Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario

Episode #140: The Feeling is Mutual (1/24/98)

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Eliza shakes uncontrollably.

Alea comes down the stairs into the lobby of the Center.

Eliza stumbles in. "Help me!"

Alea looks at the Gen, surprised, and looks around for a channel.

Alea hurries forward.

Alea: Are you okay?

Eliza: I ... don't know - can you help me?

Alea looks for the obvious signs of changeover and sees none.

Wise Snake walks with B'cal up the Sime Center's front walk.

Alea: ~~ soothing ~~

Alea: Why don't you tell me what's the matter?

B'cal tromps up the steps, exhausted from a night of work.

Wise Snake opens the door for B'cal.

B'cal: So, Snake, do you really think Veraik is going to work with me?

B'cal goes into the Center.

Eliza: I'm from over there [points west] my cousin went Sime - he attacked me - but I DIDN'T DIE!

Alea looks at Snake.

Alea: Uh....

Wise Snake: I don't know, after yesterday.... [stops at Eliza's shout]

Eliza: We hid - came here - but they found us - and killed him!

Eliza sobs.

Alea: Hello, Snake. I was just about to call a channel.

B'cal takes in what is going on and moves to support Snake.

Alea moves over to the Gen.

Eliza sees the Simes and, screaming, runs to Alea.

Wise Snake takes a sidestep to get behind B'cal's field.

Alea: It's okay. [to Eliza]

Alea: I... She came in, Snake. I was just asking her some questions.

B'cal glares at the Gen.

Eliza promptly dry retches on the floor.

Alea: Oh, ugh!

Alea jumps back, then kneels down by Eliza.

Eliza: ~~ sobs ~~

Alea thinks every time Snake is around, people throw up.

Alea: Shhh. It's okay.

Wise Snake edges back, partly out of distaste and partly to let the Gen know she isn't planning on attacking.

Wise Snake hurries B'cal on through the lobby and out the other end.

B'cal sneers and moves with Snake.

Wise Snake: Did you have to glare at her like that? The poor kid was nearly scared to death even before.

B'cal looks at Snake.

Eliza: I'm sorry. [sob] I'll clean it up.

B'cal: Of what?

Alea: No, no. It's okay.

Alea: We'll take care of it.

Alea: Snake, I'm not sure what happened....

Alea looks at the young woman sobbing.

Alea: Sweetie, can you tell me what happened?

Alea: You say your brother attacked you, and they... uh... murdered him.

Alea: And then what?

Alea: You... where did you come from?

Alea tries to place the English accent.

Wise Snake: Who cares what she was scared of? You don't go glaring at people for no reason... Look, never mind, let's get you to bed.

B'cal nods.

B'cal: Of course. I apologize.

Eliza: No, no.

Eliza: He went Sime! But I didn't die. We...we decided to come here. We heard that that was possible.

B'cal rubs at her eyes, then realizes what she is doing and drops her hand.

Eliza: But, some people on the way found us... and they killed him... but I got away. They didn't seem interested in me.

Wise Snake accompanies B'cal up the stairs and makes sure she gets to her room for some much-required rest.

Alea: Oh.

Eliza: And I had no where else to go - but I've been feeling sicker and sicker.

B'cal goes to bed.

Eliza: Am I going Sime too?

Alea: I see.

Eliza looks at her arms.

Alea: No. Not at all.

Alea stands and helps Eliza to her feet.

Alea: Let's get you to an examination room.

Eliza: Then why didn't I die?

Eliza: He attacked me, and when Simes attacked you die. Don't you?

Alea sighs.

Wise Snake sees B'cal to bed.

Alea: I imagine you're Gen like me. Let me just get a channel and they'll be able to explain everything.

Alea thinks there's no imagine about it. If she was attacked and lived, she's definitely Gen.

Alea: You feel up to walking?

Wise Snake comes back down the stairs.

Alea: ~~ concerned ~~

Eliza: OK.

Eliza: I'm OK. Really.

Alea nods, sees Snake and is relieved.

Alea starts down the hall to the infirmary.

Alea: I'm sure you are. But let's just get a look at you, okay?

Wise Snake is glad whatever emergency this is, isn't her problem, and starts to leave the Center.

Alea: Snake?

Wise Snake winces and turns around.

Wise Snake: Yes, Alea?

Alea looks at the young woman, then at Snake.

Alea: Would it be possible for you to um... examine this young woman?

Wise Snake zlins the other Gen and looks surprised.

Alea: We're understaffed at the moment.

Alea leads them to an infirmary room.

Eliza freezes in terror.

Alea: This is Snake, she's a healer and will examine you.

Alea pauses, looking from Snake to Eliza, offering Snake support.

Wise Snake hangs back, looking at Eliza curiously.

Wise Snake: I won't hurt you.

Alea: ~~ support ~~

Alea: She's very good at her job.

Alea says this to Eliza, keeping her nageric attention on Snake.

Eliza looks brave. "You don't scare me. I was just... surprised... before."

Eliza looks at Alea and says softly, "I'm very thirsty."

Alea looks to Snake to see what to do.

Wise Snake: Come on, then.

Wise Snake leads Eliza to a treatment room.

Alea falls into support position of Snake and follows.

Wise Snake has no assigned treatment room and so just grabs one that seems to be available.

Eliza: What are you going to do?

Wise Snake: Well, I'll zlin you and try to determine why you are feeling sick, as well as probably ask you a few questions. Nothing too awful I don't think.

Wise Snake knows perfectly well why Eliza is feeling sick.

Alea closes the door behind them.

Wise Snake gestures for Eliza to sit.

Wise Snake: Alea, would you get her a glass of water, please?

Alea: Of course.

Alea goes over to the counter and retrieves a glass, fills it and brings it back.

Alea hands Eliza the glass.

Eliza drinks.

Wise Snake waits, a bit impatiently.

Eliza quickly hands the glass back and looks at the Sime attentively.

Alea returns the glass to the sink.

Wise Snake gestures at Alea to support her.

Alea moves up closer to Snake.

Alea: ~~ strong, steady support ~~

Eliza is terrified - but refuses to show it.

Wise Snake: Now,... what is your name? It's absolutely unnecessary to be afraid of me. I have no reason to harm you.

Wise Snake zlins Eliza cautiously, confirming her original guess. (underdraw). 1

Eliza: I'm Eliza Leahy.

Eliza: But - you are Sime! I heard that people are safe here, but....

Wise Snake: How long have you been sick like this?

Eliza: About 2 weeks, I think....

Alea reaches forward to touch Snake's elbow at Eliza's increased nervousness to offer more support.

Eliza: What are you doing!

Wise Snake looks surprised.

Wise Snake: I'm zlinning you.

Eliza: What's zlinning?

Wise Snake: That just means I'm looking through you to see where you're sick.

Eliza: Oh....

Eliza: John did that thing - errr [blushes] twice.

Eliza: Then he was killed - about 3 weeks ago. [tear runs down face].

Wise Snake: Who was John? A Sime?

Eliza: My cousin - yes.

Wise Snake: That thing that he did... did he hold your arms, and touch his lips to yours, and did it feel funny?

Eliza: Yes.

Eliza: The first time he was, like, crazy!

Eliza: But the second time was OK.

Wise Snake: Ah. That's called "transfer".

Wise Snake: ... and it's perfectly natural.

Eliza: Yes... [blushes] I know....

Eliza: But - I didn't die.

Wise Snake: If your first time was also his first time, it's understandable he might have been a little crazy.

Eliza: We use to talk about it when our folks couldn't hear us--what would happen if we went Sime.

Eliza: And who we would try to kill before they killed us - but we were never, you know, serious.

Wise Snake: It's natural for kids to talk about growing up.

Wise Snake: Neither you or he could have known how things would turn out.

Wise Snake: Now. As for your feeling sick....

Alea wonders if there were any Sime Centers nearby to teach these kids, but doesn't ask.

Eliza: [shaking and sobbing] They cut him to pieces! I couldn't do anything. I ran, but they didn't chase me!

Eliza sobs on Alea's shoulder.

Wise Snake reaches out and touched Eliza's hand gently, leaning on Alea's field.

Eliza jumps.

Eliza: Don't touch me!

Wise Snake's hand stops short.

Alea surprised, looks at Snake.

Wise Snake withdraws it.

Alea: ~~ support ~~

Wise Snake: You know, [comments] I can get plenty of work from people who actually want my services. I don't have to put up with this kind of ungrateful attitude.

Alea: It's okay. Please. you said your cousin was Sime and he didn't hurt you. Why would my... friend?

Alea smiles at Snake over the term, thinking Snake is probably going to throw up herself over that term applied to their relationship.

Wise Snake thinks "distant cousin" is closer to the truth, but doesn't comment.

Eliza heart is pounding. "I'm sorry - tell me what you want to do."

Eliza: Just explain it to me!

Wise Snake: I already did it. The reason why you are ill is because you were with your friend John and now you are used to transfer. If you find another Sime partner you should be fine.

Eliza: Oh!

Eliza: But - you mean I'll have to do that all the time?

Wise Snake: No... we can take down your field. You won't stay as healthy, but you won't feel this sick all the time.

Eliza: OK.

Eliza steels herself and looks steadily at the Sime.

Eliza: Whatever.

Eliza: Go ahead.

Wise Snake: Ah... Eliza. This isn't something to go rushing into. Perhaps we should talk about it a bit more.

Eliza: OK. I guess you are the doctor.

Wise Snake thinks, then again there are definite advantages to getting it over with and getting the heck out of here [to herself].

Eliza senses the Sime's reluctance to hang around. "What's the matter?"

Wise Snake sits down cautiously a short distance away from Alea and Eliza.

Alea: ~~ continued firm support of Snake ~~

Wise Snake: The fact that you are having this problem suggests that your body is uniquely suited to the giving of transfer.

Wise Snake: That is probably what saved your life the first time John attacked you.

Eliza: OK. Why?

Wise Snake: Why? Because normally what kills a Gen is fear and resistance. If you are what they call a "Natural Donor", which I think you are, your body probably figured out how to avoid resisting on its own.

Wise Snake: If you do not have anything to go back to, you might want to consider being trained to give transfer professionally... to work for a Sime Center such as this one.

Eliza: I can't go back!

Eliza: My dad would kill me!

Alea thinks another Donor, wonders if she can serve someone like Veraik.

Eliza: Is she [pointing at Alea] one of those?

Alea looks surprised, and strokes the black at her waist.

Wise Snake: Yes, she is. Alea is a Donor.

Eliza: [looks at Alea] And you do that all the time?

Alea smiles.

Alea: Yes, I do.

Wise Snake: Did you know, Eliza, that we have a Donor here in our Sime Center who came to us just like you did?

Eliza: No.

Wise Snake: It took him a few months to decide whether he wanted to train as a Donor or not. He finally decided to take the training, and he works here now. His name is Jon. Jon Drake.

Eliza: And you don't mind it?

Alea: I couldn't live without it.

Wise Snake realizes Eliza is more interested in talking to Alea, and gives up, simply listening.

Alea smiles softly.

Alea: Being a Donor is something very special.

Eliza: OK.

Alea: Without us, people like Snake wouldn't be able to do their job, or even live.

Eliza: And it will make me feel better?

Alea smiles.

Alea: Something like that.

Alea thinks it makes you feel more than better.

Wise Snake squirms uncomfortably at the reminder of her unpleasant current situation.

Alea looks at Snake.

Eliza: Errr - there is one thing, though.

Alea: Yes?

Eliza gets very shy suddenly.

Eliza: Well, she [points to Wise Snake] is female.

Alea: Yes?

Alea: ~~ curious ~~

Eliza: And afterwards... well, John... I mean [stops in confusion].

Eliza: He said he had to, you see....

Alea: Oh.

Eliza is now bright red.

Alea: I see.

Alea smiles.

Alea: Well, how about I explain all of that to you later.

Wise Snake rolls her eyes, thinking she has had more than enough of this kind of talk.

Eliza concentrates on the patter of the floor.

Alea: Let's just see about taking care of that field now.

Eliza nods miserably.

Alea: It'll be fine.

Wise Snake from where she is sitting, zlins Eliza again to determine if she is pregnant.

Alea wonders idly, if the girl might be pregnant, too.

Eliza: ~~ not pregnant ~~

Alea thinks she'd have someone else to talk to about babies, then thinks, the girl is awfully young, and hopes she isn't.

Wise Snake is relieved to note that she isn't.

Alea continues to support Snake.

Wise Snake: What I'd like to do, Eliza, is to "take your field down", which means to do kind of like your friend John did, but very calmly, and you will feel nothing.

Eliza looks up at Wise Snake. "OK. I'm ready," and smiles.

Alea: Hmmm....

Wise Snake: Then I would like to give you some materials to read, that talk about your different choices for the future.

Wise Snake: Does that sound okay to you?

Eliza holds out her hands.

Eliza: Fine.

Wise Snake gets up and approaches Eliza.

Wise Snake: Actually, I'd like to take you to another room for this. Did you know, there is a special room just for transfers and taking down fields?

Eliza: OK.

Eliza smiles at the channel.

Eliza followed Wise Snake and Alea out of the room.

Wise Snake gestures to Alea and then leads the way to an available transfer room.

Alea continues to offer support.

Wise Snake finds an open transfer room and indicates the correct end of the couch to Eliza.

Eliza hops up on it.

Wise Snake takes her own position cautiously, wondering at the abrupt change in Eliza's mood.

Alea moves up next to Snake.

Wise Snake: All right. Now, I am going to take your arms, just like John did, only very slowly and carefully. And I will touch my lips to yours, and then we both will sit very still for a few moments. Stay still until I release you. Okay?

Eliza gets ready to do as she did to John. She is confident that she can make this snobby person feel the same way she made John feel.

Eliza: Sure.

Eliza smiles and leans forward toward the Sime.

Wise Snake feels a bit of apprehension as Eliza's mood alters dramatically.

Wise Snake is used to trusting her intuition but feels funny about backing down now with Alea standing right there.

Alea reaches out and touches Snake's back, moving for optimum support.

Eliza lets the Sime take her in transfer position.

Wise Snake forgets some of her nervousness as Alea supports her.

Wise Snake reaches out and carefully takes hold of Eliza's arms with her hands and handling tentacles.

Wise Snake sees that Eliza is not at all alarmed, so extends her laterals and moves smoothly forward to take a 5th contact.

Eliza waits for the contact.

Wise Snake draws selyn.

Wise Snake draws slowly, so that the Gen will feel nothing... just taking down her field.

Eliza: ~~ pushes selyn faster then the channel is drawing ~~

Wise Snake firmly controls the transaction, not permitting the Gen to take control.

Eliza: ~~ pushes harder ~~

Wise Snake stops.

Eliza: What did you stop for!

Alea: ~~ confusion ~~

Wise Snake withdraws her laterals carefully, then releases the Gen's arms.

Eliza carefully doesn't move until told.

Alea: ~~ support ~~

Eliza: ~~ anger/frustration ~~

Wise Snake: Eliza, please don't fight against me. Do you understand?

Eliza: I wasn't!

Wise Snake leans on Alea's support against the anger and frustration.

Eliza: I was helping!

Wise Snake: You were. You were pushing.

Eliza: Well... You were too slow. [petulant].

Alea thinks _transfer_, and realizes the girl was trying to do what she did to John in transfer.

Wise Snake: Well, Eliza, I'm sure that the pushing felt helpful to you, but when a person's field is taken down, it's not the same as a transfer. [attempt at patience]

Alea tries to cover a smile at the thought that this woman is going to definitely be a Donor.

Wise Snake is tempted to burn shen out of the woman just for the hell of it, but is sure Alea would flip her wig.

Eliza: What are you talking about?

Eliza: ~~ lashing anger ~~

Alea steps forward and slightly in front of Snake.

Wise Snake gets up and moves away from Eliza.

Eliza is instantly contrite.

Eliza: I'm sorry if I hurt you. I didn't mean to.

Alea thinks the woman is also perceptive.

Wise Snake: Eliza, when a person's field is taken down, it's not the same as giving transfer.

Alea: If you want to be a Donor, Eliza....

Eliza: OK.

Alea stops, realizing she shouldn't be interfering with Snake.

Wise Snake: Giving transfer is what you did with John. To give him life for another month. Taking your field down is just to get rid of your selyn so you won't feel so sick.

Eliza: So. When do we transfer?

Wise Snake looks distinctly annoyed.

Wise Snake: Never, if you don't learn to control yourself, and learn to listen.

Eliza: Oh. Well, I want to give transfer, then.

Eliza glares at the channel.

Alea turns to Snake. ~~ soothing ~~

Eliza: If you won't do it, I'm sure that others will.

Alea: ~~ offers gentle feelings ~~

Wise Snake manages to get a grip, with Alea's help.

Eliza turns to Alea.

Eliza: Is there anyone else who can help?

Wise Snake: I'm sure. [tightly, but without the agitation of the previous sentence].

Alea's attention is focused on Snake, continuing to work with her over the ambient.

Alea: You've got the best there is, right here.

Alea: She's a _Farris_.

Wise Snake snorts and starts to walk out of the room.

Eliza: So?

Alea: So?

Alea looks at Snake, warning her not to leave her.

Alea: Farrises are only the absolute best.

Alea: If you want the best, and want to be a Donor to your full potential, you'll allow Snake to help you.

Eliza grins brightly at Alea. "What do we do next?"

Alea: Let Snake take your field down.

Alea: Sit still and, name all the colors you can to yourself or something, while she holds your arms.

Eliza: Yeah, OK. But I don't like her [sticks tongue out at the Sime's retreating back].

Alea: Don't do anything.

Eliza: No. I want full transfer.

Alea mentally groans.

Alea: Hmmm....

Eliza: Otherwise, what's the point?

Alea: Just a minute.

Alea moves over to where Snake is.

Wise Snake tries to think of one reason why she should bother sticking around, can't think of a single one.

Wise Snake: [except for Alea's glare of course]

Alea: Snake [whispers].

Alea: I need you.

Wise Snake: Now, don't you start in on me.

Alea: Please.

Wise Snake: That familial guilt thing... no.

Alea lays a hand on Snake's arm.

Wise Snake: She doesn't want it. I have better things to do than force myself on no-account Gens who don't even want me.

Alea: You wanted to work with me during the day.

Alea looks disappointed.

Alea: Have I done something wrong?

Wise Snake flinches at Alea's touch, then relaxes despite herself.

Alea: ~~ sorrowful ~~

Alea: Am I not supporting you right?

Wise Snake thinks, "Oh, geez, it really is the guilt thing."

Wise Snake: No... no... [agitation rising again] It's nothing you did... it's that shenned... [darts a glance in Eliza's direction]...

Alea: ~~ soothing ~~

Alea: I have no one to work with.

Alea: Tramila was pulled because I'm pregnant and can't give her transfer.

Eliza looks grumpy - and sick.

Alea: I would really love to work with you.

Wise Snake: Ahh... fine. Fine, I'll do it. [resigned].

Alea: You know, Farris to Farris.

Alea: Oh.

Wise Snake: Stop it. I'll do it.

Alea smiles brightly, offering her ~~ pleasure ~~

Alea: Thank you.

Alea: Perhaps you could take her field down only a little bit so she'd be ready for Veraik on the second?

Wise Snake rubs her forehead as she turns back to Eliza.

Eliza has her back to the two talking, hoping that they won't notice she suddenly feels a bit faint.

Wise Snake: She's not that high.

Alea: Oh.

Alea thinks she would have been perfect for Veraik.

Wise Snake goes back to the transfer lounge and takes her seat.

Wise Snake: Now. What is the difficulty? You want it fast?

Wise Snake: Fast we can do. Give me your arms.

Alea eyes widen.

Alea: Uh....

Alea moves forward clasping her hands.

Alea: Snake?

Eliza meekly hands over her arms.

Wise Snake stops short of taking them.

Alea hopes what she heard isn't what she heard.

Wise Snake looks up at Alea.

Alea smiles weakly.

Wise Snake: What is it now?

Alea: Oh, um, Tecton rules and things. I just wanted to make sure you remembered.

Wise Snake blinks several times.

Wise Snake: Tecton rules? You want me to obey Tecton rules?

Alea: Uh, well, think of what a wonderful Donor she will make.

Eliza sits head down, feeling weak and sick.

Alea smiles.

Wise Snake reaches out and takes Eliza's arms.

Alea: ~~ support ~~ ~~ calm ~~ ~~ peaceful ~~

Eliza: I don't care any more.

Wise Snake: I don't think this woman wants to fill out Forms 345A and B and Schedule 99 before she can get her field taken down.

Alea thinks, "Oh, dear."

Alea: Of course not.

Alea waits and watches, while supporting.

Eliza: [tear leaks out of eye].

Wise Snake: Fast it is, then.

Wise Snake grips Eliza's arms and pulls her forward.

Alea sucks in a breath, promising to stay perfectly steady--no matter what.

Eliza falls into the Simes hard grip.

Eliza: ~~ passive ~~

Wise Snake makes the 5th contact.

Wise Snake draws selyn, starting off at a spanking brisk pace and accelerating, searching for the edge of the Gen's tolerance.

Eliza remains passive.

Eliza feels the edge of pain, but ignores it.

Wise Snake thinks... boring.

Wise Snake holds at that level and finishes draining the Gen's field.

Wise Snake releases Eliza.

Eliza remains still until told.

Alea sees Eliza is still in one piece and not running and screaming from the room and almost kisses Snake for her restraint.

Alea remembers herself in time.

Wise Snake: You can move now. [dryly; feeling what is going on in Alea's nager]

Eliza ignores the channel and turns to Alea. "Can I please have something to eat now?"

Alea looks to Snake.

Alea: Do you have any forms you want her to fill out or can that wait until later, Hajene?

Wise Snake is quite insulted.

Wise Snake: I'm sure I don't care [stiffly].

Wise Snake leaves.

Eliza collapses onto the couch crying.

Alea looks from where Snake left to Eliza.

Alea finally sits down to comfort Eliza.

Briel comes into the lobby from outside.

Briel stomps the snow off her shoes and slips her cloak off, then her scarf.

Wise Snake stalks past Briel on the way toward the front door.

Briel shakes her head, freeing her hair from where it was laying against her neck.

Briel: Snake!

Wise Snake stops, forces herself to count to 18, then turns slowly to Briel.

Wise Snake: Yes, Briel? ~~ nager neutral ~~

Briel zlins Snake.

Briel: Are you okay?

Briel looks back the way Snake came from.

Wise Snake, defensively: "Yeah. Sure. Why shouldn't I be?"

Wise Snake wonders why anybody should think otherwise, all she did was pass up a perfectly good opportunity to obtain a Donor for herself in order to avoid cheating the Center of a new recruit.

Briel: No reason.

Briel shrugs, then rubs at her neck.

Wise Snake leaves.

Briel: Wait!

Briel sighs.

Briel augments out the door.

Briel: Snake!

Wise Snake is halfway down the walk.

Briel goes down the icy steps, making a mental note to have someone clean those off.

Briel: Snake.

Wise Snake looks at Briel as the channel catches up to her.

Briel: You know, the only time I see you this angry is when Alea has done something to you.

Briel says this lightly, thinking she is out here freezing her tentacles.

off to find out why Snake looks ready to tear Bender Cove apart.

Briel: So, what did Alea do this time?

Briel: ~~ resigned ~~

Briel: I wondered when she said the two of you were going to be working together some.

Wise Snake: Nothing, aside from being there when I had to hand a potential Donor trainee over to the Tecton.

Wise Snake: Acting as its duly appointed representative, no less.

Briel: A potential trainee.

Wise Snake: ~~ disgusted ~~

Briel: Acting as a....

Briel swears she isn't going to laugh.

Briel thinks of Snake as a Tecton... and tears of mirth come to her eyes.

Wise Snake's nager goes neutral.

Briel: Oh... [shakes head] I can see why you might be steamed.

Briel: Good enough to replace Nick?

Briel: ~~ curious ~~

Briel smiling.

Wise Snake: Of course not. And the attitude was completely impossible. But it hurt nonetheless.

Briel's smile fades and she offers sympathy.

Briel: I'm sorry.

Wise Snake: Think of Jon Drake's nager with Alea's personality.

Briel winces at the description.

Wise Snake would be interested in finding Alea's nager with Jon Drake's personality one day.

Briel: So, she has Jon's nager?

Briel perks up.

Wise Snake: Possibly, one day.

Briel: I don't know how you were able to keep from dragging her out of here.

Briel augments slightly to warm up.

Wise Snake finds this discussion extremely depressing.

Wise Snake: Look, uh, I'd really like to drop the subject.

Briel: Of course.

Briel: Why don't we go back inside.

Wise Snake hesitates, then reluctantly follows Briel, wondering what Briel wants her for now.

Briel goes into the lobby.

Briel: So, tell me, Snake: what happened?

Briel looks around at the lobby, and motions to Snake.

Alea: Are you doing better, Eliza?

Briel: Come on, let's go to my office.

Alea continues to rub Eliza's back.

Wise Snake follows Briel to the office.

Wise Snake scowling.

Briel goes in and fixes two cups of tea.

Alea: Well, then, let's go eat.

Eliza: Yes thank you, but I'm hungry. [looks downcast]

Alea: I must admit, I'm hungry too. I haven't eaten yet this morning.

Briel finishes the tea and brings a cup to Snake.

Wise Snake: What is there to say? A Gen came in with underdraw. Alea asked me to look at her. After a remarkable session of alternately ignoring and insulting me, she was low field. So I left.

Briel drops down into her chair.

Wise Snake takes the tea.

Briel takes a sip of her tea.

Briel: Ignoring and insulting you.

Briel: Sounds about par for some of our Donors.

Briel: At least you didn't get one like Avaleia.

Alea gets up and leads the way to the cafeteria.

Wise Snake: Yes, I'm sure she will fit in perfectly without altering the reputation of the Center at all.

Briel bristles.

Briel: I didn't mean that, and you know it.

Wise Snake: I shouldn't have "gotten one" at all, since I don't work here.

Briel: We have a decent crew.

Eliza follows Alea.

Alea goes into the cafeteria and grabs a tray and begins getting food.

Alea: The food here is quite good.

Wise Snake: Umm. [sips tea to avoid responding to that last]

Briel: I thought you were going to be working here some.

Eliza looks hungrily at the food: more then she has seen in weeks.

Wise Snake looks at Briel.

Alea: Please, take whatever you want.

Wise Snake: Where on earth did you get that idea?

Eliza does.

Briel: Alea said you might be working with her in the mornings.

Wise Snake: I said I'd like to spend time with her in the mornings. The working may have been wishful thinking on her part.

Alea moves over to the table and sits down, nodding to those she knows.

Briel: I see.

Wise Snake: I have more responsibility than I can handle already, without taking on the responsibilities of others.

Wise Snake doesn't mention the employee she has hired to take care of some of the hospital duties.

Briel: You might want to explain that to Alea.

Eliza: Alea, I'm sorry if I was rude to that...err, "channel", but she obviously didn't want to touch me.

Briel: She was thrilled that she would be working with a channel again. A Farris channel, that is.

Alea looks at Eliza in surprise.

Wise Snake, tightly: "She made it up. I never promised anything of the sort."

Wise Snake: And now I'm sorry I made the mistake of even offering the time.

Alea: Oh, it's not that she didn't want to touch you.

Briel: You think she is purposely lying about your helping?

Briel surprised.

Wise Snake: No, I'm sure she's deluding herself.

Wise Snake: It wouldn't be out of malice.

Briel: Well, if you don't want to offer the time, I'll be sure to talk with her.

Eliza: Yes it is. She just wanted to leave, quickly. I could tell that much!

Alea: You see, Eliza....

Alea: No, no.

Wise Snake: Please don't. Last time you spoke for me she thought I hated her.

Briel shrugs.

Briel: If you insist.

Alea: You have to understand. Snake is a Farris. She is a sensitive channel. Very sensitive.

Alea: She's not like your John.

Alea: You have channels, and then renSimes.

Alea: You gave John transfer, which is acceptable.

Alea: However, Snake, as a channel, was trying to help you. She wanted to take selyn from you very, very slowly....

Alea: Just so your field would be low.

Eliza: Why?

Alea: So you wouldn't be sick.

Alea: She didn't 'need' the selyn.

Alea: She would store it and give it later to a Sime in need.

Eliza: Oh. [downcast]

Eliza: But I could give it to a Sime in need, couldn't I?

Alea: Well....

Briel: So, then what are you going to do during the day if not work?

Alea hesitates.

Alea: No.

Alea: And yes.

Wise Snake looks distinctly annoyed.

Wise Snake: I will be working during the day. Alone.

Eliza looks distinctly annoyed.

Eliza: Well, which?

Alea: Normal Simes can't have transfer from a Gen. It's normally dangerous.

Eliza: I don't see why I couldn't. Then you wouldn't need channels.

Wise Snake: I always work. What gave you the idea I wouldn't be?

Alea: However, since your field is high enough, you can....

Alea pales.

Alea thinks SHEN! NOT THIS AGAIN!

Briel: You said you were going to spend time here, with Alea, but not work.

Alea: No, a normal Sime cannot take selyn from a Gen. It's too dangerous.

Alea: There are too many problems.

Alea: The only Simes who take direct transfer from Gens are channels.

Wise Snake gives Briel a long, hard look.

Alea: And the Gens have to be special "Donors" to give that transfer.

Wise Snake: I said I wanted to spend some time with Alea... not spend all day here!

Alea: Like Snake said to you, you are a "natural" Donor.

Briel: Oh.

Briel: I see.

Wise Snake: I have been taking breakfasts with B'cal and talking to her in the mornings. For perhaps an hour or two.

Wise Snake: Since B'cal will be occupied with Veraik for the next week I thought to offer Alea that time instead.

Briel: That's good. It's always good to spend time with a Donor.

Wise Snake: I am now regretting it more with each passing minute!

Wise Snake rubs her forehead, frowning to herself.

Briel: No reason to yell at me.

Briel holds her tentacles up in surrender.

Eliza: Oh.

Eliza: Why is she so angry?

Wise Snake thinks that someone should just hand her a gun so she can put herself out of her misery now.

Wise Snake: Of course not. [tries to gentle her expression]

Alea: Who?

Alea: Snake?

Alea spoons some cereal into her mouth.

Eliza: Yeah.

Eliza finishes her meal and reaches for an apple.

Briel: Good.

Wise Snake looks and feels miserable.

Wise Snake: Now can I go?

Alea smiles secretly, having her own theory about what Snake is angry about.

Briel looks surprised.

Briel: Of course.

Briel: I was only worried about you.

Wise Snake: I am sure I will be fine.

Alea: Actually, I imagine she isn't used to being treated rudely.

Wise Snake gets up and leaves Briel's office.

Briel sighs as she watches Snake go.

Alea: You have to understand.

Eliza: Well, she started it.

Alea smiles, thinking how young Eliza sounds.

Eliza: What do I do next?

Alea strokes the black on her collar.

Alea: First, listen to me.

Alea: You see this black?

Eliza: Yes?

Alea: This black is worn by all Farrises.

Alea: Well, except Snake. She doesn't wear it, though she does have a black cape.

Alea: You'll have to learn if you see that, do NOT react with wild emotions.

Alea: Farrises are a special type of channel, very sensitive.

Alea: You could hurt them.

Alea: It's best to avoid these channels unless they ask you for something.

Eliza: Alea....

Alea: We have other Farrises here, which is why I'm telling you this.

Alea: Yes?

Eliza: Ummm....

Eliza wonders whether to tell Alea that she can usually tell what people are feeling.

Eliza: Nothing.

Eliza: You can hurt them with emotions?

Alea: Yes.

Alea: As you learn to work with your field, and allow the channel to work with it, you'll understand what I mean.

Eliza: So, like, if I think anger at them... that would hurt them?

Alea: Of course, we have plenty of pamphlets on it.

Eliza: OK.

Alea: ~~ wary of Eliza's words ~~

Eliza: I understand.

Alea: A Donor would never do that.

Eliza: Am I a donor?

Alea: I imagine you have the potential to be a "Donor" not just a "donor". The former being the one who serves Channels. [says the Simelan for these words]

Eliza: Channels? You mean I'd have to serve people like HER?

Eliza spat the word out.

Alea: ~~ insulted ~~

Alea: She's a Farris.

Eliza: I don't think I want to be a Donor, then.

Alea: Of course not.

Alea: You'd serve Simes not quite as high as her.

Alea: Probably a low First or a Second. Maybe a mid First.

Alea: As I said, we didn't talk. However, Snake and Tramila and probably Lanyi would all be too high for you to serve.

Arcadia scurries into the cafeteria on her 10 minute break and sits down not far from Alea and Eliza.

Eliza: OK. What else can I do around here? If I'm not a Donor, that is.

Eliza: I don't want to work with people like that.

Arcadia pulls out her dog-eared copy of "Her Demon Lover" with great anticipation.

Eliza: Don't see why I can't just give it to normal Simes.

Alea: ~~ blanches ~~

Eliza eyebrows suddenly rise and she turns to look at the new arrival.

Eliza leans forward to Alea. "Who is that?"

Arcadia turns a page, and then another.

Arcadia reaches for her tea, misses it, reaches several more times without removing her eyes from the page, then drinks it all suddenly.

Arcadia: Wow.

Eliza is fascinated by the feelings coming from the reading woman. 2

Arcadia's face is making her feelings obvious.

Alea is feeling suddenly sick.

Alea thinks of her wanting to give selyn to a renSime and remembers all the problems Tarsh has gone through.

Alea: She, uh, she's Gen.

Alea: Look, Eliza.

Alea: I know renSimes who have had transfer from Gens.

Alea: It's no good.

Arcadia feels a bit flushed.

Eliza: Why not?

Alea: ~~ queasy ~~

Alea looks up at Eliza.

Alea: It makes their life a living hell.

Eliza: I don't understand why it should?

Eliza: I mean, no one is trying to kill them here, are they? [bitterly]

Alea glances over at the Gen, who is breathing rather heavily next to them.

Arcadia: [cup, saucer and silverware start bumping around on table as Arcadia trembles with eagerness, turning pages faster and faster]

Eliza looks over her shoulder at the reading woman and giggles.

Arcadia: Unnh.

Arcadia: Whew.

Arcadia checks her watch.

Arcadia: This is really something.

Arcadia turns the next page.

Alea forces her attention back to Eliza.

Eliza is going red in the face trying not to laugh.

Alea: Talk to our third order channel, Mostan. No, talk to a renSime named Tarsh about....No, better yet, talk to Veraik or Tramila about this.

Alea doesn't want her to talk to Mostan since she's not sure if Mostan still thinks renSimes should have transfer, nor does she want the girl around Tarsh, who still wants Gen transfer and already has one woman chasing him.

Alea thinks this day is really going downhill.

Eliza noticed Alea's slight emphasis on Tarsh.

Eliza: Who is Tarsh? And what is a renSime, again?

Arcadia: Yes!!!

Alea jumps.

Eliza jumps!

Alea looks over, flushes.

Arcadia wipes her chin and turns the page quickly.

Alea: Uh... Tarsh is, well, he's a, um... the Chief Financial Officer here at the Center.

Alea feels warm and picks up a napkin to fan herself.

Arcadia: Yes!!!

Eliza: Oh. And what's a renSime?

Alea: A renSime is a Sime with only one Selyn system. They can only have transfer---from a channel--whereas a channel has two systems and can take and give selyn.

Eliza whispers to Alea, "I think I want a lend of that book when she is finished."

Arcadia: Yes!!

Alea blushes.

Alea: Why don't you go ask her?

Arcadia: Oho.

Arcadia: Oh, yeah.

Arcadia thumps her tea cup on the table several times.

Alea groans as she sees the looks of others and wonders if this is what she and Tarsh.... [covers her eyes]

Arcadia seems utterly oblivious to various people around the cafeteria staring at her.

Alea: It might be nice for you to introduce yourself around.

Alea: Meet people, if you're going to be living here.

Arcadia checks her watch again.

Arcadia does a double take at her watch.

Arcadia: Uh-oh.

Arcadia starts reading faster.

Alea sinks down in her seat.

Alea looks back at Arcadia.

Arcadia: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

AAAAAAAAAAAAAoohhhhh!

Arcadia falls off her chair.

Arcadia jumps up hastily.

Arcadia: Wow! Look at the time.

Alea: Oh good heavens!

Alea jumps up.

Arcadia jams the book in her bag and scurries out the door.

Alea grabs at her chair, staring in disbelief as Arcadia scrambles out of the room.

Arcadia: [leaving an overturned chair, an upside down tea cup with the saucer still on the table, and a stray spoon]

Alea looks at Eliza.

Alea: I, um....

Alea is quite red.

Eliza: I'm sorry?

Alea thinks of the scene Arcadia just made and blushes even more.

Alea slips back into her seat.

Alea: I guess she, um, liked the book.

Wise Snake sneaks in the back door of the Sime Center and climbs the back stairs to the Donors' housing.

Wise Snake slips into B'cal's room.

Eliza giggles.

Alea shakes her head.

Alea: That Arcadia, I believe is her name. She's a new Donor.

Alea: She works here.

Eliza: She is funny.

B'cal is in bed.

Wise Snake closes the door softly and climbs onto B'cal's bed to poke her awake.

Alea: I'm glad you think so.

Wise Snake: B'cal.... B'cal are you awake?

B'cal groans.

Eliza smiles.

B'cal: Yes?

B'cal squints open an eye.

B'cal: Let me guess: Veraik is going spastic again?

Alea: We have many jobs here.

Alea: I'm sure, once we get you a room and get you settled in, Briel or Veraik will want to talk to you and assign you somewhere to work.

Wise Snake: No... no, nothing like that.

B'cal: Oh.

Eliza yawns.

Wise Snake sags onto the bed next to B'cal.

B'cal rolls onto her back and wearily pushes herself up, yawning.

Alea sees Eliza's yawn.

Alea: Why don't we get you a room now?

Eliza: You have no idea how good that sounds....

Eliza looks down at her torn and muddy clothing.

Alea takes her empty dishes, wondering if the food is gong to stay down after her talk about Tarsh and renSime transfer, and goes to put them in the window for used dishes.

B'cal: Yes?

B'cal rubs at her eyes.

Wise Snake: B'cal, do you think if I ran across a somebody of Donor potential here at the Center, that nobody knew about yet, that it would be immoral to not tell anybody here?

Wise Snake: I mean, if I wanted to train them myself.

B'cal: I... uh....

Wise Snake: Nick I didn't worry about because the Tecton had already rejected him.

Wise Snake moves closer to B'cal.

B'cal: Well, I would imagine joining the Tecton would be up to the individual.

B'cal: ~~ offers tired support ~~

Alea leaves the cafeteria with Eliza.

Alea: Let me just get you a key.

Wise Snake: Yeah, I mean no, if the person had no idea. And I were to just, you know, take them off and train them up without them ever knowing about the Donor training of the Tecton.

Wise Snake: If nobody here knew that the person had the potential, it wouldn't really be stealing would it?

B'cal: If the person... Oh. Well, are you sure he or she doesn't know?

B'cal: As I said, it wouldn't be THIS place's choice. It would be the person's choice.

Wise Snake: Somebody from out-Territory.

B'cal: Really?

Alea goes to the front desk and asks Clerk for a key in the Gen side.

Alea accepts the key and then goes to storage to get some temporary clothes for Eliza.

Wise Snake: Ah, shen, you're too asleep for this.

Wise Snake: Go back to sleep.

Wise Snake stretches out looking at the ceiling and sighs.

B'cal rubs at her eyes.

B'cal: You are going to steal a person and train them without telling them what you are doing?

Alea: Uh, I should warn you....

Wise Snake: No.

Alea glances at Eliza.

B'cal: I see.

Eliza: Yes, Alea?

Alea: Well, there are certain channels around here, besides Tramila and Snake, that you want to stay away from.

Alea: Sumulo for one.

Alea: I would not go near him. He hates Donors. Uh, actually, I think he hates all Gens.

Eliza: Believe me, after meeting that Snake woman, I want to stay way from all of them.

Alea turns and heads toward the Gen dorms.

Alea: Well, now, Veraik isn't so bad.

Wise Snake searches in a pocket, finds what she is looking for, then gets up and goes to get a glass of water.

Eliza giggles, "A Sime who hates Gens."

Alea thinks she'll turn her toward Veraik so perhaps she won't see another "Rhelana" incident.

Eliza: If he is a channel, I don't want to know.

B'cal: What are you doing?

B'cal sits up straighter.

Wise Snake: Getting a drink of water. [running water] You want some?

B'cal: Ugh....

B'cal lays back down in bed, shoving the nasty pink robe to the floor as she does, and pulling up an extra blanket.

Wise Snake downs the water, and the headache killers with it.

Alea: Ah, well, you'll have to know Veraik.

Alea: He's the controller, and the one who'll do your training.

Wise Snake: Ah. Hopefully that will do the trick. [to herself]

Wise Snake returns to the bed, and looks in surprise at the pink robe on the floor.

Eliza stops dead.

Eliza: What training?

Alea realizes Eliza has stopped walking and turns.

Alea: Why, your Donor training.

Alea: Teaching you how to use your field, how to control, how to work with a channel.

B'cal cracks open and eye and sees Snake looming over the bed.

Eliza: But what if I don't want to be a Donor?

B'cal: What now?

Alea: Oh, believe me. With that field you don't really have a choice.

Wise Snake picks up the robe and hangs it up, since Linn has drilled such behavior into her for months.

Alea: Remember how sick you were feeling?

B'cal sees the robe and sneers.

Eliza resumes walking.

Wise Snake: I'll let you go back to sleep.

Wise Snake: I'm sorry I disturbed you.

Wise Snake leaves.

B'cal: Are you....

Eliza: But, if I were to leave, couldn't I just have transfer with normal Simes? You know, ones not here... isn't that allowed?

Alea: NO!

B'cal sighs, shakes her head and snuggles back under the covers.

Wise Snake depressed.

Alea: ~~ panic ~~~

Wise Snake trudges down the stairs.

Wise Snake zlins Alea's panic and augments in that direction.

Eliza grips her hands into fists. "I don't understand any of this."

Eliza: ~~ broadcasts frustration and anger ~~

Wise Snake thinks somebody is about to kill Alea and skids around the corner, prepared for anything.

Alea can only see this ending in major problems for the Center--especially after that picture she drew--and is afraid Tarsh will be the one who ends up with the crazy wannabe Distect Gen.

Eliza senses the Sime behind her - turns and remembering what Alea said about hurting them - unleashes all her pent up frustration at the channel.

Wise Snake quickly goes hypo in self-defense.

Alea is shocked at what she perceives and grabs at Eliza.

Wise Snake darts past Eliza and turns to defend Alea.

Alea jumps back.

Wise Snake: Get back, Alea.

Alea: I -- Snake?

Alea: ~~ soothing ~~ ~~ support ~~

Alea: Don't... what the shenned is going on here?

Alea trying to calm her fear of a potential Distect Gen in their midst.

Wise Snake's white eyes shine with outrage.

Alea: She doesn't know what she's saying!

Wise Snake: What in shen do you think you're doing? [to Eliza]

Alea: She doesn't understand Distect....

Alea backs to behind Snake at her look, working to offer a strong firm supportive field.

Alea decides perfectly quiet, out of danger is the best place for her.

Eliza turns and runs in what she thinks is an outward direction, actually heading where Snake just came from: the Sime quarters.

Alea: Oh, shen!

Wise Snake watches her leave and then turns to Alea.

Wise Snake: Are you all right?

Alea: I... yes. I'm fine.

Alea shakes her head.

Wise Snake still appearing bright-eyed and tense.

Wise Snake: That woman is a menace.

Alea sees this. ~~ comfort ~~

Alea: Uh, yeah.

Wise Snake conveniently forgets she has said the same thing about Alea many times, as she rests on Alea's comforting field.

Alea: You okay?

Alea runs a hand down her face.

Eliza runs around a corner, sight dimmed by tears and panic.

Wise Snake: She tried to get me with her field, but I managed to get hypo fast enough to avoid it. It helped that she was low-field, of course.

Wise Snake: What was she trying to do to you?

Alea: She tried to SLAM YOU?

Alea: ~~ outrage ~~

Alea: Why... [trembling]

Wise Snake: [uncomfortably] Yes, she did.

Wise Snake doesn't like the outrage but is pleased by Alea's apparent feelings for her.

Alea takes a deep breath and forces her field back to a comforting one.

Alea: I have no idea what that child learned out-Territory.

Alea: She kept asking me why should couldn't just give transfer to regular Simes instead of channels.

Wise Snake: Well, evidently she learned somewhere that flinging your emotions in somebody else's face is acceptable.

Wise Snake frowns.

Alea angry though she keeps it from her field.

Alea: I specifically told her to control her emotions.

Wise Snake: Well there's no reason she couldn't, except that she'd still be feeling rotten all the time because renSimes would do nothing for her.

Alea: I know that.

Alea: She's going to have to learn it on her....

Alea: What!

Wise Snake: Ah.

Alea shakes her head.

Alea: No, she does NOT need to go flaunting her field around here Snake.

Alea: You know some of the problems... people... have here.

Wise Snake: She doesn't HAVE much of a field right now.

Alea: Thank heavens!

Wise Snake: Oh... [getting Alea's drift] ... I see your point.

Eliza is hopelessly lost.

Briel comes walking down the hall and zlins a runaway Gen.

Briel: Shen!

Wise Snake: Look. Let's go find her and try to straighten her out.

Briel augments, catching her before she can get to the Sime quarters.

Alea: Yes.

Alea: That sounds ideal.

Alea sarcasm.

Briel: Are you okay?

Briel looking at Eliza in concern.

Wise Snake would send Alea by herself, since she doesn't particularly feel like seeing or zlinning Eliza again, but really doesn't want Alea to get attacked again... or whatever happened.

Briel flips into working mode, zlinning.

Wise Snake looks at Alea.

Wise Snake: Or not.

Eliza slows to a jog, then stops completely and looks around. She is tired, still muddy and sore, and now lost inside a building probably bulging with Simes.

Alea: I, well, yes and no.

Briel: Are you okay?

Briel looks at Eliza, with concern.

Wise Snake: Do you want to take a break for a while, and I'll go look for the trainee from hell?

Alea concentrates, slowly bringing herself under control.

Alea: No, no. I'm fine.

Alea turns to Snake. ~~ support ~~

Alea: I just didn't like the idea of her obsession with renSimes.

Wise Snake looks visibly relieved.

Alea: Let's go.

Eliza backs up "Yes, thank you. I'm fine"

Wise Snake: I wouldn't over-rate that. She has gone through two or three rapid emotional turnarounds since coming here. There's no telling where her real beliefs lie until she gets calmed down.

Alea: Of course. You're right.

Alea: I've just been confronted with a lot of Distect beliefs lately. I overreacted.

Alea: ~~ calm ~~

Eliza turns around and tries to walk calmly away as if she knows exactly what she is doing... forgetting completely she looks like a train wreck.

Wise Snake walks in the direction Eliza had run off in, zlinning cautiously.

Briel: My name is Briel ambrov R'lea.

Briel: ~~ friendly smile ~~

Alea: I'm not sure what is going on with her, Snake.

Alea: Most odd.

Eliza stops walking and turns.

Eliza: You are a channel?

Briel smiles.

Briel: Yes, I am.

Veraik walks down the hall, thinking about what happened yesterday.

Eliza: I see. I don't like channels.

Briel: ~~ guarded ~~

Veraik zlins Briel and a strange Gen in the Sime Quarters.

Briel: And why is that? [continuing to smile]

Eliza turned and walks off slightly faster, turning a corner and bumping into the approaching Sime.

Briel zlins Veraik with the Gen and decides to let him handle it.

Briel leaves.

Wise Snake: She's young... scared... doesn't know what's going on.

Veraik: This is not a good place for you.

Alea: Yes.

Wise Snake: Her emotions are getting the better of her and she doesn't even know exactly what those emotions are yet.

Veraik: Allow me to escort you to the Gen part of our Center.

Alea: I imagine you're right.

Eliza looks up at the Sime offering his hand.

Eliza, much to her own surprise, takes it.

Veraik waits patiently.

Alea: ~~ continued support ~~

Eliza: Than...thank you.

Veraik smiles.

Veraik: You're new here.

Eliza consciously makes an effort to dampen her emotions. For some reason, she doesn't want this Sime to think badly of her.

Eliza: I'm not sure I'm even here.

Alea: Her accent is very thick, which I take to mean she must be from deep in Gen Territory.

Alea: It's even worse than Jon's.

Veraik: Oh? And why not.

Eliza: I came in for help, but they don't want to help me.

Veraik: What happened? Perhaps I can help.

Eliza: I don't know. They want me to be a donor or something.

Eliza: Who are you?

Eliza: You are a channel, aren't you?

Veraik: A Donor?

Veraik zlins.

Alea: Did you see the shape her clothes were in?

Veraik: Yes. I can zlin that you have the potential, but no one ever forces a Gen to be a Donor or even a donor.

Alea shakes her head.

Eliza: Are you sure?

Veraik: Yes. I am sure.

Eliza smiles at Veraik. "You are different from that Snake person."

Veraik: [points] Here is my office. Let's talk in there, shall we?

Eliza: You are nice.

Eliza: OK.

Veraik smiles. "Yes. I suppose that I am."

Veraik realizes that he actually smiled and is amazed.

Eliza enters Veraik's office with him.

Veraik: Oh, and I am Veraik ambrov Liorie.

Veraik: The Controller of this Center.

Eliza freezes. "But you are the one Alea spoke to me about."

Alea: I got her some temporary uniforms from the locker room.

Veraik: Alea told you about me?

Eliza: She said that I had to talk to you.

Veraik: [curious] What did she say?

Eliza: She said that I would have to talk to you about becoming a Donor.

But I don't know if I want to be a Donor!

Veraik: Please. Have a seat. Would you like some tea?

Eliza: Thank you.

Wise Snake: Hey, um, Alea....

Eliza finds that she is comforted by this Sime's presence and wonders why.

Alea: Yes?

Alea looks at Snake, finally calmed down.

Veraik: Eliza? Do you know the difference between becoming a donor and a Donor?

Eliza: A donor and a Donor - I'm sorry?

Briel heads back toward her office.

Wise Snake: Any particular reason you couldn't come out in the city with me and work days? I'd be extra careful that nothing happened to you.

Alea: I ....

Alea thinks of the unborn child and her other miscarriage.

Alea: I might be able to come, if Veraik permits it.

Alea: But I couldn't full time. I'll have to work with this new channel they're assigning me, also.

Wise Snake sighs.

Wise Snake: Never mind, then.

Alea: I'm sorry, Snake.

Alea: ~~ yearning to work with her ~~

Wise Snake: Look, I really have to get going. Let's make sure this spoiled brat is under wraps and then I'll get out of here.

Alea: Of course.

Wise Snake: Stop it, Alea. you're going to drive me crazy.

Veraik: There is a slight inflection difference between the words donor and Donor and they are two different types of Gen altogether.

Alea snaps her field under strict control.

Alea: I apologize, Hajene.

Eliza: Oh. No, I don't know the difference.

Veraik hands her a cup of tea [trin].

Eliza: Thank you.

Eliza takes the tea and sips it, savoring the unusual flavor.

Eliza: And I would be a Donor?

Wise Snake gives up after several minutes of searching for Eliza.

Veraik: A donor is a Gen who simply donates selyn to a Channel so that the Channel can in turn serve a renSime, thus avoiding the kill.

Eliza: What would that mean exactly?

Alea: You go on, Snake.

Alea: I'll continue to search.

Eliza grimaces. ~~ distaste ~~

Wise Snake: Well, she's obviously gone to ground somewhere. You should alert security and then go where other people are.

Alea: It might be best if you didn't get around her.

Alea: I will. And she'd better hope I don't find her first.

Wise Snake nods.

Alea thinks she'd like to strangle the child for trying to purposely hurt Snake, and is definitely going to have words with her.

Eliza: And what is the other sort of Donor?

Alea turns and walks off to alert security.

Wise Snake leaves the Sime Center.

Veraik: That you would come to the Center approximately once a month to give you selyn to a Channel and in return receive a payment for the selyn donated.

Eliza: But still just channel?

Eliza: What about other Simes?

Briel sees Frutata walking down the hall and hails him.

Veraik: The other Simes or renSimes do not have a second selyn storage system in which to keep the selyn donated.

Eliza: But they need selyn? And I have selyn?

Frutata stops and waits for Briel.

Veraik: You asked about a Donor.

Briel goes up to Frutata.

Briel: And how are you feeling today, Frutata?

Briel zlins the Donor.

Eliza tries to come to grips with it all.

Veraik: A Donor is a Gen who is able to serve selyn directly to a Channel without getting hurt.

Eliza: OK. I think I see. A Donor can give the channel the selyn that they personally need?

Veraik: They are also trained to help the Channel in many ways.

Eliza: And a donor can give a channel selyn to give to other Simes?

Eliza imagines herself helping Snake. 3

Frutata: Much better, thank you.

Veraik: That's right. [sips tea]

Frutata: And how are you?

Frutata smiles pleasantly at Briel.

Briel: Very well.

Briel returns the smile.

Eliza thinks. "But can't a Gen give selyn directly to other Simes? Then you wouldn't need channels."

Briel: I think I've found someone for you to have transfer this month, if you're up to it?

Veraik zlins her turmoil.

Frutata looks interested.

Frutata: I would certainly be willing to give transfer, if I am judged ready.

Briel grin widens.

Veraik: Just so that you understand the full story. If a Gen tries to give their selyn to a renSime, you usually end up with a dead Gen and a junct renSime.

Briel: Well, then, let's go in your room and check you out.

Frutata nods.

Frutata: Of course.

Frutata returns to his room.

Eliza: Oh! I see. We were told that the person always died when attacked.

But you see, I didn't die, so I thought it was a lie.

Briel goes in and closes the door.

Veraik: A renSime is unable to control his selyn flow in order to assure that the Gen doesn't get burned and therefore killed.

Briel goes over and sits down.

Briel: Let me do a deep zlin and ask you a few questions, okay?

Veraik zlins Eliza.

Eliza wonders again why John didn't kill her.

Frutata holds out his arms obediently.

Veraik: That happens on occasion, and it usually means that the Gen has Donor potential. In other words, that Gen might be able to serve a channel's needs.

Briel takes him in transfer position and deeply zlins his system, checking to make sure he is completely healed and what, if any scar tissue might stop him from serving the Channel she has in mind.

Frutata maintains a still, smooth field, not interfering in any way.

Briel finally releases Frutata.

Eliza: Okay. I see. But if a Gen can serve a channel, wouldn't it be possible to serve a normal Sime who doesn't need as much?

Briel: You certainly are steady.

Briel wishes it was her she had in mind for transfer with him.

Veraik: Yes but that would be unsatisfying to the Donor and potentially dangerous to the renSime.

Eliza is beginning to understand.

Frutata: Thank you.

Eliza: You mean, if I only served normal Simes - renSimes? - that I might feel sick again?

Eliza: And the renSime... why would it be dangerous to them?

Briel: So, how are you feeling about giving transfer? Any fear?

Veraik: Yes.

Frutata: Not at all. ~~ quiet acceptance ~~

Briel is impressed at what she zlins.

Briel zlins a bit longer than necessary then sighs.

Briel: We have a channel here, I think you will match her. I'll have to have her zlin you to make sure.

Frutata: Of course. I look forward to meeting her.

Veraik: The renSime would get used to a Donor's transfer and be unable to take channel's transfer. Then if a Donor (and Donors are usually in high demand because there never seems to be enough of them) was unavailable, the renSime would probably stalk and kill a Gen.

Briel: She is a Farris.

Briel: Her name is Tramila.

Briel: Alea is pregnant and unable to serve her this month.

Eliza: I see now. Thank you.

Briel: So, we have to find another Donor.

Eliza: Why didn't they just explain that to me?

Briel: The only thing I am concerned about is the speed.

Briel: I'm not sure you'll match her speed.

Frutata: I confess I do not entirely understand that term, "Farris", except that additional training is normally required to serve them.

Briel: Yes.

Eliza: OK, then I guess that I either have to be a Donor or get sick again.

Eliza: But...do I have to have transfer with any channel? Or can I say, "NO."

Briel: Farrises are allergic to everything, nervous around everyone, and some of the most sensitive channels you'll ever see.

Briel: Their speed is also off the scale of most normal channels and Donors. So, Tramila may have to work with that.

Frutata: I am willing to learn whatever can be taught, of course.

Briel nods.

Veraik: You can always say no, but frankly, if you came in feeling sick, you will probably be sick every month that you skip.

Briel: I'm glad to hear that.

Eliza smiles at Veraik. "And would I give you selyn?"

Veraik: That depends on many factors.

Eliza remembers what Alea said. ~~ pleasure ~~

Wise Snake is sitting in a cafe waiting for a contact who never showed up.

Wise Snake mutters under her breath and figures since she's here she might as well try to eat something.

Wise Snake looks at a menu.

Briel: Well then, would you like to go meet Tramila?

Frutata smiles.

Frutata: Certainly.

Briel: Great.

Eliza: ~~ happiness ~~

Briel opens the door to Frutata's room and exits.

Veraik: So. Do you think you would like to train as a Donor?

Briel: I think she's in her office. We'll check there.

Eliza: Yes, thank you. I think I would.

Frutata accompanies Briel to Tramila's office.

Eliza smiles at the channel.

Veraik gets up and removes a folder from the filing cabinet.

Rapol comes into the cafe.

Wise Snake ponders the menu... everything translates into "sand, paste, and wet cardboard."

Wise Snake: Ugh.

Alea walks down the hall still unable to find that child.

Veraik hands her several papers.

Alea thinks woman with a child's emotions.

Veraik: You are required to fill out several papers so we can start a folder on you.

Rapol is a tall brown haired Gen with a strong field.

Eliza: ~~ panic ~~

Alea still can't believe she tried to force a ... a transfer on Snake, tried to slam her, tried to ... oh!

Eliza takes the folder, but can't stop her hand from shaking.

Alea forces herself to calm down again.

Veraik: I'm afraid you will have to get used to the paperwork, since paperwork is the Tecton's middle name.

Wise Snake is a short, scrawny channel with long crazy black hair and a weasely aura about her.

Rapol surveys the room. He is clearly looking for someone.

Veraik zlins Eliza. "Is there a problem?"

Eliza looks up at Veraik with a tear in her eye.

Eliza: I can't read.

Rapol sees Wise Snake, but is unsure. He moves across the room, casually passing near her.

Eliza: I can't write either.

Veraik: Oh. Well, then, it just means that you will have to learn that as well.

Veraik: Are you willing to learn?

Eliza: Of course!

Eliza smiles.

Wise Snake looks up, darting a glance at the passing Gen [weird, pale eyes]

Veraik: Great.

Wise Snake looks down, trying to decide whether she will have the wood glue over shoelaces, or the corrugated sandwich.

Wise Snake: Ucch.

Alea goes to Veraik's door and signals, deciding she might as well be the one to break the news about the new crazy Gen running around.

Rapol tries to judge Snake's field by the indirect effect on his own.

Wise Snake: ~~high order channel, just had transfer~~

Veraik takes the folder back. "We can get you settled in, and then I'll find a teacher for you who will help you with the forms.

Eliza yawns.

Veraik goes to the door and opens it.

Alea nods.

Alea: Hello, Veraik.

Veraik: Hello, Alea.

Rapol comes to one side of Snake. "Do you know if they have fresh cod here?"

Alea: I have some bad news. It looks like we have another crazy Gen on the loose.

Veraik: I would like you to meet our new Donor trainee.

Alea pauses.

Alea: What?

Wise Snake looks up suddenly.

Wise Snake: Only on Tuesdays.

Wise Snake: You're late. [adds]

Rapol: But I only have fish on weekends.

Veraik: Alea, this is Eliza.

Alea looks into the room and gapes.

Alea: YOU!

Rapol sits down. "I'm so sorry. The mud is terrible today."

Alea: Why...!

Eliza: Hello again. [grins brightly]

Veraik zlins Eliza.

Veraik: I don't understand. Is there a problem, Alea?

Eliza: Alea, I'm sorry. I didn't understand before.

Alea: You tried to SLAM Snake.

Eliza blinks.

Eliza: To what?

Alea: After I specifically explained about fields.

Alea: You purposely flared your field and tried to hurt her.

Alea: And after all she tried to do for you.

Wise Snake: It's all right. So, what do you have for me? Your guy said it was important.

Alea: Then you ran off....

Veraik zlins Alea for the truth and knows that it is from her field. 4

Eliza keeps a firm grip on her emotions.

Veraik: Alea?

Alea turns to Veraik.

Alea: This is a Donor trainee?

Veraik: Calm down.

Alea: I am perfectly calm.

Eliza tries very hard not to cry again.

Alea: ~~ gritted teeth flat nager ~~

Eliza: I have nowhere else to go. That is why I am here.

Alea thinks, she wants to have transfer with renSimes, too.

Rapol: You were asking about high capability Gens a while back.

Veraik adjusts field, trying to protect himself from Alea's agitated one.

Eliza: I have been chased and seen my cousin killed.

Alea hears that and thinks she is NOT going to fall for the pity....

Eliza: No one explained anything to me until just now.

Alea, weakening, smiles and turns.

Alea: We tried to explain to you.

Eliza: If you don't want me here, I will leave.

Alea: You were too busy trying to....

Veraik: There has obviously been some confusion.

Wise Snake: Yes! You have something? ~~ interested ~~

Alea pictures this woman out on the streets speaking no Simelan and thinks, ugh!

Veraik: Alea. Please sit down and let's try to sort things out.

Alea sighs.

Alea drops into a chair.

Rapol smiles and tries to engage Wise Snake's field.

Alea: No one is going to throw you out, Eliza.

Eliza: Please, I'm tired and dirty. Just tell me if I have to go away... again.

Alea: Of course you don't.

Eliza: I don't know if I can stay, anyway. Everyone is always angry at me here.

Veraik: Alea. Eliza. Please.

Alea counts silently, telling herself to remember what Snake said.

Wise Snake is taken aback.

Wise Snake draws her nager in to avoid his.

Veraik: Alea. I have just had to explain the whole Sime-Gen selyn transfer pairings to Eliza.

Wise Snake: Please... be careful.

Veraik: You may have thought she understood, but she didn't.

Rapol: ~~ withdraws, distraught ~~

Alea: We tried to explain.

Alea: She took an instant disliking to Snake, and wouldn't listen.

Wise Snake: I'm sorry. I can't allow myself to be handled by somebody not yet familiar with my... requirements.

Alea: I'm sure now, though, since she understands, she completely understands about how careful she has to be with people who wear the black braid?

Veraik: Now. You said that you were teaching her how to control her field, and then she used it against Snake?

Alea narrows her eyes at Eliza.

Rapol: Ah. I'm so sorry. I'll take it slow.

Alea: Me? I simply told her to be very careful.

Veraik: No. We didn't get that far.

Eliza: You told me they were Farrises and to stay away from them.

Wise Snake smiles at Rapol, a bit nervously.

Wise Snake: No harm done.

Alea: And I also said Snake was a Farris and to be extra careful if you were around any of them, which does not include flaring your anger at them.

Veraik: Alea. This girl knows and understands nothing about us.

Wise Snake: Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?

Wise Snake: Afterward you may ask any you may have in return.

Alea: Obviously.

Eliza: I'm sorry. I was upset. Where I come from the only thing we know about Simes is that they kill people.

Rapol smiles. "You can ask me anything."

Alea: Your cousin didn't kill you.

Alea smiles, a bit strained.

Veraik: Look, Alea. She is going to require a lot of training and that includes learning to read.

Eliza: No, I didn't understand why. I thought that meant that I could do it with any Sime.

Wise Snake: Where did you get your training, and how much experience have you had with channels?

Eliza looks embarrassed.

Alea rubs at a headache coming on.

Alea thinks she hasn't had many head aches in her life, but this one... this one is going to be a doozy.

Veraik: Since you are pregnant, why don't you take her under your wing?

Alea looks up, her eyes widening in horror.

Eliza looks horrified, but manages to control it so it doesn't show to the channel. (Well, not much.)

Alea: I beg your pardon?

Rapol: ~~ slightly evasive ~~ "I've had a lot of experience with all sorts of Simes. A lot of them high level."

Veraik: After all, your duties are going to steadily decline from now on.

Alea bristles.

Rapol: "I've picked it up as I went along."

Wise Snake looks at him steadily.

Veraik zlins first Eliza then Alea.

Wise Snake: Go on.

Eliza: ~~ calm acceptance ~~

Alea gives Veraik a "don't you dare stick me with this newbie" look.

Rapol stares back at Snake.

Rapol's eyes are a bright blue.

Veraik looks back at her with an "I'm the Controller and you should be glad for the privilege to teach her how to read and write" look.

Wise Snake considers his utter lack of answer to her question.

Alea wonders what she did to deserve this.

Wise Snake: Where?

Veraik: Alea. This will give you practice in learning how to teach your child the art of reading and writing.

Alea: I am feeling unwell, Hajene. If you could please excuse me....

Eliza beams at Alea.

Eliza jumps up, all concerned.

Alea can only imagine what this is going to mean for her breakfasts with Snake.

Veraik: [stands] Of course, Alea.

Eliza: Are you OK? I didn't know you were pregnant.

Alea looks warily at Eliza.

Alea: I'm fine. Really.

Alea: I'm just going to go find some... [shoots a look at Veraik] ...fosebine.

Rapol: A small town in the Nor'West. You wouldn't have heard of it.

Eliza: I'd like to work with you, really. I don't know anyone else here.

Wise Snake: What are you looking for?

Veraik: A Sime Center is a fine balance of people and fields. You should be concerned with everyone here, and that includes Alea and especially Wise Snake.

Alea thinks, why me: a Donor who wants to give transfer to a renSime.

Eliza's face falls at the name "Wise Snake".

Alea smiles as Eliza's face falls.

Rapol: A Sime worthy of me.

Wise Snake looks at Rapol twice.

Wise Snake zlins him again.

Rapol: ~~ old emotional pain ~~

Alea can imagine this now: the young woman tagging along, flaunting her field at every renSime in the area. Shakes her head.

Veraik: Eliza, you must learn to control your nager. Please.

Eliza pulls herself together.

Rapol: ~~ a high field, certainly well into 1st range. ~~

Veraik: That's better.

Alea goes over to Veraik's medicine cabinet and starts digging through it.

Wise Snake: Huh.

Alea: If that's your orders, Hajene. I'll do it.

Alea finds the fosebine, eyes gleaming.

Wise Snake thinks he's nothing to scream about, but nothing to sneeze at either.

Rapol: ~~ clearly under his control, but not being handled in a way she's zlinned before ~~

Veraik: Come along, then. I will take you to the front and the clerk can issue you a key to your room.

Veraik: Thank you, Alea.

Alea: Of course, Hajene.

Wise Snake: Are you willing to learn?

Eliza: Thank you, Alea. [smiles]

Alea mixes a triple portion and downs it.

Alea winces at the taste.

Alea: No problem, Eliza.

Veraik opens the door.

Alea continues to wince at her lie.

Eliza yawns again, almost too tired to walk.

Alea is going to shoot Veraik.

Rat waddles down the hallway, dragging its long, bald tail behind it.

Alea wonders if Tamlen still has the rifle in his room.

Rapol smiles again. "If you're the teacher, of course."

Veraik leads her to the lobby.

Rat passes through the lobby, giving Eliza the eye.

Eliza is too tired to notice.

Alea sighs, leaves the office... and sees the rat.

Alea: Oh! Ugh!

Veraik: [After retrieving a room key, Veraik notices the rat.]

Alea: Veraik!

Wise Snake: Chances are, you would have to work harder than you ever have before, and on things you never had to before. You would also have to trust me when I tell you what you require additional work on.

Rat disappears down the corridor to the cafeteria, its fat rear end wagging.

Veraik augments to hold Alea.

Alea looks shocked.

Alea: You let the rat go!

Eliza: What rat? [yawn]

Veraik: It's all right, Alea. I'll call the exterminators again.

Wise Snake: Is that acceptable to you?

Alea: Please do.

Alea shudders.

Rapol: ~~ growing hope ~~ "I'll do anything for you."

Alea: I've called them twice, and they just ignore me.

Wise Snake has heard this before.

Veraik rubs her arm then releases her.

Wise Snake: This is important. I work 20 hours a day. I use two Donors, one for daily support and transfer, and one just for support. Can you deal with sharing me with another Donor?

Veraik: Come, Eliza. I can zlin how much you require sleep.

Rapol's face drops.

Rapol: Two Donors?

Eliza is just about asleep in the channel's arms.

Alea goes out to the lobby and waits until Veraik is gone.

Veraik: Alea? Could you please order her some uniforms and have them delivered?

Wise Snake: I can't go without for long periods of time without... undesirable effects.

Alea: They're already in her room.

Wise Snake: But entran forces me to work longer hours than one Donor can handle.

Rapol: ~~ conflicting emotions, jealousy, desperation, desire ~~

Veraik takes Eliza's arm and leads her to a room and gently helps her into the bed.

Veraik: Thank you, Alea.

Wise Snake: Hence... two Donors.

Eliza is asleep as soon as her head hits the pillow.

Wise Snake waits with fatalistic grimness for his answer.

Veraik turns out the light and shuts the door.

Kadi comes strolling down the hall where Alea is.

Rapol: ~~ sympathy ~~ "Oh... of course. You don't have any choice, do you?"

Rapol thinks, "You poor dear."

Alea sees her cat and scoops her up.

Alea: Hi there, Kadi.

Wise Snake: Not really. I hope to find a trainee who is compatible with my other choices, so the stress between them will be minimized.

Alea begins stroking the cat, feeling much more at ease already.

Wise Snake has recently learned that the stress between Donors can have devastating consequences.

Rapol tries to puzzle out if he would be the trainee who goes without transfer or not.

Rapol: ~~ thinking furiously ~~

Alea goes down the hall, Kadi draped over her shoulder as she strokes her down the back.

Wise Snake signals the waiter to bring two teas.

Wise Snake points to some sweet cakes and signals for two of those also.

Rapol concludes that he will of course win the primary position quickly.

Rapol: ~~ confidence ~~

Rapol: I not sure I understand. Will you be working with both of us at once?

Wise Snake: No. Ten hour shifts, one at night, the other during the day. I sleep in the evening.

Wise Snake: There is a certain amount of overlap since I expect my Donors to live with me.

Wise Snake expects that most Donors will expect a place with heat and plumbing.

Rapol thinks, "So I'll barely see the other one. Almost like he's not there."

Arcadia hurries out of a transfer room, since she has another 10 minute break.

Rapol: "I'm sure I'll get along with her. We'll have a common goal, of course. Taking care of you."

Wise Snake nods, frowning at something she zlinned in his field.

Alea almost runs over Arcadia.

Alea: Oh!

Kadi is jostled and hisses, jumping down.

Wise Snake: If you found you did not like the other Donor, I would expect you to maintain a professional attitude nonetheless. I do not want to be caught in the middle of a cat fight.

Rapol: ~~ confident, but not really happy about the prospect ~~

Arcadia: Gosh, Alea, I'm sorry.

Alea: No, that's quite all right.

Arcadia bends to pick up a book that fell out of her kit.

Alea smiles at Arcadia.

Rapol looks puzzled. "Cat fight? I'm not familiar with the expression."

Arcadia: ["Lust on the Lounge"]

Alea: Oh. Interesting title?

Arcadia: It's a new one. [reads blurb off back] "She was a donor. He was a channel. She could never have him... or could she?"

Alea: Ah, I, um, see.

Alea looks at the cover and gapes.

Alea: Ah, yes, I, uh, DO see.

Wise Snake: I may as well tell you this now. My real Donor is on, um, 'indefinite leave' because he could not handle the person who is temporarily filling the second spot.

Wise Snake: He thought it would be appropriate to fight nageric battles with her while I was there... and mouth off to me when I suggested he change his behavior.

Rapol decides he shouldn't sound overconfident. "What was the problem between them?"

Arcadia looks at her watch again and gapes as she sees the conversation has taken a whole 3.5 minutes.

Arcadia: Oh, no!

Alea: I guess I'll let you go.

Alea: Please go read your um, book.

Arcadia hurries off, too obsessed to mind her manners.

Alea sighs and goes in search of Kadi.

Wise Snake: Evidently he found her personality abrasive. She found picking on him irresistible.

Wise Snake: But, [and Wise Snake is very clear on this point] if they had both obeyed my instructions in the first place, and kept their attentions primarily upon me, this would never have happened.

Wise Snake feels, on the whole, that Rapol would not get along with Nick at all, and probably not B'cal either, and furthermore seems unlikely to follow Snake's instructions with much respect.

Wise Snake is big on being respected.

Alea goes back down the hall.

Rapol looks dutiful. "_I'd_ never disobey you."

Boa starts to swallow the kitten headfirst.

Boa's chin tickles as the fuzzy hind paws scrabble for purchase.

Alea comes around the corner and screams.

Alea runs toward the boa.

Boa tries to swallow faster.

Sumulo stays hidden around the corner.

Wise Snake: An admirable sentiment. However, you will find that after weeks of grueling work in suboptimal conditions your patience will wear thin.. It will be necessary to force yourself to obedience. Can you do that?

Alea looks around and can't find anything to kill the snake with.

Alea grabs her shoe and starts pounding the snake.

Alea drops the shoe and grabs at Kadi.

Sumulo sees the boa with the cat and smiles, thinking that the cost of the boa was well worth the revenge he was getting.

Boa twitches, then coils back, dragging the limply kicking cat with it.

Boa gags as the cat is dragged out of its mouth.

Alea jerks Kadi out, falling backward.

Alea: Kadi!

Alea holds the cat closely.

Rapol tries to decide what the credible answer is.

Sumulo frowns at the rescue, thinking that his next act had to be more coordinated than this one.

Wise Snake zlins him trying to find an answer that will please her, and sighs.

Boa slinks sullenly away.

Alea holds the cat, shaking and sobbing.

Rapol reflects that he has to make compromises in life.

Wise Snake thanks the waiter as the tea and cakes arrive, offers some to Rapol.

Alea gets up from the floor and takes Kadi to her room.

Rapol takes a glass and a cake. Takes a bite and chews thoughtfully.

Alea makes sure Kadi has enough food and water.

Rapol: I'll certainly try to. I promise listen to you when things get rough.

Wise Snake resigns herself to the idea that Donors are always going to be one of her nightmares.

Alea leaves, locking the door behind her.

Wise Snake: Great. Now, do you have any problem with devoting all of your time to me and having no hobbies or time-consuming relationships otherwise?

Rapol: ~~ joy ~~ "No, of course not."

Rapol thinks that that was a silly question.

Wise Snake thinks things are starting to look up.

Wise Snake: Would you be willing to meet and talk to these other two Donors sometime soon?

Alea goes back to look for the Snake.

Rapol: Certainly. Name it.

Sumulo augments to Alea's door, unlocks it and goes to sprinkle fleas all over her bed then augments out, locking the door behind him, augmenting away just as just as he zlins her returning.

Alea stops by Tamlen's room and borrows something he always has hanging over the door.

Alea goes on the hunt.

Wise Snake: Tomorrow?

Wise Snake: Morning?

Wise Snake hopes she doesn't sound too desperate.

Rapol: Sure. Here?

Wise Snake: Here would be fine.

Wise Snake drinks some tea, feeling a little bit better.

Rapol savors a bit more of the cake. Real sugar in it....

Alea stomps through the lobby, the rifle in her hands.

Febus runs into the lobby in a state of panic.

Febus: Yes! That's exactly what I require!

Febus tries to grab the rifle out of Alea's hands.

Alea jumps.

Alea: Oh, shen!

Alea: Give me that.

Alea jerks it back.

Febus and Alea wrestle for the firearm.

Alea thinks Veraik is going to kill her.

Alea: What?

Alea: Did you gamble your transfer away again?

Alea glares.

Febus's fingers wrap around the stock and a tentacle accidentally finds the trigger.

Febus: KABLAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [crash tinkle]

Alea kicks....

Alea: EAK!

Febus cringes.

Alea jumps.

Alea: SHEN IT!

Rapol: I'm looking forward to it.

Eliza wakes up screaming.

Alea: Not again!

Wise Snake: What questions do you have for me?

Alea grabs at the rifle, kicking at Febus.

Alea: Give - it - here!

Eliza is woken by the noise of the gun going off.

Febus snatches for the gun again, this time to get it out of the enraged.

Gen's hands.

Febus: Ow!

Febus jerks his legs back, doing a dance.

Alea kicks him in the knee.

Febus: Ow!

Alea: I have had it with you!

Alea: How many times have you attacked me?

Alea: Huh?

Alea: How many?

Alea jerks at the gun again.

Febus wrenches the gun away from Alea by brute force augmenting.

Alea gasps.

Febus: Let go! Stop it! I have to have this!

Alea: Why?

Eliza runs into the lobby and screams as she sees the renSime attacking Alea.

Alea jumps at the scream.

Alea: Shendoni idiot!

Mostan hears the noise and comes running out of his office.

Alea grabs him around the waist.

Alea figures if he's going to shoot her, he'll have to shoot himself too--then thinks he's crazy enough to do it.

Eliza runs forward and throws herself at the renSime ~~ anger, fear, hate ~~

Alea: Help me get the gun away from him....

Eliza grabs for the gun.

Alea stomps on his foot.

Mostan comes out to zlin a real mess. Two Gens, a renSime and a shendi-flicking GUN!

Eliza grabs the Sime around the neck - attempting to strangle him.

Avaleia is coming up the front steps of the Center carrying a large book.

Avaleia is a small, harmless looking Gen woman.

Alea: Give me the GUN!

Alea stomps again, trying to hit his foot.

Febus: I have to have it!!! [desperately]

Febus: Ow!!

Alea: NO!

Eliza pulls Febus's hair.

Febus lets go of the gun.

Febus: Ouch! [howls]

Eliza bites Febus's ear.

Avaleia walks in the front door and sees two Gens beating up a renSime.

Avaleia smiles.

Alea sees the gun drop to the floor and releases Febus and grabs it.

Mostan ignores the timid donor and augments towards the scrum.

Alea: Now, tell me, just why the shen do you need a gun?

Eliza is wrapped around Febus's back - pulling his hair and biting on his ear.

Febus turns and tries to sissy-slap Eliza away from him.

Febus turns in circles.

Febus: Owww!! Ow ow!

Alea: Don't you hurt her!

Eliza holds on and bites harder.

Alea lifts the gun to hit Febus over the head with it.

Mostan: Good going Alea!

Eliza: You tried to hurt Alea!!!

Febus sees Avaleia and runs screaming.

Febus: Aaaaaiiii!!!!

Febus: Ow! [as rifle butt knocks him out]

Eliza: You... You... You... [words fail her]

Mostan goes to try and pull Febus and Avaleia apart.

Eliza falls off.

Febus falls to the floor.

Alea turns and sees Avaleia and drops the gun.

Eliza: Get him off me!

Alea: [gun goes off again] KAABLAM!

Avaleia smiles at Alea.

Avaleia looks at the gun and smiles again.

Alea: You.

Alea: Oh, no!

Alea: You're in jail!

Alea scrambles for the gun.

Avaleia throws her book over her shoulder and lunges wildly for the gun.

Alea grabs one end and jerks.

Eliza is trapped under the Sime.

Avaleia seizes hold of it.

Alea falls on top of Febus, holding the other end.

Avaleia is jerked off her feet.

Avaleia: Oof!

Avaleia lands on top of Alea.

Eliza grunts at the added weight.

Alea: Oooaf!

Mostan joins the latest fashion for gun-grabbing.

Alea: Give me the gun. [wheezes]

Avaleia screams with rage as Mostan's arms come into range.

Alea eyes widen when she sees Mostan.

Alea: NO!

Eliza struggles out from under the pile.

Alea: GO!

Avaleia lets go of the gun and seizes Mostan's arms, groping for the nodes.

Alea lets go of the gun groping for Avaleia.

Mostan is puzzled by what this donor is doing... "Not now!"

Alea grabs Avaleia's leg and pulls.

Alea: Sime-hater!

Eliza isn't sure who is the bad guy here, but sees Alea grab Avaleia, so jumps on her back.

Alea shoves.

Alea: Ouummmph!

Avaleia squeezes viciously, just as her feet are yanked form under her. [misses the nodes]

Avaleia: Aaaaiiigghh!!!!

Avaleia: ~~~ fury ~~~~

Avaleia: Curse you meddling nillywidgets!

Mostan screams and convulses.

Alea crawls her way up Avaleia's legs.

Avaleia smashes Eliza in the face with a savage elbow.

Avaleia knees Alea in the face.

Alea falls back. ~~ PAIN ~~

Avaleia snatches up the gun.

Avaleia whangs Eliza over the head with it.

Mostan curls up into a fetal position.

Alea lunges up and grabs at the gun, missing.

Alea wraps an arm around Avaleia's neck and squeezes.

Eliza falls, head bleeding.

Mostan: ~~ PAIN ~~

Alea does her best to choke Avaleia.

Avaleia rams Alea over the head, too, while she's at it

Avaleia: [Avaleia has had it with being choked by Alea.]

Alea sees black dots.

Avaleia points the gun at Febus and blasts him.

Alea finds Avaleia's hair on the way down and jerks.

Avaleia's shot goes wild and blows a sprinkler head off the ceiling.

Alea sucks in a deep breath and slams a foot into Avaleia's gut.

Alea: Oh!

Avaleia: Whooof!!!!

Alea feels the rain start pouring.

Avaleia: [alarms start ringing, and water sheets down]

Alea pushes herself up and makes a flying leap at her.

Avaleia takes aim at Mostan and pulls the trigger.

Eliza gets groggily to her feet.

Alea: No!

Alea knocks her aside.

Avaleia's shot goes wild and blows the hat off an innocent GN-3 just walking in the front door.

Avaleia: [GN-3 runs like rabbit.]

Alea knocks Avaleia to the ground.

Avaleia realizes the gun is out of ammo and hurls it at Eliza forcefully.

Alea grabs her hair and pounds her head against the floor, hoping to knock her out.

Eliza lunges dizzily at Avaleia and Alea.

Avaleia's throw is off, and it flies out the front window. [crash!]

Eliza is thrown backward by the force of the gun hitting her.

Avaleia: Aiiiigghhhhh [BONK] AAAIIIIII [BONK] I HATE YOU!!! [BONK] iugghhh

Avaleia's cursing and screaming becomes less incoherent with each bonk.

Mostan jerks under the assault of the Gen pain and anger on brutalized nerves.

Avaleia: ~~~ nager vomits hate and insanity like a ruptured riot ~~~

Avaleia is knocked unconscious.

Alea: The FEELING [BONK] IS [BONK] MUTUAL!! [BONK]

Alea drops Avaleia's head when she sees Avaleia is out and crawls over to Mostan.

Alea: Mostan!

Eliza crawls over to the Sime and attempts to stop the bleeding.

Alea reaches for his arms, projecting desire to give.

Alea: Mostan!

Alea ~~ NEED TO GIVE ~~

Eliza: ~~ generates calm ~~ (as well as she can)

Alea looks at Mostan's arms....

Wise Snake smiles pleasantly at Rapol.

Wise Snake: Do you have questions for me?

Mostan: [purple swellings at the bases of the lateral sheathes]

Rapol: What should I bring with me?

Wise Snake: Tomorrow?

Eliza gets out of the way.

Mostan's laterals are squirming in their sheaths.

Febus lies there pale and unconscious.

Rapol: Yes.

Alea looks around for help.

Eliza crawls over and takes up position next to Febus - ready to deck him if he moves.

Briel comes augmenting into the room.

Avaleia: [rain still coming from the sprinkler system]

Briel: Oh, shen!

Mostan zlins the tornado of pain, fear and hatred slacken slightly at Alea's touch.

Briel goes to the Clerk's desk to get the medical kit she has started keeping there.

Wise Snake: You needn't bring anything in particular.

Briel goes back over.

Briel zlins Mostan.

Rapol: This is just to see how we all get on together?

Briel zlins Avaleia.

Briel: Here, take this tape and tape her, ankles, knees hands, elbows... anything else you want. [to Eliza]

Wise Snake: It will be two separate meetings. First you with B'cal, then you with Nick.

Wise Snake: Nick and B'cal do not get along.

Alea: Avaleia got his laterals.

Wise Snake [bitter]

Alea: ~~ soothing~~ ~~ need to give ~~

Eliza enthusiastically tapes Febus's legs together -then his arms - then [thinking] his legs to his arms.

Briel points to Avaleia.

Eliza: Oh.

Mostan: ~~ severe lateral node damage, swelling, vriamic flickering ~~

Febus: [water is still gushing wildly from overhead]

Eliza turns to Avaleia with the tape.

Briel swipes at her hair.

Briel: [to clerk] Have someone turn that shenned water off.

Rapol: B'cal is the abrasive one? Allegedly?

Briel drops down by Mostan.

Wise Snake: They've both been rather irritating at times, but B'cal is the one most people have trouble with.

Alea moves back to support Briel.

Wise Snake: I have been working with her to try to take the edge off.

Rapol: I hope I can cope with her personality, then.

Rapol: I'm sure that will help.

Briel shudders as she zlins the damage.

Eliza wipes the blood out of her eyes.

Alea turns to Eliza.

Alea: Come here.

Wise Snake: It is important to keep in mind with B'cal that she is only temporary. A month longer, most likely.

Alea keeps her nageric attention on Briel.

Eliza staggers towards Alea.

Alea grabs some gauze and begins to tape her head.

Rapol shrugs. "Almost anything can be put up with for a month."

Alea: Sit by this idiot Sime.

Alea: [points at Febus]

Eliza pushes her away "Leave it. It's fine. What about him?"

Eliza: [points to Mostan]

Febus groans and feels his head aching, tries to reach a hand up but finds his wrists (and, unfortunately, a tentacle sheath or two) taped together.

Mostan is conscious, but focused on his agony.

Febus zlins agonized groaning people all around and falls back in misery.

Eliza walks over to Febus and suppresses a desire to hit him in the head.

Febus cringes from Eliza's nager and looming presence.

Eliza hits him with ~~hate~~ instead.

Briel: Shen, Mostan....

Febus cries out.

Briel: Hey!

Briel looks over at Eliza.

Alea: No!

Alea hurries over.

Alea: Don't.

Eliza: What!

Alea: ~~soothing~~

Eliza: But... He tried to hurt you!

Mostan jerks at the ambient turmoil.

Briel works to stop the bleeding in Mostan's sheathes.

Briel: ~~ soothing ~~

Alea: That doesn't matter.

Eliza: I don't understand. You would hit him with your hand, but not with this... this... whatever?

Alea: He's a patient now. Not a ... [shrugs]

Eliza: You are joking!

Briel lifts Mostan, augmenting.

Briel: Come on, let's get you to a treatment room.

Mostan: [blood build-up is putting pressure on the nerves]

Briel augments to the infirmary with Mostan.

Briel puts Mostan on a bed.

Wise Snake: Do you have questions for me about the work, or about myself? [not sure what to think about someone with no questions about that, under the circumstances.]

Alea directs some Gens to haul Avaleia back down to their secure room and throw away the key.

Mostan: [kaleidoscope of shifting fields only tolerable because of Briel's covering field]

Briel works over Mostan to get the pressure off his nerves, to stop the bleeding.

Eliza waits until Briel is gone, then hits Febus again. ~~ punch ~~

Alea examines Febus carefully.

Alea: Eliza!

Rapol: I'm really not sure what kind of work you are doing all day. Healing?

Alea shocked.

Alea directs a Sime to get him to the infirmary.

Alea: And leave him tied.

Febus curls up in a ball.

Wise Snake is curious.

Wise Snake: How did you find out about me?

Alea goes into the room with Febus and works on him, wishing Veraik would mysteriously materialize.

Briel crawls up where she can get a good reach on Mostan and projects her field, forcing the arteries to constrict to the injured area.

Febus moans.

Alea: Eliza.

Alea: Come here.

Alea gets some fosebine and mixes some other meds together to treat him and then goes back to Febus.

Rapol: ~~ nervous ~~ "I've ... I've been asking people about Si- channels who weren't part of the usual system. Your name kept coming up."

Eliza walks slowly over to Alea, sensing her anger.

Alea: Project a desire to help him.

Wise Snake: I see. ~ thoughtfully ~

Alea rips the tape off Febus' mouth.

Eliza: WHAT!

Alea: DO IT!

Alea: NOW!

Briel encourages the veins to dilate, to take blood away from the area.

Febus moans, then whines as the tape is ripped away.

Briel: Come on, Mostan.

Eliza looks at the beaten Sime and tries to feel something good.

Mostan: [pressure stops increasing]

Alea: Think of how wonderful it felt to give to John.

Wise Snake: I do a variety of things.

Alea: Remember that great feeling.

Eliza only feels negative emotions towards him.

Alea lifts Febus and tries to help him drink it.

Eliza: ~~ sorrow and loss ~~

Wise Snake: Most of my work is with the lower classes, and I am not in a position to be particularly picky at times.

Rapol: People speak very highly of your abilities and integrity.

Alea: Remember that second time, the joy?

Wise Snake is pleased.

Alea: The wonderful feeling?

Eliza: Yeah. What's it got to do with him?

Rapol doesn't mention what they were less complimentary about.

Briel zlins, watching as the pressure slowly recedes on the nerves.

Eliza looks at Alea. "But I can do it for you."

Alea: Just think about it.

Alea: Don't think about him.

Alea: Think about that.

Alea thinks that's at least a start.

Wise Snake: It's mostly healing... about 65%.

Alea: And sit down before you fall down.

Eliza projects feeling of ~~ protection and caring ~~

Eliza sits. There being no chair behind her, she sits on the floor.

Wise Snake: The rest is a variety. Junct style transfers, custom donations and transfers, and services to the porno industry.

Briel: [orders a renSime helping to mix her some fosebine]

Mostan: ~~ vriamic has selyn flowing out of the secondary system without appearing to get into the primary ~~

Wise Snake: A good deal of what I do is dependent upon customer relations, so much of the time is spent in an intense program of customer base maintenance.

Rapol: ~~ revolted by something in the last ~~ [ says nothing ]

Briel extends her laterals over the vriamic area, zlinning closely.

Alea feeds Febus the mixture that will knock him out.

Febus quiets under the projection of protection and caring.

Febus passes out.

Alea moves over to Eliza.

Alea: Come on, up on the bed you go.

Eliza instantly stops projecting anything at all.

Eliza: I don't want to.

Eliza: What was he doing?

Alea: What?

Eliza: What about the other one. Is he OK?

Alea: I don't know.

Wise Snake pauses.

Alea: ~~ guilt worry ~~

Rapol: Base maintenance?

Eliza: I'm OK.

Alea: Let me... let me look at that head.

Wise Snake: Maintenance of the customer-base.

Eliza: Oh, that. OK.

Wise Snake: What was it you objected to?

Rapol: Foot problems?

Alea examines Eliza's head.

Alea: Let's get you some fosebine until a channel can work with you.

Rapol: I'll be able to deal with it.

Eliza: It's just a scratch. Heads always bleed lots.

Alea goes over, mixes Eliza some, and then herself some more. She downs hers, then hands a glass to Eliza.

Eliza: What's that?

Alea: That bump is huge. If you're going to be a Donor, you're going to have to learn that Donors take care of themselves.

Alea thinks, "Yeah, right."

Alea: It's for the pain.

Mostan: ~~ vriamic is spasming between neutral and secondary output states ~~

Eliza: No, thanks. I'm fine!

Eliza hands glass back.

Alea: You also don't argue with a Farris.

Alea hands it back.

Eliza: I don't take things like that.

Alea: Farrises have the last say.

Eliza pushes lips together.

Briel curses a blue streak and swears she is having Alea transferred as soon as she leaves this room.

Alea: Drink it.

Wise Snake looks faintly irritated.

Wise Snake: Tell me now.

Alea: I don't have time for this.

Eliza: Honest, Alea. I don't want it. I don't need it.

Alea dumps it on her head.

Alea: Absorb it.

Alea: I have to go help Briel.

Alea turns and heads toward the next room.

Eliza absorbs it; she needed a wash anyway.

Briel works to stabilize the vriamic node.

Rapol: The... transfers... that kind....

Wise Snake: Junct transfers?

Alea hurries in and moves to support Briel.

Briel forces the vriamic into a neutral state.

Rapol: You mean, simulating .... [ looks around and whispers ] "kills?"

Wise Snake: Ummm, yeah.

Mostan: [secondary selyn level stops declining]

Febus is fortunate enough to be unconscious, and therefore no longer available for nageric abuse.

Rapol: Isn't that, well, perverted?

Briel zlins to see just how much selyn Mostan has left.

Wise Snake considers.

Wise Snake: Yeah, I suppose so. [seems unmoved by this discovery]

Wise Snake: Like I said, I can't afford to be picky. Those transfers pay well, and I'm good at them.

Mostan: ~~ secondary at 10%, primary at 85% ~~

Briel takes Mostan's arms, working to get the laterals to extend.

Rapol reflects that he can't afford to be too picky either.

Wise Snake: However, if it makes you feel any better, I rarely use a Donor for those. It's too distracting for the customer.

Alea: ~~ support ~~ ~~ concern ~~

Mostan's laterals twitch but are reluctant to extend, even in Briel's Gen showfield.

Briel: Mostan...

Briel: You have to help me.

Eliza wonders off in search of a shower.

Rapol: All right. I suppose it would be worse if you didn't give them to... that kind.

Febus languishes in a state of enforced non-healing sleep.

Briel: I want to put you in Menar sleep.

Wise Snake: Yes, it would.

Wise Snake: What else would you like to know?

Mostan is dimly aware of distant words behind the shouting of pain.

Briel ~~ Gen ~~

Rapol: Do you work in one place, or move around?

Rapol thinks he may have already been told the answer to that, but missed it.

Mostan slurs something unintelligible.

Wise Snake: Strictly on-site for the time being. There are plans in progress for a central building to base out of, but that hasn't come into being yet.

Wise Snake: So there is a lot of trudging around in the snow, yes. The others will verify that.

Wise Snake: How is your stamina? Will you be up to ten hours of that, and the concentration of a Donor?

Briel encourages Mostan's laterals out, then makes fifth contact point and puts him into Menar sleep.

Rapol: Are these sites equipped properly for healing?

Alea: Is he going to be okay?

Alea clasping her hands together.

Briel shoots Alea a furious look.

Briel: Do NOT say another word.

Mostan: [purple streaked laterals slide half way out, bring fresh sheets of pain]

Briel stomps out.

Wise Snake: No. With one notable exception, the majority of our work is done in terribly unsanitary and dangerous conditions. Fish processing plants, whorehouses, factories, shiltpron parlors.

Briel goes in to Febus.

Mostan: [slides gratefully into the depths of healing sleep]

Eliza, showered and in new, clean clothes, looks, feels (and probably smells) like a different person.

Briel rips the tape off Febus's arms.

Rapol: ~~ distaste ~~ "We have to watch for lateral infections, then."

Alea decides to sit by Mostan just to keep a close eye on him.

Febus twitches. ~~ unconscious pain ~~

Briel zlins Febus.

Eliza goes in search of 1) Alea and 2) food.

Febus has been hit over the head with a blunt object more than once, and has tufts of hair ripped out as well as a half gnawed-off ear.

Febus also has bruises on his legs, and an injured foot and knee.

Mostan's respiration is slow, as is normal for menar sleep.

Febus: [and assorted bruises and cuts]

Briel runs a hand through his hair, feeling the bumps.

Mostan: [purple swellings are shrinking, but discoloration spreads as blood seeps through tissues.]

Febus's nager is still discombobulated from the shocks it took throughout (and after).

Wise Snake: Umm... yeah.

Wise Snake doesn't like to think about that.

Eliza wonders into the cafeteria, doesn't see Alea anywhere, and helps herself to tea.

Rapol: We do take supplies with us, I hope.

Briel: ~~ soothing ~~

Wise Snake: Yes. I have a medical kit which is usually stocked with everything both legitimate and otherwise that we have found comes in useful.

Rapol: Who does the organizing? Who you see first, etc.?

Wise Snake: Ah. That's all in my head.

Alea feels her right cheek and the swelling and gets some ice for it before going back and sitting down by Mostan.

Alea is beginning to think every muscle in her body is hurting.

Briel takes Febus and puts him into Menar sleep.

Wise Snake: Perhaps once the building has been purchased, and more people are involved, a different system can be used. [adds]

Febus begins self-healing.

Briel climbs down off the bed and strides out of the infirmary.

Rapol: So I won't be concerned with that?

Wise Snake: No, not at all.

Briel goes into the lobby, grabs the rifle, and shoves it at clerk, after removing the clip.

Rapol: Do you change your schedule according to your cycle?

Eliza drinks her tea and wonders what to do next.

Wise Snake: No.

Wise Snake: [bluntly]

Rapol: ~~ surprised ~~

Rapol: That must be a great strain....

Wise Snake seems puzzled by Rapol's concern.

Briel goes to check on Avaleia, taking two other Simes with her.

Wise Snake: Perhaps, but it is manageable and so irrelevant.

Rapol wonders how one channel can do so much work so unrelentingly.

Briel reties Avaleia to the bed--ankles and wrists-- and then relocks the door.

Rapol: I see what they meant about your strength of will.

Briel leaves.

Wise Snake looks curious.

Wise Snake: What did they say?

Rapol thinks that's a better way of putting it than the "pig-headedness" description she was given.

Eliza sips her tea.

Rapol: They said that there was no stopping you from getting what you set yourself after. That only fools crossed you.

Alea continues to watch Mostan, regretting the rash action that put him here.

Wise Snake: Uhmm... that's probably not far from true.

Eliza thinks that Alea would probably want a cup of tea. She goes and pours two more and carries them out of the cafeteria.

Wise Snake thinks, at least it seems a lot of fools have been getting in her way lately.

Rapol drinks the last of his tea.

Eliza heads for the infirmary, partly because it is one place she knows, mostly because she figures Alea will be there.

Rapol: No more questions occur to me right now.

Wise Snake: Then we will meet here tomorrow morning? And I will bring B'cal.

Eliza sees Alea sitting next to Mostan looking very downcast (also very bruised).

Eliza: I'm sorry I'm so stubborn Alea. Here is some tea.

Alea glances up and tries to smile at Eliza.

Alea puts a finger to her lip and then motions to a chair beside her.

Wise Snake rises and puts the dishes in the empties area, since Linn has drilled that into her, too.

Alea: Thank you. [whispers low]

Eliza sits quietly and keeps all her emotions strictly under control.

Alea: I think he's going to make it. Briel worked on him for a long time.

Rapol: I'm looking forward to it. ~~ kinda ~~

Eliza: Your face is all bruised. Are you OK?

Wise Snake stops, and looks at Rapol.

Alea lays the ice aside.

Alea: I'll be fine.

Wise Snake: Why so lukewarm? [wary]

Alea sips her tea.

Alea looks back at Eliza and is surprised, not realizing that much time has passed.

Alea: You're clean.

Eliza: I showered and changed. I couldn't find a comb or anything.

Alea: Oh.

Alea: Uh...

Rapol: Well, what you said about B'cal... I just hope we get on.

Alea looks at the mess and figures hers is hanging about her like a nest.

Alea: Would you like me to braid it for you?

Eliza looks in amazement at Alea. "You would do that?"

Wise Snake: Just try to act professional, and I will give her a talking to beforehand.

Wise Snake: Everything will be fine.

Wise Snake: ~~ hope ~~

Alea: Yes.

Alea confused at why Eliza is so amazed.

Eliza fights back tears.

Rapol: Certainly.

Alea: You seemed concerned about it.

Wise Snake nods.

Wise Snake: Then I will see you, then.

Wise Snake leaves the cafe.

Eliza hangs her head. "I don't see why you are so nice after all the trouble I put you to."

Rapol tries to fit Sime~Gen relationships into the "professional" template mentally.

Alea feels guilty for the things she said earlier to the young girl.

Alea: That's in the past.

Alea: Let's just forget about it.

Rapol: [mutters] Is _that_ what things are like here?

Alea looks back worriedly at Mostan, projecting concern and comfort.

Eliza smiles slightly at Alea. "How's your tea? Would you like another cup?"

Rapol remembers another place and time fondly.

Alea: No. No. It's fine.

Wise Snake heads back to the Sime Center, practically bouncing along, with vague thoughts of shaking B'cal awake and describing the whole encounter to her.

Mostan breathes very slowly but steadily.

Alea stands to check Mostan, but groans.

Eliza is instantly at her side.

Alea: Oh, shen. I think I hurt in places I didn't know about. That Avaleia... she does this to me every time.

Eliza: You OK?

Eliza: Here, sit down again.

Eliza: ~~ worries ~~

Alea: I think I am as stiff as a board.

Eliza: Who is she?

Alea: Maybe we'd better get out of here. I don't want to disturb him. I'll go find some more fosebine.

Alea: Avaleia?

Alea: Hmm...

Rapol gets up and goes out of the cafe.

Alea: Let's see....

Wise Snake climbs the front steps of the Center, feeling absurdly optimistic and enjoying it while it lasts.

Alea: Lunatic, demon, crazy psychopathic murderer?

Wise Snake hears Alea's voice and wonders if Alea is talking about her... stops in the lobby to listen down the hallway.

Eliza: Why was that Sime attacking you? And why was she chasing him?

Alea straightens slowly.

Alea: Shen....

Alea: I hurt in places I didn't know I had.

Alea: Anyway, take your pick.

Alea: She's crazy.

Eliza: It just freaked me when I saw you being attacked by a Sime!

Eliza: I thought that they were all suppose to be tame here or something.

Alea: Uh, well....

Alea: If I have my guess right: he was begging for the gun.

Alea: Febus usually attacks... however, with Avaleia so close on his heels, I have to wonder if maybe she wasn't after him.

Wise Snake realizes Alea is talking about something entirely unrelated to herself.

Wise Snake shrugs and starts down the corridor.

Alea: She sees herself as a self-proclaimed destroyer of Simes.

Alea: And unfortunately, of any Gen who gets in the way.

Alea: This is the third time I've been in the lobby when she came in.

Alea: Except that Tormer supposedly arrested her and hauled her away.

Eliza takes Alea's empty cup. "I'll take these back. Is it OK if I come back and sit with you then? Then you can tell me the rest."

Alea: Yeah.

Alea: Go on.

Eliza heads out of the infirmary, and back to the cafeteria.

Wise Snake turns the corner and comes upon Alea standing in the hallway.

Wise Snake sees Alea's condition and is appalled.

Wise Snake: What happened to you!!

Alea looks up.

Alea: Oh, Snake.

Alea: I feel like shen.

Alea: Avaleia made a return visit.

Alea: She hurt ... Mostan. [whispers]

Alea leans against the door and motions into the room.

Wise Snake approaches Alea.

Wise Snake: Do you want...?

Alea: I had ice on my face...

Wise Snake glances at Mostan, who appears to be in a healing sleep.

Alea: It didn't help much.

Alea: I've had two doses of fosebine....

Wise Snake: Why don't you have a seat over here. [away from Mostan]

Alea: I didn't want to leave him.

Alea goes over across the room.

Wise Snake waits for Alea to sit, then examines her injuries.

Alea feels like she was dragged through the sprinkler system, backwards.

Alea is soaking wet, hair hanging in limp strands to her waist.

Wise Snake was, of course, oblivious to the damage to the lobby.

Wise Snake: Alea... you're soaking wet!

Alea: [right cheek and eye, mouth and nose are swollen, and various other bruises]

Alea: He shot the sprinkler system.

Alea: Is the baby...? Does it zlin okay? [whispers]

Wise Snake goes to the door and snags a passing orderly, asking for blankets and a hospital gown.

Wise Snake closes the door and returns.

Wise Snake zlins Alea carefully once again.

Wise Snake: The baby seems to be fine. But you should try to remain calm and take it easy for the next day or so.

Eliza glances through the glass window of the door, sees that Snake is with Alea, and quietly backs away so as not to interrupt.

Alea zlins like she's been tossed under a couple of bodies and then made flying leaps that ended up with her on the floor.

Alea: Of course.

Alea: I have a feeling I'm not going to be able to move in the morning.

Alea: Shen, I hurt.

Wise Snake goes into healing mode and works on Alea's injuries.

Wise Snake keeps the ambient controlled so Mostan isn't affected by the need she is projecting for Alea.

Alea sits still, allowing it.

Eliza watches (through the glass window of the door) in wonder: she has never seen a channel working before.

Alea smiles, thinking she is so glad it's a Farris working on her.

Wise Snake wraps up the healing work after some time.

Alea looks up tiredly at Snake.

Alea: Thank you.

Wise Snake: I asked somebody to bring blankets and a gown. You should get out of those wet clothes and get warm as soon as they get here.

Alea pushes at her hair, shoving it over her shoulder.

Alea: I will.

Alea: You on your way up to B'cal?

Wise Snake: Yes.

Alea: Is it going to work out between her and Veraik? The transfer?

Alea: ~~ worried ~~

Wise Snake realizes B'cal probably won't appreciate her sleep being interrupted again; ponders whether she should do it or not.

Wise Snake: I don't know. I hope to monitor it.

Alea: Good.

Alea: I'm glad.

Eliza sees that Snake and Alea have now moved apart and wonders whether to enter or not

Wise Snake points a tentacle at Eliza lurking outside the door, in question.

Alea yawns, and winces.

Alea: She's calmed down quite a bit. You were right. Have her come on in.

Wise Snake goes and opens the door.

Wise Snake: You can come in now.

Alea gets up and moves back over to Mostan's side, worry creasing her brow again.

Alea: I'm so sorry. [whispers]

Eliza enters the room and stands quietly to one side, very, very carefully not doing anything at all.

Alea sits back down and reaches out to take a tentacle in her hand.

Wise Snake gets the blankets and gown and comes back to Alea.

Wise Snake: Here you go.

Alea blinks, looks up at Snake.

Alea: Oh.

Alea takes the gown and blankets.

Wise Snake is prepared to watch and make sure Alea gets out of those wet things.

Wise Snake: I'll stay here if you want to go and change now.

Alea strips, slipping the gown on, not realizing she has an audience.

Alea looks up.

Alea: Huh?

Alea: Oh.

Alea blushes.

Alea: I...

Wise Snake shrugs.

Alea wraps the blanket around her.

Eliza stands with head down being as unobtrusive as possible.

Alea looks at Eliza in apology.

Wise Snake: Well, uhm, okay.

Alea: I think I'm just going to stay here and make sure he's okay.

Wise Snake realizes she is no longer required.

Alea: Is that okay, do you think?

Alea: I really don't want to leave him.

Wise Snake: I think you should rest. There are other Gens who could do the same work.

Alea: ~~ guilt ~~ ~~ concern ~~

Wise Snake edges away from Alea.

Wise Snake: Then again, do whatever you like.

Alea: Maybe if I just lay in that other bed?

Eliza: ~~ reassurance ~~

Alea: Thank you.

Eliza: I'll stay with her.

Wise Snake's eyes slide briefly over Eliza.

Wise Snake leaves the room.

Alea watches Snake leave.

Alea crawls up in the bed, falling asleep, still watching Mostan.

Eliza sits quietly in between them thinking that it had indeed been a memorable first day.

Notes:

1) This is not the first time a player brought in a character with the idea that he or she is a natural Donor in underdraw. (The other was Jon Drake.) However, recent posts by Jacqueline Lichtenberg to the Virtual Selyn email list reveal this situation to be impossible. Evidently an inexperienced Gen cannot be in underdraw "naturally"... instead, it is a pathological condition brought on by the Tecton's attempt to drive trained First Order Donors' production levels way up into its farthest possible extents. Therefore, Eliza and Jon Drake were probably not experiencing underdraw per se, but some psychological difficulty associated with an unrecognized strong physical need to serve. [return]

2) This supernatural ability to sense people's emotions fell by the wayside after this first episode of Eliza's appearance. [return]

3) As if! (KB) [return]

4) Veraik can't, of course, actually discern truth or falsehood in Alea's field. She out rates him considerably. [return]

Go on to Episode #141: (under construction)

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