Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario

Episode #152: Two Birds with One Stick (2/6/98)

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wisesnake turns to Rapol

Rapol looks inquiring.

Alea goes down the hall to the infirmary

wisesnake: I would like to get you some practice time on dealing with emergencies. Let's go to the Sime Center and hang out there for a bit.

Alea makes sure no one is looking... then goes into the infirmary room

Rapol restrains his reluctance. "Certainly."

Alea hobbles over to the cabinets, then leans against the counter and pulls off one of her leggings.

Alea looks down in disgust at the cast, which is falling apart.

Alea turns and pulls open a door, pulling out a large pair of scissors

wisesnake: There is no better way to encounter a mindboggling string of really dangerous disasters and emergencies than to go to the Sime Center [with some satisfaction]

wisesnake turns and begins walking in that direction

Rapol tells himself that those are just _stories_ about Sime Centers.

Rapol can't picture B'Cal doing that sort of thing.

Alea begins cutting away at the cast, hacking off pieces as she can

Rapol: Something we *want* to encounter?

Alea hacks away another piece of the cast.

wisesnake: Yes. You require the practice... you're not thinking quickly enough on your feet in everyday situations. This ought to hone your reflexes somewhat.

wisesnake: [read: make Rapol paranoid]

Rapol wonders what he did to deserve this....

B`Cal snorts

wisesnake: Now, now, try to pick up your spirits a little bit. You want to be the best Donor you can be, don't you?

Alea grumbles as she gets to a part that can't be cut.

wisesnake: B'cal will be with us in case you mess up, so you can concentrate on learning.

Alea looks around for something to continue the work on the cast.

Rapol tries to relax and be optimistically paranoid.

Alea spots the saw they use to remove casts.

Rapol: Raise spirits for disasters?

wisesnake: No, raise spirits for my turnover day. I can't be my best if you're moping.

Bcal` snorts again

wisesnake: The disasters are entirely separate.

Alea hobbles over to the saw and stretches up to get it.

wisesnake approaches the Sime Center, on the lookout for potential disasters

Alea: Why the shen do they place everything so high where a short person like me can't get to it?

Alea grumbles

Bcal` thinks Snake likes disasters.

Bcal` smiles at Rapol, in anticipation on what he is likely to see

Alea grabs the cord and jerks... and jumps back just in time to keep from getting hit in the head

Alea: ouch

Alea grabs her shoulder

Rapol tries to split in Optimistic Rapol towards Snake and suspicious Rapol towards everyone else.

Alea drags the saw over to the counter and hauls it up onto it.

wisesnake: No, no... don't project suspicion, hoping for disasters can be a self-fulfilling prophecy for a Gen with a field like yours.

Rapol projects optimism.

Alea reaches over to plug the saw in... and gasps when it takes off across the counter, eating everything on the top of it.

wisesnake climbs the front steps

Bcal` chuckles meanly

Alea jerks the plug... goes over, and flips the switch off.... then plugs it back in

Alea watches it warily.

wisesnake opens the front door and enters the Sime Center

Alea sighs when it doesn't move

wisesnake: Now, we may as well stay here in the lobby... this is where everything tends to happen.

Alea looks at the mess, but thinks to pick the nicked and messy stuff up later.

Bcal` looks around and sneers

Rapol follows in close behind Snake.

Bcal`: Might not if they had more people in here to guard the door.

Alea lifts her leg up onto the counter and grabs the saw

wisesnake: Well, I heard they were going to have a police officer on duty here during the peak hours, that's why I decided to do it now instead.

Cluck follows close behind Rapol, hands in armpits, elbows flapping

wisesnake looks around, then takes a seat on the couch nearest the door that is actually facing the door

wisesnake: This seems as good a place as any to wai... [pauses as she notices the guy who followed Rapol in]

Alea turns on the saw, stares at it, and begins to carefully cut the cast away

Rapol sits down next to wisesnake and then catches sight of Cluck.

Bcal` sees Cluck and sneers

Cluck prances after Rapol and attempts to sit in Rapol's lap

Cluck: buck.. bck bck bck bcAAWK!

Cluck: [elbows flapping]

wisesnake edges away

Bcal` looks at Rapol

Bcal`: Well?

Rapol pushes Cluck away while trying to block Snake from Cluck's nager with a calm field.

Cluck stamps his foot petulantly

Bcal` grins at Rapol

Cluck: Buck!! Buck buck BUCK GOCK!!

Bcal`: Oh, bravo, Rapol

Bcal`: What a wonderful Donor you'll make

Rapol stands up and positions himself between Snake and Cluck.

wisesnake wipes her forehead, hoping Rapol will be able to forgive B'cal for the sarcastic running commentary...

Alea nicks her leg and gasps, dropping the saw

Rapol is too distracted to analyse B'Cal's words for sarcasm.

Bcal` chuckles

Bcal`: What... cock fight?

wisesnake: [or at least put up with it for the requisite month]

Bcal` sneers

Cluck notices B'cal and high-steps feistily over in her direction, looking her up and down

Bcal` shakes her head in disgust at the entire situation

Cluck: [elbows flapping] Bwuck BUCK buckock. Tsk Tsk Tsk!

Bcal` sneers ugly at Cluck

Cluck: [disdainful/preening]

Rapol watches to see how a professional Tecton Donor deals with the situation.

wisesnake edges around to put Rapol between her and Cluck

Alea grabs up the saw and begins to saw again

wisesnake watches from behind Rapol

Bcal` looks at Snake

Bcal`: Did you come here to work or hide?

wisesnake: Hide. [pointedly]

Bcal` looks back at Cluck and rolls her eyes.

Cluck pushes B'cal

Cluck: Cockadoodle doo!!! Screech!

Bcal` sidesteps, grabs Cluck by the neck and drags it to the door, shoving it out....

Cluck: Awk!!!

Cluck tumbles down the front steps and falls flat on his face

Cluck bursts into tears

Alea drops the saw again

Eliza goes looking for Alea

Alea: blasted...

Bcal` looks out the door, then back and Snake and shrugs.

Bcal`: You don't want to work on him, then no reason to watch him preen.

wisesnake looks a bit disgusted

wisesnake: Don't follow that example, Rapol, [quietly]

Bcal`: You handle it then.

Rapol: Such cases handled here?

Bcal` sneers

Eliza looks for Alea in the cafeteria - not there

Anel steps primly over Cluck's wretched form and goes up the Center's front steps

Alea gets the rest of the cast off... finally... and then rewraps it with a stretchy wrap

Eliza looks for Alea out in the garden - not there

Anel looks at B'cal, sneers very faintly, then walks past her into the Sime Center

Alea nods and leaves the room, crutches in hand, walking instead of swinging her way... carefully, of course

Bcal` turns and marches over to Snake's side

Eliza looks for Alea in the lobby - and quickly disappears when she sees the people there....

Anel walks to the front desk and looks down on the clerk

Bcal`: You want him to learn how to handle these nuts the way you would, then you handle it.

Anel: My appointment is for 8:01. It is now 7:58. I will require two minutes to fill out the forms. Is the channel ready?

Bosis: Good morning. May I help you?

Alea walks slowly down the hall toward the lobby

Bosis: Yes she is, sir.

Anel: Then where is my form?

Bosis: Your name?

Anel holds his hand out impatiently

Eliza: Alea! what are you doing walking?

Alea looks up and smiles at Eliza

Alea: I can do it, with the crutches... hopefully I'll be rid of

those in another day or two.

Alea: So, how are you today?

Anel: Anel Renteni.

Eliza: WHERE is your PLASTER! What have you done!

Alea continues on down the hall.

Alea looks up at Eliza.

Bosis looks around briefly.

Alea: It's wrapped.

Bosis: Ah.

Bosis hands Anel a clipboard.

Eliza: yes - did Lanyi say you could do that?

Alea: Really, Eliza, there are more channels here than just Lanyi

Alea goes on down the hall, trying to hurry.

Anel calculates that with the 14 seconds Bosis wasted locating the form, he now has less than two minutes to fill the forms out

Anel does so, in fussily precise script

Eliza trots after Alea

Eliza: well, as long as someone said you could

Alea: Your day, Eliza?

Alea: How has it been?

Eliza: what are you hurrying for Alea?

Eliza: it's fine - busy

Bosis calls down to the channel.

Alea: I have to be on duty soon.

Eliza: been working with Mostan and Lanyi - Zethraim is helping me to read now

Alea: What new Simelan have you learned?

Alea: very good.

Eliza: [Simelan] hello Alea, how are you today? I hope that you are well. [English] I think I could probably talk in Simelan all the time if you go slowly

Alea: I see.

Alea: Very good

Eliza: [Simelan] what work is it that you are going to?

Alea stumbles to a halt when she sees the crowd in the lobby

Lanyi comes down the hall, carrying a short carved staff.

Bcal` places a well directed half-sneer, remembering Snake's warning about Alea and Veraik, then turns her head back toward the sissy donor.

Rapol sees that the Tecton badgers that poor Sime in need with paperwork.

Alea: So, Eliza, will you be up to working transfers soon?

Eliza runs that through her head and tries to translate it

Lanyi: Hello Bosis. Morning Tuib ....?

Eliza: I don't know

Alea: I see.

Alea: Very well.

Alea: We'll take it slowly.

Anel hands the paperwork back to Bosis

Anel: Renteni. Anel Renteni.

Anel [stiffly]

Lanyi: Pleased to meet Tuib Renteni. If you'll come this way?

Anel: ~~in need but remarkably good at hiding it for a renSime~~

Lanyi isn't going to presume to call someone so stiff by his first name.

Anel follows Lanyi projecting a thin veneer of calculated outrage, his permanent condition

Lanyi wonders what Anel is so irked about...

Alea watches Lanyi and Anel approach and moves back to let them pass

Eliza steps out of the way - stepping on Alea's foot as she does

Alea's eyes widen.

Alea: Ouch!

Alea ~~ pain ~~~

Alea: shendoni!

Eliza: ~~ guilt ~~ Oh Alea - I'm sorry!

Alea swears a blue streak

Lanyi's eyes widen. She interposes her nager to shield Anel.

Anel jerks backward, shocked... absolutely shocked, and outraged, by this event

Alea hobbles around in a circle

Lanyi: ~~ Gen, calm ~~

Eliza sees the reaction of the renSime and is intimidated and tries to hide behind the hopping Alea

Alea: This is the same foot I burned, and broke...

Anel caught a hint of Alea's pain before Lanyi's field had interfered

Alea: and have no shoe on...

Anel: ~~intil raised~~

Lanyi 's control falters when she sees Alea's cast is gone.

Eliza: I'm sorry Alea - I didn't mean to!

Alea grabs at her crutches

Anel moves toward Lanyi out of control

Alea: I know... I know!

Alea takes a deep breath to calm down

Lanyi zlins Anel and tries to draw his attention.

Eliza doesn't know what to do so breaks into tears

Anel: ~~need~~

Alea drops one of her crutches

Alea: Shen!

Eliza picks up the crutch and tries to hand it to Alea - managing to hit her with it instead

Alea jumps back to keep it from falling on her foot

Eliza: ooh dear!!!

Anel tries to grab Lanyi's arms

Lanyi: ~~ Gen, offering ~~

Alea: ouch

Alea grabs her eye.

Alea: What are you trying to do... Kill me!

Lanyi allows it.

Alea gets the crutch and slips it under her arm

Anel stops in confusion, realizing he is out of control, and fights the attack instinct

Anel: This is all wrong! This is... completely unacceptable!

Alea turns... sees the look on Anel's face... and is surprised

Lanyi: Come this way. ~~ offering selyn ~~

Anel: [clutching Lanyi's arms and staring about him in alarm]

Anel follows Lanyi helplessly

Alea's field goes flat

Alea: what the shenned happened with him?

Alea: [to Eliza]

Eliza: I think that you happened to him....

Eliza thinks that Alea happens to a great many people in the Center

Alea ~~ outrage ~~~

Lanyi backs into a room (not sure which) and kicks the door closed behind them.

Alea: Why did Lanyi just go into a broom closet?

Alea ~~ confused ~~ watching Lanyi

Eliza: I have no idea... maybe she wanted a broom?

Anel is quivering with need

Anel: Help me... I can't... control... [hates being out of control]

Alea: but all we store in the broom closet are chemicals

Alea: it... stinks

Lanyi: ~~ Gen - need to give ~~

Lanyi: Did you want to get it back? Or take transfer here?

Anel lunges wildly to pin Lanyi against a loud clattering array of brooms and mops

Anel 's left foot jams itself into a half full mop bucket and his other foot goes into the janitor's dump sink

Eliza: should we open the door and ask her maybe?

Alea: uh, well...

Anel takes a 5th contact and draws selyn desperately

Lanyi winces as a rack of handles flop onto her head and shoulders.

Alea winces at the crash

Alea: I think... you know, I heard a story once....

Alea shakes her head

Eliza: or maybe - leave...

Lanyi: [staff lies on floor in corridor]

Alea: No, we better leave them.

Eliza picks up the staff "What about this? Lanyi dropped it"

Lanyi: ~~ joy! ~~

Alea: Uh, well....

Alea listens

Eliza wonders what story Alea is going to tell her....

Lanyi pours selyn into Anel.

Alea: Why don't you go ahead and give it to her.

Eliza looks doubtfully at the door. "I think I'll wait till she comes out."

Anel grabs desperately for the joy, as well as the selyn, unaware that his fine clothes are now covered with powdered soap from the janitor's handwash station that got snapped off the wall

Alea puts a slight emphasis on YOU

Alea: You know, Lanyi should really have a Donor with her.

Alea tests her foot, to see how it feels.

Alea: It could be dangerous for her, alone, in there with the Sime.

Alea ~~ mild pain ~~~

wisesnake looks at Rapol

Lanyi projects ~~ soaring ecstasy ~~ while trying to ignore the wetness of something leaking onto her back.

Eliza looks in panic at Alea - Alea is the dominant Donor here - shouldn't she do it?

wisesnake: You know, the Sime Center is remarkably quiet today. [disappointed]

Bcal` looks at the ceiling

Eliza: you - want - me to go into the closet?

wisesnake: I suppose we should wait a bit longer to see if anything happens...

Alea: Well....

Rapol: Certainly.

Alea hops over to the door

Alea: Maybe we should just... peek?

Eliza stays back against the far wall

Eliza doesn't think that sounds like a good idea at all

Alea wonders just how much she might disrupt the field....

Anel accepts the ecstasy and transmits his own mirrored upwelling hope, which no doubt would not have been felt had he been able to feel the large bump growing on his head from a box of paper towels that had konged him on the head a little before...

Alea stays behind the door, opening it... looking at Eliza

Alea: What do you see?

Eliza: I didn't like the way that man looked Alea - he looked - mean...

Alea opens it a crack more so Eliza can see

Alea is still behind the door

Eliza sees a mess - both the channel and the renSime are covered in cleaning solution

Anel 's draw slows

Lanyi: ~~ peaking happiness and fulfillment ~~

Alea: well?

Anel: ~~bliss~~

Alea mouths this?

Alea lifts a hand, shrugging a shoulder in question

Eliza mouths "shut the door!"

Alea slams the door

Alea grabs her crutches

Alea: What?

Alea hobbles over to Eliza

Anel 's draw ends

Lanyi brings the transfer to a close.

Alea: Are you sure? Should I go in there? Or you?

Eliza is pale

Lanyi zlins Anel.

Eliza: I think we should both go somewhere else

Eliza: really really quickly

Alea shrugs

Alea starts back to the lobby

Alea: If you insist.

Eliza runs off - with staff still in hand - leaving Alea to hobble where she will

Anel gradually becomes aware that he is wearing a damp string mop head on his right shoulder, his feet are wedged into a bucket and a sink (both full of cold gray water) and he is covered with pink powder

Alea: I hope Lanyi....

Alea hurries faster to get to the lobby

Anel: ~~ pleasure graduating slowly toward outrage ~~

Lanyi: My apologies for the inconvenience.

Alea bursts into the lobby

Eliza belts into her room and slams and locks the door

Alea: Hello SNAKE

Alea skids to a stop by her, wincing.

wisesnake looks up at Alea curiously, prodding Rapol to act in the interests of learning

wisesnake: [and her own defense, of course]

Bcal` looks Alea up and down, crosses her arms and pointedly looks away

wisesnake: Hello...?

Rapol guards Snake against this strong field.

Alea: Did you see... Ah, there she is.

Alea: Eliza?

Alea: She stepped on my foot and is just a bit embarrassed I think.

Alea looks

Alea: Oh.

wisesnake zlins Alea's foot, and immediately wishes she hadn't

Alea disappointment

wisesnake: Should you be out of that cast yet?

Alea: That's not her either.

Alea sighs

Alea: what?

Alea looks down

Alea: It's healing fine, don't you think?

Rapol extends his field to allow Snake to zlin Alea.

wisesnake: You have three open wounds and serious bruising that weren't there yesterday.

wisesnake: You know, the cast is there to protect also.

wisesnake nods slightly at Rapol letting him know he is doing a good job

Alea: Well, yes, I know that.

Alea: I had a little trouble getting it off.

Alea: I mean, it was falling apart, you would have thought it'd come off easier

wisesnake: You took it off yourself??

wisesnake: With what, a chainsaw? [checking injuries again]

Alea: not exactly. It's much smaller

wisesnake decides whatever inflicted those injuries had smaller teeth than a chainsaw

Alea: somewhat smaller.

Alea pauses

Alea: Just what is a chainsaw?

Bcal` snorts and walks over to the window

wisesnake: We're better off if you don't know, I think. [apologetically]

Lanyi disengages her arms and grabs at the stick handles projecting from in back of her, trying to put them back, or at least push them aside.

Alea is trying to decide if it's that big thing she saw in the back shed, or the manual one that someone used to cut branches

Anel loses his balance as the mop bucket one foot is stuck in chooses that moment to roll backward

Anel: Aargh!

Alea: So, what are you doing here today, Snake?

Rapol wonders if a chainsaw is one of these "surgical instruments" that Gens use out-T.

Turrie: How is the leg Alea - I didn't realise it was at the stage of healing where the plaster could be removed

Alea glances sweetly at Turrie.

Alea: Have you had lunch yet? They're having special foods today...

Alea: Of course, Farrises aren't invited.

Turrie raises an eyebrow "Well thank you anyway Alea however I rarely eat - lunch"

Alea: Ah, I see.

Alea looks back at Snake

Alea: I wouldn't advise you to go in there.

Alea: They're using all kinds of spices we're allergic to.

Alea: I'd be glad to fix you something if you'd like.

Alea glances again at Rapol wondering if he's making sure Snake eats.

Bcal` hears the talk about cooking and strides over behind Snake and Rapol

Turrie: Thank you anyway Alea - but I should get on with my work. Goodbye Snake [nods to the two people that no one bothered to introduce] I'll leave you be [walks away]

Alea smiles, thinking it works every time.

Rapol: Pleased to meet you.

Alea nods

Lanyi: ~~ calm ~~ It's all right. It's Ok.

Alea: And you.

Lanyi holds Anel up.

Lanyi: I've got you. try to get your foot out of the bucket.

Anel tugs on his leg, producing a gushing of gray water out onto the floor

Anel: ~~~disgust and frazzled nerves~~

Anel finally manages to yank his foot out [shoe scarred up]

Anel gets his other foot out of the sink, this one also wet to mid-shin, and the foot laden with gray sludge-bunnies from old mop rinsings

Alea adjusts the crutches

Alea: So, you here with Snake today to work? [to Rapol]

Alea ignores Bcal

Rapol: Yes. Relaxing to keep her safe.

Alea smiles

Alea: Good to hear that.

wisesnake is still staring after Turrie with a tense/nervous expression

Alea: You know how channels are.

Lanyi: Good. Can you stand now?

Anel climbs to his feet, then realizes what his hands are doing and quickly lets go of Lanyi

Alea: You just can't let them take care of themselves. The Gen has to do it.

Anel: ~~offended, embarrassed, and too rigid to take this well at all~~

Rapol makes a note of this new Sime who Snake was uncomfortable with.

Anel: __what__ are we doing in a broom closet? [stiffly/embarrassed]

Lanyi: Again, sorry for my choice of room... I grabbed the first door I saw, to get you away from that ambient.

Anel: Never in all my years has... this... [looks down at his ruined clothes]

Alea smiles at Rapol

Eliza wonders just how angry Lanyi will be with her

Anel hits at the mop head draped over his shoulder, finally manages to slap it off with distaste

Lanyi: We'll pay for your damages, of course.

Alea looks back at Snake and smiles at her.

Lanyi makes another attempt to defeat the stick monster.

Lanyi: [distracted] and you can use our locker room here to clean up, if you wish.

Anel frowns as he notes an increasing number of handles are falling into a wedged position against the door

Rapol shrugs. He wonders why both Alea and Snake wear these black accoutrements.

Alea: So, Rapol, where are you from?

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

wisesnake belatedly looks at Alea, wondering why Alea is smiling at her [wary]

Alea: Oh?

Alea: I might have. I'm pretty up to date on history.

Alea: Have traveled quite a bit.

Alea smiles at Snake again

Alea ~~ tad nervous as she waits longer and longer for Lanyi to leave the closet ~~

Rapol turns his attention fully to Snake, sensing something bothering her.

Turrie returns to the lobby and puts a file on top of the locker. The files here are rather haphazard and that one contained information on an entirely different person

Rapol: [grateful for an excuse to 'forget' the question.]

Turrie goes through the files looking for the one that should have been there in the other folder

Alea: Yes, I've been to Oma, Lacona, Bin...

Lanyi grabs at the handles wedged in the door, tries to lift them up.

Alea shifts

Briel comes striding down the hall and hears a noise in the storage closet

Briel slows, zlinning

wisesnake is relieved as Rapol remembers what he's really here for

wisesnake calms down a little bit

Turrie finally finds the missing file and changes them over

Briel goes over and pulls the door open.

Briel jumps back as mops go everywhere

Anel tumbles out of the room

Briel looks at Lanyi and the renSime with her, zlins... shakes her head... and turns back toward her office

Lanyi falls forward, catching herself by grabbing the doorframe.

Briel hurries away, muttering Jon's name as a curse

Anel catches his balance in the hallway

Anel watches as the Controller of the Center walks away from him

Anel: ~~growing outrage~~

Anel: This is unacceptable.

Anel: [referring to his appearance, the circumstances of his transfer, Briel's behavior, and this entire day in general]

Alea: So, Snake, it sure has been... quiet today

Alea winces at the loud crash

Lanyi: I agree, Tuib. I'm very sorry.

wisesnake: How can you just sit here knowing what that woman is here for, and do nothing?

Turrie returns to her office

Rapol looks quickly (but calmly) in the direction of the noise.

Alea looks at Snake blankly

Lanyi tries to pick up the brooms and mops and get them back into the room.

Alea: What woman?

Anel starts to grip his hair, then lets go again, looking down at himself helplessly

Briel drags Jon Drake back with her, keeping him right next to her.

Briel: Lanyi?

Briel: Would you like to um... explain this?

Briel waves a tentacle

Briel zlins Anel again

Lanyi abandons the battle with the closet. "let me - Yes, Briel?"

Anel: ~~enraged customer~~

Lanyi: Alea. And Eliza.

wisesnake gives Alea a narrow look

wisesnake: Oh... is that how it is.

Briel rubs at her neck

wisesnake: I see.

Briel: I see.

Alea: What?

Alea raises her hands in surrender... and promptly loses a crutch

Alea scrabbles for it.

wisesnake cringes

Rapol: [thinks: Is that how what is?]

Briel: How did you... no, never mind...

Rapol: ~~ shield ~~

Briel: Are you okay? [to renSime]

Anel: No! I am not okay! [freaking out]

Alea grabs it and jerks it back holding it against her chest

Anel: [used to throwing money at problems before they happen]

Briel takes control of the field working to soothe him

Lanyi: I had to get Tuib... Anel away from the ambient. took the first available door.

Briel: I see. Would you like to tell me what happened?

Briel: Ah...

Briel: Okay

Anel: Can I please clean up?

Briel thinks things turned out pretty well if Alea and Eliza were involved

Briel: Of  course.

Briel: Lanyi, would you, um, show him to the showers.

Lanyi: Just come with me Tuib...

Alea looks around trying to figure out what is the matter

Alea: Ah....

Alea looks at Snake

Eliza has fallen asleep on her bed - the staff still held in her hand

Alea: I am working on that particular problem

Anel: Oh? [voicelessly]

Anel follows feeling a bit numbed

Turrie returns still another file with incorrect papers to the cabinet

wisesnake waits for further reassurances

Lanyi: Here you are sir. The Sime men's locker room. I'll try to send someone with some clean clothes.

Lanyi eyes Anel to gauge his size.

Alea: My life is here now. Everything that is important to me. You can rest assured, Snake, that if something were to happen, it will be quelled before it gets out of the starting gate.

Turrie is amused by the state of the filing and wonders who's responsible

Anel is medium-sized, seems to work out some, but no Atlas even for a Sime

Anel rushes into the locker room in relief

Lanyi comes up to the lobby.

Alea notes someone and turns... and sees Lanyi

Alea ~~ shocked horrified ~~

wisesnake: That woman getting me alone in her office was - [stops as Alea's attention goes elsewhere]

Turrie sorts through, casually fixing some more obvious mistakes as she comes to them

Lanyi 's hair is in disarray, some pink powder over her left arm, a dark stain on the right side of her back.

wisesnake hides behind Rapol's field

Alea: I um... know, Snake. But it -won't- happen again.

Rapol: ~~ Protection ~~

Turrie isn't deaf and wonders what leads Snake to think so

wisesnake: [Snake of course doesn't give a flying leap what Turrie hears Snake say about her]

Alea sounds odd and her attention is fully fixed on Lanyi

wisesnake hopes Rapol is learning a lot from this because it's certainly no picnic for her

Turrie gets to "S" before she finds the file she really needed "Zsanderman"

Bcal: Don't you shower before you go to work, Lanyi?

Bcal: Or has the level of cleanliness slipped -- again

Bcal glances at Snake as a pointed reminder

Turrie takes the file and exits once again - looking in surprise at Lanyi's appearance

Rapol wonders where that well-oiled (if soul-crushing) machine that the Tecton is supposed to be is...

Alea moves carefully over to support Lanyi

Alea: Are you okay?

wisesnake is insulted, since she has made a valiant effort to stay clean despite the living conditions at the Ferry Building... and mostly for B'cal's benefit

Alea: I had to wonder, when I saw you go into a broom closet, what you were up to.

Alea ~~ offers support ~~ to Lanyi

Lanyi looks coolly over at B'Cal. "I'm covered in soap. How much cleaner can you get?"

Lanyi asks Bosis to get some clean clothes in the specified size to the Sime Men's locker room.

Bcal smiles at Lanyi and nods

Lanyi: "and my apologies to Zethraim, but I've messed up his closet in the Sime wing."

Alea thinks messed up is an understatement

wisesnake thinks Alea is experienced enough in that type of thing to be able to judge, too

Alea thinks Lanyi must be wearing half of the closest

Alea's nose twitches

Lanyi: Alea. I thought I should protect my client from the... ambient.

Alea sticks a finger under her nose and nods

Alea: Of course, Hajene

Alea: But in a broom closet

Alea's eyes begin to water

Rapol tries to follow all the disparate conversations without much success.

Lanyi realizes she doesn't have her staff and looks around for it.

Alea sneezes

Lanyi: [mutters] Must be back with the brooms.

Alea digs in her pocket for a hankie and wipes at her eyes, stepping back from Lanyi...

Alea: "What are you looking for?"

Alea looks around, giving Lanyi and the cleaners plenty of space.

Lanyi: [absently] My staff... must be with the mops and brooms.

Alea sighs, ~~ frustration ~~

Lanyi goes off to clean up.

wisesnake motions discreetly to Rapol and stands, walks towards the door of the Sime Center

Rapol follows closely on Snake's heels.

Alea watches Snake and Rapol leave

Alea shrugs and goes to her office

Lanyi steps into the shower, wondering if Alea is contagious...

Turrie finishes with the files and returns them to the cabinet in the lobby

Mostan comes back in from the gazebo.

Turrie makes sure that they are in the correct places this time

Eliza blushes

Alea props her foot up awkwardly on the desk and works at cleaning her leg up.

Mostan goes up to Eliza's room.

Mostan signals.

Eliza wakes up with a start at the signal

Eliza yawns and gets up, walks over to the door and opens it [still holding the staff]

Mostan: Eliza...

Eliza: oh! Hello Mostan ~~ guilt at not seeing him for two days ~~

Mostan: ~~ field quivering in turnover ~~

Eliza: would you ummm like to come in? [doesn't know what to say]

Mostan: hello. How are you doing?

Eliza: ~~support~~

Mostan: yes, thank you.

Mostan comes in and sits down in the chair.

Mostan: ~~ leans on field ~~

Eliza: I'm fine I think - was just napping OH ~~ embarrassed ~~

Eliza looks for somewhere to sit that isn't a bed

Eliza finds she is still holding the staff and puts it down, walks around the room trying to act casual

Mostan: I'm sorry, but it's my turnover day. And I was hoping you could help me through it.

Eliza: oh of course [goes quickly to his side] what do you want me to

Do? ~~support~~

Mostan: project a steady calm field. Concentrate it here (points at center chest over vriamic).

Mostan: My vriamic node is always unstable now. Not that I ever have good control of it, compared to real channels.

Eliza blushes

Eliza: of course - I can do that... I think

Eliza pushes the sudden desire to sit on his lap [just to make it easier of course] away

Eliza: what do you mean "real channels" aren't you a real channel?

Turrie signals at Alea's door

Mostan: Yeah, but I only learned I was a few months ago. When Keli forced my Secondary open.

Alea glances up

Alea: Come in

Eliza: Oh! I didn't know that... so what did you do before?

Turrie enters and smiles

Turrie: hello Alea - just wondering if you would like some lunch - as I know you didn't eat before

Alea hesitates, then nods

Alea belatedly drops her leg from the top of her desk

Turrie: Would you like help with that leg?

Alea: Oh, no. It's fine. Really.

Turrie: Very well then

Mostan: ~~ evasive ~~ "Uh, I worked in the Arts community."

Turrie: how are you feeling - has the morning sickness eased yet?

Alea stands and carefully walks over to Turrie.

Mostan: "I'd been told I was a renSime. But my transfers were lousy."

Eliza: oh wow! Arts - you mean like paintings or something?

Eliza: ~~ sympathy~~

Alea: Okay, let's go.

Alea concentrates on Turrie, offering support

Turrie holds the door open for Alea to hop through

Mostan: Yeah. Painting , music, theater. Very t-t stuff. New forms.

Eliza: t - t ???

Turrie: So Alea - what would you like for lunch - if you like to sit I'd be happy to get it for you

Mostan: trans-Territory. Art that mixes traditions from Gen and Sime Territories.

Alea: Oh, just uh, toast is fine.

Eliza knees on the floor next to Mostan

Eliza: do you feel better yet?

Mostan: Breaking the old paradigms, finding new truths.

Eliza: it sounds interesting [smile]

Mostan: Yes. That does help. Thank you.

Alea goes down the hall and to the kitchen

Turrie nods, seats Alea and gets tea and toast for Alea and places it on the table in front of her

Mostan notices her kneeling. "Oh, I'm sorry."

Mostan gets up to offer her the chair.

Turrie returns and gets a glass of, hmmmm, fruit juice for herself

Eliza: oh no! don't stand I'm fine

Eliza: or - how about we go somewhere else? I have this staff of Lanyi's - I should return it to her

Alea absently eats the toast and sips her tea.

Alea: You really shouldn't have gotten that for me. I'm not helpless.

Mostan zlins the staff.

Mostan: Oh. Ok.

Turrie feels, that as every topic she raises seems to be objectionable, she will wait for Alea...

Turrie: of course you aren't helpless Alea - but it's nice to be able to help

Alea: of course.

Alea nods

Eliza picks up the staff and waits for Mostan to lead

Mostan goes to the door.

Eliza stays close to him

Mostan is willing to go around other people with Eliza to support him.

Turrie sips her fruit juice and waits for Alea to bring up an "allowed" topic

Mostan walks down the hall. "You wanted to see Lanyi?"

Eliza: yes - would you know where she would be at this time of day?

Mostan: Not sure depends on the schedule. Cafeteria is worth a look.

Eliza 's tummy rumbles

Eliza: oh dear - that sounds good - I missed lunch!

Turrie continues to drink in silence

Mostan: Definitely the cafeteria first then.

Eliza smiles at Mostan

Eliza holds back the desire to run

Alea finishes her tea and toast.

Alea: Thank you for thinking of me, Turrie

Eliza takes Mostan's hand in a subtle effort to hurry him up

Turrie: of course Alea - my pleasure. Donors shouldn't skip meals - especially not pregnant Donors [smiles]

Turrie: when is the baby due?

Alea: I still have awhile yet.

Alea smiles

Eliza and Mostan finally get to the cafeteria

Eliza: Oh look! There is Alea! Oh - she is with someone

Mostan comes along with Eliza.

Eliza thinks about it then increases her support of Mostan

Mostan relaxes. "Thank you."

Alea: Am going to have to break out my maternity clothes again.

Turrie: I hope that it hasn't been to difficult for you - working as well

Alea: Hold these skirts together with rubber bands...

Alea: Why would it be difficult?

Alea curious

Turrie: Again? So you have another child?

Alea: I'm healthy and stay away from the lobby.

Mostan looks over the food with Eliza's interest.

Turrie has never had a child and imagines it would be pretty awful

Turrie: you stay away from the lobby? For what reason?

Alea ~~ sorrow ~~ quickly covered

Alea: The lobby tends to be rather dangerous.

Lanyi finishes dressing and gathers her hair into a pony tail.

Eliza picks up bits and pieces and puts them on two plates "can you get us some teas please Mostan?"

Mostan: Of course.

Mostan gets two teas.

Turrie: That's interesting - is it due to the fact you have only one entrance for both renSimes and Gens?

Alea: No... no not at all.

Alea: We just tend to get a lot of crazy people in here.

Alea: You'd be surprised

Turrie determines to keep an eye on the lobby

Lanyi goes down to check the closet.

Eliza looks for a seat and sees that there is a table next to Alea free - of course there are tables free everywhere....

Eliza walks over to the table near Alea and puts down the tray

Turrie isn't sure she will be surprised - but it should be interesting

Turrie looks up and sees Eliza and Mostan "hello Mostan, hello Eliza'

Alea glances over

Eliza smiles at the tall channel and wishes she could remember names

Alea: Oh, hello Mostan.... Eliiiiza

Alea draws her name out, remembering how she deserted her earlier

Eliza: hello, Hello Alea

Mostan comes over and puts the teas down next to her tray.

Eliza blushes as she remembers running away

Mostan: Alea.

Eliza: ~~ embarrassed ~~

Eliza: err sorry about that before Alea

Alea lifts an eyebrow.

Alea: Not at all.

Eliza: everything ok?

Eliza: oh

Alea: Yes, it is. Just fine.

Alea smiles.

Mostan: Turrie, isn't it?

Eliza: oh dear - I am sorry - how is your foot - your eye....

Eliza suddenly wishes that she had picked another table

Alea shrugs

Turrie: That's right - I see you haven't lost your Donor again [smiles]

Eliza is trilled at being called Mostan's "Donor"

Mostan: Yes, she's very helpful.

Eliza looks at Alea to see if she noticed

Alea wonders if Eliza has looked at the transfer list yet and realizes she IS Mostan's Donor this month.

Alea wonders if it would scare her spitless to tell her... decides since she's not sure exactly where Mostan is in his cycle, she won't mention it

Lanyi sorts through all the mops and brooms without finding her staff.

Eliza puts the staff on a chair - out of Alea's sight

Eliza smiles at Mostan

Alea: Well, if you'll excuse me.

Alea nods to Mostan and Eliza, then Turrie.

Mostan: Of course.

Alea: I think I'll get back to my office to work.

Turrie: of course Alea.

Alea stands, wincing.

Turrie stands and hands Alea her crutches

Mostan 's turnover has him worrying about his next transfer.

Turrie: shall I accompany you?

Alea: No, that's quite all right.

Eliza eats hungrily

Alea: Thank you anyway, though.

Alea walks off slowly down the hall.

Mostan winces too.

Mostan drinks his tea.

Turrie stays standing "if you will both excuse me - I also have work to return to"

Turrie leaves

Alea goes to her office and drops down in her chair

Alea props her foot up, thinking this is going to be a long day

Eliza smiles at Mostan "did you hear what she said? Like I was a real Donor!"

Eliza is very pleased and excited

Mostan doesn't know if he can trust any Gen enough to... to....

Eliza drinks her tea

Eliza: how you going Mostan? You OK?

Mostan smiles over at Eliza. "You are learning quickly. I'd love to have you as _my_ Donor."

Turrie returns to work wondering how she can get through Alea's defences. Obviously she was more shaken then one would have expected by the message from Zeor

Eliza blushes

Eliza: I'd love to be your Donor too - one day - when I've learned more

Mostan: Much better... with your help.

Eliza is a little intimidated by the channels at the center

Mostan is a little brung down by the 'one day'.

Eliza thinks that Mostan isn't nearly as intimidating as some of the others - like Veraik - or Briel - or Snake.....

Eliza sees Mostan's expression and "leans" on him a bit ~~comfort - support~~

Eliza: tell me about turnover?

Mostan relaxes.

Mostan: Turnover is when a Sime has used up half the selyn from his last transfer.

Eliza picks up a piece of fruit to eat after her sandwich

Eliza: and it makes you feel sick?

Mostan: Technically, any Sime past turnover is in need, though need gets more intense later, of course.

Eliza: I don't understand - can't you just sort of "top up"?

Mostan: Yes. Turnover changes a number of the body's systems. S- uh, drives like hunger disappear, sleep may be increasingly disturbed.

Eliza stops eating and stares at Mostan fascinated "that sounds dreadful"

Mostan: Theoretically. Transfer could be taken right after turnover, but that is both uneconomical and unhealthy in the long run.

Eliza: I think that "turnover" sounds unhealthy!

Mostan: It's a bit distressing, but can be dealt with.

Eliza: Do you know who your Donor is yet?

Mostan: Of course, having a Gen present during turnover and need greatly relieves distress.

Eliza: but you can't have a Gen with you all the time - what do you do while you are alone - like when you sleep

Eliza realises she made the assumption that Mostan sleeps alone and blushes

Mostan: When you're alone you cope as best you can. Though actually Donors often do sleep with their assigned channels for just that reason.

Eliza eyes go really wide "they do?"

Mostan realizes how that came out.

Eliza: who is your Donor at the moment? [tries not to be jealous]

Mostan: Yes. In the same room, so their nager keeps the channel secure from needmares.

Eliza: oh - I see

Mostan: No, I haven't looked at my mail. I'm...

Mostan: ~~ afraid ~~

Eliza: ~~support~~

Eliza: what's the matter?

Mostan: Af- After my injury... I'm not sure if I can....

Eliza: ~~worried~~ What Mostan?

Eliza: ~~comforting~~

Mostan: I don't know if I can take transfer again...

Eliza looks very serious

Eliza: I don't know what I can do to help

Eliza: but if there is anything - anything at all - I'd be happy to do it

Mostan takes Eliza's hand and wraps tentacles around it.

Mostan: I should stop putting it off. Will you come with me while I find out who I'm assigned?

Eliza softly puts her other hand over the top

Eliza: of course I will

Eliza: [as if I'd let him go alone - really]

Mostan gets up.

Eliza stays close - not letting go of his hand

Mostan takes a deep breath.

Eliza remembers and reaches over to pick up the staff

Eliza ~~supports~~ Mostan

Mostan: Come on.

Eliza: sure [follows him closely]

Mostan goes back to his office.

Mostan stops to grab a sheaf of mail from his box.

Mostan: Eliza, I think this is your box here.

Eliza is surprised "I have a mail box?"

Mostan: Yeah. All Donors have mail boxes.

Eliza: oh! [wonders if to tell Mostan that she doesn't read]

Eliza: is there anything in it? [peeks inside curiously] oh yes - look a few letters and a newsletter thing

Mostan: It looks like an assignment card too.

Eliza: I have an assignment?

Mostan: So it would seem....

Eliza remembers they are here to check Mostan's - not hers

Eliza: what about your Donor Mostan?

Mostan starts looking through his pile, but the slick paper causes half to spill onto the floor.

Eliza goes to pick it up for him - but she has his hand in one hand and Lanyi's staff in the other

Eliza sorts it out by putting the staff on the desk first

Mostan picks up the assignment card face down.

Mostan: This is it.

Eliza grabs a handful of other mail and puts it on the desk

Mostan takes a deep breath.

Eliza: ~~~comfort~~~

Eliza: ~~support~~

Mostan turns it over and reads it.

Mostan: ~~surprise~~

Mostan: ~~ joy ~~

Eliza waits for Mostan to tell her who

Eliza ~~supports~~ Mostan

Mostan hands her the card

Eliza takes it blankly and looks at it

Eliza looks at all the writing on it - and sees Eliza....

Eliza looks at Mostan "that's my name on it"

Mostan: Yes. It is. [smiling]

Eliza: that means I'm your Donor?

Mostan: Yes. It does.

Eliza: ~~joy and love~~

Eliza: ~~fear~~

Eliza: but I can't be your Donor! You need a real Donor - someone who knows what they are doing! Like like Alea or someone! Someone who can keep you well!!!

Mostan: ~~ joy ~~

Eliza: how can I be your Donor - I don't know what I'm doing - I might hurt you - I wouldn't want to hurt you Mostan - I'd rather die first. It has to be a mistake!!!

Eliza starts to sob

Mostan: [takes hands in tentacles] "Eliza. Yes you can."

Eliza rests her head on his chest and sobs "but I'm scared"

Mostan: You care and you want to help. That's the core of it right there.

Eliza: oh look at what I'm doing - and I should be offering you support! See what I mean?

Mostan puts his arms around her.

Mostan: Don't be scared. Nothing to be scared of.

Eliza looks up at him, tears on her face

Eliza: I'm sorry

Eliza: I'm scared I wont be good enough for you

Mostan puts a hand on the side of her face and wipes tears away with a ventral.

Eliza leans against his hand

Mostan: You will be. No one else would be.

Eliza: ~~care and affection~~

Mostan sighs and smiles.

Eliza thinks she could stand like this forever - wrapped in Mostan's arms and tentacles

Eliza hasn't felt so loved since....

Mostan thinks he could stand like this forever - wrapped in Eliza's nager.

Mostan thinks he might live past the end of the month for the first time since ...

Mostan: Come on. We'll talk about it.

Eliza: Yes [Eliza would go anywhere with Mostan at this moment]

Lanyi comes into the lobby, irked she couldn't find her staff.

Eliza remembers what Mostan said about sleeping with Donors and blushes

Lanyi zlins Eliza and Mostan hugging and is pleased.

Lanyi zlins the staff on the desk.

Lanyi: _There_ it is!

Lanyi goes over to pick it up.

Eliza jumps back

Eliza: oh Lanyi umm here is your staff!

Eliza: I picked it up before

Lanyi: Oh. Thank you.

Lanyi zlins Eliza intently.

Mostan: ~~ indignation and anger ~~

Lanyi backs off. "Sorry Mostan."

Eliza: oh Lanyi - Mostan - I'm Mostan's Donor [looks pleased and proud]

Eliza wonders what Lanyi is saying sorry to Mostan for

Lanyi feigns surprise "Really? That's wonderful!"

Mostan comes up and puts his arms around Eliza from behind.

Eliza looks at Mostan "yes - isn't it"

Eliza ~~supports~~ Mostan

Mostan: [whispers in ear] "She apologized for zlinning you. It's rude to zlin another Sime's Donor."

Eliza blushes wondering if he could tell some of the other things she has been thinking

Turrie entered the lobby with more files to errr file

Turrie smiles at Mostan and Eliza and the channel she doesn't know and walks past them to the cabinet

Mostan: Come on. We'll talk.

Eliza: ok Mostan [smiles at him]

Eliza: ~~joy and love~~

Mostan keeps an arm around Eliza as they go down to his office.

Lanyi turns away and smiles that the plan that Alea, Briel, and she came up with is working so well. Zlinning Eliza to make Mostan jealous worked perfectly.

Lanyi twirls her staff deftly.


Go on to Episode #153: Rat Bites Bat

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