Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #172: Chicken-Free but Decorated (2/26/98)
Alea comes from the cafeteria toward the lobby.
Alea enters the lobby.
Alea snatches up her cloak to go for a walk.
Linn is coming up the Sime Center's sidewalk.
Alea slips on her cloak, gloves and scarf, buttoning it up.
Linn is carrying several books.
Alea pulls open the door and sees Linn.
Alea: Hello, Linn.
Alea moves to take some of the books from Linn.
Alea: Let me help you with those.
Linn: Oh!
Linn: Hello, Alea.
Linn: Thank you.
Linn hands Alea the books and carefully negotiates the perpetually slippery stairs up to the porch.
Alea: So, what brings you to the Center?
Alea pulls the door closed behind them.
Alea ~~ curious ~~
Linn begins stripping off coat and gloves.
Linn: Nick asked me to return the books, since I was coming anyway. The poor man is still confined to bed.
Alea: Oh, dear.
Alea: I hope he's doing better at least.
Alea takes the books over and sets them on clerk's desk.
Linn: Better enough to be restless, at any rate.
Linn pulls out a list.
Linn: He asked me to get him some reading material.
Alea: Oh, sure.
Alea: Let's go down to the library and see what we have.
Linn: Actually, if you wouldn't mind hunting them down for me...? I have other business here.
Alea: Of course.
Alea takes the list.
Linn: Thank you.
Alea goes down the hall to find the books for Linn.
Linn shifts from foot to foot nervously, then goes over to Clerk's desk.
Alea goes to the library and finds the books that are required.
Linn frowns as Clerk ignores her.
Linn clears her throat.
Linn: Excuse me?
Alea realizes one is on the top shelf.
Alea pulls the ladder over to the shelves.
Alea starts to climb up the ladder, remembers how upset Tarsh got at her skating and sighs.
Alea goes over and asks the librarian to get the books down for her.
Clerk looks up at Linn. "Yes?"
Linn: I'm here to donate, if there's a channel available?
Veraik enters the lobby and spots Linn.
Veraik: Hello, Linn.
Clerk looks at the list.
Linn: Hello, Veraik.
Clerk: If you would like to take a seat. [indicates the lounge]
Linn: Very well.
Clerk: Ah. [goes back to bookwork]
Linn goes and takes a seat, shifting nervously.
Veraik: Uh. no. I'll take her donation. That IS what you are here for, isn't it Linn?
Alea finishes gathering the books.
Linn: Yes.
Alea gathers them up and signs Nick's name for them.
Alea comes back down the hall.
Linn reminds herself that the whole business about the Simephobe therapy was an honest mistake, and that Veraik didn't mean to scare her witless.
Veraik holds out a tentacle to Linn. "Trust me?"
Linn looks at the tentacle for a long moment, then nods.
Alea walks into the lobby as Veraik says that and thinks "trust him when Simes fly".
Veraik waits. ~~intense, serious, patient~~
Alea sets the books down on the clerk's desk wondering why Linn has come to them to donate.
Alea crosses the room and pushes the door open.
Veraik goes to the clerk and asks for Linn's chart.
Veraik: Alea?
Alea pauses at the door and looks back at Veraik.
Alea: Yes, Hajene?
Veraik: Do you have time to support me during Linn's donation?
Alea hesitates then nods curtly.
Alea: Of course, Hajene.
Alea unbuttons her cloak, slips her gloves and scarf off and hangs them up and then moves to support Veraik.
Alea ~~ support ~~
Veraik: Linn? Are you comfortable with Alea in the room during your donation?
Linn: Umm... certainly.
Alea smiles at Linn.
Veraik takes the chart and stands by Linn.
Veraik: You will be fine, Linn. Nothing to worry about.
Alea silently snorts.
Alea ~~ support ~~ ~~ smirk ~~
Veraik zlins Alea and wonders if it was such a good idea to invite her along.
Alea turns toward the donation room.
Veraik takes Linn's arm.
Veraik: How have you been, Linn?
Alea pushes open the donation room door and goes inside.
Alea checks the medications, then moves to offer support again.
Linn: It's been lonely since Nick and Snake moved out.
Linn tenses a bit when Alea chooses the room in which Snake took her first donation.
Veraik zlins Linn. "Relax Linn. You will be fine."
Linn smiles weakly.
Linn: I'll try.
Linn: It's just been awhile since I sat on one of those.
Linn nods towards the "tentacle chair".
Alea: How did Snake take your donation?
Alea isn't sure she wants to know.
Linn thinks that actually, the last transfer lounge she saw was the one in Veraik's office, during the abortive Simephobe therapy.
Veraik leans on the desk, crosses his ankles and reading Linn's chart. "Have a seat while I go over these for a minute."
Linn shrugs.
Linn: However it was most convenient.
Linn: She improvises a lot.
Veraik: This says that you have been qualified as a GN1 but that you have only been donating at a GN3 level? Any reason for it, Linn?"
Linn: Actually, I've been donating GN-1 to Snake.
Veraik: I see.
Veraik: Does the transfer couch bother you? Would you prefer not to use it?
Linn looks at the "tentacle chair" and sighs.
Veraik: Although it is usually, I can take your donation elsewhere, however I have found that it is usually more comfortable for both the channel and the donor if the transfer couch is used.
Alea finally moves over by Veraik and leans against the desk by him.
Alea ~~ support ~~
Veraik zlins Alea's support and relaxes into it.
Linn: Snake said that she won't take my donation any more, although she didn't really say why.
Veraik: I'm sorry to hear that, Linn. I know how close you were to her.
Linn: If I'm to stay here, I'm going to have to get used to donating Tecton style sometime.
Veraik nods. "Then why don't you go over to it and have a seat."
Linn goes over to the couch and sits on it.
Alea ~~ steady support ~~
Veraik follows her but instead of joining her he stops. "I'm going to try and relax you first by gently rubbing your temples with my tentacles."
Alea moves up to support and stand easily where Linn can see her.
Linn nods tensely.
Veraik stands behind Linn and gently rubs her temples. "Feel the contour of the couch and relax into it."
Linn closes her eyes and tries to relax, with indifferent success.
Alea thinks how nice it would be to relax into that couch at the moment.
Veraik places tentacles on the back of her head to massage the tension out of her neck and back.
Veraik looks at Alea. "Why don't you sit down, Alea? I'll be fine. Just having you in the room is enough."
Alea glances at Veraik in surprise.
Alea pulls a chair over and positions it for optimum support in case Linn should panic or anything and then takes a seat.
Alea: Thank you, Hajene. [belatedly]
Linn's tense muscles gradually unknot.
Veraik zlins Linn at just the right relaxation point then moves around the couch to join her.
Alea ~~ support ~~
Linn 's eyes snap open as she feels Veraik sit down beside her.
Veraik holds his tentacles out and waits for Linn to indicate that it is all right for him to take her arms.
Linn swallows, then holds out her hands.
Alea smiles encouragingly.
Veraik gently wraps his tentacles around her arms and holds still.
Veraik: Linn. You are doing great.
Alea keeps her nageric attention focused strictly on Veraik.
Linn remains still, not welcoming, but not pulling away.
Veraik: Can you feel the energy between us? It feels good. You are progressing. I'm so proud of you.
Linn wonders if Veraik is referring to that nagging, hungry feeling that Simes seem to carry with them.
Veraik: Are you ready, Linn?
Linn: Yes.
Veraik slowly breathes in and out, totally relaxed, (Alea's attention on him) and feeling right with the world at the moment.
Alea shifts slightly.
Linn tries very hard to resign herself to the inevitable, with moderate success.
Veraik: <whispers> "Make fifth."
Linn: ~~ confusion ~~
Linn: What?
Veraik: You make the fifth contact. You place your lips upon mine only when you are totally ready.
Linn: Oh.
Alea crosses her legs, still smiling.
Linn can't recall Snake ever waiting until she was ready to begin a donation.
Linn leans forward and lets their lips meet.
Veraik slowly begins to draw Linn's GN3 level.
Alea shifts again in the chair, though she keeps her attention strictly on Veraik.
Veraik: Veraik feels the GN3 level closing and gently slows the flow to help Linn's system to relax.
Veraik: Then Veraik slides into her GN2.
Linn waits passively, not resisting but not completely comfortable, either.
Alea's eyes cross as her bladder begins to hurt, but she keeps all nageric attention... well, ALMOST all, on Veraik
Veraik draws this level just a tiny bit faster to zlin how her systems function then slows it down as he approaches the GN1 level.
Veraik ignores the fluctuation from Alea and concentrates on Linn.
Alea nibbles her lower lip, thinking she's had to put worse from her mind.
Alea forces it from her mind and continues to ~~ support ~~ Veraik.
Veraik continues to slow the selyn flow as he approaches the GN1 level then latches onto the GN1 level in an easy shift.
Veraik finally takes all her GN1 level right to the point that the TN3 level begins then gently terminates the donation.
Linn flinches at the flutter, which feels to her like a sickening swoop, then relaxes again.
Veraik sits back, waiting tentacles still wrapped and watches her face.
Lowren rides along the eyeway.
Linn: ~~ relief ~~
Milestone: 'HAMISH 1 MILE'
Lowren is looking nervous and worried.
Veraik releases his tentacles and sits back, waiting for Linn.
Alea smiles at Linn.
Lowren mutters. "Been putting this off too long."
Lowren spurs the horse on.
Alea looks at Veraik apologetically.
Linn is very glad that the monthly ordeal is over, even if Veraik let the swooping sensation come on much more suddenly than Snake did.
Alea stands.
Alea sits back down.
Linn: Thank you, Hajene Veraik.
Alea stands again.
Alea: Excuse me a moment, Hajene.
Veraik tries to smile. "You are welcome, Linn."
Veraik: Of course, Alea. [relief that Alea is leaving to take care of her problem]
Alea goes to the door and to the bathroom to relieve her full bladder.
Lowren comes to a stream.
Veraik: Linn. You did very well this time.
Alea takes only a moment and then hurries back to the room, slipping in quietly, apologetically.
Veraik: How do you feel?
Veraik nods to Alea then waits for Linn's response.
Linn: Well enough.
Alea moves forward ~~ support ~~
Veraik: Good.
Veraik: I was able to take your GN1 level.
Nally is feeding the chickens. All the chickens.
Nally is very tired of feeding chickens.
Lowren rides down to the edge of the water and dismounts.
Linn: I know. I felt it.
Lowren holds the reins while thumping on the ice with his foot.
Veraik stops. "You felt it."
Nally daydreams about having a place of her own, chicken-free but decorated with imported goods.
Alea looks surprised too.
Veraik: Veraik zlins Linn.
Linn: Why, yes.
Linn is a bit bewildered by Alea's and Veraik's responses.
Lowren carefully leads the horse over the ice.
Veraik: Perhaps you should work around Simes more to see if your systems adjust to a level where you can give transfer?
Lowren remounts and continues on.
Veraik: Your system seems to be responsive in that direction, if it is something you would like to do.
Linn: I work around Simes now.
Lowren turns off the eyeway onto a farm road.
Linn: I'm teaching at the elementary school over on Broad Street these days.
Veraik: But have you thought about giving transfer to one?
Linn: ~~ apprehension/alarm ~~
Veraik: I'm so glad you are back to teaching. I know that that is your first love.
Lowren sees Nally's father's farm ahead.
Veraik: Calm down, Linn. It was only a suggestion.
Veraik: And only meant for you to think about.
Alea moves closer offering stronger support
Linn gets herself under control.
Linn: Will all due respect, Hajene Veraik, I don't see how what you suggest is possible.
Veraik rubs a tentacle across his face, thinking that he didn't handle that very well.
Veraik: Why not, Linn?
Veraik leans on Alea's support.
Linn looks at Veraik in disbelief.
Alea hesitates, then reaches up and places a hand on Veraik's shoulder.
Alea ~~ soothing support ~~
Veraik: What, Linn? Why are you looking at me like that?
Linn: I go to pieces when a Sime stalks me. You know that.
Linn: I wish I didn't, but that's the way I am.
Veraik takes Alea's support but holds himself one step from relaxing totally into it since he knows that Alea hates him.
Veraik: Linn. Most Simes do not stalk Gens. You have been in the unfortunate position all too often but you have to understand that that is not the norm.
Linn: I've learned enough to know that's a recipe for disaster, if I should ever try to give a Sime transfer.
Veraik: How sad, Linn, because you have the gentle kindness to make a good Donor.
Lowren sees someone coming out of the chicken coop. She has brown hair. Is it Nally or her sister?
Linn: If it didn't require giving transfer, I'd consider it.
Veraik: If you ever wish to try, you could take some training without giving transfer.
Linn: But as it is, I think that it would be better for all concerned if I didn't.
Nally swings her bucket, heading for the barn to put it away.
Veraik: Being around a supporting nager is always good for a Sime.
Veraik nods and sighs.
Veraik: If you ever change your mind, let me know.
Alea moves to the door to open it for the donor.
Veraik hands her the payment voucher with the GN1 payment level assigned.
Linn: I will.
Linn takes the voucher.
Lowren shouts "NALLY!"
Veraik watches her leave, wishing he could do more for the kind teacher.
Nally's bucket goes flying as she whirls to see who's calling her.
Nally: Lowren!!!
Alea looks at Veraik.
Alea: Will you require me further, Hajene?
Lowren rides up to the edge of the barnyard.
Veraik: What Alea?
Veraik: No. Thank you for your support.
Linn collects her payment, and the books for Nick, and leaves.
Alea nods.
Alea leaves.
Alea walks down the hall to the lobby.
Nally rushes towards Lowren, pausing just out of kicking range of the horse.
Veraik breaths a sigh of relief when Alea is gone and goes to his office to do paperwork.
Lowren dismounts, holding the reins.
Lowren: I said I'd come. And it's not even spring yet.
Nally flings herself into Lowren's arms.
Lowren hugs Nally tight.
Alea snatches her cloak, scarf and gloves.
Alea slips out of the Center.
Nally: No, and I'd have been terribly worried if I'd known you were traveling in this weather.
Nally: What if you got caught out in a storm?
Lowren: I *have* been delayed a few times. Was stuck over in Farfall for a while.
Nally: You could have frozen to death! Why, I don't know if I can ever forgive you for risking yourself like that.
Nally proves it by giving Lowren a long kiss.
Alea heads down the cleared walk and turns toward the bay.
Lowren kisses Nally back, hugging her tightly.
Lowren: Nally. I'm sorry, but I wanted to see you....
Alea walks down the street.
Tanat sneaks furtively down the path to the dilapidated Ferry Building.
Tanat is a well-dressed young Gen, who looks very out of place in this neighborhood.
Nally: Oh, well that's all right, then.
Nally smiles brilliantly at Lowren.
Nally: Come, let's put your poor horse in the barn, and get it something to eat.
Alea walks down to the many booths.
Tanat follows the trampled snow to the entrance, and discovers that the door is locked.
Tanat: Shen!
Tanat looks over his shoulder to see if a mugger is stalking him, then inspects the situation more closely.
Lowren: Sounds great. I'm cold and hungry and I'm sure he is too.... [gestures at the horse]
Tanat sees a string hanging from a window and pulls it.
Nally: Well, lets get you both warm and fed, then.
Nally leads the way to the barn, pausing to collect her feed bucket on the way.
Lowren follows leading the horse.
Nally indicates a box stall.
Alea stops at a booth and inspects its wares.
Wise Snake hears the doorbell and goes to look out the window.
Nally: We can put him in there. I'll get some feed while you get the saddle off him.
Wise Snake opens the window and sticks her head out.
Lowren: Okay.
Wise Snake: Hello? Can I help you? [calls down]
Tanat looks up.
Lowren takes off the saddle and does other basic horse maintenance.
Tanat: Are you the Snake?
Wise Snake: Er... yes.
Wise Snake: Can I help you?
Rapol comes up behind Snake, but leaves her free to zlin the stranger.
Tanat: I hope so. If we could discuss it somewhere a bit more... private?
Tanat tries to look arrogant, but ends up looking more like an embarrassed teenager.
Nally returns with a generous portion of feed, and dumps it in the manger of the stall.
Wise Snake: Sure. Hold on.
Wise Snake closes the window and turns to look at Rapol.
Nally then takes the water bucket and heads for the pump.
Wise Snake: I wonder what this is all about?
Rapol shrugs. "Don't know."
Wise Snake: Shall we?
Rapol: Certainly.
Wise Snake holds the office door for Rapol, then heads for the stairs.
Tanat waits impatiently, shuffling from one foot to the other.
Rapol precedes Snake, keeping his attention on her behind him, while also watching where he is going.
Lowren: Thanks Nally.
Lowren goes over and pumps the water.
Wise Snake follows Rapol down to the first floor.
Nally catches the stream of water neatly in the bucket, looking up at Lowren with practiced innocence.
Rapol goes past his furniture to the front door.
Wise Snake opens the front door.
Wise Snake: Please, come in.
Lowren: Here, I'll carry that.
Tanat enters, sending a quick glance behind to reassure himself that no one he knows is about.
Nally: Why, thank you, Lowren.
Rapol surrounds Snake with his field, but leaves it thin towards Tanat unless Snake signals.
Tanat is not particularly impressed with the disheveled appearances of Snake and the building.
Wise Snake wonders why Tanat is so paranoid and performs her own visual and zlinning search of the area outside before closing the door.
Lowren carries the water over to the stall and dumps it in the trough.
Wise Snake locks the door.
Wise Snake: Would you like to come upstairs to our office? It's a bit warmer there.
Tanat: Sure. Wherever.
Tanat realizes that Gentlemen are supposed to display better manners to the masses.
Tanat: Err... I mean, thank you. It's cold out there.
Wise Snake nods and leads the way up the stairs.
Lowren: Let's go in. You smiles make me feel warmer, but still....
Alea walks to the next booth, fingering the merchandise.
Tanat follows, stumbling a bit in the relatively dim light.
Rapol eyes Tanat wondering what he wants.
Nally: You must be half starved.
Lowren: Not really, but it feels that way.
Nally: Well, put your poor beast in to enjoy his dinner, and come have some of your own.
Wise Snake shows Tanat to the office and offers him a seat.
Alea sees the next booth and her eyes light up.
Wise Snake: I am Wise Snake and this is my Donor, Rapol.
Wise Snake closes the door and takes her seat at the desk.
Lowren leads his horse into the stall and closes the door behind him.
Tanat looks at the two of them with the arrogance of a very sheltered youth being confronted with something which is completely outside of his experience, and therefore obviously inferior.
Tanat: I hear you do--unusual transfers and donations.
Wise Snake: Yes.
Alea touches the small gown thinking how delicately it is made.
Tanat: For a price.
Wise Snake studies Tanat's arrogance with a certain amount of competitive interest.
Wise Snake: Usually.
Tanat is suddenly a lot less sure of himself.
Lowren digs something out of the saddle bag and goes inside.
Tanat: Well, there's this girl I know who's really into that kind of stuff.
Wise Snake: Oh, really.
Tanat: She doesn't know I exist, and I thought maybe....
Nally bustles ahead of Lowren, chattering happily about not much of anything.
Wise Snake waits.
Jemmie taps down the street.
Wise Snake raises her eyebrows expectantly in the hopes this will prod the young man into spilling the rest of his thought.
Lowren moves over and puts a package down on the table.
Alea lifts the tiny infant gown from its place of display and softly strokes the fabric.
Tanat shifts uncomfortably in his chair.
Wise Snake: You wanted to... do something yourself, you can tell her about?
Wise Snake: You wanted to... buy her a gift certificate?
Wise Snake: Give me a little more information here.
Alea thinks of the fears she's had this second time and how she has kept herself detached from the pregnancy.
Tanat: I thought if all our friends knew that I'd had something just as spectacular as she did, she might be more interested in me.
Wise Snake: Ah. Well then, what did you have in mind?
Jemmie's ponytail bounces in time of her step as she bounces down the sidewalk, giggling at those who say hi to her.
Tanat: What have you got that's real spectacular? Just weird won't work.
Tanat: I can pay.
Tanat briefly flashes a substantial wad of cash.
Rapol thinks that Snake is arranging a transfer match, fitting work for a channel.
Alea decides it's time to face her fears and deftly pays for the small item.
Jemmie turns onto the street of the Ferry Building.
Wise Snake finds the wad of cash quite interesting.
Alea strokes the soft cloth again before slipping it into the bag.
Alea moves on to another booth.
Wise Snake: Hmmmm... yes, I am sure we can do something for you.
Wise Snake: Now, were you interested in doing something publicly?
Tanat: It wouldn't do much good if nobody knew about it, would it?
Wise Snake: True.
Wise Snake: Any particular place in mind? The Ice Palace... the City Hall commons... something along those lines?
Wise Snake: Or were you thinking more of an in-the-parlor-of-your-father's-house-while-company-is-visiting type thing.
Alea finds some other special items she wants, which she purchases and then turns for home.
Tanat: I want Jemmie to see.
Lowren sits down and waits for Nally to notice the package.
Nally puts the stew on the stove to warm, pours Lowren some coffee, and grabs a knife and fork.
Nally returns to set the table, then gasps as she sees the package.
Nally: What's that, Lowren?
Lowren smells the coffee.
Wise Snake: Well, you name the time and place. We can probably accommodate you with enough advance warning.
Lowren: It's for you. Open it and see.
Tanat thinks he hears a familiar voice singing outside.
Nally gasps prettily, clasping her hands.
Nally: Oh, Lowren, you shouldn't have! What is it?
Rapol thinks such exhibitionism is unfitting of such an upper class person.
Lowren: Find out for yourself.
Jemmie walks up to the Ferry Building.
Tanat decides it's wishful thinking.
Lowren: [Brightly wrapped small package]
Wise Snake thinks this fellow is awfully tight lipped and zlins him to find out if this is something he actually wants or not.
Tanat: I'll let you know the time and place. What sort of options can you offer, that would catch Jemmie's interest?
Wise Snake: Oh... Jemmie?
Jemmie signals at the door.
Wise Snake goes and looks out the window.
Wise Snake: Speak of the devil.
Nally admires the pretty pattern on the paper, then carefully opens it and peers inside.
Jemmie sees Snake and giggles, waving.
Lowren: [a elongated egg shaped piece of glass, flat on one end. Inside are translucent shapes of colored glass in an intricate pattern.]
Wise Snake opens the window and sticks her head out.
Wise Snake: Be right with you!
Wise Snake slams the window again.
Nally: Oh, Lowren, it's beautiful!
Wise Snake: Um, had you planned on this being a surprise? [to Tanat]
Alea walks along the waterfront, watching the people work.
Tanat: Oh, yes.
Lowren smiles. "That's why it reminded me of you."
Wise Snake: Well, guess who's outside.
Wise Snake: Do you want to wait in another room while I speak to her?
Wise Snake: This assumes, of course, that your Jemmie is the same one I know.
Wise Snake figures there can't be that many upper class girls named Jemmie with a taste for weird transfers in Bender Cove.
Nally holds the egg up to the light, admiring the rainbows it casts on the wall.
Tanat: It's her, all right. I'd know that laugh anywhere.
Tanat: It sounds like a babbling brook in summer.
Tanat grins at his good fortune.
Tanat: She'll be so impressed to find me here.
Lowren sips at his coffee.
Nally: Thank you so much.
Nally sits down at the table, still holding the glass egg carefully.
Nally: Did this come from your Import/Export firm?
Alea pauses to watch various people at work.
Wise Snake: Just a moment, then.
Wise Snake: Rapol... would you stay with er.... [pauses] What is your name?
Tanat: Tanat.
Lowren: You're welcome. Yes, we're thinking of handling them. Amazing things the glassblowers can do with chemicals and sand....
Nally: I've never seen such cunning work.
Jemmie chews vigorously on her gum before blowing a big bubble.
Rapol: Certainly. ~~ unhappily ~~
Rapol: [to Tanat] Would you like some tea?
Alea pauses to buy fresh fish from a vendor, thinking of preparing a special meal tonight.
Lowren: I'm glad you like it.
Tanat considers the type of trin he can expect to be served in a place like this.
Tanat: No, thank you.
Nally bounces up and places the egg carefully on a shelf beside the kitchen window, where the morning sun will hit it.
Rapol goes over to fix himself some.
Lowren looks at Nally leaning over the sink and then looks away blushing.
Wise Snake goes downstairs to let Jemmie in.
Wise Snake: Hello. I'm with a client right now, do you mind waiting for a few minutes until we're done?
Nally notices the blush and look-away, and smiles briefly in satisfaction.
Jemmie pouts.
Wise Snake: You are welcome to wait upstairs where it's warm, of course.
Jemmie: I really wanted to see you about a transfer....
Jemmie sighs.
Jemmie: I suppose so.
Jemmie giggles.
Wise Snake: Oh! That's no problem. I can be with you very shortly.
Jemmie: Great.
Wise Snake relocks the door and leads Jemmie up the stairs.
Jemmie: I heard a person from my school was thinking of coming here... I had to beat him... you see.
Wise Snake: Beat him! Well... I suppose we can arrange that.
Wise Snake thinks this woman is really sick.
Rapol: Is she Sime or Gen?
Tanat: Who? My girl?
Alea goes on around and starts toward the Ferry Building.
Lowren: You said you were feeding my ferrets?
Wise Snake leads Jemmie to the office.
Rapol: Yes.
Jemmie zlins the office, with a bit of distaste.
Nally: Yes. Ginger has two little babies, now.
Rapol thinks that calling her his girl may be premature, from what Tanat has said.
Alea pauses to buy some vegetables.
Lowren: Really? Great!
Tanat forgets Rapol's question as the object of his affections walks through the door.
Lowren: They're still having vermin problems at the Center.
Tanat: Jemmie!
Jemmie: How'd YOU get here!
Nally: If they had a ferret or two, maybe they wouldn't.
Jemmie pouts.
Jemmie: You just want to win the bet.
Tanat: Why, Jemmie, of course I do. Don't you?
Jemmie snaps her gum nervously.
Jemmie: Well, I found her first. [about Snake]
Lowren: Yeah, that's what I told them.
Wise Snake exchanges looks with Rapol.
Jemmie: You can't just waltz in here and take my find away... and expect it to be fair.
Rapol raises his eyebrows.
Jemmie's tentacles curl with frustration.
Tanat watches the curling tentacles, imagining them curling around his favorite appendage.
Tanat: Well, Jemmie, there's nothing in the rules against... cooperation.
Tanat: In fact, Betta and Hahn were planning on a tandem entry.
Jemmie glances sideways at him.
Jemmie: Just what did you have in mind?
Tanat is aware that the couple in question is better at unusual postsyndrome than unusual transfers.
Wise Snake sits down at her desk and shuffles a few papers without looking at them, studying the two kids instead.
Jemmie didn't know Betta and Hahn were going to work together and thinks they might just win... something she doesn't want to allow.
Tanat: I'm sure your find can come up with something... suitable.
Rapol comes over behind Snake and pretends to look at the papers.
Jemmie allows a slow smile to curve her mouth.
Wise Snake does a double take as a huge bill passes by.
Wise Snake looks at it closer.... a gigantic fine levied by the City of Bender Cove for the sidewalks surrounding the Ferry Building not being shoveled.
Wise Snake: ~~ indignant ~~
Wise Snake shows the bill to Rapol.
Alea walks toward the Ferry Building.
Lowren: Some how are things over at... the farm?
Rapol: ~~ restrained shock ~~ "So much?"
Jemmie looks at Snake.
Jemmie: Can we have that Gen transfer thing I mentioned to you the first time?
Jemmie looks at Tanat.
Jemmie: With a real Gen this time?
Tanat remembers the condition Simes tend to be in just after transfer, and imagines himself close enough to take advantage.
Tanat looks slyly at Jemmie.
Nally: Much the same.
Alea walks up the sidewalk to the Ferry Building.
Nally: Nothing ever happens in this town.
Nally: It's not like the big city.
Wise Snake: Sorry. I'm not a Gen.
Wise Snake: I am sure what you want is probably available... somewhere....
Lowren: And how is... he?
Jemmie frowns.
Jemmie: Well then... what do you suggest?
Jemmie looks at Tanat.
Jemmie: Or you?
Tanat thinks that what he'd like to suggest won't interest Jemmie until she's wildly post.
Nally: He never mentions your name. [sadly]
Lowren: I see. Has he changed his mind then?
Wise Snake frowns as she realizes that Loylic might be available, but really doesn't think that the two would go for him at all.
Wise Snake: Hmmm. Well, let's start with the setting. You still want to do it in a public place?
Tanat: It's got to be something different... so spectacular that Betta and Hahn would never think of it in a million years.
Jemmie: Yeah.
Jemmie: They aren't going to win this.
Alea stops at the Ferry building and leaves the meal on the doorstep.
Alea writes a quick note, telling Snake she brought this for Nick to help revive his strength.
Wise Snake: Jemmie is aware that I charge a consulting fee for deciding what you want for transfer. It would be double for two people.
Wise Snake hopes this will spur them to decide on something themselves.
Alea pulls the bell, then leaves.
Wise Snake sighs, gets up, and looks out the window again.
Wise Snake sees Alea leaving.
Wise Snake: What the....
Alea walks off down the street.
Nally: I think he was disappointed that you couldn't come immediately.
Rapol closes up behind Snake at the exclamation. ~~ support ~~
Lowren shrugs.
Wise Snake: Doesn't she know we have to go down three flights of stairs to answer that??
Nally: But all that means is that he still wants you very badly.
Wise Snake realizes she'll never catch Alea now and sighs, returns to her seat.
Nally: If you go to him, and explain about your job and all, I think he'll understand.
Lowren: Will he?
Wise Snake nods her thanks at Rapol.
Tanat: We've got to be post, both of us.
Tanat starts with what's most important to him.
Wise Snake: That part is no problem. I can do post.
Nally: Try, Lowren. He's your own flesh and blood.
Nally: If he won't see you, you're no worse off than you have been.
Lowren: Our family has been rough on its own flesh and blood lately.
Tanat: And it's got to be flashy. It's no good if telling the story puts the gang to sleep.
Lowren sighs. "I suppose I should go see... Father."
Nally puts a sympathetic hand on Lowren's.
Lowren turns it up to hold Nally's hand.
Tanat ponders for a moment.
Wise Snake: Look.
Wise Snake: You two obviously require some time to think about this.
Wise Snake: Why don't you go discuss it among yourselves, and return when you have thought of what you'd like?
Tanat looks at Jemmie, gauging her state of need.
Tanat: Well, we do have a few days left on the bet.
Wise Snake: Or, if you decide you'd like to pay my "consultation fee", I would be glad to think of something for you.
Wise Snake: Great. Let's make an appointment, then... would three days from now be a good time?.. to discuss this again.
Tanat: Certainly.
Wise Snake: Great.
Tanat takes a fancy engagement notebook out of his shirt pocket and scribble a note about the appointment with a gold pen.
Wise Snake stands.
Wise Snake: If you, ah, would like to call a cab for your return trip, the best major street is about three blocks up to the right. Bayview.
Tanat's business concluded, he has no desire to socialize with the ragged-looking rogue channel when Jemmie offers better possibilities.
Tanat: That's good to know. Jemmie, let's discuss this over tea at the Bugle Street Cafe.
Lowren looks over at Nally and thinks he'd rather talk to her father....
Tanat and Jemmie leave to brainstorm.
Lowren: Do you think your father....
Nally: He will if he knows what's good for him.
Nally: Don't worry so, Lowren.
Nally: He likes you.
Wise Snake follows them down the stairs and lets them out.
Wise Snake locks the door behind them and shakes her head.
Lowren: Ah.
Rapol: Are they matched?
Wise Snake: Yeah.
Nally smiles softly.
Wise Snake: But... it would be foolish to get them into something like that on a public basis, and they seem dead set on that aspect of it.
Rapol: So no big problem then?
Lowren: I don't want to go over there tonight.
Wise Snake: What! Of course it would be a problem.
Nally: We can talk to your father... and mine... tomorrow. Tonight is for us.
Wise Snake: He has no training whatsoever.
Wise Snake: There's a 9 in 10 chance he'd panic and be killed.
Lowren: Would it be ok if I stayed here, or would that cause too much talk?
Wise Snake: I would never allow myself to be associated with such an experiment.
Rapol: Simephobe?
Wise Snake: A Gen doesn't have to be a Simephobe to panic.
Rapol: Public hardly seems proper.
Nally: There's a good place to spread a bedroll in the hayloft. I'll show you.
Nally's smile promises to show Lowren a bit more than a few bales of hay.
Rapol hadn't considered the finer points of the taxonomy....
Lowren smiles back. "That's very kind of you, Nal."
Wise Snake: Anyway, her father's the high-muckety-muck on the council that's trying to decide whether to sell me this building or not.
Rapol: Politics?
Wise Snake: Anything they do publicly would have to appear to be the pranks of rich foolish kids with too much money... not transfer radicals.
Wise Snake: Otherwise the guy would hate my guts.
Lowren feels a bit uncomfortable "That stew smells wonderful."
Wise Snake: So, are you ready for the Historical Society visit tomorrow?
Wise Snake: It's a big deal, huh.
Wise Snake says as they re-enter the office.
Wise Snake picks up the sidewalk bill again, re-reads it, trying to decide if it constitutes a hint that she is soon to own the building, or is in fact a demand for a large bribe for whatever official's name is scribbled at the bottom.
Wise Snake squints at the name, trying to make it out.