: I'm so afraid she'll lose this one too.

Simone starts to laugh. "Where did THAT come from?

Wise Snake picks it up by the tail and throws it into the nearest garbage can.

Mouse looks up at the two swinging widely ~~THUNK~~

Wise Snake's nerves are shot though she does her best to keep calm.

Wise Snake: ~~~stress~~~

Mouse is now known as nomorepanic.

Wise Snake looks carefully out the window to make sure she wasn't hallucinating a short time before.

Tramila: She's strong Tarsh and the baby zlins very healthy. I don't think you should worry. I'll be her during her whole pregnancy.

Wise Snake sees a multicolored Gnome with orange eyes, a green nose, and a giant black thing protruding from its nose.

Tarsh: And all these people attacking her?

Wise Snake stares at it with an aghast and disbelieving expression, then rips her eyes away.

Tramila: I'm a midwife Tarsh. I'll be with her. And you do know that she is being much more carefully this time around. She really wants this baby.

Wise Snake is just glad she saw that when she was in need and not a few days later when she was experiencing her senses to the fullest.

Simone: What is the problem, Snake?

Wise Snake presses her hand to her forehead.

Tarsh: But I can't be there to protect her!

Wise Snake: I...

Wise Snake: I don't know, maybe I'm just overreacting but...

Wise Snake: .. but ISN'T this place EVER going to get it's ACT TOGETHER???

Wise Snake breathing hard, looking wild.

Tramila: You do not have to be there with her physically all the time Tarsh. Knowing that you want to be is more than enough. The important part is that you care.

Tarsh changes topic to "Bender Cove Home for Wayward Vermin"

Simone: Snake? What? Why? wisesnake suddenly finds the cafeteria crowd to be too much and flees the room.

Kadi: Meow......

Kadi ~~sees the Farris channel rushing her way and freezes~~

Tarsh is breathing more slowly now.

Wise Snake: Shen... this place...

Simone: [glances outside and sees Gnome] OH!!!!

Simone: What is that!!!

Kadi turns, clawing trying to get out of the way...

Wise Snake places her hand firmly over Simone's eyes and drags him out of the cafeteria.

Wise Snake: Don't look at that.

Simone follows Snake.

Kadi dodges feet

Simone: Whaaattttt?????

Kadi decides a free ride would be safer so grabs onto the Donor's leg to get out of the way.

Kadi sinks in four sets of claws.

Tarsh: Ok. I'm doing a little better now.

Wise Snake jerks back from Simone seeing the cat.

Simone: Eeeouuuwwwww! wisesnake cringes.

Wise Snake backs farther away.

Simone kicks his leg to get rid of what is on his leg.

Kadi goes flying "Meeeeeeeoooooooorrrrrrwww"

Kadi lands--on her feet, and scampers out for safety.

Wise Snake sneezes.

Tramila nods and smiles. "Good. I know you will be a good father. You are always so concerned."

Kadi is now known as Jorgre.

Tarsh: ~~ Not so confident ~~

Wise Snake: This is too much. I have to get out of this building. I'm sorry.

Jorgre trips over the cat and hits a tray full of dishes, sending it wheeling down the hall...

Tarsh: Thank you Hajene.

Wise Snake walks quickly toward the front of the building.

Wise Snake sees the cart coming and throws herself against the wall to avoid it.

Jorgre looks in dismay at the cat and shakes his head and goes on down the hall.

Simone resist the urge to sneeze and follows Snake out of the door.

Jorgre: Clumsy cat.

Jorgre is now known as Briel.

Wise Snake Snake runs out of the building in great haste.

Simone isn't so lucky. "Ooooooooo" [crash]

Tramila: You are welcome Tarsh.

Tarsh gets up again.

Tramila: Feeling better?>

Tramila stands as well.

Briel sets mode: +o Mutt

Tarsh: Yes, thank you.

Mutt is sniffing the corner of the building.

Wise Snake walks quickly away from the Sime Center, taking deep breaths of the frigid air and trying to clear herself of the craziness in there.

Tramila: Anytime you want to talk, just come to see me.

Mutt skulks out of the way of the striding channel.

Simone stands and looks around but Snake is gone.

Simone: He goes in search of her.

Tarsh: Ok Hajene.

Tarsh goes towards the door and stops to look at himself in the mirror. "Gack."

Simone goes outside, hoping to find his channel out there.

Mutt eyes this new stranger.

Tramila smiles as she sees his reaction to himself.

Tramila is now known as Rhelana.

Tarsh goes out to go back to his room.

Simone sees Snake and goes to her. "Are you all right?

Wise Snake is walking quickly away from the Sime Center.

Wise Snake: Don't even.

Wise Snake: ~~furious~~

Rhelana zlins as she walks down the hall, hoping to see Tarsh.

Simone: Why are you upset?

Simone: What have I done?

Wise Snake: Why am I upset? Why am I upset???

Simone: Yes [confusion]

Tarsh comes around the corner in front of Rhelana.

Wise Snake: I'm upset because a person can't even sit down for fifteen shendi flecking minutes for a cup of tea in that place without all hell breaks loose.

Rhelana: Oh HI! [zlins]

Rhelana: ~~~ zlins of being very post and very ready ~~~

Wise Snake: And a fine help you were! Where was your nager during all that??

Tarsh: Hello Rhelana.

Wise Snake: My nerves are shattered. Absolutely shattered.

Tarsh: ~~ high field ~~ [ hair disarrayed, clothes wrinkled, eyes red ]

Simone: Sorry. [scratchy back of head] I guess I'm just not used to so much excitement.

Simone: ~~~ calm soothing ~~~~

Wise Snake pushes her hair back as she walks, clutching head briefly as she does it.

Wise Snake: Now he calms me. Shendi.. [mutters]

Wise Snake takes a few more deep breaths, trying to get a grip.

Rhelana: You look good enough to eat. [bats eyes] Why don't you come to my place?

Simone: [looks up and down] Guess I'm out of practice.

Tarsh looks Rhelana over.

Simone: I haven been Out-T for a very long time and not around Channels. Sorry Snake.

Rhelana: ~~~ wants, desire, lust ~~~

Wise Snake calms down gradually, making herself accept Simone's calming.

Wise Snake slows down a little so the Donor isn't having to run after her.

Simone: ~~~ calm, soothing, promise ~~~

Simone: Where are we going?

Simone shivers from the cold.

Tarsh: ~~ temptation ~~ "Uh, I'm sorry, but I have a ... previous engagement."

Wise Snake stops.

Rhelana: ~~ disappointment ~~~ Oh.

Wise Snake: Oh. You should go back to the Center.

Rhelana cries. Oh.. All right. [tears dropping]

Wise Snake: I have a lot of appointments... work... nowhere for a Farris Donor to risk himself.

Wise Snake thinks if anything happened to Simone the Sectuib would come after her with a Ginsu knife.

Simone: I could help you.

Simone: You just reminded me that I was out of practice. [devilish look]

Rhelana: Are you sure? [hopeful look]

Tarsh touches Rhelana's shoulder. "Please. Don't cry. You're very attractive."

Wise Snake: It's too dangerous. I had a Donor kidnapped here once.

Wise Snake: [and beat up... Snake thinks, and arrested.. but doesn't mention that]

Rhelana catches her breath and leans into his soothing tentacles.

Rhelana strokes a tentacles down his side.

Simone frowns. "And b'cal helps you." [Gen jealousy]

Tarsh slides his hand up to her neck.... then snatches it away.

Wise Snake: B'cal's Sectuib won't have my tentacles in a waffle iron if she gets hurt. Yours will.

Rhelana wraps a tentacles around his back and breathes hard. ~~desire~~

Tarsh: Rhelana, please, [ looks around ] Not here.

Simone: Mine? Yours as well, as I recall they are one and the same.

Rhelana: Then where? You are so handsome and so..... ~~ lust ~~

Wise Snake: I was thrown out of Zeor.

Tarsh tries to stifle his own desire.

Simone: You are still on the roster as I recall.

Tarsh: I'm sorry, I ... I have to go. [ tries to unwind Rhelana's arm from himself ]

Rhelana: ~~ lust, desire, want, hope ~~

Wise Snake: Trelaine [distaste very evident in the word] told me I could return if I carried his child. I declined the honor.

Rhelana pulls his head forward for a kiss.

Tarsh pulls his head backward.

Simone: Treline is no longer the Sectuib.

Wise Snake turns and starts back toward the Center, planning on leaving Simone there.

Rhelana kisses his chest instead. ~ lust. ~~ "I feel your desire."

Wise Snake: That may be so, but still, I am not a member of Zeor.

Simone follows.

Simone: If that is what you think.

Wise Snake: I am not the person who pledged... can never be that person again. That person is dead.

Simone continues to follow.

Simone: ~~ sad ~~

Simone: ~~ support, calm ~~

Tarsh: [ takes her face in one hand ] Then you know how attractive you are. But it wouldn't be right. I have obligations.

Wise Snake opens the door of the Sime Center and walks inside.

Rhelana: No. [distress] Please. Don't leave me this way. I've been waiting for you.

Simone shivers as the warm air hits him.

Wise Snake zlins him.

Wise Snake: You should go to bed.

Wise Snake starts walking toward the stairs.

Wise Snake pauses as she zlins something odd in the hallway up ahead.

Simone: I...[teeth clattering] should stay with you.

Tarsh: I'm sorry. But Two other people are ahead of you.

Wise Snake advances curiously, forgetting about Simone.

Rhelana: [stress!!!] Two?

Wise Snake absently removes her cloak and hands it to Simone as she approaches Tarsh and Rhelana.

Rhelana: But who. How can they be when I have made it so clear ever since I arrived that I wanted you.

Wise Snake's eyebrows jump.

Simone takes the cloak, puts it on and follows.

Tarsh: They were part of me long before that. Not quite what you think. One is a baby.

Rhelana slides a tentacle up his chest. ~ lust ~~~

Wise Snake sidles closer to them, zlinning.

Rhelana: A baby?

Rhelana: [pouts]

Tarsh: My baby. ~~ pride ~~

Rhelana: Yours! ~anger~

Rhelana: You led me on. You gave me hope!!! Why did you do that?

Wise Snake backs off.

Rhelana: ~~~ hurt, post ~~~

Simone stands too close to Snake.

Tarsh: No, I didn't. I told you before, Rhelana. I'm sorry.

Wise Snake bumps into Simone then takes hold of him and moves him over about a foot.

Rhelana: But...but.... Can't you just....Just this once.

Rhelana: ~~ very post and wanting desire ~~~

Wise Snake still zlinning Tarsh and Rhelana intensely.

Simone: Oh! [sorry]

Tarsh: ~~ post and fighting desire ~~

Simone runs a tentacle up and down side. [looks in eyes] You won't regret it.

=== Simeone should be Rhelana==

[ I LEFT THIS IN>>IT WAS JUST TOO GOOD TO CUT...SAVE IT TENTACTLED FOR THE BEST OF THE BEST:)))]

Tarsh: Yes.

Tarsh: Yes I would regret it. And so would you.

Rhelana: ~~~ stronger desire~~~

Wise Snake moves forward.

Rhelana: What am I going to do? I have to .... oh please don't leave me this way?

Wise Snake: ~~reproval~~

Wise Snake: He said no.

Rhelana blanches.

Tarsh twists.

Tarsh: Snake?

Rhelana: [backs off] Uh...uh....

Wise Snake stares intensely at Rhelana, pale eyes glittering.

Rhelana: [crying]

Tarsh: ~~ disturbed and worried ~~

Wise Snake: He said no several times. Go elsewhere for your pleasure.

Rhelana turns and augments away.

Wise Snake watches her leave, hackles still raised.

Simone: ~ nager approves of Snake's actions ~~

Rhelana is now known as crying.

Wise Snake turns slowly and then looks at Tarsh.

Tarsh watches her go, then turns to snake. "Well thank you Hajene ambrov Tact." ~~sarcasm ~~

Wise Snake: I don't want to see another fatherless, motherless Farris child grow up in Bender Cove.

Wise Snake: [harshly]

Wise Snake walks away from him.

Simone looks curious at the renSime then follows Snake.

Tarsh works his mouth but can't decide what to say.

Wise Snake looks at Simone.

Wise Snake: And you.... go get your cloak.

Simone: It's in my room. [ah.choo]

Tarsh turns to go up to his room.

Simone: Want to come with me or wait while I get it?

Wise Snake gestures impatiently.

Wise Snake: Go get it. And hurry. We have to get you some practice but soon.

Wise Snake tries to smile at the end of that.

Alea finishes her sketch of Zeor and holds it up, smiling.

Simone goes quickly to get his Zeor cloak and returns.

Wise Snake gets her own cloak back and puts it on.

Simone: I'm ready.

Tarsh closes the door to his room. "Don't know how I got out of that one."

Wise Snake: Now let's get out of here before something else happens!

Tarsh flops down on his bed.

Simone looks at the Center. "I'm with you."

Alea decides a bit more shading ....

Alea pulls out another pencil and sets to work, thinking this one should be good enough to give away to someone.

Wise Snake and Simone leave.

Go on to Episode #135: Too Much Information

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