Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #144: (1/28/98)
Alea comes down the hall, carrying her skates, swinging them at her side.
Eliza wanders into the lobby looking hungover.
Alea slips out the front door.
Briel sees Eliza and zlins, then immediately goes hypo, grabbing her stomach.
Eliza sees Alea head out the door and wonders where she is going.
Eliza puts on a cloak hanging at the door [just a cloak at random - wonder.
Who's it is] and follows Alea.
Alea hurries to the park and the main pond there.
Jerl is skating on the pond, graceful despite his battered, ill-fitting,
Seventh-hand skates.
Alea sits down and slips her skates on, tying them up.
Eliza is in no condition to hurry.
Alea has been working really hard on skating and has become very proficient.
At skating and has decided she can go to a public place now.
Eliza temporarily looses site of Alea as she enters the park.
Jerl swoops around the pond as gracefully as any of the Simes, a big grin.
On his face.
Eliza sees some people skating on the lake and heads down to watch.
Alea stands up, pulling up her leggings underneath her skirt, then steps.
Carefully out on the ice.
Jerl has even temporarily forgotten to keep an eye on little brother.
Kril is trying to see how fast he can circle the pond, without regard for.
The other skaters.
Eliza sits at the side of the ice, watching the little boy weaving in and out.
Alea pushes off, and sighs at how nice it is to be back out on the ice.
Kril is imprudent enough to skate too close to Big Brother.
Jerl is recalled to his familial duties, and sticks out a foot to trip Krill.
Jerl: I told you not to do that!
Kril falls in an undignified heap, looking up at his tormentor.
Kril: But, Jerl....
Alea works up her speed, gliding gracefully around the rink, enjoying the.
Feel of the cold crisp wind in her face.
Jerl: Stop whining. You can behave yourself, or you can leave.
Jerl: Which is it going to be?
Kril pouts. [mumble, mumble]
Alea keeps her eyes open and on the people around her, weaving in and out,
Unwilling to run anyone over by accident.
Jerl puts both hands on his hips and glares at Little Brother.
Jerl: I can't hear you.
Eliza wraps the cloak around herself tighter and enjoys the cool air on her.
Face.
Kril: I'll behave.
Alea skates around two children arguing.
Jerl: See that you do.
Eliza likes the color of the cloak: A nice, light purple.
Jerl skates off without a backward glance.
Eliza suddenly sees Alea on the ice.
Alea shakes her head.
Eliza suddenly realizes the implications of Alea - ice skates - ice -
Speed, and starts to worry.
Kril climbs awkwardly to his feet and starts skating again, his eyes so.
Full of angry tears that he can't see where he's going. Which doesn't.
Matter, because he's not in a mood to look, anyway.
Kril skates faster and faster, muttering curses as he goes.
Alea decides she's been on the ice long enough and decides to take a break.
Eliza wonders if to let Alea know she is there and decides that calling.
Alea at the moment might not be wise.
Eliza sits and starts to shiver.
Alea sees Eliza and waves, turning slightly to head toward the bank.
Jerl skates gracefully past Alea, lifting his threadbare cap at the.
Well-dressed lady in imitation of the gentlemen he's seen.
Eliza waves back glad to see Alea is leaving the ice without having fallen.
(yet).
Alea smiles and nods to Jerl.
Kril fails to observe Alea's change in direction, or that he's headed.
Straight for her.
Eliza pulls the cloak tighter around her trying to stay warm.
Eliza sees that the young boy is headed toward Alea and yells a warning!
Eliza: Alea!!! Look out!!!!
Jerl sees disaster approaching and yells, "Kril!".
Alea cocks her head looks around.
Kril's hands flail as he tries to execute an emergency change in direction.
Alea: What? [mouths - lifting her hands and shrugging].
Eliza gestures frantically.
Eliza starts to run down towards the ice.
Alea turns to look, still moving and sees the imminent disaster.
Jerl dodges around Alea and manages to deflect Little Brother.
Alea gasps, jerking back, trying to get out of the way.
Kril loses his balance and sprawls on the ice.
Jerl reaches out absently to steady Alea.
Jerl: I told you to be careful! [to Kril].
Alea trips and falls...going sliding...
Snow Hare sticks his head out of his burrow and sniffs.
Jerl steadies Alea, keeping his balance with almost Sime-like agility.
Eliza steps onto the ice, falls on her ummm bottom and slides towards Alea.
Jerl reaches a foot out, bringing Eliza to a halt before she can crash into.
Alea.
Snow Hare sits up to look around.
Jerl: I do apologize for my brother, ma'am.
Eliza sits up and looks at the sodden mess of a cloak she is wearing.
Jerl offers Eliza a hand.
Snow Hare is nervous at all the humans around, but he is hungry...
Alea pulls her leg out from under her. ~~ pain ~~
Jerl: Here. Let me help you up.
Eliza accepts the hand and gets _carefully_ to her feet.
Eliza: Alea, are you okay!!!
Alea ~~ embarrassed ~~
Alea: Of course I am.
Eliza struggles to keep her balance and turn to look at Alea at the same time.
Alea: It was only a simple accident.
Eliza: What do you think you are doing? [turns to Jerl] Thank you for your.
Help!
Alea gapes.
Alea: Excuse me?
Eliza: [to Alea] Can you get up? Can you walk? Should I go get someone?
Alea does NOT like being lectured by a non-Farris.
Jerl: I've warned my brother to be more careful.
Alea's eyes narrow.
Alea looks at the young boy.
Jerl turns to glare at Kril, only to discover that the culprit has made.
Good his escape. Like usual.
Eliza: You should be more careful! Skating in your condition!
Alea: It's quite all right. Things happen. I'm sure he'll be more careful.
From now on...
Alea looks down her nose at Eliza.
Eliza: It's not as if you are any good at it!
Jerl sighs.
Jerl: I doubt it.
Eliza takes Alea's arm...
Alea's face freezes.
Snow Hare carefully hops over to a tree near the ice.
Jerl: Two days ago, he almost ran over...er, someone very bad to.
Cross....on his sled.
Alea works to stand up.
Alea hears the word sled and winces.
Eliza tries to direct Alea back to the relative safety of the bank.
Alea gasps when she puts weight on her left foot.
Alea: ~~ uh oh ~~
Jerl: Are you hurt?
Eliza sees Alea wince. "I think I'll go get help!"
Alea thinks the Tecton will collapse before she admits to that.
Eliza: Let's just get you to the bank and you can sit there and I'll go get.
Someone.
Jerl: Try the old Ferry Building.
Alea: I'm just ... tired from skating... Yes, I do believe I'd like to sit down.
Eliza wishes she could understand what the boy is saying.
Eliza gets Alea to the bank and sits her down. "I'll be right back. You be.
Okay there for a moment?"
Snow Hare freezes at the humans coming his way.
Alea: Of course. I'm a Farris.
Alea doesn't think she's going to be able to walk home, but she knows she.
Can certainly sit here and not be bothered.
Snow Hare bolts back to his burrow in a spray of snow.
Jerl's knowledge of English is rudimentary, but her recognizes the word.
" Farris".
Jerl: Yes. Snake Farris. At the old Ferry Building.
Eliza rolls her eyes.
Eliza takes off back to the Center.
Eliza takes the slippery Center steps two at a time and miraculously.
Doesn't fall. She bursts into the lobby and looks around for help.
Tarsh tries to make sense of the monthly reports.
Eliza stands in the middle of the lobby and yells, "HELP"!
Jerl sees the direction Eliza ran and shakes his head.
Alea pulls out some of the pain pills Snake gave her the other day and.
Takes one to alleviate the pain in her ankle.
Alea decides one isn't going to help so she takes two more.
Alea smiles at Jerl.
Alea glances over at Snow Hare and offers it one of her pills, then.
Realizes that's not what the Snow Hare would want and digs through her.
Pockets until she finds a snack.
Alea opens it and lays it near Snow Hare's house and then decides what to.
Do next.
Jerl sees Alea popping pills and nods; it's comforting to know that the.
Upper classes have the same behavior patters as the local junkie bums.
Tarsh hears a shout and goes out to investigate.
Jerl: Are you warm enough, ma'am?
Alea suddenly blinks thinking wow.
Alea: I um... yeah. I think I am.
Eliza can't work out why the place is so empty.
Eliza: Anyone here? Alea has fallen. We need HELP!!!
Alea: Tell me, Jerl.
Alea: You said there was a sled accident?
Jerl is concerned, since he has observed first-hand the effects of mixing.
Drugs and winter weather.
Alea is remembering her own disastrous accident with a sled.
Jerl frowns.
Alea: What happened?
Eliza rushes around madly looking for help.
Eliza: Help! Help!
Jerl: Yes. My brother almost ran over...someone who is very dangerous to cross.
Eliza radiates enough panic to light a small town.
Eliza: Help!!!!
Alea: Who would that be?
Eliza: ~~ frantic worry ~~
Jerl: Err...
Jerl isn't sure whether it's safe to tell.
Alea lays back in the snow.
Eliza slams open doors, sticks her head in each one, yells, "Help!" and.
Runs to the next.
Alea: I almost ran over Snake Farris once with a sled.
Tarsh catches Eliza as she runs into him.
Eliza imagines Alea freezing to death.
Tarsh: "Hold on! What is it?
Eliza: Oh, Tarsh, thank goodness!!
Eliza starts to drag Tarsh to the door.
Eliza: Alea has fallen!
Eliza: I think she broke something.
Eliza: I heard a snap!!!
Eliza: She is on the snow. We have to hurry. Come on!
Jerl flinches at the name.
Eliza is running on the spot.
Alea: You know, Jerl... Oh, you know Snake, do you?
Eliza drips water on the floor from the purple, soaked, cloak.
Tarsh runs too, until he is the one dragging Eliza.
Jerl: Umm...sort of.
Alea realizes her hair is getting all wet from the snow and sits.
Up--realizes her hood isn't on, and then promptly forgets to put it on.
Tarsh: What happened, where?
Eliza: Hurry!
Eliza knows Simes can move faster then that.
Alea: I should get these skates off, I think.
Tarsh hurries.
Alea: Can you get me my shoes by the bench.
Alea: I'm feeling much better, actually.
Jerl: Of course.
Alea: ~~ woozy - disoriented ~~
Alea reaches for the skate on her right foot, dragging it up into her.
Lap...wincing when it jars her left foot.
Alea looks at the threads.
Jerl skates gracefully to retrieve the shoes, glad that the conversation is.
No longer focused on Snake.
Alea: Veraik's gonna be soooo mad.
Alea: Gotta hide these skates.
Alea pulls one off and then stuffs it in the bunny's house.
Eliza thinks Alea is probably dead by now [she is an optimist].
Eliza: She was ICE SKATING! And of course she fell. She isn't very good at it!
Eliza: And I think she is broken!
Alea reaches down and tries to undo the other skate, gasping in pain as she.
Tries to work it off.
Tarsh: SKATING!
Eliza: Yes! This way, quick.
Alea finally gets the other skate off, tears running down her face.
Alea: Shen, that hurts.
Tarsh sweeps Eliza up in his arms and runs toward the door. "Point the way!"
Alea stuffs it in the bunny's warren then pushes snow over them.
Eliza points.
Alea looks for the young man she sent after her shoes.
Jerl returns with Alea's shoes.
Alea: Oh, there you are.
Jerl: Here you are, ma'am.
Alea takes the shoes.
Alea: So, you're one of Snake's friends?
Alea slips the right one, but doesn't even attempt to pull the left one on.
Jerl: Uhh...
Alea: Don't worry. I'm related to her.
Jerl flinches at the return of this topic.
Alea smiles.
Jerl: Well, more like a customer.
Alea: We're uh... you know, We could be sisters..?
Jerl: Of my mother's, really.
Jerl: Most of the time, anyway.
Alea: I don't think we are though.
Tarsh augments and runs.
Alea: Oh, really?
Alea: Yeah, your mother a Sime? Or Gen?
Eliza: Hang on.
Jerl: A Gen.
Alea: Ah.
Alea nods.
Alea: Have you established yet?
Alea peers up at Jerl trying to see if he has tentacles on his arms or.
Not...wonders why he has three arms.
Eliza points to the figure on the snow.
Eliza: There. Over there.
Jerl: Yes.
Jerl is beginning to be very worried about Alea.
Alea: Ah... you know, if you came to the Center, you could donate.
Alea: They pay you for that.
Jerl: Err...
Jerl: I can't this month.
Alea nods, looking again, thinking maybe that's not a third arm....
Alea: Oh?
Tarsh comes running up in augmentation, carrying Eliza.
Jerl: My mother's away, so I have to pay the protection this time.
Alea: Pay the protection?
Tarsh slows down suddenly.
Alea confused, then gasps.
Alea: You have to pay Snake to protect you!
Alea: ~~ outrage ~~
Alea sees three eyes and cocks her head oddly.
Alea: You say you were born here?
Tarsh: Alea!
Jerl: Yeah.
Alea blinks and looks around and sees a Sime coming toward her.
Alea holds out her arms in offering.
Alea: Watch out kid, it's an attacking Sime!
Alea: ~~ offering ~~
Eliza quite enjoys the feel of Tarsh's arms around her....
Jerl looks up and sees Tarsh running towards them, carrying Eliza.
Jerl: Oh. It looks like your friend has brought help for you, ma'am.
Snow Hare stares at this metal man-thing in his burrow.
Alea: ~~ desire to give ~~
Tarsh puts Eliza down rather unceremoniously.
Alea tries to remember if she has enough selyn or not, thinks she's suppose.
To give transfer in less than a week....
Alea: Now, Tarsh, you KNOW you can't attack me!
Alea wonders why he was charging her.
Tarsh: What happened? Are you hurt?
Tarsh zlins Alea.
Alea drops her arms and crosses them disgruntled.
Jerl: She took some pills, sir. I don't think they agree with her.
Alea: Am I okay?
Alea peers up at Tarsh.
Alea: Oh, hi Tarsh.
Alea smiles.
Snow Hare quivers as he sniffs the air. should he bolt for his back door?
Alea: Why wouldn't I be okay?
Alea looks around and realizes they aren't at the Center.
Eliza struggles to be put down.
Tarsh: She said you were hurt... a broken leg.
Alea: Oh.
Tarsh zlins both legs.
Eliza tugs at the sodden purple cloak and shivers.
Eliza: ~~ worry - concern ~~
Alea [ left leg ankle hairline fracture ]
Eliza: Is she okay, Tarsh?
Alea: ~~ pain wooziness ~~
Alea: I was out for a walk...
Alea trying to cover the lie unsuccessfully.
Alea: And well, I saw someone I thought was hurt, you see...
Tarsh: No. A fracture in the ankle.
Alea: And... and?
Jerl rolls his eyes at such inept lying.
Tarsh: Tell me later. I have to get you back.
Alea forgets what she was saying.
Eliza: Walk? WALK? You were SKATING!
Alea: You want to go skating?
Eliza looks for the skates.
Alea glares down her nose at Eliza.
Alea: I would never go skating without a Sime by my side to catch me if I fell.
Tarsh carefully reaches to pick Alea up.
Eliza sees a shine of metal from under so snow.
Alea: ~~ PAIN ~~
Eliza picks up the skates and shakes them at Alea.
Eliza: Then what are these?
Snow Hare hears shouting and trembles.
Tarsh: Ahhh!
Alea pretends she doesn't see the skates.
Alea blunts her field.
Jerl decides that Tarsh is probably capable of keeping Alea from sleeping.
In the snow.
Alea: It hurts.
Snow Hare sees the man-thing move and dashes for the rear entrance to the.
Burrow.
Alea: Think we could just uh, heal it here and then perhaps no one would know?
Tarsh: I know. Can I carry you or do we require a stretcher?
Alea ~~ soothing comfort support ~~ [directed to Tarsh]
Alea: You can carry me. I'm fine.
Jerl skates off, checking for more victims of his little brother's talent.
For mayhem.
Tarsh zlins Alea's body temperature.
Alea tries to treat him like she would any Channel.
Tarsh relaxes [slightly].
Alea lower than normal from laying in the snow.
Eliza holds the skates close to her with her arms wrapped around them, not.
Realizing what this is doing to the cloak.
Tarsh reaches to put his arms under Alea's shoulders and arms.
Alea: Did you come to skate?
Snow Hare dashes out into the snow and dodges between the trees to throw.
Off pursuit.
Alea: I mean, we could if you wanted to.
Alea: Except that my ankle seems to be hurting some.
Alea reaches in her pocket and finds the bottle of pills and fumbles to get.
It open.
Eliza: Can I help, Tarsh?
Eliza realizes that Alea is probably in pain and affecting Tarsh so tries.
To be supporting.
Tarsh: Yes. Go ahead and find a channel.
Eliza wonders what Alea is babbling about, or indeed, why Alea is babbling.
Tarsh: Alea? What are you talking about. We're going back right now.
Alea: Oh.
Alea blinks at Tarsh.
Alea: Okay. Next time, then.
Alea gets the lid off of the bottle and pours a pill into her hand.
Eliza dashes off, dropping the skates, not realizing that the rough stops.
Of the skates has half torn the emblem from the cloak.
Tarsh gently picks Alea up.
Jon Drake heads out of his office on the way to get some fresh tea.
Alea slips the pill into her mouth.
Tarsh starts walking carefully back to the Center.
Alea: This will help the pain.
Alea frowns and tries to empty the pill bottle into her hand again.
Tarsh: Of course.
Alea spills the pills catching two...
Eliza dashes through the door of the center and looks for a channel.
Alea slips two more into her mouth.
Eliza dashes past Jon.
Lanyi shows the renSime who had a difficult transfer out.
Alea smiles up at Tarsh.
Eliza turns and dashes back.
Eliza: [to Jon] Err, do you know where I can find a channel?
Lanyi wonders what that noise was a while ago. She was too busy to investigate.
Alea: You know what, Tarsh?
Jon Drake looks back at the passing flash.
Alea: I have a wonderful plan for Sumulo, that low down lorsh.
Tarsh: What, Alea?
Alea: I'm gonna have him committed.
Alea shakes her head.
Alea: I worked up the papers and have them hidden on Veraik's desk so.
Perhaps he'll sign them.
Alea: He won't be picking on Donors or kittens anymore.
Alea grins.
Tarsh: Good idea, dear.
Eliza grabs Jon by the arm and shakes him.
Alea: I'm glad you think so.
Alea drops her head against Tarsh's shoulder, feeling suddenly dizzy.
Alea: I have plans for Veraik too.
Jon Drake: What's wrong?
Alea: Did you know the new Donor, Eliza is sleeping with Jorgre and double.
Crossing him with Snake?
Eliza: Alea needs a channel!
Alea blinks, thinking that didn't sound right and tries to remember.
Alea: No, I think she's sleeping with Mostan and double crossing him with.
Jon Drake.
Eliza: Where is someone!
Eliza looks around.
Tarsh worries. "Veraik?"
Eliza: Usually you can't move in this place without falling over one.
Alea: I had no idea she was that fast...
Alea: Yeah.
Alea: Veraik.
Alea: I'm gonna fix his wagon.
Alea: I changed the schedule so he'll have to have transfer with B'cal.
Lanyi comes out to the lobby for her next client.
Alea: Briel thought it was a wonderful idea.
Eliza drops Jon's arm and runs to Lanyi. "Lanyi! Alea is broken!"
Alea looks up at Tarsh.
Alea: Imagine that old battle ax with him.
Alea giggles.
Tarsh does not like this talk of Veraik in such close proximity to talk of.
Sleeping around.
Alea: Oh, Tarsh, Tarsh....you look worried.
Alea flares her field in soothing comfort.
Lanyi: Alea? What happened?
Lanyi: Where is she?
Eliza: She was SKATING and fell!
Alea: [sorta like a drunk would when gesturing unsteadily]
Eliza: Tarsh is bringing her in.
Eliza feels a sudden relief like a weight has been removed.
Jon Drake wonders what is going on, but seeks out Briel...
Alea pats Tarsh's chest with her left hand.
Briel is in coming down the hall toward the lobby.
Alea: It'll be okay. Whatever is worrying you...
Alea eyes widen.
Eliza doesn't even register the fact of Jon Drake's existence in her worry.
Over Alea.
Tarsh forgets his worries under Alea's nager.
Alea: It's not that [whispers loudly] Gen thing again, is it?
Alea's field goes absolutely flat.
Tarsh: No! Nothing like that!
Jon Drake finds Briel, hurries to her.
Alea knows better than to tempt Tarsh.
Alea: Oh.
Alea flares her field again, trying to offer comfort and support.
Jon Drake: Briel. Looks like we have some problem in the lobby. The new.
Donor Eliza says she needs a channel for Alea.
Briel frowns.
Briel: Please, support me, Jon.
Briel heads toward the lobby.
Briel: What happened this time?
Jon Drake: Right away.
Eliza starts to shiver under the wet and wrecked purple cloak.
Tarsh: I'm just.. worried about you.
Jon Drake: I thought it best to seek you out first.
Alea: Oh, well, you don't have to worry. I'm fine. Can I tell you a secret?
Alea smiles.
Lanyi: Eliza. How bad is Alea hurt? Bleeding? Broken bones?
Eliza takes off the cloak and hangs it back up on the hook she got it off.
Eliza: I think she has broken her leg.
Eliza: Didn't see any blood.
Alea: Veraik doesn't even bother me anymore since he came back from Liorie.
I think he's done with revenge.
Lanyi takes off the wet cloak from Eliza and tosses it over a chair.
Briel: Thank you, Jon.
Briel: I'm glad you told me.
Alea: I think he doesn't even like me anymore.
Alea frowns, then smiles brightly at Tarsh.
Eliza: Lanyi? Can I help?
Alea: Isn't that great!
Tarsh: ~~ pleased ~~ "Glad to hear it, Alea."
Alea: You know something else I heard?
Alea giggles.
Alea leans close.
Tarsh: What Alea?
Alea: He hasn't had a post partner in like three or four months.
Boy, is his transfer partner going to be in trouble! [thinking of B'cal and.
Laughing gleefully]
Tarsh: Veraik? and _B'Cal_?
Alea: Well, you KNOW how Veraik is after transfer. He can't keep his hands.
Off his partner.
Lanyi: Yes. Please stay with me and think calm thoughts. Be relaxed.
Briel: So, Jon, how have you been doing?
Tarsh's face goes hard. "Yes."
Briel: I haven't seen you in awhile.
Eliza: ~~ tense relaxation ~~
Alea: Hence, my revenge. He and B'cal for transfer...
Lanyi goes to the door to zlin for Tarsh and Alea.
Eliza grits her teeth in an effort to relax.
Briel enters the lobby, zlinning.
Jon Drake: I've been busy lately with some of my training. I've lost track.
Of the daily life.
Tarsh snorfles a laugh.
Alea: Actually, I'm not worried about him anymore since I don't have to.
Have transfer with him.
Alea: Thank heavens I'm not a second, I don't have to worry about that.
Lorsh Sumulo either.
Alea: I'm with Lupuno or something like that this month....
Alea mind is feeling fuzzy.
Briel: I've missed having you around. I hear you transfer went great with....
Briel sees Lanyi.
Tarsh: Yeah! Talk about your horrible fates!
Alea tries to look around to see where they are. But the trees are spinning.
Weirdly.
Jon Drake: Yes it did. I hope yours was well...
Alea: You think it's horrible that I got Lopanol instead of Sumulo?
Alea: ~~ hurt ~~
Lanyi: Briel! Eliza says Alea has been hurt.
Briel: So Jon told me.
Tarsh: No, it would be horrible if you got Sumulo.
Alea: Sumulo hates me. He threw me against a wall when he caught me in his.
Room...
Alea: Oh.
Tarsh: Who is Lopanol?
Alea: Well...I have revenge. Lopanol?
Alea scrunches her nose up.
Eliza thinks she has this relaxation business down pat.
~~tension/calm/tension/calm~~
Alea: Isn't that some pharmaceutical?
Tarsh turns the corner, bringing the center into sight.
Tarsh: _What?_
Alea blinks up at Tarsh.
Alea: I don't feel very good.
Lanyi: Eliza, just relax. It's all right. You're doing fine.
Eliza thinks that Alea looked dreadful: A real mess.
Eliza drips on the floor.
Lanyi: Here they come.
Alea: I'm going to have Lanyi for a transfer partner, did you know that?
Or was it Jon?
Alea: No, I'm certain it started with an "L".
Eliza: ~~RELAXATION!!!!!!!!!!~~
Eliza: ~~flicker of excitement~~
Tarsh pauses before walking carefully up the steps.
Kadi hears noises from the lobby and decides to investigate.
Alea: Lopanal. Yes, that's it. He's my partner.
Alea nods, then blinks at the dizziness.
Briel nods to Lanyi.
Briel: Please, go ahead and handle this.
Lanyi realizes she'll have to work with Eliza to smooth out her smoothing out.
Briel moves back closer to Jon Drake.
Lanyi: Hello Alea, Tarsh. Treatment room 2G, please.
Alea smiles.
Alea: Hello Lanyi.
Alea sees Eliza, then Briel and Jon Drake, then frowns.
Eliza: ~~relaxes~~
Alea: Eliza... Have you told Jon Drake your two timing him yet? [loud whisper]
Tarsh heads to the room.
Lanyi: Very good, Eliza.
Alea: Jon Drake, she doesn't really mean it! I'm sure she's head over heels for you...
Eliza: ~~shock~~
Alea blinks.
Eliza: What are you talking about?
Kadi sees the number of feet trampling through the lobby and pauses.
Alea looks up at Tarsh.
Alea: You don't think she means it do you?
Kadi: Mrroww?
Jon Drake is confused, but is working to support Briel.
Lanyi: You were doing well until that shock just now. Try to avoid abrupt.
Emotions.
Briel glances sideways at Jon Drake.
Briel: ~~ curious ~~
Lanyi follows Tarsh and Alea.
Jon Drake shrugs with a "Don't ask me" expression.
Briel motions to Jon Drake for them to follow.
Eliza: ~~relaxed~~ ~~confused~~
Tarsh carefully puts Alea down on the bed.
Eliza looks at Alea. "Are you okay, Alea?"
Alea frowns and reaches out for a tentacle.
Alea: You're not leaving me, are you Tarsh?
Alea: I was just warming up.
Alea smiles.
Lanyi goes over to zlin Alea.
Kadi hears Alea's voice, but it doesn't sound right.
Tarsh: No, Alea, of course not. I'll stay right here while Lanyi helps you.
Eliza puts everything out of her mind until this is over and stays close to.
Lanyi.
Alea lays back on the bed...closing her eyes.
Alea: Why is the room spinning?
Briel slips in to watch Lanyi work.
Tarsh: Lanyi, she took something for pain. Maybe Lopanol.
Eliza ~~supports~~ Lanyi.
Lanyi thinks it is spinning because Alea is making it.
Alea: Oh, is Lopanol here? But I'm not suppose to take transfer with him yet.
Lanyi: Very good, Eliza.
Eliza decides that the fall has knocked any slight amount of sense Alea had.
To kingdom come and concentrates on Lanyi's back.
Alea: I wish you were a channel, Tarsh. Then I could give YOU transfer.
Alea closes her eyes again.
Tarsh: ~~ desire ~~
Lanyi looks up sharply at Tarsh.
Eliza feels a tickle.
Eliza: ~~support~~
Lanyi moves to zlin Alea from a position that happens to be in between her.
And Tarsh. "Excuse me."
Briel zlins Tarsh closely, thinking she was right.
Tarsh: Where is that pill bottle you were taking, Alea?
Kadi decides that discretion is the greater part of valor, and that there.
Is no sense wasting a life even if you have nine, and goes off to hunt.
Mice.
Alea: You want some too? I'm sorry if I gave you a headache [digging in her.
Pockets].
Alea pulls out the bottle and upends it. "It's um, empty...".
Tarsh: That's all right.
.
Alea stares at Lanyi and holds the bottle out to Tarsh.
Alea: You're in the way.
Lanyi takes the bottle from Alea. "Thank you.".
Alea sniffs and lays back down.
Lanyi looks at the label.
Alea's eyes drift closed.
Eliza leans a bit more heavy on the ~~support~~.
Eliza is getting tired.
Lanyi: Please, Alea. How many of these did you take?
Alea: Well I took let's see, one, then well, it wasn't working so I took.
Two more. Then Tarsh came and got me.
Alea reaches for the edge of the bed with both hands carefully anchoring.
Herself so she won't spin off.
Lanyi thinks that 3 is a lot, but tolerable.
Alea: I was still feeling pain... but I'm not now.
Alea is only feeling dizzy.
Lanyi: No, you aren't. Where did you hurt when you did?
Alea: It helped when I took those others... That made a difference.
Alea: My ankle hurt. I couldn't walk.
Alea: Bet I could now. [mutters]
Eliza starts to drift and has to pull her concentration back.
Tarsh leans over to whisper to Lanyi. "She took some more while I was.
Carrying her!"
Lanyi: Not right now Alea. Walk later.
Alea: Wanna see me walk? Oh.
Alea nods, allowing herself to drift off in the sensations of floating...
Jerl reluctantly skates to the side of the pond, removes his skates, and.
Heads home to his mother's third-floor, two-room slum apartment.
Lanyi thinks that 5 or 6 is a dangerous dose...
Lanyi: Alea. Look at me Alea. You have to stay awake.
Jerl doesn't want to make Snake angry by not being around when she comes by.
To collect her protection payment.
Briel: ~~ concern ~~
Eliza wonders if anyone else is wet and cold and would like a cup of trin.
Tea, but says nothing and tries to concentrate.
Alea thinks not fighting is much easier, you just float with the swirls,
And frowns at Lanyi's interruption.
Alea cracks an eye open.
Lanyi looks over at the door. "Briel. Could you or Jon get some velamide?"
Briel goes over and mixes up the dose, smiling slightly and then brings it.
To Lanyi.
Lanyi: Tarsh. Talk to her. Keep her awake.
Briel: Here you go.
Lanyi: Thank you.
Alea closes her eyes again.
Alea sighs.
Tarsh looks concerned. "Alea? Wake up, dear."
Alea blinks, opens her eyes and smiles. "Hi, Tarsh."
Lanyi lifts Alea's head. "Alea? Drink this for me, please?"
Alea sniffs it.
Alea: Oh, ugh.
Alea: What is that? It smells familiar.
Alea allows Lanyi to feed it to her.
Wise Snake approaches the stairs to Nick and Linn's apartment, then veers.
Away and goes around the block. Again.
Alea: I [gulp] only [gulp] hurtmyfoot [gulp].
Lanyi: Eliza? Could you hand me the small curved pan over there?
Nick looks out the window and thinks he sees a familiar black cape go by.
Eliza: This one?
Nick runs to the door and opens it.
Nick: Snake?
Alea reaches out and takes Tarsh's hand, playing with his tentacles.
Alea: I had these once.
Alea: Just through breakout.
Eliza hands the pan to Lanyi.
Lanyi: Yes, thank you.
Alea: It was sooo awesome, what you feel, and see....zlin...it's made me so.
Much more aware and made me much more careful with my field around you....
Alea frowns.
Lanyi holds the pan in front of Alea's mouth.
Linn automatically puts the teakettle on at the name, then does a double take.
Alea: Oh... Oh, dear...I don't feel so...
Alea throws herself to the other side of the bed and throws up on the floor.
Alea: ~~ nausea ~~
Alea: Oooooooh.....
Tarsh: ~~nausea ~~
Tarsh clutches his stomach.
Alea ~~ pain ~~ from jerking foot.
Lanyi: Good, Alea. Go ahead...
Alea: Oooh, I'm dyyyyying.....
Eliza feels like joining them but concentrates on supporting Lanyi.
Wise Snake turns slowly.
Alea wretches again.
Wise Snake sighs and walks back to the apartment.
Wise Snake: Hello, Nick.
Nick smiles.
Alea: I don't wanna die Tarsh....ooooooh....ugh....
Eliza: ~~support~~
Nick: Hello, Snake. Come in out of the cold.
Tarsh puts and hand over his mouth and moves back.
Wise Snake climbs the stairs.
Tarsh: ~~ alarm ~~
Alea: Oh just let me die!!!
Lanyi: You're not going to die, Alea.
Alea holds her cramping stomach continuing to throw up.
Nick holds the door for Snake.
Lanyi: Sorry, not today.
Briel grabs Jon's arm, going hypo.
Alea: Oooh.
Eliza: ~~supports~~ Lanyi.
Alea falls back against the bed, pale and sweating, and definitely awake.
Lanyi looks a bit queasy.
Alea's stomach is empty but still twisting.
Lanyi reaches back to squeeze Eliza's arm.
Lanyi: Good, Alea. Thank you.
Alea reaches out for Tarsh.
Wise Snake steps inside, gingerly, zlinning the interior.
Eliza tries to holds Lanyi steady.
Lanyi projects in healing mode.
Nick: There's a fire going in the living room.
Tarsh comes forward green-faced to take Alea's hand.
Alea: Velamide...[now knows what that smell was]. Too many pills?
Linn pokes her head out of the kitchen.
Alea looks up at Tarsh.
Linn: Snake!
Alea: You look awful, sweetheart.
Wise Snake: Hello, Linn.
Lanyi: Yes. Painkillers.
Tarsh nods.
Alea nods trying to remember.
Linn: I've just put the kettle on for tea.
Wise Snake removes her cloak.
Lanyi: Drink some water now, Alea.
Alea: The pain wasn't stopping and I though, um, if I could get the pain.
Stopped then Ver-- uh, I wouldn't be zlinned coming in.
Eliza doesn't think that Alea looks too good either.
Lanyi hands her a metal cup.
Alea: I've thrown up enough Lanyi.
Alea eyes the cup warily.
Lanyi: Yes, you have. Drink up.
Lanyi: Just water, I promise.
Linn hurries back to the kitchen to prepare a tea tray.
Alea: Tarsh, you can leave, or at least step behind Lanyi if you want....
Alea doesn't want him throwing up all over her if she gets sick again.
Eliza wonders how much longer before she can get some dry clothing.
Alea is a bit damp too.
Alea takes the cup and reluctantly downs the water.
Nick looks after Linn with amusement, then takes Snake's cloak and hangs it.
In the closet.
Tarsh waffles and then steps behind Eliza.
Tarsh: Thank you, Alea.
Lanyi takes the cup and fills it up again.
Wise Snake is obviously uneasy.
Eliza wonders what to do next and turns and looks at Lanyi.
Wise Snake: Nick, I have to talk to you.
Nick lets his nager offer a soothing, non-urgent support.
Nick: Of course.
Nick leads the way to the living room.
Alea of course, throws up again.
Alea throws up before finally falling back against the bed sweating, tears.
Running down her face.
Wise Snake enters the living room.
Alea: That hurts my ankle every time I heave.
Linn reaches three mugs down from the cupboard.
Alea: Please, not again.
Alea: ~~ still dizzy and floaty feeling but not as bad ~~
Eliza: ~~support~~
Alea exhaustion and pain mixed with the dizziness.
Lanyi projects a healing field and tries to damp Alea's nausea.
Nick leaves the couch to Snake and sits in the nearby chair.
Wise Snake drops down to the couch.
Briel is gripping Jon Drake, half behind him now.
Linn retrieves the teapot from another cupboard.
Alea relaxes under Lanyi's healing field.
Lanyi is glad Alea is low-field (for her).
Nick looks at Snake attentively.
Alea: I'm never going skating again. At least not where there are other.
People to startle me.
Nick: So, what can I do for you?
Eliza is tired. ~~errr yeah support kinda~~
Wise Snake looks tired, harassed, ungroomed, and on the edge of entran.
Wise Snake: I want to talk to you about working with me again. Days, ten.
Hour shifts. Starting immediately.
Linn measures tea into the pot.
Nick nods, letting a carefully undisturbing degree of happiness show.
Nick: Of course.
Nick: I would be glad to.
Linn reaches for the whistling teakettle and pours water into the pot.
Alea: I promise to keep a Sime by my side at all times, and never ever to.
Do anything that might risk me or the child--or Zeor.[muttering in utter.
Misery].
Tarsh: I'm holding you to that darling.
Eliza looks at the mess on the floor and guesses that she is going to be.
The one to clean it up.
Wise Snake: I... I won't ask you to move in with me until things are more.
Stable with the building. Unless you want to.
Eliza moves over to the sink and starts looking for a mop or something.
Nick considers.
Lanyi: Thank you Alea.
Eliza slams a cupboard door.
Alea groans.
Lanyi: Now, I'd like to make a full contact to zlin you carefully.
Tarsh starts.
Alea winces.
Alea: Of course.
Eliza: Oops! Sorry. [whispers]
Eliza: ~~support~~ oh dang ~~support~~
Lanyi: Eliza. Leave that. Someone else will take care of it.
Alea holds out her arms weakly feeling like a dirty wet mop.
Nick: You should have a Donor with you when you sleep.
Eliza is amazed. Someone else will?
Eliza: Err, okay.
Lanyi reaches for Alea's arms and makes lateral contact.
Nick: Particularly when you're past turnover.
Lanyi leans over to make lip contact.
Eliza sees what is happening and moves back.
Eliza concentrates hard on supporting Lanyi.
Tarsh stifles a flare of jealousy.
Briel moves forward to block Eliza's sudden move.
Wise Snake frowns.
Lanyi zlins carefully.
Wise Snake: That would be nice, but as I said, until the building is.
Formally handed over, where you stay is up to you.
Lanyi break lip contact and removes her tentacles.
Alea focuses fuzzily on Lanyi.
Wise Snake: Conditions are less primitive there than they were when you.
Visited last, but is isn't as comfortable as this.
Eliza was a bit nervous about moving away before Lanyi said to.
Lanyi: Alea. First, the baby is all right.
Tarsh: ~~ relief ~~
Alea: ~~ relief ~~
Eliza breaths a sigh of relief.
Big Hairy steps lightly along the ceiling, casting a peculiar shadow.
Eliza didn't know all this supporting would be so exhausting.
Briel: That's certainly luck. With the way she's been acting... [mutters.
To Jon]
Eliza looks at Tarsh.
Lanyi: You have hairline fracture of your ankle.
Alea: Oh, no.
Alea: ~~ upset, worried ~~
Tarsh is gazing at Alea in adorement.
Eliza thinks, "I knew it. I just knew it. She needs a straight jacket."
Nick: Is there enough heat for a Gen to sleep safely?
Lanyi: I'll try to start the healing now.
Lanyi debates whether to put on a cast or just a brace.
Alea: Thank you, Lanyi.
Wise Snake: Yes. There is a fireplace and I bought wood.
Alea sees an odd shadow and thinks she's imagining monsters....or something...
Alea blinks.
Eliza: ~~support?~~
Nick has seen far too much death and frostbite this winter among the bums.
Squatting in abandoned buildings.
Lanyi: And I'll put a cast on it to keep it immobile. It will have to stay.
On a few weeks.
Nick: I'll manage, then.
Alea: WEEKS?
Alea incredulous.
Big Hairy leaps down and lands lightly on Eliza's shoulder.
Lanyi thinks, "and keep you out of trouble, I hope."
Alea: But? But?
Lanyi: Six weeks. Maybe 5 _if_ you take care of it.
Alea grumbles.
Nick: I can take a bedroll down tonight, though it'll take a week or two to.
Get moved properly.
Alea: Okay, just give me some crutches. I still have a schedule to keep as.
A Donor.
Eliza suddenly realizes she has a spider on her.
Wise Snake: There's a bed.
Wise Snake: It's kind of small, but it has a lot of blankets.
Eliza: GET IT OFF!
Eliza: ~~PANIC~~
Tarsh has mixed feeling about Alea having to hobble around like that.
Linn brings the tea in.
Alea jumps, startled. ~~ pain ~~
Eliza jumps around.
Tarsh jumps. ~~ startle ~~
Briel gasps, clamps hold of Jon Drake.
Big Hairy, alarmed by the lurching surface it is on, slips between skin.
And cloth in an attempt to hide.
Lanyi jerks and turns to zlin.
Eliza slaps at self and starts to pull clothes off.
Briel pulls at Jon, jerking him in between her and the crazy Gen.
Nick deduces what size of bed Snake would consider "small", and makes a.
Mental note to have a proper bed installed posthaste.
Tarsh backs away into a corner.
Alea: Don't PANIC!!!!
Eliza sobs and ~~panics~~.
Alea: DON'T PANIC!!!!!!
Alea lurches up toward Tarsh...
Linn hands tea to Nick and Snake.
Lanyi zlins Big Hairy.
Big Hairy finds a safe place tucked between two body parts and hides there.
Eliza finds the spider and squishes it under her foot.
Alea: Ouch ouch ouch...
Alea trying to climb out of the bed.
Big Hairy bites Eliza as she grabs it.
Tarsh: Alea! Stay there!
Eliza sobs.
Big Hairy dies, leaving about 4 oz. of guts all over the floor as well as.
Several hairy severed legs.
Alea ~~ soothing ~~ [to the room in general]
Alea isn't sure where to direct her field...
Eliza realizes what happened and looks up in horror.
Lanyi takes Eliza's hand and zlins it.
Eliza: ~~ shame ~~
Alea sees Tarsh isn't attacking and that Lanyi is working on Eliza and.
Directs her attention to Lanyi.
Eliza feels giddy with shame and flushed.
Alea: ~~ soothing, dizzy, pain, support ~~
Tarsh breathes hard. What _is_ it with these Gens?
Nick: How did your hearing on the Ferry Building go?
Eliza: Oh, Lanyi, I'm so sorry...
Alea motions Tarsh gently to come over to her.
Eliza registers pain in her hand and winces.
Wise Snake: Ah, that went reasonably well.
Lanyi wraps tentacles around a finger and squeezes it hard.
Nick: The conservation enthusiasts didn't cause too much trouble?
Tarsh slowly comes over to the bed.
Eliza winces and tries to pull away. "Don't!"
Lanyi: I need to get the poison out of the bite.
Wise Snake: I was able to demonstrate that I had the money and that I had a.
Coherent development plan.
Wise Snake: Oh... those. [grimaces]
Eliza looks at Lanyi in horror. "Poison?"
Alea realizes her field is probably only making Lanyi sick instead of.
Support since her head is still spinning, so she forces her field flat.
Wise Snake: Well no, but only because I crash-coursed on conservation.
Techniques and architectural history for the two weeks before the meeting.
Lanyi: Just making sure.
Alea: You okay? [to Tarsh]
Nick: No wonder you're having trouble with entran.
Lanyi puts her mouth on the red swelling and sucks.
Wise Snake: Oh, that...
Tarsh looks pale. "Yeah, mostly."
Wise Snake: That may be part of it.
Alea: Maybe you better sit down.
Eliza watches, fascinated, ignoring the little bit of pain.
Briel comes over, zlinning Tarsh.
Lanyi takes her mouth away and spits on the floor.
Wise Snake: Anyway, it isn't going to be long before I can't solve problems.
That way any more. I'm in my 12th month.
Lanyi releases the finger.
Linn looks at Snake sympathetically.
Eliza: Thank you, Lanyi. [Eliza looks at the channel in adoration]
Tarsh sits down on the floor by the bed.
Eliza: I'm so very, very sorry.
Lanyi zlins the hand again.
Eliza: I hope I didn't do too much damage...
Nick reflects that when he met Snake, she doubted she would live this long.
Alea: Oh, ugh, not there!
Alea threw up on that side of the bed.
Eliza realizes that she took a large amount of clothing off before and.
Reaches to get them.
Alea feels dizzy looking down at Tarsh and flops back on the bed, allowing.
Her eyes to close and herself to drift.
Linn: If you require work, Snake...
Linn is still high-field several days after her usual donation date.
Briel: Tarsh. Perhaps you should go for a nice soothing cup of tea. Get out.
Of here and.. away.. for awhile.
Lanyi lets Eliza attend to her clothes and goes over to the cabinet.
Tarsh: Huh?
Briel [sigh]
Wise Snake looks at Linn.
Wise Snake: Why didn't you go to the Sime Center?
Briel: Get away from the Gen fields here. [bluntly]
Eliza is devastated. She must have caused a lot of havoc for Lanyi not to.
Answer her...
Tarsh: Oh.
Eliza: ~~shame~~
Tarsh gets up and then turns to touch his pants.
Briel: You might want to change too.
Tarsh: ~~ disgust ~~
Tarsh: Yeah.
Tarsh: Alea. I'll be back soon.
Linn frowns.
Briel debates on telling him to stay away for the duration but decides to.
Hold her tongue.
Linn: I did.
Tarsh walks toward the door carefully.
Eliza stands with her head down and her outer clothing in a bundle. "Well,
If I can go, I'll go get changed now..."
Alea opens an eye and looks at Tarsh. "Oh. Of course."
Eliza sniffles back a sob.
Linn: The channel on duty was a mannerless young brat, as bad as the worst.
Of the students I ever taught.
Lanyi: Just a moment, Eliza.
Lanyi comes back with a thick white paste.
Alea hears a noise and opens her eyes and sees Eliza sniffling.
Eliza stops, head down and waits.
Lanyi slathers it on the finger and wraps a bandage around it.
Linn: I told him I wouldn't donate to him, and he said it was him or no.
One. So I left.
Alea: Eliza, sweetie. [English] What is it?
Lanyi: Okay. Go get changed and warm up.
Lanyi: Oh, and Eliza?
Eliza: Alea, I'm sorry.
Eliza: Yes, Lanyi?
Alea smiles gently.
Alea: No reason to be sorry. Why, you probably.. [thinks]... saved my life.
Today. You should be proud.
Eliza looks at Lanyi.
Eliza is stunned.
Lanyi: You did very well for someone with so little training. Thank you.
Eliza's jaw drops.
Alea nods agreeing with Lanyi.
Eliza: But I was, that is, it was.
Tarsh goes up to his room.
Wise Snake is surprised.
Wise Snake: Oh.
Eliza realizes that these people don't blame her, aren't going to kick her.
Out....
Wise Snake: I'm surprised you weren't allowed to request a different channel.
Eliza: Thank you! ~ thank you ~
Linn finishes her tea.
Eliza: ~~gratitude~~
Eliza runs out towards the stairs.
Alea watches her run, the groans.
Linn: There didn't seem to be anyone else around.
Briel looks at Jon.
Linn: I really should be lowfield before I start work next week, though.
Lanyi turns back to Alea. "Where was I? Oh yes."
Lanyi goes over to the ankle.
Jon Drake: Yes?
Wise Snake winces and avoids thoughts of that subject.
Lanyi spreads her tentacles carefully.
Wise Snake: Well. I will take down your field if that is what you want.
Lanyi: ~~ Need ~~
Eliza finds her room first time and runs in. She is stunned by what.
Happened. She slips on a clean uniform, proud to be wearing it.
Briel: Go make sure she's okay.
Briel: You speak fluent English. Help her understand...
Linn moves to the couch beside Snake, rolls up her sleeves, and holds out.
Her arms.
Eliza is floating on a cloud of happiness.
Alea's field responds to Lanyi's.
Nick steps sideways to balance the fields and increases his support to a working level.
Wise Snake: How do you want it done?
Eliza floats down the stairs towards the cafe.
Eliza floats into the cafe with a stupidly happy expression on her face.
Eliza: ~~radiant joy, peace and love~~
Jon Drake: OK, I'll see what I can do.
Briel: Hurry back.
Briel nods.
Linn: If you can go easy on that weird draining feeling, I'd be grateful.
Eliza gets a cup of tea and floats to a table.
Eliza sits and gazes off into space ignoring tea.
Wise Snake takes Linn in a full transfer position.
Wise Snake takes down Linn's field.
Linn offers less resistance than usual.
Linn thinks that she's almost getting used to this.
Wise Snake releases Linn without comment.
Wise Snake counts out the correct payment amount and hands it to Linn.
Wise Snake: This is the last time. I don't buy selyn. Go to the Center.
Linn takes the money.
Linn: Thank you.
Alea: Thank you, Lanyi for your assistance in this matter.
Alea thinks Lanyi has taken long enough on her and is ready to go.
Jon Drake heads off in search of Eliza.
Lanyi: Just my job. What are channels for, after all.
Eliza takes an absent minded sip of her tea.
Eliza looks blissful.
Nick finishes his tea and looks at Snake to see if she is ready to start work.
Lanyi removes her tentacles. "Just wait here while I get the plaster. Did.
You want some water or tea?"
Briel decides she to leave.
Briel nods to Lanyi and strides out the door.
Eliza: ~~radiant joy, peace and love~~
Wise Snake is wearing a stormy expression and looking at the fire.
Alea remembers the water earlier and hastily shakes her head.
Alea: I'm fine.
Alea: Really.
Alea: Not at all thirsty.
Parnul comes into the cafe, puffing from the cold.
Linn: What's wrong, Snake?
Jon Drake makes his way to the Center cafeteria.
Eliza smiles lovingly at her cup.
Eliza adores the Center.
Eliza will never leave.
Wise Snake: I just expected more of you, is all. It's my own fault. I was wrong.
Linn: ~~ confusion ~~
Parnul notices that wonderfully optimistic nager and zlins.
Eliza gets up and floats over to get another cup of tea.
Eliza: ~~ wonderful happiness ~~
Parnul turns to zlin as she passes.
Eliza doesn't see Parnul. She is blind to everything.
Eliza: _sigh_ [smile]
Eliza floats back.
Eliza: ~~utter contentment~~
Eliza wonders if she should take a cup of tea to Alea.
Eliza decides Alea is in the best hands and smiles at the table.
Wise Snake sighs.
Wise Snake: Never mind. It's not your problem anymore.
Wise Snake attempts to moderate her tone from anger to mildness.
Wise Snake belatedly corrects her expression also.
Wise Snake looks away.
Wise Snake: Nick, are you ready?
Nick puts down his tea glass.
Parnul gets an apple to go with his tea and goes over to Eliza's table.
Nick: Yes.
Eliza looks up and smiles blissfully.
Jon Drake finally finds Eliza and walks toward her table.
Eliza sees who it is and her happiness changes to embarrassment.
Lanyi comes back with a pan of water, cloths and plaster.
Eliza: Oh, hello, err, Mr. Parnul, wasn't it?
Wise Snake stands and leaves the living room.
Parnul: Good afternoon. Eliza, wasn't it?
Parnul: Yes. Parnul Redan.
Eliza: Oh, please sit down.
Parnul: Thank you.
Parnul sits down.
Nick follows, pausing in the hall long enough to retrieve his coat and.
Snake's cape.
Eliza cringes to think of the way that Parnul last saw her: Drunk and unruly.
Eliza: I'm terribly sorry about yesterday. I hope that I didn't hurt you?
Nick: Where are we working today?
Eliza sees Jon.
Parnul: No, nothing serious. Are you all right?
Eliza wonders if he were looking for her.
Eliza: ~~ joy ~~
Eliza: Oh, yes! Thank you!
Jon Drake pauses when he sees that she is already talking to someone.
Eliza: [big smile]
Eliza hopes Jon will join them.
Eliza: I just, ummm, helped out and it was a good feeling.
Eliza: You know: Like being part of a team and all. [smiles]
Jon Drake makes eye contact and smiles in greeting, but begins to turn to go.
Eliza: Oh, Jon! Please come and join us!
Parnul: Jon! Hello.
Eliza smiles as it seems that Parnul knows Jon.
Jon Drake approaches.
Jon Drake: Hi, Parnul. How are you doing?
Eliza: Hey, Jon. Won't you join us?
Eliza: ~~ contentment and happiness ~~
Jon Drake: Okay.
Wise Snake leaves the house and trudges down the steps with Nick.
Jon Drake sits down.
Parnul: Very Well, thank you. Lowren is out following up contacts out-T.
Eliza beams at everyone, so happy...
Eliza beams at Parnul.
Eliza beams at Jon.
Jorgre goes in to the cafeteria to get a cup of tea.
Parnul catches some of the infectious happiness.
Eliza looks a bit stupid beaming at everyone.
Eliza: ~~ wonderful happiness ~~
Eliza: ~~ radiant joy, peace and love ~~
Jorgre sees Jon and starts to go over... sees Eliza, and makes a quick.
Turn, leaving.
Wise Snake: I've been meaning to hit all the places right near the Ferry.
Building that I don't have contracts with. There are quite a few, actually.
Eliza sees Jorgre and beams at him too.
Wise Snake: I did some of them last week but all that negotiating stuff.
Takes time.
Eliza: Oh, Jorgre!!!
Parnul realizes that he shouldn't be worrying about Lowren so much. He can.
Take care of himself.
Eliza: Please come and join us?!
Nick: True.
Wise Snake doesn't mention that it's hard to do a lot of it with no Donor.
There to deal with the entran problem.
Jorgre steps up his pace.... stops.
Jorgre thinks, "Shen."
Jorgre turns and smiling goes back over to the table, beginning to sweat.
Eliza puts her hand out to Jorgre. "Do you know Jon, Parnul?"
Jorgre: Hello Jon, Parnul.
Eliza: ~~ contentment and happiness ~~
Jorgre nods.
Jon Drake: Hello.
Nick sees that Snake is brooding again and carefully increases his support.
Just a bit.
Eliza: Please, have a seat and join us.
Parnul: Oh, yes. I met Jon my first day in Bender Cove.
Parnul: I owe him a great deal.
Jorgre avoids her hand by taking the chair and pulling it out.
Eliza: Do you know Jorgre, Parnul?
Jorgre seats himself, setting the mug on the table.
Jon Drake smiles.
Jon Drake: Well, Parnul, I'm glad I was there.
Parnul: No, I haven't had the pleasure.
Eliza: ~~ joy ~~
Wise Snake seems to become a little more alert.
Wise Snake: Look, ah, Nick, I didn't really want to say this around other.
People, but...
Eliza: Oh, I only met Jorgre yesterday. He helped my head after that.
Unfortunate incident.
Eliza hopes that Parnul doesn't hold that against her!
Eliza sees that Jon and Jorgre know each other.
Jorgre makes a gesture with his tentacles to Parnul.
Jorgre: Nice meeting you.
Eliza: ~~ joy and love ~~
Parnul's tentacles gesture back.
Eliza: I must say it is nice seeing you here, Parnul. [smiles]
Parnul: Honored.
Nick raises a questioning eyebrow.
Wise Snake catches Nick's wrist suddenly, grips it just a little too hard.
For comfort.
Wise Snake: Nick, I was going crazy without you.
Eliza: Jorgre, I didn't have time to really thank you properly yesterday.
~~ gratitude and love ~~
Wise Snake: I can't even tell you how bad it's been... I don't even.
Remember all of it.
Nick ignores the discomfort.
Nick: I remember all too well.
Wise Snake: ~~ frustration and a hint of desperation ~~
Wise Snake: I want to be able to pick and choose who I am with but it just.
Isn't possible.
Wise Snake: There's you and you're the best hope.
Jorgre feels some of his unease leaving.
Jorgre: ~~ uneasy ~~
Jorgre: It's something any channel would do. Think nothing of it.
Eliza smiles lovingly at Jorgre.
Wise Snake: Things are going to change suddenly in a little while.
Wise Snake: Right now, I have... flexibility... that I won't have in the future.
Wise Snake: If I need someone this badly now, what is it going to be like then?
Lanyi finishes the ankle cast. "Okay, Alea. You just rest while that sets,
And I'll get you some crutches."
Wise Snake shudders.
Alea smiles sleepily at Lanyi.
Alea: Of course. Thank you.
Nick puts a reassuring arm around Snake, surrounding her with Genness.
Lanyi goes out.
Eliza is happy to be at the Center and thinks it is the nicest place in the.
World.
Nick: Snake, all Simes need Gens--and all people need someone they can.
Trust and depend on. Channels just need it a little more urgently.
Jorgre: So, Parnul, what business are you in?
Nick: But you don't have to worry about needing me. I'll be there, because.
I need you, too.
Jorgre lifts his mug and takes a drink of the hot liquid.
Nick: Not to exist, but to live.
Wise Snake laughs desperately, thinking "urgently" about covers it.
Eliza thinks that Jorgre and Parnul and Jon are the nicest people in the.
World, next to Alea and Tarsh and Lanyi, of course.
Wise Snake removes her viselike grip from Nick's wrist and reattaches it to.
His upper arm.
Wise Snake: I want to train Rapol at nights. While B'cal is still here.
Parnul: Import-Export.
Parnul: Luxuries, gourmet foods, that sort of thing.
Eliza beams happily at Parnul.
Eliza: ~~ joy and happiness ~~
Nick: What sort of potential does he have?
Eliza beams at Jorgre.
Eliza beams at Jon.
Jorgre: Really.
Jorgre: Perhaps, when you have a moment, you could come to my office. There.
Is a certain food I've been looking for.
Eliza would love to go to Jorgre's office.
Nick feels curious but not threatened.
Parnul: I'd be glad to.
Jorgre ~~ nervous ~~ glances at Eliza, then stands.
Wise Snake: With training, he should be able to handle the daily support.
Duties just fine.
Eliza would be glad to too.
Parnul gets up.
Wise Snake: He's obviously received training of some sort, although not.
From the Tecton.
Eliza jumps up. "Can I come, too?"
Parnul: [to Eliza] "Charmed to see you again."
Eliza: ~~ excited happiness ~~
Eliza looks at Jon, who appears to have fallen into his tea.
Wise Snake: And it's clear he's worked with Firsts, although none as.
Sensitive as I.
Nick frowns, considering.
Alea drifts off to sleep waiting for Lanyi to return.
Jorgre: Uh, okay.
Jorgre: You have the time right now?
Jorgre: ~~ relief ~~
Jorgre: Yeah, uh. It's been nice. I'll see you later, Jon. Hope you enjoy.
Those books.
Jorgre grabs his mug and goes toward the door.
Parnul: Yes.
Eliza: Errr...
Parnul follows Jorgre.
Nick: Will he be able to develop the kind of precision you require, if he.
Lacks that sensitivity?
Eliza doesn't know what to do. It's obvious that Jorgre is upset about.
Something...
Wise Snake: I don't think he lacks it, I think it hasn't been refined in him.
Wise Snake: Training should bring it out.
Eliza sits again, stunned.
Eliza: What did I do now?
Wise Snake: I believe he does have the potential to match me one day.
Nick nods, hoping that the presence of another potential match who is.
"hers" will help calm Snake's fears about dependence on one Donor.
Nick is already looking forward to the improvement in Snake's condition.
That having Donors on both shifts will engender.
Nick: He sounds like a good find, then.
Jon Drake: OK. I'll see you later, Jorgre, Parnul.
Wise Snake: I think with you and I working together during the day, and.
B'cal and Rapol and I at night, for three or four weeks, then the.
Transition when B'cal leaves might actually go fairly well.
Jon Drake: What do you mean, what did you do?
Eliza looks at Jon. "Do you have any idea if I did anything wrong?"
Eliza: Jorgre seems to be a bit umm upset with me.
Wise Snake can't imagine B'cal being gone and deliberately turns her.
Thoughts away from that.
Wise Snake: Well.
Nick: If he's trained, even in another tradition, and is willing to learn,
That's a good possibility.
Jon Drake: Hmmm.
Eliza smiles at Jon Drake.
Jon Drake: I wouldn't think anything of it.
Jon Drake: So, how are you adapting to life on this side of the border?
Wise Snake: I think the.. the kinds of difficulties that came up before can.
Be minimized by having certain established rules.
Eliza: Oh, it's wonderful!
Wise Snake: You will have your half of the day, and he and B'cal theirs.
Eliza: I didn't think I was going to like it here before but, err...
Eliza: Now it's fine. [smile]
Wise Snake: And if you and he are in the same place at the same time, then.
The one whose turn it is will assume responsibility unless I ask otherwise.
Nick nods.
Nick: That's reasonable.
Wise Snake: As for B'cal, you won't have to see her again.
Wise Snake: I'll make sure she doesn't come anywhere near you.
Eliza wonders how Alea's leg is and if Alea is missing her...
Nick nods, relieved.
Eliza looks at Jon properly for the first time.
Eliza blushes.
Eliza: How long have you been here Jon?
Nick feels a touch of sympathy for Ropal, and hopes that B'cal doesn't.
Drive him off.
Wise Snake is annoyed by Nick's continued belief that the problem is.
Entirely B'cal's, but carefully keeps it from her face.
Jon Drake: Well, I've been on this side of the border for a few years, but.
I've been here at the Center for a few months.
Eliza: Do you like it?
Eliza: You are a Donor?
Jon Drake: A bit over six months, actually.
Jon Drake: Yes, I'm a Donor. I find it quite interesting at times.
Wise Snake changes the subject before the annoyance turns her completely.
Irrational.
Jon Drake: It's good to help people.
Wise Snake: Alea approached me about taking on a certain channel currently.
Employed by the Sime Center.
Nick: Oh?
Eliza: [big smile] I'm going to be a Donor. [stupid dreamy expression] Just.
Like Alea.
Wise Snake: Evidently, this fellow is on the verge of being sent to a.
Rehabilitation camp or some such, and she thought the political.
Repercussions would be lessened if his "problem" was handled on a local.
Level.
Nick: Rehabilitation? What's he done? Failed to fill in his paperwork on time?
Wise Snake: Roughed up the donors, irritated nearly everybody on staff.
Jon Drake: Well, I'm sure you'll do fine. A good part of the job is attitude.
Wise Snake: More to the point, he attempted to sexually assault Alea. She.
Wants him gone.
Nick sobers.
Wise Snake: According to her, Veraik and Briel aren't taking the threat to.
Her seriously.
Eliza beams at Jon with a wonderful attitude.
Eliza: Oh, I hope so.
Nick blinks.
Nick: Whyever not?
Eliza: I can't wait until someone actually TEACHES me something though.
Nick: It's not as if he could lie about what he's done.
Nick: All it would take would be a few questions.
Wise Snake: I don't know. I haven't spoken to either of them about it yet.
Wise Snake: I was actually hoping to stop by there today and find out what.
Happened when Alea presented them with the paperwork to try to get him.
Committed.
Nick: If Veraik and Briel turn this channel over to you, what will you do.
With him?
Nick: If he can't be trusted with women or Gens, that gives him limited.
Usefulness.
Wise Snake: True. I imagined starting him off serving renSimes and taking.
Those donors who like it rough and loud.
Wise Snake: I think it will be difficult to judge the next step without.
Getting to know him better, his motivations and what makes him the way he.
Is.
Eliza decides to go see how Alea is doing and if she is being looked after.
Briel gapes at the papers she finds on Veraik's desk.
Eliza: Well Jon, it's been nice talking to you. I might go and see how Alea.
Is doing now. [smiles]
Briel: Of all the shendoni crazy ideas!
Nick nods agreement, thinking that Snake sounds more and more like a Sectuib.
Jon Drake: Okay. I have to get back to work myself.
Briel: Doesn't she realize what that idiot would do to us if she got these.
Papers through?
Jon Drake: If there is any questions you have about adjusting, let me know.
Briel pales and drops down in Veraik's chair.
Eliza: Oh, thank you, Jon.
Eliza gets up and smiles at Jon wonders back to see Alea.
Eliza: ~~ Love and contentment ~~
Briel gets up and strides down the hall, papers in her hand.
Eliza passes Briel radiating ~~ Love and contentment ~~
Briel strides into Alea's treatment room.
Nick: Well, there should be enough relatively safe work to keep him busy.
For that long.
Wise Snake: I do know that his problems likely stem from his upbringing, and the fact that the uncle who raised him still hangs over his head punishing and protecting him from afar.
Alea blinks, waking up at the abrupt noise.
Alea: Oh, Briel, hello.
Eliza overshoots Alea's room and absentmindedly keeps walking.
Briel: Do you have any idea what these papers could do to this Center?
Nick: Who is his uncle?
Alea struggles up to a sitting position, seeing the crutches are here and.
She must have drifted off. Then she sees the papers.
Alea shrugs.
Wise Snake: We'll see. That's one reason why I'm trying to pick up more.
Long term contracts.
Eliza reaches the lobby, looks about, laughs at herself and heads back.
Alea: Get rid of Sumulo, I presume and possibly give us all a little more.
Feeling of safety?
Briel rips them in half.
Wise Snake turns in the direction of the Sime Center.
Alea: ~~ disappointment ~~
Nick thinks the man must be influential to protect a channel who abuses donors.
Eliza sees a picture on the wall and stops to look at it.
Briel: Look, Alea, I hate the guy as much as you. But his family would bury.
Veraik. Is that what you want? To see him totally destroyed?
Eliza sees Alea's name on it and is impressed.
Nick falls in beside Snake.
Alea thinks Veraik hasn't done much for her, then feels guilty, knowing.
Despite the bad things, he has actually done a lot for her.
Alea: No. Of course not.
Jon Drake heads back to see if Briel needs any help.
Briel: This is not the way.
Eliza wonders around the lobby deciding to get to know it really well.
Briel shakes the papers, upset.
Eliza: ~~ Love and contentment ~~
Eliza looks at the clerks desk.
Briel: I'm working on it. I plan to keep him here, where we can control him.
And see that he gets his own punishment.
Alea: Here?
Eliza notices that the carpet is again dry.
Alea: ~~ dismay ~~
Nick steps carefully to avoid slipping on the icy porch steps.
Eliza sees the rather worn purple cloak is on the back of the chair and.
Puts in back on the hook where she got it from.
Briel: Yes. IF I get him transferred away, then it's certain he won't be.
Punished. If I'm able to keep him here, then it's likely I can make sure he.
Sees a bit of manual labor for his actions.
Wise Snake sweeps into the Sime Center like she owns the place.
Alea thinks so he can be angry with her.
Eliza is thrilled to see her dear friend Snake.
Wise Snake approaches the front desk.
Eliza: ~~ joy peace and love ~~
Alea: Look, Briel, I think it'd be better if he were transferred...
Eliza: Hello, Snake.
Briel shakes her head.
Wise Snake: [to clerk] Is Veraik available?
Wise Snake zlins Eliza.
Wise Snake: Hello.
Wise Snake edges into Nick's field to cut Eliza's projection.
Briel: No. Besides. I don't think they'll transfer him if we even try. But.
Crazy stunts like this isn't the answer.
Nick takes one look at Eliza and increases his support.
Briel: Do me a favor and just keep out of it.
Eliza can't work out why Snake did that.
Briel turns and strides out.
Wise Snake: [to clerk] Um, okay, how about Briel then?
Eliza can't understand why Snake is snubbing her.
Alea thinks easier said than done.
Eliza: Err, Snake... Have you heard about Alea?
Wise Snake looks at Eliza.
Wise Snake: What about Alea?
Alea sighs and seeing she is alone in the room, reaches for the release and.
Lowers the rail, then swings her leg over and reaches for the crutches.
Eliza: She went skating. [long suffering sigh]
Eliza: Of course, she had a fall.
Nick: Of course.
Wise Snake: ~ alarm ~
Wise Snake tenses up.
Eliza: She's in the infirmary with a broken leg, but she is okay.
Alea looks at the crutches and thinks if Sumulo decides to bother her now,
She's going to have a distinct disadvantage.
Wise Snake: ~ sick release of tension ~
Wise Snake: Oh.
Eliza: ~~ soothing ~~
Nick puts a hand on Snake's back to steady her.
Alea sighs, thinking it's her own shendoni fault.
Eliza: ~~ Love and contentment ~~
Eliza: I was just going to see her. Want to come too?
Eliza wonders who the other person with Snake is and smiles at him too.
Alea slides off the bed and slips the crutches under her arms, and realizes.
They're a bit too high. She tries to adjust them, but can't make the screws.
Unscrew..
Wise Snake: Eliza, you shouldn't try to compete with another Donor in.
Influencing a channel.
Nick is too busy keeping Eliza's nager from bothering Snake to notice.
Alea is still feeling a bit woozy from the meds, but thinks to go to work.
Eliza looks confused.
Eliza: What do you mean, Snake?
Wise Snake: Well, Nick here is my Donor. He's responsible for making sure I.
Am okay. When you project something deliberately like trying to soothe me,
You're fighting with Nick.
Wise Snake: That just makes his work harder.
Eliza: Oh! I didn't know. I was just doing what Alea said to.
Eliza: ~~ miserable ~~
Alea wiggles the crutches until she gets them positioned under her arms.
Wise Snake: Alea was probably talking about when you are the only Donor.
There with that channel.
Alea tries experimentally to get them to working.
Eliza gets the feeling that she can't do anything right, then remembers.
That Alea said that she saved her life and is happy again.
Nick: Eliza, stay calm.
Eliza beams at Snake and the other person.
Eliza: I sorry. I didn't catch your name?
Alea tries them out and looks more like a three legged duck than a person.
On crutches as she moves forward.
Nick is tempted to roll his eyes in amusement at the typical youngster's.
Inability to understand moderation.
Nick: It's Nick. Nick Reckage.
Eliza holds out her hand in an offer to shake Nicks hand.
Nick hesitates, then awkwardly shakes Eliza's hand.
Nick has not had all that much experience with the out-T custom.
Eliza: Pleased to meet you, Nick.
Eliza: Anyway, I'm going to see Alea, see you later, then. [smiles joyfully]
Alea works to get the door open, then waddles down the hall toward the.
Lobby, stopping every few feet to gasp for breath.
Alea had no idea using crutches was so exhausting.
Eliza walks down the hall back towards Alea.
Wise Snake turns back to the clerk with relief.
Wise Snake: Well, then, can I wait for Briel?
Eliza sees her on the crutches and takes a deep breath.
Eliza: Err, Alea, did Lanyi say you could get up yet?
Eliza looks over her shoulder to see how far away Snake is, just in case.
Alea: Why, yes, she did.
Alea: She left them for me.
Wise Snake catches a hint of Alea's nager through the insulation in all the.
Rooms along that hallway.
Wise Snake stiffens.
Nick comes to full alertness, ready to jump in any direction that seems.
Indicated.
Nick: What is it?
Alea turns to hobble some more down the hall.
Wise Snake: [to clerk] Yes, yes. We'll wait then. Please let her know as.
Soon as possible.
Alea: Actually, I'm on my way to my office.
Wise Snake clutches Nick's arm.
Eliza gets ready to catch her. [probably be crushed if she does]
Wise Snake: Alea is out stumbling around with her broken leg.
Nick: Shen!
Wise Snake pulls him toward some seating at the far end of the lobby,
Trying to put as much wall between them and Alea as possible.
Alea wonders why her arms are already hurting.
Nick increases his support to his most muffling working level in hopes of.
Pretty much blocking Alea-sized nageric turbulence.
Wise Snake sits down on a couch to wait.
Alea hobbles into the lobby on crutches and pulls up short on seeing Snake.
Eliza gently takes Alea's arm. "You had better slow down."
Alea forces her field under strictest control.
Alea: Hello, Snake.
Nick sits next to Snake, groaning as Alea appears from behind the.
Protective insulation.
Alea stumbles at bit as Eliza takes her arm and the crutch slips.
Wise Snake smiles weakly.
Wise Snake: Hello, Alea.
Wise Snake: [alarm as crutch slips]
Eliza grabs Alea and stops her falling.
Eliza: See what I mean?
Alea: ~~ long-suffering patience ~~
Nick: Alea, why don't you sit down before Snake has a heart attack?
Alea: I was doing fine...
Eliza slips Alea's arm around her neck.
Eliza: You are trying to do too much after your ordeal this morning.
Alea looks over at Nick.
Eliza puts on her "mother hen" expression.
Alea tries to peel Eliza's arm away from her neck.
Eliza: Don't struggle, Alea. Would you like a cup of trin tea?
Eliza: We could go get one...[hopeful]
Alea sends a "help me or you're going to be the one to feel this pain look"
At Snake.
Wise Snake blinks, trying to decide whether Alea needs to be rescued.
Wise Snake sees Alea's look.
Alea: Please, Eliza...I just.. I just want to get to my office.
Nick meets clerk's eye, and waves him over.
Wise Snake: Uh, Eliza.. could you help Alea to her office? You could bring.
Her tea there.
Eliza: Okay, okay. We will go to your office, then. [whirls Alea around]
Alea loses both crutches.
Eliza: Okay, no problem, Snake, all under control, nothing to worry about,
I got her.
Alea: Snake!
Alea grapples for the crutches.
Wise Snake grabs Nick's arm again.
Clerk grabs Alea in time to keep her from falling.
Eliza grabs Alea around the waist.
Alea shakes at Clerk and Eliza.
Alea: Please let me go, you're hurting me.
Nick: Would you please help Sosu Alea to her office? Eliza, I don't think.
That's helping.
Alea: I don't need your help, Nick.
Eliza lets Alea go.
Alea: Nor do I want your help, clerk. Eliza, you may walk with me.
Eliza is pale.
Alea: But please, don't grab me.
Alea leans back against the wall, eyeing them all.
Alea: Eliza, please hand me my crutches.
Eliza hands Alea her crutches.
Eliza is very quiet.
Eliza isn't happy any more.
Alea: Now, let's go to my office. Perhaps we could start your language training.
Eliza perks up.
Eliza: Okay, Alea.
Eliza: You are the boss. [smiles]
Alea uses her crutches and starts making her away across the lobby toward.
Her office.
Nick meets Clerk's eyes again and nods towards Alea meaningfully.
Alea turns on clerk and glares.
Alea: You work here. And if you want to keep your job, you'll remember just.
W H O you work for.
Alea glares at Nick.
Alea: I don't need any help.
Alea looks at Eliza.
Alea: Can you get my door please.
Alea carefully continues to hobble across the lobby to her office.
Eliza: Err...
Eliza gets the door.
Wise Snake massages her forehead and sits there quietly shaking.
Alea goes into her office.
Clerk is not cowed by Alea's threat, but figures the danger is over when.
Alea's nager is behind the excellent office insulation.
Nick sighs in relief.
Eliza follows her in and holds a chair for Alea to fall into.
Alea makes a note to make sure Clerk picks up his last paycheck tomorrow.
Alea shoves the door closed.
Alea goes over and sinks into her chair.
Nick hopes that Briel doesn't keep them waiting much longer.
Alea: I have some tapes here, on one...
Alea sighs.
Alea: I moved them out of my office.
Eliza: Can I go get them for you?
Alea's arms are aching and she is not going across the lobby again.
Alea: I think they're in the library.
Alea: However, you can get them later.
Alea: Let me tell you what I want you to do.
Eliza wonders where the library is and what they look like.
Eliza is all attention.
Briel comes striding down the hall, with the paperwork for Rhelana's.
Admittance in her tentacles.
Briel zlins Snake in the lobby with Nick.
Wise Snake: Nick, you're not helping.
Alea: There are several tapes. The one I want you to study is the one on.
Greetings and donations.
Alea: I want you to listen to it tonight and then in the morning.
Alea: Tomorrow as you're working with my channel and I, we'll only talk.
Simelan...
Eliza is keen to.
Nick looks at Snake questioningly, lightening up his support.
Eliza: Oh, okay.
Nick: Is that better?
Briel walks into the lobby.
Eliza: Alea, can I ask you some questions?
Briel: Hello, Snake.
Briel: Nick.
Wise Snake: Try to... [stops when she sees Briel]
Briel: How can I help you?
Alea: Of course.
Wise Snake: Hello, Briel.
Wise Snake stands.
Alea: What do you want to know?
Nick stands, falling into position automatically.
Eliza: Okay. When I was, umm, [blush] helping Lanyi today, it seemed.
Awfully hard.
Briel glides over to where Snake is, dropping the papers off at Clerk's desk on the way.
Eliza: And it took forever.
Eliza: Is it always that tiring?
Alea considers.
Alea: Right now it seems tiring, and taking forever, but what you'll learn.
As you train, is that it's a joy to do what you do. As you learn to focus,
It'll become a lot easier.
Eliza: I see.
Eliza: Okay, another question. What did you mean about what you said in.
The lobby, when you said I was cheating on Jon or something.
Alea gapes, then blushes.
Alea: Well, um, Eliza, it's none of my business at all who you sleep with.
Alea: I apologize for my words.
Eliza: Sleep with?
Eliza: I'm not sleeping with anyone.
Alea looks surprised.
Eliza thinks that she has her own room and no one else sleep in there with her.
Eliza looks confused.
Briel: How can I help you, Snake?
Alea: Evidently, when Snake brought you home yesterday, you wanted to go to.
Jon's room and made yourself home in his bed.
Wise Snake: Ah, yes. [putting the problem with Nick out of her mind until later]
Wise Snake: I wanted to talk to you about Sumulo.
Eliza blushes bright red.
Briel rubs at her neck.
Eliza: Did you think... Oh, no! You did! Alea!
Alea turns a bit red herself.
Alea: Really, it's none of my business.
Eliza: I couldn't see where I was, I had a headache and I don't know really.
How I got there.
Alea: Oh.
Eliza giggles.
Briel: Sumulo.
Briel drops down to a sofa motioning Snake to sit down.
Eliza realizes what Jorgre must think.
Wise Snake: Um.. somewhere a little more private.
Briel: I can't believe... I'm still working on that problem. Do you know,
Alea actually tried to file commitment papers one him.
Briel stands.
Briel motions.
Wise Snake: Thank you.
Briel: In my office.
Wise Snake follows Briel.
Nick brings up the rear.
Eliza: Shall I go get those tapes now Alea?
Briel goes into her office and sits down.
Briel: I still can't believe she would try something so idiotic.
Alea: Yes.
Alea: Please do.
Alea: The library is down the hall, near the back, across from the cafe.
Eliza: Is there someone in there to give them to me?
Alea: There usually is.
Briel shakes her head in disgust.
Briel: I tore them up, of course.
Wise Snake makes sure the door is closed and sits down opposite Briel.
Briel: I'm meeting with Veraik tomorrow about a solution.
Eliza: Can I get you some tea or something while I'm gone?
Nick sits next to Snake, his support never wavering.
Wise Snake: I wanted to tell you that Alea approached me on the subject.
Alea: Oh, no, thank you.
Alea smiles.
Alea: That's fine.
Briel looks surprised.
Briel: She did?
Eliza: Okay. [smiles and skips out the door]
Wise Snake: A couple of days ago, yes.
Alea smiles and shakes her head.
Briel: I see.
Wise Snake: She was afraid for her safety and that of her unborn child. She.
Said he had attempted to sexually assault her.
Briel: Will you tell me just why she felt she had to go to you?
Librarian is filling out forms, there seems to be a never ending supply.
Around the center that need filling out.
Briel gapes, then zlins Snake.
Wise Snake: She said... [hesitates]... that her concerns about him were not.
Being taken seriously.
Briel flushes angrily.
Eliza skips into the Library and grins at the Librarian.
Eliza: Hello how are you iamfine.
Briel: I don't think she realizes just what we have to go through to get.
Rid of the Lorsh.
Librarian looks up in surprise.
Wise Snake: She said that if she gave the papers to you or Veraik that.
They'd be torn up before you even considered signing them.
Librarian: Hello, dear. What can I do for you?
Briel: It's not simply transferring him...
Briel takes a deep breath, then relaxes.
Eliza smile fades a little as she realize that she doesn't have the words.
Eliza: [English] Do you speak English?
Briel: According to what papers they are it would depend.
Briel: Sumulo's uncle has powerful connections and pull.
Briel: We would rather handle this quietly.
Briel: Get everything done, without alerting Sumulo first.
Briel: Then, hopefully we can get him out of here without his family tearing this Center apart.
Briel: In the meantime, I have been considering different possibilities of.
Punishment for him, here, at the Center.
Wise Snake: Punishment is all well and good, but what about Alea's safety?
Wise Snake thinks, more to the point, what about the safety of Alea's child?
Briel: I had no idea that he had assaulted--attempted to--Alea.
Briel tightly.
Wise Snake: She said she had informed Veraik.
Briel: Well he failed to inform me.
Briel ~~ simmering outrage ~~
Briel: Of course Alea and her child are important. She's a Donor here.
Briel rubs at her neck again.
Briel: And as a Donor, working at the Center, she has the right to feel... safe.
Wise Snake: What are you going to do to protect her?
Briel: Well considering I had no idea things had gone this far...
Briel: I suppose I'll have to rework schedules and make sure the two are.
Kept in different parts of the building.
Briel: I'll also call Sumulo in and talk to him.
Wise Snake appears extremely skeptical about this solution.
Briel: Well, do you have a suggestion?
Nick thinks this doesn't sound too hopeful, given the guy's reputation and.
The seriousness of his crimes.
Wise Snake: I think you need to get Tramila or Lanyi to zlin him for truth.
And question him about the things he's accused of.
Wise Snake: If he is guilty of attempting to sexually assault Alea, then he.
Should be locked up.
Briel is impressed.
Briel: Perhaps Lanyi would be agreeable.
Wise Snake: The Tecton should be informed, and he should be prosecuted.
Wise Snake: I doubt even his uncle would support that kind of behavior.
Briel: I'll speak with Lanyi and see if she'll question him.
Briel: Then, according to what that reveals, we'll go from there.
Wise Snake frowns.
Briel: I'd love to see him prosecuted.
Wise Snake: I can't help but notice the way you phrased that. Why must.
Lanyi particularly agree to it? You are acting Controller, are you not?
Briel: Yes, I am.
Briel: However, I would rather have someone that is discreet that I think.
Would be honest. If she for some unknown reason, doesn't want to, then I'll.
Go to Tramila.
Wise Snake stares at Briel suspiciously.
Briel: I'm afraid, with Tramila being a Farris though... I would rather.
Have someone who isn't a Farris, since Alea is Farris.
Nick wonders just a bit at Briel's insistence on a more sensitive channel,
Since any First could detect lies told by a Second.
Wise Snake: It is a shame the level of general integrity at the Sime Center.
Has sunk so low that the employees can't even be trusted.
Nick figures it must be politics--and he never did understand politics.
Briel: I said nothing about the integrity sinking at all.
Briel: I simply want there to be no questions.
Briel: Sumulo knows I want him gone.
Briel: I made sure he understood that the first night.
Wise Snake: Well. My offer to Veraik stands.
Briel: I don't know Lanyi as well as I would like. However, I am getting to.
Know her.
Briel: I don't know exactly how she feels about Household F'jord. I'll be.
Able to zlin that when I ask her.
Briel: It would be best to keep a Farris out of it, the reason I hesitate.
To ask Tramila.
Briel sighs and rubs at her neck.
Briel: As I said, I think you hit upon the ideal solution. I'll speak with.
Lanyi.
Wise Snake thinks if Briel thinks she can zlin through a Tigue's showfield.
Without the Tigue's cooperation, she's kidding herself.
Briel: You said something about Veraik.
Wise Snake: I have made him an offer regarding Sumulo once. The offer stands.
Briel ~~ curious ~~ but doesn't ask.
Briel: Very well, I'll talk to him.
Briel stands.
Librarian doesn't understand a word the young girl says, she has work to do.
And doesn't need the interruptions.
Briel hesitates.
Briel: Snake, I want you to know, if I'd known Sumulo did something like.
This, action would have been taken long before now.
Wise Snake: You might ask Veraik why he didn't inform you.
Briel: I won't condone a Donor being abused like that by a channel.
Wise Snake would like to know the reason for that herself.
Briel nods.
Briel: Believe me, I will.
Wise Snake: I wouldn't condone anybody being abused like that by anybody.
[sharply].
Briel looks surprised.
Briel: Nor would I.
Eliza looks at all the books and things on the shelf, and not wanting to.
Appear too stupid walks over and grabs a couple of them.
Shelf is glad to be relived of the paperbacks Aarcadia stacked on it.
Earlier that day.
Briel: Please believe me in that.
Briel ~~ truth ~~
Eliza fines a tape with a picture of a Sime and a Gen in transfer and takes it.
Eliza looks uncomprehending at the words above: "the joy of post".
Eliza takes the book to the Librarian, gives her name and walks out with.
The tape in her hand.
Eliza walks down the hall back towards Alea's office looking at the tape.
Briel: I do not condone it at all.
Wise Snake nods reluctantly.
Briel: And I'll talk to Veraik about your offer.
Eliza is engrossed in the picture on the cover, gets to a door that looks.
Right and walks in.
Briel blinks.
Briel: Eliza?
Eliza: Alea, I got the tape you said... [looks up]
Briel thinks she should have locked the door.
Nick looks at the stack of books Eliza is carrying.
Eliza: Oh! I'm so sorry, Briel. I was just getting a tape Alea told me I'd.
Need from the Library.. [holds up "the joy of post" for their viewing].
Eliza: Guess I came in the wrong door.
Briel gapes.
Eliza: ~~ embarrassed ~~
Eliza: I didn't mean to interrupt.
Eliza: Starts to back out.
Briel: It's quite all right.
Wise Snake wonders why Alea recommended the Joy of Post to such a young.
Donor, then decides maybe she just wanted her to be prepared in advance.
Nick wonders what Alea wanted with a copy of "Love in the Distect".
Eliza smiles at Snake.
Briel: I suppose we should have the signs in English as well.
Eliza pokes a face realizing it wouldn't make any difference if you can't read.
Briel: Braiel however is my name in Simelan.
Eliza drops the paperback and bends over to get them.
Eliza: Err... [picks up the books, drops the tape]
Eliza: [picks up the tape, drops the magazine "playsime"]
Briel rubs at her neck.
Wise Snake reaches out and picks up one stray book, studies the cover.
Nick is also surprised that Alea requested "First Year Frolic".
Briel sees the books.
Wise Snake: Egads. This came from the Sime Center Library??
Briel: Just what did Alea want these for?
Wise Snake holds up "Thrust".
Briel is thinking Distect?
Eliza blushes.
Briel looks at what Snake has and her eyes widen.
Eliza: Alea wants me to start learning to speak and read Simelan.
Wise Snake's tentacles curl up and she places the book carefully aside.
Nick is somewhat less astonished to see "Householding Honey" in the stack.
Briel thinks after what happened and was said in the infirmary today, they.
Have a major problem developing here if she wants Distect books.
Briel shakes her head.
Wise Snake: Did you know she gave you all books about sex and kink?
Briel: She told you to get.. these? to learn the language?
Eliza looks at Snake in horror and drops the rest of them.
Wise Snake wonders what Jon Drake will think of the knowledge Eliza will.
Pick up along with her Simelan.
Wise Snake picks up "Thrust" again.
Eliza: Oh, no!
Eliza sees Snake's interest in that particular one, "If you want it Snake,
You can have it!"
Wise Snake: While this also means "meaning", which could be seen as a sort.
Of pun, I suppose, in this case it means "Thrust" in the, er?
Eliza looks interested: Her first reading lesson!
Wise Snake: Ah, no thanks. This stuff is a little mainstream for my tastes.
Wise Snake hands "Thrust" back to Eliza.
Eliza reluctantly takes it.
Briel thinks she is going to have to have a heart to heart with Alea--again.
Eliza picks up the rest of the books.
Eliza: Well, thank you for the warning. I'll take these back to Alea now.
Eliza: Sorry again for barging in!
Briel: Not at all.
Eliza exits and closes the door.
Briel: You know, Eliza, you might want to go to every door and copy down.
The names and titles and then....
Briel: Ah, well...
Briel turns back to Snake.
Briel: Where were we?
Briel shakes her head and rubs a tentacle at a beginning headache.
Briel: Oh, yes. I'll see things are handled. Check back in a few days.
Wise Snake: A few days?
Wise Snake: What will you tell Alea?
Briel: I'll talk to Alea about this.
Briel: I'll find out why she didn't come to me.
Briel: I'll find out exactly what happened.
Briel: Then I'll tell her exactly what we are going to do and get her to.
Press charges.
Eliza walks up and carefully checks she has the right door.
Eliza opens the door "Alea did you know what you have in the Lib.." [sees.
Alea asleep at her desk]
Eliza puts the books down on Alea's desk and tip toes out.
Briel: I'll be sure to include her in this every step of the way.
Wise Snake: Once Sumulo knows what's going on, how are you going to protect her?
Briel: I'm not sure. Like I said, I'll discuss this with Alea and Veraik first.
Briel: I want to go slow, make sure we do things right so as not to.
Endanger her further.
Wise Snake: I'll be checking on her.
Briel goes over to her door and opens it.
Briel: I'm glad to know she has a friend such as you. She'll be glad to.
Know it too.
Wise Snake realizes Briel is trying to get rid of her.
Wise Snake rises.
Wise Snake: Thank you for your time.
Briel: Anytime.
Nick follows Snake out the door.
Briel: And please, Snake. If something ever happens like this again, I'd.
Like to know.
Briel is angry and hurt that she didn't know.
Wise Snake: I didn't know myself until a couple of days ago.
Wise Snake: I will.
Briel: I see.
Briel: Thank you.
Wise Snake leaves the Center with Nick.
Briel closes the door behind Snake, then goes to the trash can and digs out.
The papers on Sumulo, looking them over, understanding a little better just.
Why Alea had filled them out.
Wise Snake: Come on, let's get some warehouses and factories signed up for.
Health benefits.
Briel sits down and studies them.