Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #147: (1/31/98)
Alea hobbles down the stairs and toward the front door.
Alea stops and grabs her scarf and gloves.
Alea slips them on and heads out the front door.
Alea swings carefully down the front steps of the Center and on the path to the street.
Alea has a definite destination in mind.
Alea hails a carriage.
Mackey pulls up.
Mackey gets off the box to let Alea inside the coach.
Alea hops over to the carriage.
Alea: Can you take me to the Ferry Building?
Mackey offers his hand to assist Alea inside.
Mackey: Sure thing, Miz.
Alea takes his hand and works herself up.
Alea: Into the carriage.
Mackey makes sure Alea is safely seated.
Mackey knew that's what Alea meant.
Alea lays her crutches beside her and then adjusts until she is comfortable.
Mackey closes the door, then climbs back on top and picks up the reins.
Alea smooths her skirt and wonders if Snake is "at home"
Alea notes the ice isn't as bad today and wonders if it is finally going to warm up.
Alea sees the tall steeple in the distance.
Mackey drives Alea all the way to the docks.
Mackey pulls up in front of the mysteriously suddenly popular Ferry Building.
Mackey goes down to help Alea get off.
Alea hands Mackey the crutches and hops out.
Alea pulls out money and hands Mackey the fare.
Alea: Thank you very much.
Mackey: My pleasure. ~~sincerely~~
Alea gives him a generous tip.
Alea takes her cruthes back and turns toward the Ferry Building.
Alea: You have a nice day.
Alea slowly makes her way to the front door.
Mackey drives off.
Alea tries the door and frowns. Sees the bell pull and pulls it, three times.
Alea leans back and looks up at the third story window to see if anyone is there....
Wise Snake nearly has a heart attack since she was sitting about 6 inches from the bell.
Wise Snake picks herself up off the floor and looks out the window, sees Alea and waves.
Alea slips .... falls.... ~~ SPLAT ~~
Alea: OUCH!
Wise Snake flinches back from the window, regretting having looked.
Wise Snake: Ah.... ah well.
Alea lays in the snow looking up.
Alea belatedly waves back.
Wise Snake goes down all the stairs to let Alea in.
Alea struggles up, checks her cast.
Alea ~~ relief ~~~
Wise Snake: You really should be more careful.
Alea checks the other foot, finds it in working order and struggles back up.
Wise Snake doesn't imagine Alea will listen to her this time either, but says it anyway out of habit.
Alea: The foot is slick.
Wise Snake holds the door open so Alea can enter.
Alea slips her cructches under her amrs and moves toward Snake.
Alea: How are you today, Snake?
Alea goes inside.
Nexus walks up to the Ferry Building wondering if the rumours are true.
Wise Snake notices someone approaching.
Alea shakes at her cloak, trying to dislodge any snow.
Nexus has been looking for this "Snake" charactor for awhile now - will be interesting to see if she is what the word on the street says she is.
Wise Snake: Yes, can I help you? [zlinning Nexus]
Alea turns, sees the person, and moves to support Snake.
Alea step ~~ ouch ~~ step ~~ ouch ~~
Nexus: Yeah - looking for someone called Snake... [looks at the Donor in interest]
Alea ~~ support ~~
Nexus smiles at the Donor lady.
Nexus licks his lips.
Alea pointedly ignores the "customer" and keeps her attention on Snake.
Nexus: Know where I can find her?
Alea ~~ continued support ~~
Nexus: ~~approaching need ~~
Wise Snake does not take kindly to having "her" Donor examined by this renSime.
Wise Snake: I'm Snake. What do you want.
Nexus: Ah - you? Little thing like you?
Nexus decides the rumours are wrong.
Nexus: Well - I wanted to discuss business.
Wise Snake bridles at "little thing like you" but manages to restrain herself from saying anything that would drive the guy off.
Wise Snake: Ok, what kind of business?
Nexus looks at the obviously tecton Donor and looks annoyed "is it possible to talk privately?"
Wise Snake: Sure, if you'd like to wait until Alea here is finished with her business.
Alea takes that moment to look at the renSime and lift an eyebrow, looking down her nose at the him.
Alea keeps her attention on Snake -- nagerically speaking.
Nexus: Sure sure take your time with the lady [grins]
Nexus: I'll just umm wait over umm [looks around]
Wise Snake: You can wait inside.
Nexus: Gee thanks.
Nexus moves past them looking back at Alea.
Nexus winks.
Alea decides she's not leaving anymore with her field as high as it is.
Wise Snake: On second thought, you're a Sime, you ought to be able to handle a little weather.
Wise Snake pushes Nexus out and closes the door.
Wise Snake: ~~irritated~~
Alea: Typical renSime.
Alea ~~ irritated ~~
Wise Snake: Would you like to go upstairs and get warm while I deal with this guy?
Alea: Uh...
Wise Snake looks at Alea's leg.
Wise Snake: Do you want me to carry you up?
Alea looks down at her crutches then shakes her head.
Nexus leans back against the building and waits.
Alea: No. I'm fine.
Wise Snake: Do you just want to talk here?
Wise Snake keeps guessing.
Alea: I really came to talk to you about some things... but I can find somewhere to sit if you want to take care of him first.
Wise Snake: It's too cold down here.
Wise Snake: You'll catch your death if you sit down here.
Alea: Well, then, looks like you'll have to carry me upstairs then.
Alea grins.
Wise Snake looks sour and picks up Alea [trying not to bump the hurt foot]
Wise Snake starts climbing stairs.
Alea's arms and back and legs all hurt from using the crutches.
Alea ~~ pain ouch pain ouch ~~
Alea suppresses it.
Alea winces as the crutches hit the bars going up the stiars.
Wise Snake tries to go hypo but finds it's impossible to see where she's going on the dark stairs.
Alea: Boy that makes a loud sound.
Wise Snake mutters and moves closer to the center of the stairs so the crutches won't hit.
Alea hits the stairs again with her crutches... Alea pulls them in, elbows Snake.
Alea: Oops.
Alea: Sorry.
Wise Snake is feeling thoroughly sorry for herself by the time they reach the top of the stairs.
Wise Snake: No.. no problem. [winces]
Alea: Thank you, Snake.
Alea: Wonder if it'll be easier going down?
Alea leans over and looks down.
Wise Snake puts Alea down in front of a door.
Wise Snake: Don't lean over that!
Alea blinks.
Alea: Uh, well, sure.
Wise Snake: Er... I mean, you might want to stand back a little.
Alea: Was just seeing how far it was.
Alea slips the crutches under her arms.
Alea: Of course, Snake.
Wise Snake: It's about sixty feet. And a stone floor.
Alea wobbles back.
Alea: That's a long drop.
Wise Snake: Now be quiet, Nick is asleep in the next room over.
Alea: Oh really?
Alea interested.
Wise Snake opens the door to her office, where there is a fire burning and it's reasonably warm.
Alea lowers her voice as she goes in.
Alea: Thanks for the warning.
Wise Snake: Yeah, he sort of moved a bedroll in, he's going to be moving in all his furniture and stuff any day now.
Alea: I'm so glad to hear that.
Alea ~~ pleasure ~~
Nexus wiggles his shoulders a bit and thinks about that bustline.
Wise Snake picks up some piles of paper on the desk and sticks them in the drawers.
Wise Snake: You can sit here, if you like. [indicates her chair, which has lots of blankets draped over it]
Wise Snake: Here's some water over here.
Wise Snake: I'll be back as soon as I can.
Alea: Thank you.
Alea moves over there and drops painfully into the chair.
Wise Snake hurries out, closing the door carefully behind her.
Alea: I'll be here when you get back.
Alea ~~ relief PAIN OUCH OUCH ~~
Wise Snake goes back down the stairs, with less trouble than she'd come up.
Alea relaxes allowing her nager to show what she is really feeling.
Wise Snake opens the door again, slips outside.
Wise Snake: All right. She's upstairs. Now, what did you want?
Wise Snake: Transfer?
Alea looks around the office with interest.
Nexus stands up straght and smiles, "well that depends really... you are not exactly what I expected"
Wise Snake looks at him oddly.
Wise Snake: Oh?
Alea absently flips through the papers on the desk.
Alea: Oh, my.....
Nexus: The fact of the matter is that I haven't been around here for long - don't want to go to the Center - was wondering what else was availble.
Nexus: Your name comes up an awful lot.
Alea pulls open various drawers and peeks in them.
Wise Snake: Okay...?
Alea feels guilty, only for a moment, then decides once a spy always a spy...
Nexus: Specially in certain umm areas...
Alea pushes up and makes her way around the room.
Nexus is thinking about that nice looking chick inside.
Alea takes inventory and the more she looks the more angry she gets.
Wise Snake waits for Nexus to get to his point.
Alea: Why, this is, is.... preposterous!
Alea: A shendi fleckin FARRIS living like this!
Alea makes a mental notes of things to have delivered here to Snake.
Nexus: Ok - what sort of money are you asking for transfer.
Nexus: Just straight transfer - no frills.
Wise Snake: One time only?
Alea picks up a piece of firewood and carries it toward the fire...
Alea ~~ pain ouch pain ouch ~~
Nexus: Yeah - well - don't know how long I'll be in town.
Alea glares at her crutches in accusation.
Alea tosses it in the fire... and it pops back out, with three other pieces of small wood.
Nexus: I move around a fair bit.
Alea: Oh no!
Alea gasps.
Wise Snake names a figure... it comes to about 6 times what a renSime would pay in taxes for a month.
Alea glances around.
Alea: Water, snake, snow....
Alea: No, not snake.
Alea: Sand. Sand.
Alea: Yes. No. Snow.
Nexus looks at Snake and laughs.
Alea: No snow!
Wise Snake smiles pleasantly.
Nexus: Well, I guess we won't be doing business will we.
Alea: Nick!
Wise Snake: Goodbye, then.
Alea: Oh dear.
Alea hobbles over to the wood and tries to stamp it out.
Alea: OWWWW!
Nexus: Hold on there a moment!
Alea ~~ burned toes ~~
Wise Snake stops halfway in the door.
Wise Snake: Yes?
Nexus: You were joking weren't you?
Alea hops around, holding her foot in the cast.
Wise Snake: No. My services are in high demand. I am a First, after all.
Alea sniffs, smells the fire smoldering and drops her foot.
Alea: Oh shen!
Alea looks at the black spot on the floor.
Alea: Blankets!
Alea dives at the blankets on the chair and grabs one up, and starts swinging.
Nexus mutters something about highway robbery and Gens costing less.
Alea ~~ crash ~~~
Alea ~~ bang ~~
Wise Snake shifts uneasily as tiny sounds drift down from the third floor.
Alea remembers Nick and tries to swing quieter.
Wise Snake keeps listening but the sounds seem to stop.
Wise Snake: Huh.
Alea looks with relief as one ember is out.
Alea tosses the blanket aside and works to scoop up the dead ember with some paper.
Alea hears a whooosh.
Alea turns ... and the blanket is on fire from another ember.
Nexus give wisesnake one last look and turns and walks away with his hands in his pockets.
Alea: Well SHEN....
Alea goes to stomp on the fire.
Wise Snake shrugs.
Alea ~~ oops pain, bare toes ~~~
Wise Snake re-enters the building and locks the door.
Alea grabs another blanket and beats it out.
Wise Snake starts up the stairs once again.
Alea hobbles over to the window, sees no one, and dumps the two blankets out the window.
Alea lifts the log that hadn't caught fire and tosses it in the fireplace.
Alea hobbles back over to the chair and sits down.
Alea tries to decide if Snake will notice anything when she comes up.
Alea looks around, thinks... nah.
Alea sighs, forcing her beating heart under control, wondering where Snake went to.
Wise Snake gets to the top of the stairs and goes to the door of her office.
Wise Snake enters the office.
Alea hears a noise and tries to put on an innocent expression
Wise Snake walks in and freezes warily.
Alea smiles.
Alea: Did you finish your business Snake?
Eliza comes up from the basement where she has spent an enlightening few hours with Zethraim and the boiler and goes to her room to have a shower and get some clean clothing on.
Alea ~~ attempting to hide the painful toes, ankle and various other aches ~~
Wise Snake notes some papers lying on the floor that weren't there before, the raised wood floor is scorched, and Alea seems to be coming off of an enormous adrenaline rush.
Wise Snake closes the door carefully.
Alea ~~ heart slowing, draining down ~~
Wise Snake walks over to the papers and picks them up, puts them on the desk.
Wise Snake: Yes. He's gone.
Alea: Ah, I see.
Alea nods.
Alea: Funny how everyone always knows where you can be found.
Wise Snake goes over to check the fire, notices the new piece of wood thrown haphazardly in.
Wise Snake takes a deep breath and then takes another piece of wood and adjusts its position.
Alea: It really is starting to warm up in here. My, if feels nice.
Wise Snake: There are plenty of rumors about this place and my taking it over. I am not surprised HE found me.
Wise Snake is still wondering how Alea found her the first time though.
Wise Snake turns back to Alea.
Wise Snake: So... how can I help you?
Alea: Oh, is he different?
Wise Snake pauses.
Alea: I came here about Eliza.
Wise Snake: Oh?
Wise Snake: What about her.
Alea: I wondered just... what... type of... claim you had on her.
Wise Snake: None that I know of, why?
Alea: I know she came to talk to you the other day.
Wise Snake: Ah. That.
Alea: She said you told her to work at the Center.
Alea: I found that hard to believe.
Wise Snake: Oh, really?
Wise Snake: [sourly]
Wise Snake: Well, amazing as it may seem, that is what I told her.
Alea: Ah, well, I'm glad to know that.
Alea gets more comfortable in the chair.
Wise Snake: Believe me, if I had planned on snatching Eliza from the Tecton's grasp, I would have done so the first day she came in.. before anybody knew she even had the potential.
Wise Snake: I was in a position to do so, if you recall.
Alea nods.
Alea: I do.
Wise Snake: Eliza is a child. She has a lot to learn about patience.
Alea: I was curious to see if you really wanted her or not.
Alea: I know.
Alea: I've been assigned to train her.
Wise Snake winces.
Alea clasps her hands.
Alea: It has been... interesting.
Alea: She's so... young.
Alea: Yet, I was four years younger than her when I established.
Wise Snake slowly manages to get the wince off her face, although it takes considerable effort (the vision of an Alea-influenced Eliza is really frightening)
Wise Snake: I see.
Alea: She really is a dear, just... young.
Alea: She'll grow into that field.
Alea smiles.
Wise Snake: Perhaps.
Alea: I have just gotten a letter back from a teacher in Zeor who has offered to make room for her.
Wise Snake: I guess they'll take just about anybody nowadays.
Alea: Anyone with a field that puts them in underdraw like that.
Alea: If she doesn't work out, there are other places.
Wise Snake: It used to be, a person had to prove themselves elsewhere before being invited to Zeor. Or at least examined and tested.
Alea: That's what this teacher plans to do, test her, work with her.
Alea: If she doesn't meet Zeor standards, she'll be moved elsewhere.
Wise Snake: That I don't doubt.
Wise Snake: [faint bitterness]
Alea nods.
Alea: So, Snake, I got reassigned for transfer...
Alea ~~ casually ~~
Wise Snake: Oh yeah? Well it figures they wouldn't accept my rearranging their schedule.
Wise Snake is not too surprised.
Alea: Yeah, they thought I'd be better with... Sumulo.
Alea field guarded.
Wise Snake: He's only a Second. And I thought you said you'd told Veraik what Sumulo tried to do to you.
Alea: As... punishment for things done by Tarsh and I.
Alea: Oh, yes. He knows.
Wise Snake: Punishment? ~~lack of comprehension~~
Alea: He actually told me, when I threw a fit, that I should remember he is the one who makes the decisions just who I have transfer with.
Alea: Then he offered me a choice...
Alea: Yeah.
Wise Snake: Wait a minute...
Alea: You see, tarsh and I were upstairs in his room, asleep.
Alea: Yes?
Wise Snake: Veraik knows Sumulo attempted to rape you, and he assigned you to be Sumulo's transfer partner as punishment? Is this on official record?
Alea: He says that the Tecton sent word down. That it wasn't his choice.
Wise Snake: Oh. Well then, how is that punishment?
Alea: That after they'd heard what happened, saw the complaint filed, that the Tecton chose this.
Alea: Because I won't be with a Donor to my capacity.
Wise Snake looks annoyed.
Wise Snake: Well, obviously Veraik didn't tell the Tecton what Sumulo did, because they never would have assigned you to Sumulo if they'd had all the information.
Alea: I think it's some shedoni paper pusher up at Tecton headquarters that just doesn't like Farrises that thought up this stupid punishment.
Alea ~~ angry ~~~
Eliza slips down to the kitchen and grabs some fruit.
Alea: Agreed.
Alea: Besides, we only moved Rhelana less than five feet when she was unconscious.
Wise Snake: So can you just report Sumulo's behavior yourself, and request a change of assignment?
Wise Snake pauses.
Alea: I was offered a change of assignment...
Alea scowls.
Wise Snake: So?
Alea: Veraik said he had no transfer partner and I could serve him, right after telling Tarsh that his transfer was to be delayed fifteen minutes.
Wise Snake is getting the feeling she is not being given the whole story here.
Wise Snake: Alea, I didn't mean ask Veraik, I meant ask the Tecton.
Alea looks up at Snake to see if she understands.
Alea: You mean go over Veraik's head?
Wise Snake: Obviously asking Veraik would do you no good since he is the one who failed to inform them of Sumulo's criminal behavior in the first place.
Wise Snake: He didn't even inform Briel, for shen's sake... which you should have done yourself, by the way.
Alea ~~ guilt ~~~
Alea: I wanted to handle it myself.
Wise Snake: And he had no problems with handing you the assignment to Sumulo even though HE knew perfectly well the guy had tried to rape you.
Wise Snake looks at Alea oddly.
Wise Snake: You wanted to handle what yourself?
Alea avoids Snake's eyes.
Alea: The incident.
Wise Snake realizes she is studying Alea intensely, and looks away to make the Gen less uncomfortable.
Wise Snake: What were you going to do?
Alea: I hadn't decided.
Eliza toddles off with the fruit to see if Mostan would like a visitor.
Alea: I just... didn't want every Farris and his brother hearing about the incident, which would happen if it was put in my record.
Alea thinks, or sister, cousin, aunt, uncle, friend....
Wise Snake realizes she is dealing with a large number of people who aren't making much sense.
Wise Snake: I see.
Wise Snake: And... what do you come to me today for?
Alea is embarrassed and just a bit ashamed that she let it happen.
Alea: Advice.
Wise Snake looks at Alea again.
Wise Snake: On any particular sticky facet of this matter, or in general?
Alea looks up at Snake.
Alea: I am absolutely furious with Veraik for his latest stunt.
Alea: Of course, what is new?
Alea chuckles bitterly.
Alea: I had seriously considered having you take my field down to prove to Veraik he couldn't do this to me.
Alea: But I'm a Farris.
Wise Snake: Do you believe he used the Tecton's ignorance of Sumulo's actions to force you to accept transfer with himself instead?
Wise Snake: What has your being a Farris have to do with anything? I have taken down fields of Gens larger than yours.
Alea: I'm not sure. If I knew that for certain, then I would know how to act.
Alea: Farris honor. I hate to have my field taken down just to escape an assigned transfer.
Wise Snake: Then again, it would certainly send a message.
Alea: I mean, it really is possible Veraik isn't doing this for selfish reasons.
Alea: True.
Wise Snake: Is that so? What reasons might he have?
Wise Snake: [curious]
Alea: I'm afraid though, if I go to the transfer like this, he'll get hurt.
Wise Snake: I thought Veraik was assigned to B'cal.
Alea: I am so angry with him. Did he really think he could stand us there, tells us all of this without hearing our side of the story, then threaten me like that and still have a pleasant Donor?
Alea: From what I understand, he and B'cal and irreconciliable differences.
Alea glares.
Alea: Not unlike ours right now if I had to serve him at this moment.
Wise Snake thinks that if Tarsh was involved, there is a good chance that Veraik was not being entirely rational about the assignments.
Wise Snake massages her forehead.
Alea: That stupid Rhelana came bursting in when she saw me in the room.
Alea: She made a nuisance of herself.
Alea flushes.
Alea: When she tossed me out of bed and crawled in herself, Tarsh got angry.
Alea: I got tired of her handling him the way she was and knocked her out.
Wise Snake's eyebrows rise.
Wise Snake looks shocked.
Wise Snake: Knocked her out?
Alea: I mean, she was getting dnagerous.
Wise Snake: You mean, like with a blunt object or something?
Alea: Tarsh caught her, laid her outside the door.
Alea holds up her hand, and the lightly colored knuckles.
Alea: My fist.
Alea: I warned Tarsh first, to make sure he was hypo.
Wise Snake: I see.
Alea is proud of that last fact.
Alea: It's not like I pulled her around the Center unconscious.
Alea: Anyway, all the Center heard was that a renSime and Donor ahd attacked her and moved her after she was unconscious.
Alea: Hence, the reason they are so angry.
Alea: Veraik thinks the punishment is perfectly acceptable and can't understand why I might be angry at him.
Wise Snake: Well if you want, you and Tarsh could live here. If you can wait another two or three weeks, I could take transfer off you. After that I can't promise anything.
Alea pauses.
Alea: That's something I'd have to consider for awhile.
Wise Snake starts to sit on the floor, looks around for the blanket that had been lying in the corner, frowns.
Alea: I'm just not sure I can give him transfer in two days with all of this anger still inside.
Alea finally stands, and grabs at her crutches.
Wise Snake flinches back.
Alea: I don't know what to do.
Alea: "A Tecton Donor goes where they're assigned."
Alea quoting.
Wise Snake: I don't know what to tell you, Alea. I'm sure you don't want to hear how you could have avoided this situation. I'm sure you don't want to hear unpleasant ways to get out of it. What else can I offer you?
Alea: I suppose nothing.
Alea: Thank you, though, for your time.
Alea: It helps to talk to antoher Farris, occasionally.
Alea hobbles toward the door.
Alea pauses.
Alea: Just how would you have avoided the situation?
Alea wonders how one avoids getting tossed out of a bed, and tossed about the room when you're in your private room.
Wise Snake: You should have reported his behavior immediately to authorities who would do something about it, and keep doing so until you found somebody who took you seriously.
Alea struggles to get the door open.
Alea: Oh. I was thinking about Rhelana.
Wise Snake: Sumulo began agressive behavior long before he actually attempted rape, am I correct?
Wise Snake: Ah.
Wise Snake: Don't you and Tarsh ever lock the door?
Wise Snake reaches out and opens the door for Alea.
Alea ~~ ashamed ~~
Alea: Yes, he did.
Alea: Well, yes. But I opened it to answer it, to keep whoever it was from waking him.
Alea: He hadn't slept in days, you see.
Alea: Thank you [whispers]
Wise Snake: Alea, all I can say is, when problems get this complicated, it helps to go back and find the root of the problem.
Wise Snake: Try to find out why things happen, and you can block them from happening again.
Alea nods.
Alea: Of course.
Eliza finishes her visit to Mostan, thinking he looks alot better today, and wonders towards the donation area to see if Lanyi wants help.
Alea: A crazy Sime is nice to Tarsh and he is nice back and she turns into a stalker....
Eliza thinks about it and turns around to see what the other "donation" area looks like.
Alea: And won't take no for an answer. We had no idea just how bad it was until... then.
Wise Snake: I should have...
Wise Snake: [stops]
Alea hobbles into the hall and looks down at the stairs, wondering if the railing would support her.
Alea ~~ curious ~~
Wise Snake follows at what she hopes is a safe distance.... far enough away to feel as little of Alea's pain as she possibly can, but near enough to augment and catch her if she takes a header over the railing.
Alea thinks three stories is a long hop.
Alea looks back.
Wise Snake is lurking in the darkness.
Alea: Thank you again, Snake for your advice.
Alea ~~ down ~~
Alea: I appreciate it.
Wise Snake: Can you make it back okay?
Alea: Sure.
Alea wonders if Snake is going to leave so she can hop on the railing...
Alea realizes since she is pregnant, she shouldn't try that.
Wise Snake reluctantly.
Wise Snake: All right...
Wise Snake: Just push on the bar to open the door, it'll lock itself.
Alea hooks an arm throught he crutches and grabs the railing with one hand.
Alea: Okay.
Alea hops to the edge of the steps, looks down... and hops down one step.
Alea balances, left foot in the air, and hops down two more, ignoring the clanging of the crutches behind her.
Alea thinks at this rate, her leg is going to be dead by the time she gets the cast off...or twice the size as the other one.
Alea sits down and begins to scoot down the stairs, dragging the crutches behind her.
Alea: Ouch, ouch ouch...
Alea thinks the railing would have been faster.
Alea goes down until she gets to the bottom of the stairs, then stands, hurting in new places.
Alea goes to the door and wearily pushing it open, still unsure of what she is going to do.
Alea lets the door fall closed behind her.
Alea slips the crutches back under her arms and swings her way out toward the street.
Nexus sees the Gen lady come out of the building from where he has been watching and waiting.
Nexus strolls over "need a hand darling?"
Alea jumps and almost loses her balance.
Nexus''s tentacles are twitching in nervous anticipation.
Alea: Uh, well, yes. Would you hail a carriage for me?
Nexus smurks "need a tentacle maybe?"
Nexus: Sure love - I can do that.
Nexus looks around "doesn't seem to be any around, what a pity."
Alea ~~ distaste ~~
Nexus: How about we go get you something to eat.
Alea: Uh, no, that's fine. I really should just go back in and talk with my friend....
Nexus takes Alea's arm.
Wise Snake sits in her chair and pulls out a bunch of papers, tries to figure out what she'd been working on.
Alea looks surprised.
Nexus: No need honey - I'll be your friend if you like.
Alea: I don't think so.
Alea looks back at the Ferry Building.
Nexus doesn't drop her arm but leans closer "what's wrong dear - only like little girl Simes?"
Alea: Yeah, isn't that a shame for you.
Nexus: ~~ working up intil for that field~~
Alea thinks three feet, that's not far. She can grab the bell.
Alea turns back to the door.
Alea: If you'll just excuse me.
Alea reaches out for the bell.
Wise Snake squints at one paper, then turns it upside down, seeing if it's more legible that way.
Wise Snake: Shenned visitors, making me rearrange my whole system.
Wise Snake: [mutters]
Wise Snake places the paper on a stack and studies another one.
Nexus drops her arm - he isn't that much in need.
Alea jerks the bell.
Alea turns back.
Wise Snake nearly jumps out of her skin.
Alea: If you come to the Sime Center, I'm sure they'd be glad to help you...
Alea ~~ uneasy ~~
Nexus takes a few steps back and looks one more time at that enticing field.
Wise Snake grips the desk, panting, as papers flutter hither and thither to new resting places around the room.
Nexus: Yeah - sure love - maybe I'll see you there.
Wise Snake gets up shakily and goes to look out the window.
Alea thinks not me.
Alea thinks she'll hide. He reminds her too much of Febus.
Wise Snake sees Alea and Nexus.
Nexus walks off.
Wise Snake hesitates, then hurries down the stairs.
Wise Snake bursts out of the door wildly.
Wise Snake zlins Nexus leaving.
Wise Snake looks at Alea.
Wise Snake: Are you all right?
Alea: Scum reminded me of Febus.
Alea: Shenned field is a curse sometimes.
Alea: Yeah, I'm fine.
Wise Snake: They do the same to any high field Gens. Don't feel bad.
Alea: Wanna walk with me to the Center?
Alea: Of course.
Wise Snake: Um. No. But I'd take a horse cab there with you.
Alea smiles though her anger shows her nervousness.
Alea ~~ relief ~~
Wise Snake thinks after 3.5 miles of walking with Alea in that condition, Snake would be ready for the hospital.
Alea: Ah, well, good.
Wise Snake locks the door.
Wise Snake: You stay right here.
Alea nods.
Wise Snake goes up to the nearest major street (that is still a major street) and hails a cab.
Cab pulls up.
Wise Snake: I want to go pick up someone right in front of the Ferry Building, and then we're going to the Sime Center.
Cab driver nods.
Alea waits patiently.
Wise Snake climbs in.
Cab drives back to the Ferry Building to where Alea waits.
Wise Snake jumps out to help Alea in.
Alea moves to the cab and allows Snake to help her in.
Cab driver waits until they are in then clicks at the horse.
Alea sits with her back to the cabbie, facing Snake and the back of the carriage.
Alea smiles.
Alea: Thank you, for acoompanying me, Snake.
Wise Snake: No problem.
Cab rolls out into the main street.
Cab driver sees that traffic is light.
Cab driver whips up the horse a bit.
Wise Snake thinks, well it's a little inconvenient, but less so than Alea disappearing or being found frozen in a snowdrift somewhere.
Alea's eyes widen.
Cab starts to go faster.
Wise Snake wonders why Alea, whose stomach is so sensitive, chose to sit facing backwards.
Alea ~~ uneasy ~~ looks around as the carriage bumps along.
Cab rocks from side to side.
Cab hits an amazingly large hole in the road.
Wise Snake prepares herself to move quickly if necessary.
Alea ~~ nausea ~~ ~~ OUCH ~~~
Alea grips the side of the cab.
Alea: I think he's going just a tad fast...
Cab driver is enjoying the wind in his face.
Cab driver urges the horse a bit faster.
Alea releases one side of the cab to place a hand over her stomach.
Wise Snake: Excuse me [to cabbie] We aren't in any hurry at all, so we'd appreciate a quiet ride. Thank you.
Cab slides to a stop in front of the Sime Center thinking that that was a nice fast trip.
Alea: I um... ugh....
Wise Snake nearly gets thrown out of the cab at the stop.
Alea ~~ green ~~
Cab: No problem miss.
Wise Snake: Um. nevermind.
Cab driver smiles.
Alea wonders if breaking a crutch over his head would get her reassigned.
Cab driver puts his hand out for his fair.
Wise Snake helps Alea out carefully.
Alea wobbles on the sidwalk, swaying back and forth.
Alea: Crazy... things always grow crazy when you and I are together.
Eliza sees the cab pull up and Alea and Snake get out.
Wise Snake: Correction... things always go crazy when you and anybody are there.
Alea: I just don't understand it...
Eliza opens the door for them.
Wise Snake searches her pockets and finds a huge handful of the smallest change imaginable, pays the cabbie with it.
Alea looks over at Snake, and calmly releases the control on her field... as she heads up the steps.
Alea ~~ NAUSEA ~~
Eliza: Hello Snake! Alea! ~happy field~
Alea looks at Eliza and scowls.
Eliza grins down at Alea.
Wise Snake hurries Alea toward the public restroom.
Eliza: I'm glad to see you finally remembered not to go out without a channel with you Alea.
Wise Snake: Maybe we ought to go in here for a minute....
Alea: Of course. I never go out ... with ........ out.....
Eliza gets out of her way.
Alea clasps a hand to her mouth, hurrying toward the rest room.
Wise Snake gets Alea in front of a basin just in time.
Alea step OUCH step OUCH...
Alea step....ugh...........
Alea throws up.
Wise Snake turns Alea slightly so the aim is better, then pats her back sympathetically ~~hypo~~
Eliza waits for them to come back out.
Alea groans, grasps for a cup and water, and rinshes her mouth.
Alea: Crazy idiot driver....
Alea: Don't tell me he didn't zlin I was pregnant.
Wise Snake: I don't think he was thinking about us at all, actually.
Alea slips the crutches under her arms.
Alea: Obviously.
Eliza: ~~concern~~
Alea moves slowly back out of the bathroom.
Alea: Hello, Eliza.
Wise Snake follows her out.
Eliza: You ok Alea?
Alea nods.
Alea: Snake got me in there just in time.
Eliza: Hey Snake - I've been talking to Zethraim like you suggested.
Eliza: He is a lovely person
Alea is glad she didn't embarrass herself again in front of the entire Center, like she has several times in the past months.
Wise Snake looks at Eliza coolly.
Eliza's smile fades.
Alea hears the name, Zethraim, and stiffens, looking around wildly to see if he is anywhere near.
Wise Snake was not particuarly impressed with Eliza's performance in front of Sumulo and not inclined to friendliness.
Wise Snake: Good.
Wise Snake turns her attention back to Alea.
Eliza stiffens her back and turns to Alea "would you like something to settle your stomach Alea?"
Alea looks oddly between the two, wondering what is going on.
Alea thinks the interview must have been really bad if she and Snake are not even on talking terms.
Alea: I, um, no. I have work in my office and then I have to go work with... Veraik.
Eliza: Ok then bye.
Eliza walks off without saying goodbye to Snake.
Alea: I well, okay.
Alea looks at Snake in question.
Wise Snake: I thought you were training her.
Alea: I am.
Wise Snake: She is not going to be there while you work?
Alea: I have asked the different channels to work with her over the next few days as she learns introductions and donations.
Alea: I'm teaching her Simlean and the best way is on the job, listening to it.
Wise Snake shrugs, since it doesn't sound like Eliza will be spending any time with Alea soon.
Wise Snake: Well, you're back here safely.
Wise Snake turns back toward the lobby.
Alea: Later, when I'm working with Veraik, she'll be there.
Alea allows a smile to curve her lips.
Alea: Did I mention what happened with Mostan yesterday?
Alea ~~ proud ~~
Alea turns slowly to her office and makes her way there.
Wise Snake pauses.
Wise Snake: No. What?
Alea shrugs.
Alea: I was very proud of our little Eliza.
Alea: She was working with Lanyi.
Alea: Lanyi informs me that Mostan, being terrified of Gens, actually worked with Eliza as she provided the resistance for him to do a shunt.
Alea: She was very steady and sure, providing good support for him.
Alea: It really impressed Lanyi.
Alea: I think the child has potential.
Wise Snake: Potential, yes.
Wise Snake: [no further comment]
Alea smiles thinking she knows how much Snake used to hate to hear Briel and Veraik say Snake had potential.
Alea: Just like they said about you months ago [adds]
Wise Snake: Notice they aren't saying that anymore.
Wise Snake: [drily]
Alea: No, you've leapt, surprising us all with your potential.
Alea grins.
Wise Snake wonders what Alea is getting at.
Alea: We underestimated you.
Alea: Just like, you might be underestimating her.
Wise Snake knows nobody ever gives her a really heavy duty compliment unless they have an ulterior motive.
Wise Snake: Ah, there it is.
Alea: She's silly, empty headed, so young. Perhaps, she'll surprise you pleasantly.
Wise Snake frowns.
Alea: As she grows up and gets her training.
Wise Snake: I don't see where you got the idea I am underestimating her future potential.
Alea: Ignoring her certainly isn't helping her.
Wise Snake: I believe I did not ignore her. I gave her a dirty look meant specifically for her.
Alea: I see.
Alea: Should I ask why, or mind my own business?
Alea [lightly]
Wise Snake: I suppose you should mind your own business, but since you ask, it's because she does not show me the respect I am due.
Alea: She's young.
Wise Snake: She says she is older than I am.
Alea: She'll learn what it means to be a Farris.
Alea frowns at Snake.
Alea: I don't think she grew up like you did, didn't have to grow up as fast. Plus, you've been a channel longer than she's been a Donor.
Wise Snake: Whatever. I'll have time for her when she learns to show a little respect.
Alea shrugs.
Alea: Oh well, then... that may be a long wait.
Wise Snake: If you'd seen what she did to me the other day you would agree.
Alea: Oh?
Wise Snake: That Sumulo had his hands all over her and when I tried to break them up she told me I didn't "own her".
Wise Snake: And this after she had come to me asking for work!
Wise Snake: Well at that point I realized there was no use in trying to get blood from a stone, so I left.
Alea's eyes narrow dangerously.
Alea: Sumulo was bothering her again?
Alea pauses, her eyes suddenly widening.
Alea: She said you didn't "Own" her?
Wise Snake thinks.
Wise Snake: Yeah, that's exactly what she said.
Alea can't help but giggle.
Alea: How very out-Territorish.
Wise Snake hadn't thought there was anything odd about it at all.
Alea: Why do channels always think they own their Gens.
Alea: I had it with Veraik. Tarsh is getting that way.
Alea shakes her head.
Alea: It gets downright irritating at times.
Wise Snake: I have absolutely no interest in owning Eliza. In fact I had turned her down only a short time before.
Alea: I can see her point, how it must seem to her, though, from out-Territory.
Alea: The stuff they're told.
Alea: How very odd.
Wise Snake: It was said more in the tone of voice of "you're not my mother".
Wise Snake: I am sure that was the spirit in which it was intended.
Alea: Ah.
Wise Snake: [restlessly] At any rate, I do not feel I am required to explain myself in this much detail.
Alea: I suppose...
Wise Snake: Suffice it to say that I find her annoying and until she shows me some respect I will have nothing else to do with her.
Alea breaks off surprised.
Alea: I'm sorry to hear that since I will be training her.
Wise Snake: I don't see the connection.
Alea: If you refuse to have anything to do with her, then I won't get to see you since she'll be tagging along just about everywhere I go.
Alea: I enjoy your company upon occasion.
Wise Snake can't believe Alea is capable of being so dense as to believe that Eliza's presence, or absense, will have any effect whatsoever on how Snake treats Alea.
Wise Snake: Then enjoy it.
Wise Snake: [slightly peeved]
Alea: I won't bring my student into the situation I just witnessed. It's not good for you, or her, or me.
Wise Snake: I don't suppose it would even occur to you to simply teach her manners.
Alea: I am working on them. I don't suppose you could practice manners around her while I'm teaching her?
Wise Snake: Ummm... I suppose.
Alea is so suprised she almost falls off her crutches.
Alea ~~ very surprised and happy ~~
Alea gets all teary eyed.
Alea: Really?
Wise Snake looks a little upset.
Alea: Thank you, Snake.
Alea: Believe me when I say, I'll do my best to teach her what she should know.
Alea sniffs.
Alea: I really think she could learn from just being around you, a Farris channel.
Wise Snake thinks that if Alea teaches Eliza to "avoid" danger the way Alea does, then another Donor's career will be wrecked.
Wise Snake: I daresay she could. However, that goes beyond mere politeness on my part.
Wise Snake: And I am not willing to go that far at this time.
Alea turns and goes into her office.
Alea thinks she just wasted breath and emotion on a situation that isn't going to change.
Wise Snake pauses, then since the conversation seems to have been terminated, turns away to the lobby.
Wise Snake leaves the Sime Center.
Alea tosses the crutches to the floor and hops over to her desk, wondering why she even tries.
Eliza knocks on Briel's door.
Alea hears a signal at her door.
Alea gets up and answers it, sees a two young boys, near adult-hood standing there.
Alea motions them in.
Alea takes the sack one is holding and looks inside, wrinkling her nose.
Alea goes over to her desk, grabs up her purse, and hobbles back, paying the young boys.
Alea: Not a word, remember.
Alea gives them some extra money, and a wink.
Alea holds the door for them to leave.
Alea checks the scheduling papers on her desk, then smiles slowly.
Alea tosses them down, grabs up her crutches, and the plastic bag, and swings out of her office and to the Simes Quarters.
Jirelle: Oh, hi Alea!
Alea jumps.
Alea: Ah, hello, Jirelle.
Alea smiles.
Jirelle: What's in the bag?? [cheerful curiousity]
Jirelle zlins the bag.
Alea tries to look perfectly innocent standing there.
Alea: ~~ unusually hard to zlin ~~
Alea: Snake guts -- and skin.
Jirelle realizes the First is shielding the bag with her field.
Jirelle blinks.
Alea figures she might as well tell Jirelle, figuring she won't tell anyone.
Alea doesn't normally trust anyone, but Jirelle is different.
Jirelle: Snake guts?
Alea: Ah well... snake .... parts.
Alea's nose twitches as the smell wafts up to her.
Jirelle tries desperately to think of some sort of cheerful, happy reason for somebody to be walking around with a sackful of animal entrails.
Jirelle smiles weakly.
Alea smiles brightly.
Alea: They make wonderful ... decorations.
Jirelle: They do???
Jirelle looks at Alea suspiciously.
Alea: Yeah.
Jirelle: You're pulling my leg aren't you!
Jirelle laughs.
Jirelle: Oh, you Firsts.
Alea chuckles.
Jirelle: I know I shouldn't have asked, and I deserve the kidding.
Jirelle: Okay, well you have fun with your "snake guts"... hee hee hee!
Jirelle goes off down the hall.
Alea thinks "I'm not kidding" but oh well...
Alea turns and goes on down the hall and slips painfully into Sumulo's room.
Alea pulls out the six foot long Snake skin and pins.
Alea goes to his closet and opens the door, then pins the snake skin on the inside of his door.
Go on to Episode #148: Floating in the Sea which is Not