Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #141: (1/25/98)
Rache walks back into Bender Cove, wrapping her cloak around her to keep.
Out a purely psychic chill.
Alea wakes up to darkness, realizes it is still before dawn and painfully.
Crawls out of the infirmary bed.
Alea finds her wrinkled, torn up clothes that are water stained and slips.
Off her gown, slowly slipping back into them.
Lanyi is out running.
Rache reports her presence at the front desk, having been reassigned here.
_again_.
Alea walks painfully out of the infirmary and up the stairs to her room.
Alea unlocks her door and goes in.
Rache goes and stands in the middle of the waiting room, folding her arms.
And looking annoyed. Has this room been trashed _again_?
Kadi is laying stretched out on Alea's bed.
Alea goes over to pick her up and sees little black things hopping all over.
Her.
Alea: Oh, my gosh! Fleas!
Briel comes into the lobby and sees Rache.
Briel: Good morning.
Alea drops Kadi and goes to call someone to fumigate her room and the cat,
Then heads down to Tarsh's room.
Lanyi runs down the street towards the Center.
Rache sees Briel. "Good morning."
Alea slips into his room and divests herself of the torn dirty clothes and.
Slips into bed.
Rache: I appear to be assigned here again. [She pauses for a moment.]
Hajene Briel, isn't it?
Lanyi slows down and walks into the lobby.
Rache looks over absently as Lanyi enters.
Lanyi is a bit lightly dressed for the weather.
Lanyi waves to Rache.
Briel: Yes, it is.
Briel: Good morning, Lanyi.
Rache nods to Briel. "Same room?"
Lanyi nods to Briel.
Briel: Uh, no.
Briel thinks Sumulo wouldn't appreciate that.
Briel goes and gets a key to a different room.
Briel: Here you go.
Rache nods. "Thanks." She hefts her (now even smaller) duffel bag of.
Worldly goods. Murmurs softly "I _must_ try to get a permanent assignment."
Rache: Do you happen to know who the Controller has me assigned to, Hajene?
Briel smiles.
Briel: I haven't assigned you to anyone yet.
Rache ahs, knowingly.
Briel: I will admit, it'll be nice to have you.
Briel: We are short on Donors.
Rache nods quietly. Refrains from actually _saying_ she's sure of it. Just.
... thinks it.
Rache: Thanks.
Valrie wanders into the lobby, sniffling.
Briel: You've been out running, Lanyi?
Valrie makes a face as her socks get soaked by the damp carpet.
Lanyi: Yes. Trying to get some exercise in before my shift.
Valrie pulls out a handkerchief and blows her nose.
Rache looks over at Valrie, then sighs and walks over to her. "You all right?"
Lanyi zlins over at Valrie.
Briel: I see.
Briel wonders why she would go out running in weather like this.
Briel: Have you met Rache?
Briel: She's a second order Donor that has worked with us before.
Valrie: Heddo. Ids there eddything for a code here?
Briel follows Lanyi's gaze, zlinning.
Lanyi: Looks like the day has started already...
Valrie: By nodes is rudding so bad I can'd sleep.
Briel sighs.
Lanyi walks over to Valrie.
Briel: Mine hasn't stopped yet.
Briel shakes her head and rubs at her neck with a tentacle.
Eliza enters the lobby, rubbing her eyes.
Kadi wanders into the lobby, glad that the housekeeping staff came to.
Change the sheets and left the door open.
Rache nods to Lanyi, then studies Valrie, looking for Farris-black.
Eliza, remembering the day before, is being very very careful to be as still and quiet as possible.
Eliza: Good morning, good morning, Briel,
Lanyi: You feeling congested, Valrie?
Valrie snuffles.
Valrie: Yeds.
Briel: Good morning, Eliza, isn't it?
Rache decides to leave Valrie to Lanyi, the local presumably-channel.
Decides to stop trying to be helpful, and go dump her duffel in her.
Temporary room. Flips her key over & looks for the room number.
Kadi feels the carpet turn wet under her paws, and her ears go back in.
Displeasure.
Eliza grins wistfully at Briel. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but I don't know.
What to do. I have no idea where Alea is."
Lanyi: You shouldn't walk around barefoot in this weather.
Briel smiles.
Briel: I saw her heading upstairs.
Valrie: Bud I don'd hab eddy slippers.
Kadi lifts a paw delicately and shakes the offending moisture off.
Briel: How are you doing this morning?
Briel: By the way, we appreciate you jumping and er... helping last night.
Lanyi: You don't? I'm sorry, I didn't realize that.
Lanyi: Let's go back to your room and I'll try to clear up your head a bit.
Valrie: Ogay.
Eliza blushes.
Eliza: I thought I was causing enough trouble...
Valrie blows her nose again.
Briel zlins Eliza, checking her head injury and finding it much better.
Rache slings her duffel over her shoulder, and looks for some sort of map.
Of the Center.
Briel shakes her head.
Valrie's handkerchief is now thoroughly saturated.
Briel: You'll do fine. It just takes time to learn...
Lanyi pulls out a fresh handkerchief and hands it to Valrie.
Briel moves when someone brings in a ladder and begins working on the.
Ceiling overhead.
Kadi lifts her nose and sniffs.
Valrie: Danks.
Eliza looks up and decides that somewhere else is better.
Eliza: Briel, is it OK if I go and have some breakfast?
Rache walks through the halls, looking for the new room. Sigh. Peripatetic.
Lifestyles.. horrible.
Briel looks surprised.
Kadi smells something very interesting.
Briel: You don't have to ask my permission about that.
Briel: As a matter of fact, you should go eat.
Valrie leads the way to her room.
Briel: And if you don't mind, I'll join you.
Eliza looks lost.
Kadi locates the source of the yummy smell: Clerk's desk.
Lanyi follows Valrie.
Briel: Do you remember where the cafeteria is?
Eliza: Yes, thank you very kindly, Briel.
Eliza wonders off, feeling dejected.
Rache stows her duffel bag to one side of the bed, stacks the few items she.
_always_ needs on the dresser. Locks the room behind her, and heads out.
Lanyi gets Valrie a towel to dry her feet.
Briel wonders what she said wrong in English as she watches Eliza leave.
Briel shrugs and goes on down the hall toward her office.
Valrie kicks aside a small stack of soggy handkerchiefs and a washcloth.
Which is lying beside her bed, and moves aside the pillow case which is on.
Her bed, moist in spots.
Rache takes a few deep breaths. Rache, she tells herself, you're a Donor.
Be professional. Calm. Controlled. Reliable. Relaxed. Once her nager's.
Under control, she heads off for some food.
Kadi sees the room empty and licks her chops.
Rache goes into the cafeteria, after a couple of false turns, and studies.
The offerings.
Kadi saunters over to the desk, ignoring the wet spots.
Kadi jumps up on the desk.
Lanyi notices the untidiness but chooses to say nothing about it.
Eliza sits quietly in the cafeteria, too down to even bother getting.
Anything to eat or drink.
Kadi's nose leads her unerringly to a plate of oatmeal cookies clerk set.
There for the donors.
Rache accepts porridge, fruit, toast and (vegemite, dammit! OK, not.
Vegemite) jam.
Valrie sees Lanyi looking at the mess and blushes painfully.
Lanyi: Just sit there and let me do some field work.
Rache turns and looks around at the other occupants. Frowns. Sits beside.
Eliza. Considers her.
Valrie: I rad out of handkerchiefs.
Valrie sits on the bed, blowing her nose on Lanyi's handkerchief.
Rache speaks in English. "It's bad lonely being."
Eliza looks up in shock at being addressed by a stranger.
Kadi snags a cookie and samples it.
Eliza: Errr, hello, I'm sorry?
Lanyi: Yeah, I've had that happen to me. ~~ actually not ~~
Rache: I speak not-better English. Sorry not-sense making.
Briel makes her rounds in the infirmary.
Eliza smiles. "That's OK. You speak English better then I speak anything.
Else!"
Kadi likes the taste of the bite, and samples another cookie to make sure,
Leaving the nibbled one on a file.
Lanyi puts her hands lightly on either side of Valrie's head.
Eliza: Are you a Donor?
Rache smiles at Eliza.
Valrie looks at Lanyi with blind trust.
Briel stops by the front desk to get some files for her rounds and sees Kadi.
Kadi wonders if the cookies at the bottom of the stack taste as good, and.
Pushes the plate off the desk, scattering cookies all over the wet carpet.
Rache nods. "Donor, I. Floor 2." She frowns. "Not floor. Level?"
Eliza giggles. "I think I know what you mean. They want me to be a Donor.
I don't know yet what I'm going to do"
Briel goes over and grabs Kadi by the scruff of the neck.
Lanyi projects need and tries to reduce the inflammation of Valrie's sinuses.
Briel: What do you think you're doing?
Kadi blinks innocently at Briel, licking her chops.
Rache: "You from where?" She pushes her toast and jam over to the other.
Gen. "Food. Do food.
Kadi: Murrrrppp?
Briel zlins Kadi.
Briel: You're covered in fleas.
Briel looks disgusted.
Eliza picks at the toast in an uninterested way. "I'm from, I'm not sure.
What you call it here. We have no Simes or channels or anything. I came.
In yesterday. My cousin was supposed to be with me, but they killed him.
About 3 weeks ago.
Briel: That idiot owner of yours, letting you get in this shape. Can only.
Imagine what would happen if a flea got up one of our sheaths. [muttering]
Kadi squirms, demanding to be let down.
Briel wraps a tentacle around her paws and heads toward the kitchen.
Rache nods quietly. "So alone you, place unknown, speaking not ... not..
Not-sense."
Eliza: [looking at Rache] I'm supposed to be with someone called Alea. Do.
You know her?
Kadi's ears go back in displeasure.
Kadi: Rrroooowww!
Rache blinks, then groans. "Alea. They assigned you to _her_." ~~ disgust ~~
Lanyi: So, Valrie, had you decided what you are going to do after you have.
Finished recovering?
Valrie: Well, Alea gabe me some books on beink a Donor.
Eliza sits up straight in high dudgeon "What's wrong with Alea? She has.
Been very nice to me!"
Valrie nods to the stack of literature.
Briel goes into the kitchen and digs under the sink.
Briel finds the harsh soap and flips on the water.
Rache sighs and pats Eliza's hand, shakes her head. "Alea is nice. Alea not.
Very... " She frowns, then puts a hand to her head. "Up here. Not very...
Many sense."
Valrie: Id sounds inderesting, bud I dodn't know if I can do id.
Lanyi: Being a Donor is a fine profession. I certainly know that. But it.
Isn't for everyone, of course.
Briel pours the soap over Kadi and beings to scrub, continuing to hold her.
Paws.
Kadi snarls and hisses.
Eliza stands up so quickly that she knocks the chair over. "Well thank you.
For your opinion, and the toast, I'm afraid I'll have to go now." [stalks.
Out]
Briel: You should be glad it's me and not someone else. At least I won't.
Drown you.
Briel shoves the cat under the water to rinse her.
Kadi ducks quickly and bites one of the tentacles holding her paws.
Lanyi: You should try, if it is what you want to do. But there are lots of.
Other things you can do. Remember that you always have options.
Rache sighs and watches Eliza stalk out. Murmurs to herself, in Simelan, of.
Course, "Well, that could have gone better."
Eliza scratches at an annoying bite on her arm.
Briel: Ow, shen!
Briel wraps a tentacle around Kadi's mouth.
Briel: Keep it up, fuzzy, and I just might reconsider it.
Briel shoves the cat under the water to wash the soap and dead fleas away.
Valrie nods.
Valrie: I dnow, bud I just don't dnow what else I could do.
Eliza finds a chair in a quiet corner and wonders what the hell she is going to do now.
Briel: Shen.
Kadi scoots through the door, dripping, and pounds through the cafeteria,
Looking for a hiding place.
Lanyi: What were you taking in school before... well, before.
Briel washes off and hopes someone appreciates the fact that she got bit.
Cleaning up the cat.
Briel leaves the kitchen and goes to call an exterminator.
Valrie: The usual classes. Hidstory, a little bath, somb reading and.
Writing. I was on the swibbing team.
Rache gets up and looks for the cat, frowns. Thinks. Grins and gets a bit.
Of milk, a plate. Applies one to the other and them both on the floor.
Kadi sees Eliza sitting in the corner and ducks under her skirt.
Eliza sees the kitten, and bends over to pick it up.
Rache calls softly, "Here, kitty, kitty."
Kadi looks like a half-drowned, shivering rat.
Kadi: Mewww!
Eliza hears Rache calling the cat and carries it over to the door of the.
Kitchen. "You go in there. There might be something nice for you."
Lanyi doesn't zlin any obvious career paths to suggest from that selection.
Rache smiles at Eliza, and takes the milk into the kitchen. "In here, to be.
Carrying?"
Eliza reluctantly follows the Donor with the kitten into the kitchen.
Kadi drips on Eliza.
Rache sets the milk down for the kitten, and closes the door, locking the.
Kitten in the kitchen, effectively.
Eliza: Awww, poor cat. It's wet!
Kadi looks pathetic.
Kadi: Meww!
Rache: Perhaps to be washing? Person do wash?
Eliza picks up a tea towel and begins to rub the kitten down.
Rache nods towards the sink, the soap, the water splashes.
Eliza looks at Rache with complete incomprehension.
Eliza: I think it's wet enough. It doesn't need more washing!
Kadi starts to purr, still shivering.
Rache: Cat wet .. reason .. person cat wash?
Rache: Yesno?
Eliza rubs vigorously.
Lanyi: I think I've reduced the swelling and mucus production. Are you.
Feeling any better?
Valrie sniffs.
Eliza: Look, I'm sorry, I don't know what you are talking about. Actually,
I think I'll just leave you and the cat alone. I have to find Alea. [walks.
To the door]
Valrie: I think so.
Kadi complains at the rough treatment.
Kadi wriggles free of the offending dishcloth.
Rache frowns and thinks hard. "Cat wet .. because person has done washing.
To cat?"
Lanyi smiles "Good. I tried to stimulate your immune system to fight it too."
Eliza: Oh, I see. Umm, you don't have any idea what I should be doing at.
This moment would you? Everyone seems to have something to do except me.
Rache snags Kadi and puts her beside the milk.
Lanyi: You can have some fosebine if you want it, but it up to you. It.
Would help with the headache.
Kadi ignores the food, looking for someplace warm.
Rache lets the cat be, though it is still trapped in the kitchen. "You.
Learn be Donor?"
Valrie makes a face at the thought of fosebine.
Eliza: I don't know. Yesterday, they said I could, but I don't know if I.
Want to. Everyone seems to be pushing me in a different direction.
Valrie: I suppose I'd better have some, or I'll never be able to sleep.
Alea hears a noise and wakes up, realizes it is now light out.
Lanyi zlins around to see what Valrie has in the way of worldly goods...
Rache: "Direction you want? Which?
Lanyi: OK. I'll get you some.
Alea crawls out of bed and sighs at the thought of wearing her torn up.
Outfit again....
Lanyi goes over to mix some fosebine.
Alea decides to borrow some clothes.
Eliza sighs. "I have no idea what to do. First all I wanted to do was get.
Away from home. Then all I wanted was to get here safely with John. Then to.
Feel better. Now...nothing"
Kadi goes to the door and yowls demandingly.
Eliza walks over to the door to let the yowling cat out.
Alea slowly slips the nasty, blood-covered outfit on, and goes in search of.
Fresh clothes.
Rache lifts an eyebrow, then shrugs. The cat isn't her problem. The neo-Gen.
Is. "No wants?"
Eliza agrees. "No wants."
Kadi scurries through the Sime Center, looking for her mommie.
Rache: Want food, yes?
Eliza: Want food, no.
Alea goes to the attic where she'd stored a box of her old clothes and digs.
Through them, wondering why she didn't think of this earlier.
Eliza: I'd like to find Alea though. Do you know which is her room?
Rache: Comfort? Company? Friends?
Alea finds one of her old maternity outfits and sighs that it will be a bit.
Too big, but at least it won't be flea infested.
Lanyi brings the fosebine back. "Drink up."
Eliza: I have no friends here. Only Alea.
Rache: I know .. _was_ her room, when here before.
Rache: Want make friends?
Eliza: Yes. I guess.
Rache nods. "Need job makes friends."
Rache gets up and walks out to the door, through the door, to the hall.
" Alea. This way."
Valrie takes the glass reluctantly, and swallows the dose quickly, gagging.
At the taste.
Eliza: Thank you! [smiles]
Alea slips into the brown dress and finds the matching shoes.
Alea smoothes the white sleeves of the top underneath, then finds a clip.
For her hair.
Rache leads Rache to where Alea _had_ been.
Lanyi smiles through the bad taste reaction in the ambient. "Good!"
Kadi stops in the hall to scratch, and groom a bit of the moisture from her.
Coat.
Alea sighs and backs out of the attic down the ladder.
Valrie hands the glass back to Lanyi, making a face.
Valrie: Every time I think I'm getting used to the stuff, I end up having.
To take some more.
Alea shoves the fold up ladder into the attic and turns to go downstairs.
Eliza sees Alea heading towards the stairs. "Alea!"
Alea winces.
Alea: Ah, hello, Eliza.
Eliza is so pleased to see Alea she is bouncing up and down.
Eliza: I didn't know what to do or where to go. How are you now? What do.
You want me to do?
Eliza: Would you like some tea? Have you had breakfast?
Kadi gives up on the grooming, shakes off the worst of the moisture, and.
Goes in search of her mommie once more.
Eliza: Can I carry that for you?
Lanyi smiles. "I know. I have a theory that fosebine was invented to give.
Patients a stronger motive to get well..."
Kadi climbs the stairs to check the residence rooms.
Eliza bounces around Alea in top voice.
Alea stares at Eliza.
Alea thinks, "Oh, shen! First year kids!"
Alea smiles.
Eliza smiles back.
Alea: No, dear, I haven't had tea yet. I just woke up and found some clothes.
Kadi sees Alea and mews pathetically.
Alea glances down.
Alea: Oh, Kadi!
Eliza: Is that her name? She is wet. I rubbed her down a bit. She had.
Some milk.
Kadi looks much bedraggled.
Eliza scratches at a flea.
Alea carefully bends down and carefully lifts the cat into her arms.
Valrie smiles weakly at the joke.
Alea examines Kadi.
Kadi purrs loudly, huddling close to get warm.
Alea: Someone gave you a bath and got rid of your fleas.
Alea: Thank you, Eliza.
Eliza: Fleas! That's what's been biting me!
Alea: I'm so glad you...
Alea: You mean they're not only in my room?
Alea: I don't understand it. I had no fleas yesterday and today Kadi and my.
Entire room...
Alea's face turns foreboding.
Alea: And a boa just happened to be in her way...
Eliza senses that Alea isn't happy and turns to see what the matter is.
Alea: That shendi fleckin' lorsh. [low, angry]
Alea rubs her cheek against Kadi.
Lanyi notices that Valrie has almost nothing to wear. Or anything else.
Alea: My poor baby. Don't you worry. Nothing else is going to happen to you.
Kadi tries to crawl down Alea's shirtfront, hoping for more warmth.
Alea wraps her arms around Kadi, rubbing gently, but briskly to warm her.
Alea studies Kadi.
Alea studies Eliza.
Alea: Did you sleep in that chair between Mostan and me all night?
Lanyi: Valrie. How about we go out and get you some more clothes later this.
Morning? you could use some more stuff. Slippers, for starters.
Eliza: I guess I did.
Alea starts down the hall toward the cafeteria for tea, feeling her stomach.
Demanding something and quickly.
Alea: You should have gone on to bed. We were both fine.
Eliza runs after her, chattering continually.
Valrie squirms, ashamed of her poverty.
Alea's eyes cross at the chatter and she feels a headache coming on.
Eliza: Well, I didn't think I should leave him, and then I guess I feel.
Asleep and everything.
Valrie: I didn't want to bother anyone, after you took me in and all...
Alea forces a smile.
Eliza: I met this woman, a Donor, but she doesn't speak much English.
Alea: You'll make a wonderful Donor.
Eliza resolves not to tell Alea what the nasty woman said about her.
Eliza: Alea, I've decided. I want to be a Donor like you.
Eliza smiles.
Alea thinks, "Great."
Alea: I'm sure Veraik will want to train you for that.
Lanyi: Valrie. When I came in-Territory after my changeover, I really.
Didn't have anything either. People helped me out then. So I want to pay.
Them back by helping you.
Alea: That's wonderful.
Valrie: Oh.
Eliza: When are you going to teach me to read? Here, you sit here and I'll.
Get you whatever you want. Would you like some tea? Toast and vegimite?
Alea goes into the cafeteria and gets some toast and tea for her and a.
Plate of food for Kadi and settles down at a table.
Valrie is much reassured by this presentation of the help as a duty owed,
Rather than charity.
Alea: No, no, I'm fine.
Valrie: I guess it would be all right, then.
Alea thinks vegimite and feels her stomach twist.
Alea sets the plate of food on the floor and releases Kadi next to it.
Kadi huddles in Alea's lap, ignoring the food as she tries to groom herself.
Dry.
Eliza: OK. [gets some tea] You know, I think it might be fun to learn to.
Read. Do you think that woman will let me borrow some of those books she.
Was reading yesterday? She really seems to enjoy them.
Alea allows Kadi to stay in her lap.
Alea rubs at her head, feeling a definite headache.
Lanyi: Great! You rest while I go do a little work. The store won't be.
Open yet this early.
Valrie: OK.
Eliza: What's wrong? Do you have a headache? Would you like me to get.
You something for it? I'd only take a moment. [poised to run]
Valrie settles back in the bed, closing her eyes for a nap.
Alea: No, please. Just eat.
Kadi pauses to chase a flea.
Eliza sits and eats, continuing to talk with her mouth open, spraying crumbs.
Lanyi goes out.
Alea loses her appetite, drinking her tea only to settle her stomach.
Eliza: I missed you when I couldn't find you. I didn't know where to look.
You will have to show me where your room is so I know where to find you.
Alea: Ah, well, my room is upstairs with the main staff of the Center.
Alea thinks that's as much as she's willing to pinpoint her room.
Eliza: Oh. What number? Because I didn't know where to go this morning.
Alea: Our doors aren't numbered.
Alea: Anyway, yes, I suppose we can teach you to read.
Alea: Since you can't read, I think we'll start with Simelan.
Alea: You can learn to read and speak it at the same time.
Eliza: Oh, good! When can we start? And what else do I have to learn?
Alea sits back and absently strokes Kadi.
Eliza: OK. [smiles happily and is quiet]
Eliza: [for about a minute]
Eliza: Can I learn those things you were doing yesterday, when that channel.
Was hurt?
Alea: If you are serious about learning to be a Donor, I'm sure you can.
Work with us.
Alea: Someone, at least.
Eliza: I never knew there was more then one way to talk.
Alea: It'd be best to ...
Alea: What?
Eliza: I like working with you Alea. [smiles]
Alea smiles weakly.
Eliza: Alea, you sure you don't want anything for that headache?
Alea: You know, perhaps, if you're done, I should go get some fosebine.
Alea stands, scooping Kadi into her arms.
Eliza: I can get it for you! Stay there! [runs out of the room]
Kadi: Mrow! [surprised]
Alea: Come on, Kadi.
Alea goes the opposite way, out of the room and down the hall.
Alea: Oh, my head.
Alea thinks and her face, wonders how bad it looks since she hasn't looked.
In a mirror yet today.
Alea drapes Kadi over her shoulder and continues to stroke her as she makes.
Her way down the hall toward her office.
Eliza dashes into the infirmary, looks thought the cupboard for the bottle
that Alea had yesterday. Not seeing anything familiar, she grabs a double
handful and races back to the cafe.
Kadi huddles close to Alea's neck, starting to warm up as her fur dries.
Eliza crashes to a stop seeing that Alea's chair is empty and slowly looks.
Around the now empty room.
Eliza falls sobbing into a chair, dropping medication all over the floor.
Alea goes to her office and lays Kadi on the couch, bundling her up in a.
Blanket.
Briel walks into the cafeteria and zlins Eliza.
Eliza thinks, "I may as well just die."
Briel: ~~ concerned ~~
Briel goes over to Eliza.
Lanyi finishes taking a donation and decides to go get some tea. Maybe.
They'll have some fresh-brewed in the cafeteria.
Briel: Eliza?
Briel decides Eliza must want to be alone so she walks off to get some tea.
Eliza freezes until Briel has gone then slowly gets up and wipes her face,
Making it look worse.
Lanyi comes into the cafeteria and joins Briel by the tea urn.
Lanyi: Morning, Briel.
Briel was zlinning Eliza, and glances over at Lanyi.
Briel: Morning again, Lanyi.
Eliza: ~~ depressed ~~
Briel nods over at Eliza.
Briel: Wanna help me cheer her up? For some reason, she's taken a dislike.
To me.
Eliza starts to pick up the fallen bottles.
Tarsh is in his office, trying to work.
Lanyi: Sure. Do we know what's bothering her?
Briel: I have no idea.
Alea goes to her filing cabinet and unlocks it to start her day's work.
Eliza stacks all the medicine bottles on the table and wonders if any of.
Them would kill her.
Tarsh's pen blots the letter he is writing.
Alea sees the file with the picture in it and hesitates.
Briel fills herself a cup of tea and strolls back over to Eliza.
Lanyi comes over to Eliza with her tea. "May I sit here?"
Briel doesn't wait for an invite, but slips into a chair.
Eliza looks up at the channel with dead eyes.
Eliza: If you want.
Tarsh flings the pen at the wall. "Shuven!"
Lanyi sits down and sips her tea.
Lanyi zlins the medicine bottles. "Not feeling well?"
Eliza: I'm feeling fine. I got them for Alea, but she left.
Eliza: I guess she just doesn't want to be bothered with me.
Eliza: I can't blame her, I guess.
Alea pulls the file out and looks at the trash can.
Briel thinks, "Great, _Alea_ again."
Lanyi: Ah.
Eliza: Briel, I think that I have made up my mind. Thank you very much for.
Your help, but I think I'd prefer to go.
Lanyi wonders why Eliza thought Alea needed ronaplin inhibitor.
Eliza: I don't see much point.
Alea thinks to throw it away--but shudders, knowing she has got to talk to.
Tarsh about it, certain Rhelana will if she doesn't.
Briel sees what Lanyi was looking at and looks incredulously at Eliza,
Vowing to brush up on her information on how to treat poison victims.
Alea decides to go search out Tarsh.
Briel: Go?
Eliza: ~~ flare of anger ~~
Briel: But you would be a wonderful Donor. Besides, you don't speak the.
Language.
Eliza: Yes. Go, as opposed to stay. Go somewhere else, where SOMEONE wants
me.
Eliza: I don't care.
Briel flinches back from Eliza's field.
Eliza sees the flinch and is savagely glad.
Tarsh puts his head in his tentacles. "What was that picture? Could Alea.
Have really made something like that?"
Briel goes hypo, gripping the edge of the table.
Eliza: [takes a deep breath and calms]
Eliza: I'm sorry.
Briel smiles tightly.
Briel: Of course.
Alea takes the file and goes to Tarsh's door, signaling.
Lanyi notices the anger but is not perturbed by it.
Eliza: [bursts into tears again]
Briel wishes her Donor was here.
Briel shudders.
Tarsh: [ pause ] Come.
Alea goes in.
Alea: Good morning, Tarsh.
Tarsh looks up. He doesn't speak for a moment.
Alea: ~~ uneasy ~~
Eliza stops sobbing but stays with her head down so she won't have to look.
At the two channels.
Lanyi reaches over to put a hand on Eliza's shoulder. "What is the matter?"
Eliza: ~~ embarrassed ~~
Tarsh: Alea. Good morning.
Eliza jumps at the contact.
Briel listens.
Eliza: What's your name? Are you a channel?
Alea: Hello, Tarsh. Do you have a moment?
Lanyi: Yes. I'm Lanyi Tigue ambrov Dar. I'm a channel, but I grew up.
Out- Territory.
Tarsh: Of course, Alea.
Tarsh realizes he isn't being his usual self.
Alea is trying to gauge Tarsh's odd mood.
Eliza turns to Lanyi and looks up at her. "And you really do want to know?"
Alea moves into the room.
Tarsh gets up and goes over to give Alea a lifeless hug.
Alea pushes the door closed behind her.
Alea: ~~ scared ~~
Alea: Tarsh?
Lanyi: Yes. I do.
Lanyi thinks, "That's why I asked."
Eliza starts talking in a monotone, unemotional voice. She tells of growing.
Up in a household where her mother died when she was a child and her father.
Beat her, of how her cousin, John was her only friend, and when he went.
Sime how she was happy thinking she would die at his hands. And when she.
Didn't, how she ran away with him so he wouldn't be killed.
Tarsh: Alea. I'm sorry, I've been upset.
Alea realizes if he is this upset at her, then Rhelana must have shown him.
The picture.
Alea: Is it about this?
Alea opens the file and drops the picture on the desk.
Lanyi listens to this sad story with a long face.
Eliza tells Lanyi how he carried her a lot and moved very fast - and needed.
To do that thing (transfer) often during the flight and how he raped her.
(but he couldn't help it!) after one such incident. She tells her how John.
Was killed by a group of Gens.
Briel listens with mixed emotions.
Eliza continues the story and tells how she continued on to the Center.
Where she was met with hostility by a Sime named Snake and then how she.
Thought Alea was her friend but now there is nothing else to do so she may.
As well leave.
Lanyi: ~~ sympathetic sorrow ~~
Alea watches Tarsh, for reaction.
Tarsh recoils from it. ~~ horror ~~
Alea steps to block the picture with her body, still looking at Tarsh.
Alea: I'm sorry.
Tarsh turns away and huddles his arms in front of him. "Please put that away."
Alea turns, looks at the picture and finally reaches out and crumbles it.
Before dropping it in the trash.
Briel: Eliza...
Briel shakes her head.
Eliza looks lifelessly at the channel.
Alea: Rhelana showed you?
Lanyi: Eliza. Don't jump to conclusions so quickly.
Lanyi: Snake works here sometimes, but she isn't a proper Tecton Channel.
Lanyi: And Alea is only one person.
Lanyi: What do you want to do? Be a Donor?
Eliza remains silent.
Eliza shakes her head slowly.
Sumulo zlins that no one is around so he picks the lock and slips into.
Alea's office.
Tarsh: Yes. She showed it to me. Is it true?
Alea: True?
Alea: What do you mean true?
Lanyi: You always have choices, Eliza.
Alea moves over and sits down on the sofa, feeling distinctly weak.
Sumulo sees the cat bowl with cat food in it. He adds a laxative, mixes it.
Thoroughly, then slips out the door, locking it behind him.
Sumulo goes back to his office.
Eliza: What choice do I have? I can't talk to anyone out there. I can't.
Run any more, there isn't anything I can do: I'm a worthless Gen.
Lanyi: NO.
Lanyi: You are NOT worthless.
Briel: Lanyi's right.
Briel: You're not.
Lanyi: You have had a very rough life. Terrible things have been done to.
You. But you don't have continue the pattern.
Lanyi: Other people have hurt you, but you don't have to hurt you.
Tarsh: That you... drew that.
Alea: Yes, it is. I did draw it.
Alea: ~~ guilt ~~
Tarsh turns around, tears on his face. "Why?"
Briel: You should take time to heal. Don't make decisions right now.
Kadi emerges from under the couch when the coast is clear and heads over
to.
The bowl for a snack.
Alea gets up and goes over to him.
Eliza: What should I do, then?
Alea: I'm sorry. I didn't start out drawing that.
Tarsh holds his arms tightly crossed.
Alea: The day of your transfer, I was in the gazebo. It was nice and warm.
And I was in a very good mood. I was thinking about you... wondering how.
Your transfer would go. Thinking about afterward.
Kadi smells Sumulo all over the food, as well as some other bad smell, and.
Growls softly.
Alea hesitates and then reaches out to lay a hand on one of his arms.
Lanyi: There are lots of people who speak English in-Territory.
Lanyi: You could find work where you won't need Simelan right away.
Eliza: I don't want to be a burden. I want to earn my way. But...
Kadi rakes a fold of carpet over the offending food, and starts prowling.
For mice instead.
Eliza: I don't think I can see Alea again. [tear on cheek]
Tarsh pales. "Alea..."
Alea: I started drawing, and it was almost surreal. The pleasant picture
I.
Had in my mind came out like that...
Alea [tears tracking down her own face]. "I debated even showing you."
Alea: I would never hurt you. But the picture scared me.
Tarsh: What time of day was this?
Alea thinks.
Alea: I ... I'm not sure. Morning.
Lanyi: Eliza. Have you considered Householding Tien's acclimation program?
Eliza: What?
Eliza looks at Lanyi in blank surprise.
Tarsh: Alea... That was when I was having a needmare.
Alea: You were having ... Oh, yes, you mentioned something about a needmare.
Lanyi: Householding Tien. They specialize in helping people adjust to lives.
In the other Territory.
Alea: I'm sorry, Tarsh.
Alea gets a strange prickling across her arms.
Tarsh: I was having _that_ needmare. [ points at the trash can ]
Alea pales.
Alea: Oh, my heavens.
Tarsh: That was exactly how it ended.
Tarsh: A were-Gen ripped them out.
Tarsh collapses into his chair.
Alea moves over by Tarsh, dropping to the arm of the chair.
Alea: I ... I don't know how that happened.
Lanyi: They teach you Simelan, about in-T culture, give you help starting.
Your new life.
Lanyi doesn't mention that most of the participants are Simes.
Alea: Please believe me when I say I don't make a practice of drawing.
Pictures of the man I love ... mutilated. [whispers].
Briel thinks Lanyi has some good ideas.
Tarsh: That was what ... I couldn't believe you'd do something like that.
I.
Thought Rhelana had faked it somehow.
Alea shakes her head, bitterly.
Tarsh: But _this_.
Alea: Rhelana came to me the other morning, upset and wanting to talk to
me.
Tarsh: This sounds like one of that ditz Jirelle's stories.
Alea: I was moving around my desk and knocked my sketch pad on the floor.
Alea covers a smile at the word "ditz" in reference to Jirelle.
Alea: She grabbed it and ran off with it.
Alea: I wanted to talk to you first, find out just how you were.
Alea: I was afraid, well, that maybe the picture had some significance.....
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Wise Snake drinks her tea miserably and tries to appear calm and in full.
Control of the situation.
Alea moves in front of Tarsh, enveloping him in her field.
Alea: Rhelana, I think you should go.
Rhelana: No!
B'cal: Then let's go. [to Veraik]
Rhelana: [Looks furious at Alea]
Tarsh feels better in Alea's field.
Veraik follows B'cal to the lobby.
Tarsh: What? Why are? huh?
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Nick nods in understanding.
Wise Snake realizes with considerable despair that there is probably no.
Such thing as a non-Tecton Donor that can behave professionally, and she.
Will probably always have problems like Nick's with every Donor she ever.
Has.
Wise Snake massages her forehead trying to hide her dismay.
Rhelana augments around Alea and goes to Tarsh to embrace him.
Tarsh: ~~ surprised ~~
Alea gapes.
Tarsh scrambles back.
Rhelana falls over Tarsh.
Alea grabs Rhelana's arm.
Rhelana: Come to me Tarsh I LOVE you!
Nick: So, you don't want to work with a different channel each month?
Alea: Rhelana, if you'll excuse us, we were trying to sleep.
Rapol grimaces. "No."
Rhelana grabs Alea and pushes her away.
Alea stumbles backwards.
Rhelana: Oh, Tarsh! [crying] Please.
Tarsh: No! Get away!
Alea catches her balance and jumps back up, grabbing Rhelana.
Alea: That's enough!
Rhelana holds him. "I'll be good for you. The best!"
Rhelana: It is never enough.
Nick smiles.
Alea decides Rhelana is off her rocker and starts to drag her to the door.
Rhelana: Oh, Tarsh. Please see that I would be better. How can you want a.
Donor?
Rapol is puzzled by Nick's smiling.
Rhelana pushes her off and goes back to Tarsh.
Alea flares her field enticingly.
Alea: Rhelana.
Tarsh: Rhelana! What are you doing?
Rhelana turns to Alea, tentacles out.
Nick: Well, it sounds like your reasons for avoid the Tecton are close to.
My own.
Nick decides that he likes Rapol.
Alea brings her duo.
Rhelana stalks the Gen field.
Wise Snake decides she is going to have a nervous breakdown... soon.
Rapol: ~~ surprise ~~
Rhelana blinks.
Alea: Please leave.
Rhelana: See, Tarsh?
Rapol: Ah. Well we understand each other then.
Rhelana: Look what she is doing.
Rhelana: Donors should never be with renSimes. You know that!
Nick nods.
Rhelana: It's too dangerous.
Rapol takes a long drink of his tea and puts it down, making an odd finger.
Gestures as he does so.
Rhelana: She doesn't love you, or she would never have put you in the.
Situation!!!
Alea stares stunned, certain Rhelana is off her rocker now.
Nick: Snake, in answer to your earlier question, I think that I could work.
With Rapol without undue competition.
Tarsh: What situation?
Alea nods at Tarsh, since she had been wondering the same thing.
Rhelana goes back to Tarsh and picks up a tentacle with one of her own.
" This is the natural way. RenSime to renSime.
Tarsh eyes suspiciously this Sime who was just stalking his Gen.
Wise Snake: Oh? Oh, good. [squeaks]
Alea wonders if Tamlen's gun is still available.
Rhelana throws herself on Tarsh. I can love you in way that you have never.
Been loved before.
Tarsh snatches his tentacles away.
Wise Snake: I assume this means you are still interested in... trying to.
Phase you into my work schedule again?
Rhelana retakes a tentacle and strokes it.
Nick: Yes.
Rhelana: This is the natural way. You and me forever.
Alea shakes her head and goes around to the other side of the bed and.
Climbs in. "Wake me when this is over."
Tarsh: ~~ NOT enticed by the idea. Loved like in one of his needmares maybe?
~~
Alea lays down.
Rhelana zlins Alea and tosses her out the bed.
Rapol waits for Nick and Snake to finish their discussion.
Alea lands hard on the floor, gasping in shock.
Rhelana crawls in the bed with Tarsh.
Wise Snake: You must tell me how your transfer went with Fraeyan.
Wise Snake zlinning Nick critically.
Rhelana snuggles to her lover.
Tarsh grabs at Rhelana. ~~ furious ~~
Alea sits on the floor unable to believe this.
Tarsh: Leave her alone!
Rhelana cries. "What are you doing?"
Nick: It felt good, but there was something...missing.
Tarsh grapples with Rhelana.
Rhelana: Why!
Nick: ~~ faint frustration ~~
Rhelana: She is a Donor. A Farris Donor. You shouldn't be with her.
Nick: It wasn't enough.
Rhelana: Be with me. I'll be good for you!
Wise Snake: Did Fraeyan have any ideas as to what that might have been?
Rhelana crying. "You KNOW I'll be good for you."
Tarsh: No. Get away from me!
Tarsh: The shen I do!
Tarsh tries to drag Rhelana to the door.
Rhelana throws herself back to Tarsh. "NO! PLEASE! I LOVE YOU!!!!"
Rhelana: [crying] No! Tarsh! What are you doing?
Tarsh: NO YOU DON'T!
Nick: He said I overmatched him.
Rhelana reaches over and takes his member. "It will be so good for us."
Wise Snake: Oh. Good.
Rapol is happy to hear that there is this other Sime for Nick.
Wise Snake: I'm afraid you're rather between the cracks right now, Nick....
It's going to be difficult to find a channel between Fraeyan and myself in.
Capacity and speed ratings.
Tarsh slaps her hand away.
Wise Snake: Perhaps Tramila... She is similar to myself but doesn't.
Require... could be shorted for a month. I will ask her about it.
Nick nods.
Rhelana: ~ stunned ~
Wise Snake: You should be pushed. I'm sorry Fraeyan couldn't.
Alea: ~~ furious ~~
Wise Snake: Now. Housing.
Wise Snake looks between Nick and Rapol.
Wise Snake: Do you have someplace to stay for the next two or three weeks,
Rapol?
Tarsh grabs her shoulders and Simehandles her towards the door.
Rhelana: But, Tarsh! Please!
Tarsh: GET!
Tarsh: OUT!
Rhelana: NO! NO!
Rhelana: You can't do this!
Tarsh: YES! YES!
Tarsh: Zlin me!
Rhelana: No! No! I don't want to. I know. You love me. You just HAVE to.
Love me!!
Rapol looks a bit disappointed. "Yes, I should be OK for a few weeks."
Alea: I'll call security.
Tarsh: Wrong again!
Wise Snake: The reason I ask is because I am living in something which.
Could best be described as the great outdoors. It would not be healthy for.
A Gen.
Alea gets slowly up from the floor, tightening her robe, and goes to move.
Past the two.
Tarsh gets her to the door and tries to open it while holding her.
Wise Snake thinks she isn't enjoying it much herself, and is beginning to.
Admit that.
Rhelana reaches up to stroke him gently again. [whispers] "I love you."
Rhelana: You have to love me.
Rapol: ~~ concern ~~ "If you say so."
Rapol wonders why Snake is living that way. Doesn't she have plenty of.
Money from all this work she does?
Alea: I hope you're hypo, Tarsh.
Wise Snake: It is only a temporary situation. [reassures him] When the.
Building is mine, I'll be able to have improvements made without attracting.
Negative attention.
Tarsh pauses. "I _don't_ love you, Rhelana. Please don't make me hate you."
Tarsh pulls himself hypo hastily.
Rhelana blinks, crying. "No. Please. Tarsh. Please don't.
Alea pulls her arm back and socks her in the jaw--hard--knocking her out.
Nick wishes that Snake would at least rent another apartment, if she won't.
Move back in with him and Linn.
Alea: Catch her.
Wise Snake squirms.
Wise Snake: Thank you for your time, Nick. I will be contacting you about.
The... further scheduling.
Tarsh grabs for Rhelana.
Rhelana falls to the floor, unconscious.
Nick: I will be waiting.
Nick stands.
Tarsh keeps her head from hitting the floor.
Alea shrugs.
Nick: Rapol, it's been a pleasure meeting you. I hope that things work out.
For all of us.
Alea: Sorry.
Rapol gets up also.
Rapol: Likewise. I look forward to the work.
Tarsh: No, thank you.
Alea: Should I send for a channel to help?
Tarsh moves Rhelana out into the hall.
Wise Snake rises.
Tarsh: Might be a good idea.
Alea steps out into the hall to go for a channel.
Veraik and B'cal walk down the hall and zlin Alea and Tarsh.
Veraik: "What's going on!"
B'cal sneers.
Nick drops enough cash on the table to cover his portion of the bill, and.
Departs.
Alea jumps.
Tarsh is naked.
Alea: You have a renSime here [indicates Rhelana]that could use your help.
Alea turns and goes back into the room.
Tarsh darts in after her.
Wise Snake: Tomorrow at this same time for B'cal, then? [to Rapol]
Veraik looks at the naked Tarsh.
B'cal: ~~ impressed ~~
Veraik refuses to think about it.
Rapol: Yes, certainly.
Veraik thinks, "No wonder."
Alea looks at Tarsh.
Alea: Next time I won't answer the door.
Alea locks the door.
Veraik turns to Rhelana and zlins.
Tarsh: Are you hurt?
B'cal: ~~ support ~~
Alea: No.
Tarsh zlins Alea.
Veraik: B'cal. She is unconscious and they moved her.
Alea: Just perhaps stunned.
Veraik: SHEN!!!
Rhelana groans.
B'cal: Looks like she's awake now.
Rhelana starts to scream!
Alea: You want to try to get some more sleep?
Rhelana: Ahhhhhhhhhh!
Alea winces.
Rhelana thrashes about.
Veraik holds her down.
B'cal wishes she had ear plugs.
Rhelana faces thrashes from side to side. Ahhhhhh! Ahhhhh! Ahhhhh!
Veraik is using his field to surround her in a blanket.
Tarsh pulls Alea into the bathroom.
Eliza, just entering the lobby from shopping with Lanyi, hears the screams.
From upstairs and hesitates.
Alea, surprised, looks around at the bathroom.
Veraik thinks about a certain Donor and her renSime that he would like to.
Throttle.
Eliza is too curious and heads towards the sound.
Wise Snake: Then I will see you tomorrow. And if that goes well... then I.
Have left some time free for an evaluation of your current training.
Rhelana suddenly stops, tears dripping down her face.
Rhelana sobs.
Wise Snake is quite eager to see how much Rapol already knows and what he.
Might be capable of.
B'cal is relieved.
Eliza sees Veraik bending over a writhing Sime and wonders what is happening.
Alea leans against Tarsh, still rather stunned over events.
Veraik holds her, using B'cal's field to cushion Rhelana's nager.
Rapol smiles. "Until then."
Eliza: ~~ curiosity ~~
Wise Snake leaves the cafe, turns to walk towards the Sime Center.
Tarsh spreads his laterals on Alea's belly to zlin the baby for harm.
Tarsh: Alea, I'm sorry.
Alea: Sorry? For what?
Veraik picks her up and carries her to the infirmary, assuming that B'cal.
Will stay with him.
Alea looks up at Tarsh, surprised.
Tarsh: I shouldn't have been so nice to her. Before.
B'cal follows Veraik.
B'cal sees Eliza.
B'cal: You, come with us.
Eliza follows the Channel...at a distance.
B'cal: This is a good way to learn.
Eliza runs to catch up.
Veraik lays her on the bed and zlins her.
Alea shrugs.
Alea: You had no way of knowing she was going to react like this.
Alea: Is the baby okay?
Alea ~~ worry; trying to hide it ~~
Eliza watches, fascinated.
Rapol calls for another tea and drinks it while looking thoughtful.
Eliza whispers to B'cal, "What is he doing?"
Veraik realizes that she will be all right however she was going to have.
Some vivid needmares for a while.
Rapol wonders what these people are and why they didn't respond to the sign.
B'cal looks at Eliza, keeping her nageric attention on Veraik.
Veraik: Don't talk, Rhelana. Listen.
B'cal: He is checking her, making sure she isn't injured physically, beside.
The bruise on her jaw, that is.
Veraik: I am going to put you to sleep.
B'cal wonders which one of them gave it to Rhelana.
Rhelana flares fear.
Veraik: Don't worry. I'll have a channel with you the whole time.
Wise Snake is filled with confusion about the meeting.
Eliza: [whispers] Can I help?
Wise Snake: [confusion/hope/fear of hope]
Tarsh relaxes. "The baby zlins OK."
B'cal starts to snap at the girl, then sighs.
B'cal: No.
Rhelana: No, please, I don't want to sleep. I only want... I want... [cries]
B'cal: Except to watch and learn.
B'cal: In a situation like this, you would keep your attention on your.
Channel. He would direct you.
Eliza nods and tries to think calm and supportive thoughts.
Alea: ~~ relief ~~
Rapol wonders if his viewpoint of the world is simpler than it should be.
Alea: Too many accidents the past two days. I think I'm going to hide in
my.
Room for the next six months.
Tarsh: Sounds good to me. I'll buy you a bigger lock.
Veraik: We'll talk after you have sleep. Promise.
Veraik takes her in full transfer position to put her to sleep.
Alea: Come on, let's get you back to sleep.
Rhelana: No. Please.
Veraik makes fifth contact and she falls asleep immediately.
Tarsh: Yeah. Try, anyway.
Eliza looks at B'cal.
Eliza: What now? [whisper]
Alea slips of her robe and crawls back into bed. projects wonderful.
Thoughts of sleep and relaxation.
Tarsh goes back to the bed with Alea. He tries to straighten the bedclothes.
Out.
B'cal: She'll sleep.
B'cal: A channel will check her.
Veraik looks at Eliza, telling her with his eyes that she shouldn't be.
Talking right this moment.
Eliza shuts up and blushes.
Veraik motions the two out the door.
B'cal bristles, leading Eliza out the door.
Tarsh yawns at the nager and crawls in with her.
Veraik flags a passing Second and has her go to Rhelana.
Veraik: Let's go to my office.
Alea snuggles up, continuing to project her field of rest.
B'cal: Snake should be here soon.
Eliza follows Veraik and B'cal.
Eliza shudders at the thought of Snake.
Wise Snake climbs the front steps of the Sime Center.
Veraik turns to B'cal. "So you want to go to her?" [betrayal]
B'cal: I am assigned to her also.
Wise Snake enters the lobby.
Eliza keeps back and quiet trying to understand with out looking overly nosy.
B'cal: We have a meeting.
Veraik steps back and nods. "Go."
B'cal: I'll be back after that.
B'cal nods.
B'cal: Go with Veraik; he can explain.
B'cal turns and heads toward the lobby to wait for Snake.
Eliza blushes and smiles at B'cal.
B'cal thinks of Muffin and sneers as she goes down the hall.
B'cal thinks Eliza is nothing like that kid.
Veraik looks at Eliza. "This way." ~ emptiness ~
Eliza follows Veraik wondering what she has done wrong now.
B'cal turns back around and goes back to Veraik.
B'cal: Hajene?
Wise Snake asks the clerk about B'cal's whereabouts and is taken aback when.
The clerk retorts that nobody ever tells HIM anything around here.
Veraik enters his office and indicates a chair to Eliza.
B'cal goes in behind Eliza.
Veraik stops. "Yes?"
Eliza starts to sit but turns and looks at B'cal.
Wise Snake waves her tentacles in an attempt to calm down the clerk, and.
Says she'll just look for her.
Wise Snake heads upstairs to check B'cal's room.
B'cal realizes Veraik was feeling insecure and remembers her promise to.
Snake to keep him in best possible shape since he IS the Controller, so she.
Doesn't want to leave him like this.
B'cal looks at Veraik.
Veraik refuses to zlin the Donor.
B'cal: I've read your file.
Veraik looks at Eliza then at B'cal. "You have."
Veraik looks away.
B'cal: You're determined to ruin this, aren't you?
Wise Snake fails to locate B'cal in her room, decides to check Veraik's.
Office, then the collectorium.
Veraik: Ruin?
B'cal: Your transfer.
Veraik: What are you talking about?
Wise Snake thinks of the time, then takes a side trip and checks the.
Cafeteria first... no luck.
Veraik: Oh. [looks away]
B'cal: You refuse to even work with me, hiding away.
B'cal: I think you like being pitied.
Wise Snake trudges toward Veraik's office.
B'cal: Otherwise you would meet me half way.
Veraik: ~ fury ~
B'cal lifts a brow.
Wise Snake approaches Veraik's office, gets a load of the nager in there.
And veers away.
B'cal: You have something you want to say?
Wise Snake: Whew!
Veraik: B'cal. You have made it clear that you enjoy pushing channel's around.
Veraik: Well, not this channel.
Eliza sits still and tries to become invisible.
B'cal: Then maybe you should work with me instead of hiding behind your.
"poor me" attitude.
B'cal: Then I wouldn't have to push.
B'cal leans against the partially opened door.
Eliza wants to crawl under the desk and hide.
Veraik: Oh! Really, B'cal. All I see is that you are still in the "I am.
More powerful than you are" mode. I will work with you when you lose that.
Attitude.
Wise Snake lurks in the hallway near Veraik's office, trying to decide.
Whether she should really be in there for that conversation, to try to.
Moderate, or if it would be better for her to flee the building.
Wise Snake's eyebrows squinch up at Veraik's words.
Veraik leans down and presents a tentacle to Eliza. [soft voice] "Please.
Come here."
B'cal: Really?
Eliza gets up and walk over to stand, partly hidden, behind Veraik.
B'cal chuckles.
B'cal: Well, let's just see how good this transfer goes. Then we'll see.
Who's right.
Eliza tries to do what Alea said and think soothing thoughts.
B'cal: If you wimp out and start the pity party, we'll know I was right.
B'cal: If you're man enough, channel enough, to overcome, then well, maybe.
You'll prove me wrong.
Wise Snake goes to the front desk and asks for a pencil and paper.
Veraik: B'cal. [helps Eliza up] If the transfer goes bad, it will be.
Because your nager is disagreeable to me. Lose the attitude or stay with.
Snake.
Wise Snake writes a small note to the effect that the meeting will be.
Tomorrow instead of today, and folds it up very small.
B'cal: Like I said.....
B'cal: ~~ smug satisfaction ~~
B'cal turns and leaves.
Wise Snake returns to Veraik's office and reaches in the door to tuck the.
Paper in B'cal's hand.
B'cal is just coming out.
B'cal pulls the door too.
B'cal: Snake.
B'cal: I'm ready.
Eliza looks at Veraik, sorry that she witnessed that.
Veraik decides that, as Controller, he can reassign himself.
Wise Snake: Ah. ~~embarassment~~ Well, the meeting has been postponed until
tomorrow.
Wise Snake: I hope you don't mind.
B'cal: Oh?
B'cal: Not at all.
Wise Snake puts the piece of paper in her own pocket.
B'cal sighs.
Veraik: Snake? B'cal is all yours.
B'cal: I don't think Veraik is going to do any good at this transfer, Snake.
Wise Snake blinks at B'cal's choice of words.
Wise Snake: What?
Veraik: I have decided that I will not be transferring with her this month.
B'cal looks around to see Veraik has followed her out into the hall.
Wise Snake thinks the corridor is an awfully public place for this.
Conversation.
B'cal: I see I was right.
Wise Snake: Uh... uh... don't you think we ought to talk about this?
Veraik: No.
Wise Snake: Oh.
Wise Snake turns around and leaves.
B'cal turns and goes with Snake.
Veraik: We have entirely different opinions which are incompatible.
Veraik watches them go then goes back to his office.
Veraik: Eliza. Sorry for that.
Eliza cringes and tries to make herself even smaller.
Veraik: Please. Sit down.
B'cal: Since I'm up, Snake, do you want me to go work with you for awhile?
Eliza: [mumbles something]
Veraik: What was that?
Wise Snake: No. you should get your sleep so you can put in a hard-core.
Session tonight.
Eliza: Nothing. I just said that I was sorry.
B'cal: Very well.
B'cal: I apologize, Snake.
Wise Snake looks surprised.
B'cal: Veraik is refusing to work with me at all, even halfway.
Veraik nods. ~ restlessness showing ~
Eliza: ~~ tries to be soothing ~~
B'cal: Going to a simple meeting with you, anything like that, he goes.
Crazy over it.
Wise Snake: Oh....
B'cal: I simply tried to test him, push him in a challenge to pull him out.
B'cal: I gambled and lost.
Wise Snake shakes her head.
B'cal: I don't know where he thinks he's going to get another Donor.
Wise Snake: Don't. Don't blame yourself. And don't worry about it. He's the.
Controller, he can reassign anybody he would rather have.
Wise Snake: If he doesn't, then.. well... [fatalistic gesture]
B'cal: The only one is Alea.
B'cal: And she is scheduled with someone else.
Veraik gets the nager that Eliza is projecting.
Wise Snake: Then perhaps Veraik will see reason on his own. Meanwhile,
There's no point in killing yourself trying. ~ bitterness ~
Veraik: Here, Eliza. Come to sit here. [gestures to the Donor's chair]
B'cal: ~~ soothing ~~
Eliza sits.
Veraik: Then try to calm yourself as best you can.
Wise Snake reluctantly succumbs to B'cal's field.
Eliza: ~~ calms ~~
Veraik: This can be your first lesson from me to you.
Eliza: I'm sorry. I was just a bit embarrassed there. I hope I didn't hurt.
You...
B'cal reaches out and touches Snake's cheek.
Veraik: No. I'm all right.
Wise Snake is surprised again.
Wise Snake looks at B'cal.
Veraik: I know that you are doing the best you can.
Wise Snake: [expression indefinable]
B'cal: You're going to make it, you know.
Veraik: Now, tell me. What is on your mind?
Wise Snake trembles.
B'cal allows a small smile to show.
Wise Snake nods.
Wise Snake: Thanks, B'cal.
Eliza: Oh. I'm sorry to be such a pest. I know you told Alea to help me,
But I was wondering if someone else could?
Eliza: She is so busy....[fades off]
B'cal nods.
B'cal: Go work.
B'cal: I'll see you tonight.
Wise Snake: Yes. And... thank you for trying.
B'cal: It'll work out.
Wise Snake leaves.
B'cal goes upstairs to go to bed.
Veraik: Alea? [frowns] What happened?
Eliza: Oh, it's nothing. I just don't think that she has much time for me.
At the moment. And she was hurt yesterday and all.
Veraik zlins.
Veraik: That is not all the truth. Why don't you tell me what is really on.
Your mind?
Eliza thinks she knows what Veraik is doing and tries to project calm.
Eliza: I don't think she likes me very much.
Eliza: Actually, I know she doesn't. [tries not to sob]
Veraik: [grim] And why not?
Eliza: [small voice] Because I'm too much trouble. I'm sorry. I'll try to.
Do better.
Veraik: Trouble? Why do you say that?
Eliza shuts her eyes and moans inwardly.
Eliza: I was very bad yesterday. I didn't do what she wanted me to do, and.
I think I hurt that Snake person.
Eliza: I thought she might have forgiven me when I helped her fight those.
People in the front room, but...
Eliza: This morning she was still avoiding me, and I didn't know what to
do.
Eliza: How do I show her how sorry I am?
Veraik grimaces.
Veraik: Let me talk to her and then we can figure something out for you.
Veraik: It will all work out, Eliza.
Veraik: I promise.
Eliza: All right.
Veraik: Good. In the meantime, work with Alea as best you can. I will be.
Assigning others to you for your studies besides Alea in any case.
Eliza is miserable.
Veraik: You will be required to understand many personalities, not just one.
Veraik zlins and moves uncomfortably.
Eliza thinks she understands them all; they all hate her.
Veraik: Eliza. Please. Your nager.
Eliza closes her eyes and tries to think nice thoughts, but fails.
Veraik's tentacles flick in and out but he waits patiently while she is trying.
Eliza gives up. "I had better go. I'm sorry."
Veraik: Eliza! Wait!
Eliza turns and looks at Veraik.
Veraik: You can do it. I have confidence that you can.
Eliza: I'm sorry. I don't have the same confidence.
Veraik: Just close you eyes and only think how great you will be in the future.
Veraik: I know you can do it.
Eliza shuts her eyes and thinks of dying.
Veraik: Eliza? [breathes hard]
Veraik: Your nager says to me that you will be a very good Donor in the future.
Veraik: I KNOW you will be.
Veraik: KNOW this. [touches cheek] And believe.
Eliza: Thank you, errr, Hajene.
Veraik nods, unable to smile so close to his transfer.
Eliza: What do you want me to do?
Veraik: Just be with me for a while and be calm.
Eliza sits calmly, watching the channel's reaction to her change.
Veraik breaths calmly. "Thank you. That is much better."
Eliza feels very proud of herself.
Eliza tries a little bit of ~~ pride ~~ to see what happens.
Veraik signals that she is doing great.