Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #175: Squirming (3/1/98)
Staffan enters the Sime Center's lobby, looking around cautiously.
Briel zlins the person enter and turns.
Briel: Good morning.
Staffan is a well-dressed boy of about ten.
Briel: May I help you?
Staffan sees Briel's tentacles and yelps.
Staffan: You're one of _them_!
Briel smiles.
Staffan tries to back away, but has gotten turned around, and ends up backing into a couch.
Staffan sits abruptly.
Briel: It looks that way.
Briel wiggles a tentacle.
Briel: So, how can I help you?
Briel tosses the chart she was holding onto the desk and then slowly strides forward with cat-like grace.
Staffan looks wildly around, but no reinforcements are obvious.
Staffan: Don't kill me!
Staffan: I just wanted to know....
Briel stops near a chair between the boy and the door.
Briel: Yes?
Briel lays a hand on the back of the chair and runs a tentacle across the back.
Staffan stares at the tentacle.
Briel smiles.
Staffan sees Briel's predatory smile.
Staffan: ~~horror~~
Briel: Ever seen a tentacle before?
Briel drops into a chair.
Briel: So, how can I help you?
Staffan: Y-y-yes.
Briel leans back in the chair and crosses an ankle over her right knee.
Briel shoves her hair back over her shoulder.
Staffan calms down a little when Briel looks like she plans to stay seated instead of jumping him.
Briel: Good to know.
Briel: What was it you wanted?
Briel zlins Staffan.
Staffan: Umm.... My science teacher said it would make a good project, but I just wanted to know.
Staffan: But she wouldn't tell me. She said to come here and ask....
Briel: Yes?
Staffan runs down.
Briel wonders why she gets stuck with all the kids though she is still smiling.
Briel: What was it you wanted to ask?
Staffan realizes that he hasn't been as clear as he'd hoped.
Staffan: My father worked in a brewery. He was very strong. He could carry two kegs at a time. Full.
Briel: How interesting.
Briel: He was Gen?
Staffan looks at Briel to see if managed to communicate this time.
Staffan: Of course.
Briel: Of course.
Briel nods.
Briel: And?
Staffan: My sister was tiny. Hardly bigger than me, and she was three years older. She wasn't as strong as me, either.
Briel waits.
Staffan: ~~grief~~
Staffan: But she grew those worms on her arms, just like you have, only bloody.
Staffan: She grabbed at Daddy, and he couldn't make her let go.
Briel winces at his description.
Briel nods.
Staffan: I asked my teacher why my Daddy couldn't get away, when he was so strong.
Staffan: She said to come here, but she didn't tell me that there were people with worms here.
Briel: So you are wanting to know the differences in the Simes and Gens?
Briel smiles.
Briel: Tentacles, sweetie. They're called tentacles.
Staffan: My Daddy always called them worms.
Briel: Ah well, perhaps he didn't know the correct name for them.
Briel: At any rate, your question is why Simes are stronger than Gens, correct?
Staffan nods.
Staffan: Ella wasn't stronger than Daddy.
Staffan: But he still couldn't get away.
Briel: Before she was Sime, she wasn't.
Briel: Simes are natural predators. We were made stronger so that we could hunt and kill our prey.
Briel: By 'augmenting' we can run faster, strike quicker than Gens.
Staffan: Oh.
Briel: However, though Simes might be stronger physically they can't survive without Gens.
Staffan thinks about it for a moment.
Briel: Which makes them very weak too.
Briel: At places like here, we help new Simes so they don't accidentally hurt and kill people like your father.
Alea gapes at what Briel told the young child.
Alea thinks that's enough to scare the pants off the poor child.
Staffan: But Daddy lifted Ella up and bashed her against the wall. Why didn't she fall off?
Briel: In the condition your sister was in, she didn't even realize what he did, I would imagine.
Staffan: She was crazy?
Briel: You see, Gens have an energy in them that Simes need. Your sister zlinned this energy--selyn--and tried to take it from your daddy.
Staffan remembers that crazy people are supposed to be very strong.
Briel: Your sister didn't mean to hurt your daddy. She just needed this energy.
Staffan: But why couldn't he get away?
Briel: Not really. Just obsessed with getting the selyn. You see, if she didn't get the selyn she would die. Her body knew this.
Briel: Because Simes are stronger than Gens.
Briel: ALL Simes, no matter what their size, are stronger than Gens.
Alea shakes her head and sneaks off down the hall, wanting in no way to get involved in this.
Staffan thinks about this for a moment, then shakes his head skeptically.
Staffan: Strength isn't everything, Coach says.
Staffan: Wrestling is more about leverage.
Briel smiles thinking she isn't going to tell this kid he might be partially right.
Staffan: Daddy had his feet on the ground; Ella didn't. He should have been able to throw her off of him.
Briel: Why?
Staffan: Because without her feet on the ground, she couldn't have used her strength to hold him still.
Briel: But she wasn't holding him still.
Briel: She simply didn't let go of his arms.
Briel: She didn't use her feet for that.
Briel: You said, yourself, he was hitting her against the wall.
Staffan considers some more.
Staffan: I still don't see how she could have held him still.
Briel: Some things we just don't understand.
Staffan: But my teacher said you did know.
Staffan: ~~indignant~~
Briel: And I told you everything I know.
Briel: Simes are simply stronger than Gens.
Briel: They can do that.
Briel: It is in the way the Sime is built.
Briel: In the selyn in their body.
Staffan: And the worms?
Briel: Yes, those help.
Briel: Unlike worms, these don't break so easily.
Briel smiles and curls her tentacles.
Staffan looks at the curiously.
Staffan: They don't look very strong.
Briel: Want to try them out?
Staffan crosses his arms protectively across his chest.
Staffan: I don't want worms. Not if it makes you kill people.
Briel nods.
Briel: If you come here before they break out, you won't have to kill... ever.
Briel: Your teachers should teach you about signs of changeover. Listen to them, and if you ever experience any symptoms, feel free to come here.
Staffan is getting more and more upset as Briel talks.
Staffan: Don't make me have worms!
Staffan begins to cry.
Briel rubs at her forehead wishing she were anywhere but here.
Alea sees the kid crying and hurries over toward the chairs where the child is sitting.
Staffan: I don't want to have worms like Ella!
Briel sees Alea with relief. She motions to the child with a tentacle.
Alea looks at the young child.
Alea: So, what seems to be the problem here?
Staffan looks at Alea and cries harder, pounding a fist against the couch.
Staffan: She wants me to have worms!
Alea: She what?
Alea looks at Briel, outraged.
Briel shrugs.
Alea: Well, you don't want worms, that's fine with me. I certainly don't have worms.
Staffan looks at Alea hopefully through the tears.
Staffan: I don't have to have worms?
Alea holds out her hands.
Alea: Not if you turn Gen, you don't.
Briel mimics Alea to herself.
Briel thinks she's lying to the kid.
Staffan: I want to turn Gen, then.
Alea: And there is every possibility you can.
Alea: You know I always wanted to be Sime.
Alea sits down by the young child.
Alea: I was so very bitterly disappointed I wasn't a Sime.
Alea looks at the young child to see how he's taking her words.
Alea: By the way, I'm Alea.
Staffan: I'm Staffan.
Staffan: How do I turn Gen?
Briel realizes she didn't even introduce herself to the kid.
Staffan looks up at Alea trustingly.
Alea: You just have to wait... let God make the decision.
Alea: We can't make the decision ourselves, you see.
Staffan: But I don't want to have worms and kill people like her.
Staffan points at Briel.
Alea: You know, I serve people like your sister every month and I'm not dead.
Briel doesn't say anything since she can't deny she has killed.
Alea: I serve her too. [points at Briel]
Alea: If you change over, you'll just have to come to me and let me serve you and you won't kill anyone then.
Alea: How does that sound?
Staffan pouts.
Staffan: I don't like worms. They kill people and they look yucky.
Alea: I don't like smooth arms, they're all hairy and not bumpy like they should be.
Alea smiles at Staffan.
Staffan: Arms shouldn't have worms.
Alea: Arms shouldn't be without worms.
Staffan: They look yucky.
Alea nods emphatically.
Alea: They look absolutely fascinating.
Alea gets up and moves over to Briel and strokes one of her tentacles with a look of longing.
Briel looks startled.
Alea: I sure wish I had these.
Alea: If I did I could run faster than anyone, see better than anyone, do all kinds of things that I can't do.
Alea sighs and goes back over and sits down.
Staffan: My Daddy was strong enough to do anything. You don't have to have worms for that.
Briel wants to smack the kid.
Alea: Ah well you'll just have to wait and see. Remember what I said, though... If you think you're going to change over, come here and we'll help you.
Alea smiles and rubs the child's head.
Staffan nods at Briel.
Staffan: _She_ didn't help.
Staffan: I still don't know how Ella could hold my Daddy still.
Briel wants to tell the kid bluntly that if his father was so strong, how did a little bitty Sime kill him?
Briel isn't THAT tactless though.
Alea looks at Staffan.
Alea: Ella was Sime. Simes are simply stronger.
Agness paces back and forth at the guard post that marks the main border crossing between Eastcove and Bender Cove.
Agness looks at her watch, then starts pacing again, grumbling under her breath.
Sky tugs nervously at his, I guess you can call it, a "beard" as the coach rumbles to a halt near the main bridge over the border river.
Sky: Oh, dear I don't like this at all. [to himself]
Briel gets up and goes to the storage room and finds all kinds of children's pamphlets to give to the kid.
Sky peers out of the window, looking for somebody with three heads, who breathes fire, wears Sime pelts for clothing, and has a pointed tongue.
Sky sees nobody of the sort and exits the coach cautiously, holding a piece of cardboard with "Agness" written on it upside down.
Agness is a stylishly dressed, stout matron, fighting a losing battle with wrinkles and gray hair.
Sky flinches as he realizes this must be the one.
Sky approaches edgily, clutching the upside down "Agness" sign.
Agness sees the upside down sign and snorts in exasperation.
Agness goes over to Sky.
Sky is an amazingly short Gen male, warmly dressed, wearing bifocals, and with what appears to be an attempt at a wizardly beard.
Agness: It's upside down.
Sky looks at the sign.
Agness points to the sign.
Sky: Oh! Thank you.
Sky turns it right side up and continues to search for the evil woman of doom he is supposed to be meeting.
Sky feels a little better about the woman now that he knows her name is "Agness", not "ssaubV"
Agness looks around at the empty square and sighs.
Briel returns with a bag full of pamphlets and coloring books.
Agness: If you were sent by Snake, I believe you're supposed to be meeting me.
Sky: Oh! [jumps]
Briel: Here you go, Staffan.
Sky: Oh, dear, I'm terribly sorry. Are you Agness Forrest?
Briel: Take these, read them, have your teacher read them, and your mother.
Alea scowls at Briel.
Sky: Yes, here is the coach to ride back in. We'll be dropped off directly in front of the door.
Staffan looks at the pamphlets.
Sky seems just a tad nervous.
Agness looks at the sorry vehicle.
Alea smiles at Staffan.
Alea: If you have any question, sweetie, please come back and ask.
Agness: Well, it beats walking through a town crawling with snakes.
Sky winces at this response, but figures it is better than a blast of flaming invective.
Sky offers to help Agness into the coach.
Alea stands with Staffan.
Staffan: Well, I can probably get a science project from these, anyway.
Agness ignores his hand and climbs in.
Alea: I'm sure you can.
Alea: And if you require anything else, you can always get it at the local library or come back here.
Sky sighs and climbs in after her, closing the door.
Sky sits back as the coach starts moving again.
Sky is glad he isn't a Sime; he can feel the unpleasantness radiating from the woman even so.
Briel shakes her head at Alea's tone but is grateful the kid stopped crying.
Sky tries to smile at Agness though he is a bit nervous.
Briel stands.
Agness ignores Sky, peering thorough the windows to spot the Simes.
Staffan: All right.
Frutata comes back from his lunch break.
Staffan looks at Briel's "worms" again.
Staffan: But I still don't see how those little worms could be stronger than Daddy.
Briel smiles very predatorily at Staffan while Alea's back is turned.
Staffan: His arms were big.
Staffan yelps and skitters for cover behind Alea.
Alea turns back to Staffan and then looks to where he is looking.
Sky waits patiently as the coach passes through various bad neighborhoods on the way down to the docks and the Ferry Building.
Alea looks surprised, wondering what is going on.
Alea: Staffan?
Tamlen comes jogging up the street.
Frutata goes to Briel and waits to see if she'd like anything more from him.
Staffan peers fearfully around Alea at Briel, to see if she's really going to pounce on him.
Briel smiles at Frutata.
Briel smiles at Staffan.
Briel: Why don't you come out here and meet Frutata, Staffan?
Staffan has seen the same sort of grin on a kitty playing with a half-dead mouse.
Alea glances suspiciously at Briel, then slips an arm around Staffan.
Alea: There's really nothing to worry about. Briel doesn't kill.
Alea: None of our Simes here kill, Staffan.
Frutata ~~ supports ~~ Briel with a slight frown, not sure what is going on but sensing some tension in the room.
Staffan huddles against Alea.
Tamlen slows and walks up the steps.
Staffan: But they have worms, just like Ella.
Agness is appalled at the neighborhoods they pass through.
Agness: Someone should clean this town up.
Briel wiggles her tentacles.
Tamlen walks in the door.
Alea: Yes, sweetie, they do have tentacles.
Staffan shrieks and buries his head against Alea.
Alea: Like I was trying to explain, though. Our Simes don't kill.
Alea stumbles slightly and shoots Briel an admonishing glance.
Sky: Snake has some ideas along those lines. [offers helpfully]
Tamlen turns suddenly at the shriek.
Alea: She's not going to hurt you, sweetie. She's simply showing you her tentacles.
Alea ~~ exasperation ~~~
Frutata puts his hand on Briel's shoulder and offers ~~calmness/support~~
Briel ~~ relaxes ~~
Briel: Thank you.
Briel: Note, Staffan, how Frutata touches me and doesn't die.
Agness: And about time. This area is a public disgrace.
Briel: Not all Simes kill.
Tamlen comes over to Alea and Staffan. "Something the matter, Sosu Farris?"
Briel: As Alea said, Simes here don't kill.
Staffan checks Tamlen for worms.
Staffan looks back at Briel, spotting the weak point in her argument.
Briel: Staffan saw his smaller sister kill her larger Gen father and doesn't understand how it happened.
Briel: Want to take a jab at explaining it?
Sky: Actually, there has been a major improvement in the past year or so.
Tamlen pushes up the arms of his sweatshirt to show arms with protruding veins, but no worms.
Sky: With the new Sime Center going in, and Snake picking up the loose ends, and all.
Agness looks at the parade of "ladies" (and "gentlemen") outside the Post Office and shakes her head in disbelief.
Pretty Boy blows Agness a kiss.
Agness: If this is what the town looks like now, I'd hate to have seen it back then.
Sky attempts a chuckle.
Garon swaggers up the street, in his usual garish clothes.
Tamlen: Simes are stronger than Gens physically.
Tamlen: And any Sime has more field control than an untrained Gen.
Staffan compares Tamlen's brawny arms with Briel's "worms".
Sky sees Garon passing and feels a deep embarrassment on behalf of Bender Cove.
Staffan: But those worms are tiny. There's not space for much muscle in something so small.
Tamlen: Briel always beats me in arm wrestling whenever we try it.
Tamlen neglects to mention that the number of times is zero....
Sky knows relief as the coach turns downhill, passing out of the red light district into the warehouse district.
Tamlen: Handling tentacles are small, but their muscles are very efficient.
Agness looks at the bustle with a bit more approval, despite the poverty.
Tamlen: Simes can spend energy much faster than Gens, for a little while.
Briel lifts an eyebrow in amusement at Tamlen.
Frutata is concerned about Briel's odd mood.
Briel thinks she is going to have to arm wrestle him next time she gets a chance.
Frutata: ~~ support/firm calmness/sense of responsibility~~
Briel relaxes into Frutata's support.
Agness: It looks like they have some nice fish over there.
Alea smiles at Staffan.
Alea: Do you understand what Tamlen is saying?
Agness: Perhaps I'll pick up a few for dinner tonight, after I've seen your mural.
Staffan: It doesn't make any sense.
Sky: Ah, an excellent idea.
Briel thinks there are a lot of things in life that doesn't make sense and explaining this to a ten year old is beginning to look like one of them.
Sky looks anxiously ahead and is glad to see the Ferry Building not too far away.
Tamlen tries to think of another way to put it.
Agness: Is that the building--the one with the gargoyles?
Sky: Yes, and the clock tower.
Sky knows further embarrassment as a large flock of doves erupts from the slats of the belfry just as he says that.
Sky hopes Agness didn't notice.
Tamlen: Most of winning any fight is keeping calm, not letting your fear control you.
Frutata continues to support Briel.
Tamlen: But it is very hard for a Gen to control fear when a Sime attacks.
Agness: Hmm, you're going to have a time keeping the building clean with those pigeons using it as a roost.
Briel thinks that is certainly true.
Agness: You should poison them.
Alea thinks that isn't true.
Tamlen: I'm sorry about your father, Staffan.
Staffan: But Ella was even more scared than Daddy.
Staffan: So she should have lost.
Sky: Ah I'll make a note of that.
Sky: [nervously]
Tamlen: Fear is different for Simes.
Alea nods.
Briel nods.
Tamlen: Simes in need are aren't afraid of other people, they are afraid of the need. Of dying for lack of selyn.
Alea: The best thing to learn, Staffan, is not to fear Simes.
Staffan: But they have worms.
Staffan: Yucky worms that kill people.
Staffan: I don't want worms.
Alea looks at Tamlen, thinking if both of them can't explain it, who can?
Frutata's eyebrows raise slightly at the use of the word "worms".
Briel wonders if she should use a more direct approach and just lift Tamlen or Frutata and toss them around a bit.
Briel wonders if he'd believe it then, that not all Simes kill.
Tamlen: They only kill people if there isn't a channel around.
Frutata ~~ soothing/support ~~
Staffan looks nervously around to see if there is a channel around to keep Briel from killing him.
Frutata moves his hand to the back of Briel's neck, massaging slightly.
Tamlen: If your father had brought your sister here before the worms came out, Hajene Briel would have kept her from hurting anyone.
Briel nods.
Changeover Victim rushes into the lobby, zlinning.
Briel turns around. ~~ alert ~~
Changeover Victim 'sees' a rich source and goes for the brightness.
Frutata moves to support Briel and compensate for the shift in the ambient.
Frutata: ~~ support ~~
Tamlen looks sharply over at Changeover Victim.
Alea sees the 'victim'.
Briel goes into working mode and flares GEN.
Tamlen steps between Staffan and Changeover Victim.
Briel shoves her arms out.
Changeover Victim rushes for the one with the big stomach then stops.
Alea hesitates.
Staffan shrieks.
Briel ~~ enticement ~~
Changeover Victim attacks the offering Gen and goes for the kill.
Staffan: No, no!
Briel wraps tentacles and intertwines laterals, meeting the lip to lip contact.
Alea ~~ relief ~~
Tamlen reaches back for Staffan. "It's all right. Stand still".
Changeover Victim hits the Gen and draws voraciously.
Briel ~~ offers joy ~~
Alea moves carefully over to Staffan on the opposite side from Tamlen.
Staffan hides his face against Alea.
Changeover Victim baths in the joy of the 'kill'.
Alea wraps her arms around him and strokes his hair reassuringly.
Frutata calmly continues to support Briel.
Briel ~~ completion ~~
Changeover Victim quickly terminates, panting. ~ joy ~
Sky: Well! Here we are.
Sky looks forward to parting ways with Agness.
Sky leaps out of the coach.
Briel disentangles her laterals and tentacles and steps back.
Changeover Victim suddenly 'sees' the channel and starts to cry, bawling in the arms of the one who saved her.
Agness gets out after Sky.
Alea: It's, over sweetie. [whispers to Staffan]
Briel moves back closer to Frutata and holds the Sime.
Staffan looks at Changeover Victim.
Staffan: She's got worms!
Briel: It's okay. You're just fine
Sky unlocks the door, hoping to get away while Agness is still looking at the outside of the building.
Alea looks at Tamlen.
Tamlen squats down next to Staffan. "See? No one got hurt. Everything's fine"
Changeover Victim holds on and continues to cry. "I made it!. I made it. I didn't kill! Did I?"
Briel: No, you didn't kill.
Briel: You made it.
Changeover Victim: Oh, thank you.
Sky opens the door and darts inside.
Changeover Victim: Thank you.
Briel continues to hold her as she cries.
Alea: She's much like your sister, Staffan. She is newly changed over too.
Agness follows Sky into the dim building.
Agness stops just inside the door.
Agness: Where are the lights?
Sky is confused.
Sky: I... I don't know.
Changeover Victim softens her cries and finally stops.
Briel: You'll be just fine... uh....
Briel: I'm Briel.
Agness: I was told there would be lanterns, so I could see the murals.
Sky: They were coming in when I left... maybe they're set up only in the main terminal?
Sky: Where the large mural is?
Sky hurries in that direction, hoping the lanterns are there so he can escape.
Agness: Well, let's go see.
Changeover Victim: I'm Darla. Darla Madison.
Staffan looks at Darla.
Staffan is trying very hard to understand.
Fise trudges through the snow towards the Ferry House.
Darla looks at the young boy.
Staffan: She has worms, but so does the other one. So if you have worms, you don't die?
Tamlen puts his hand on Staffan's shoulder.
Darla looks to Briel, wondering what this kid is talking about.
Sky leads Agness to the main terminal.
Tamlen: Not if you get to a channel.
Agness follows, only to trip over a loose board.
Briel: He is trying to understand changeover. [to Darla]
Alea slowly releases Staffan.
Sky is flabbergasted to see a board lying in the middle of the stone floor Snake paid dozens of people to clean for a week.
Darla: Oh. [shy]
Sky: Oh no! I am terribly sorry.
Alea gives Staffan another gentle rub on his head before stepping back.
Sky runs to the board and picks it up, setting it out of the way.
Sky: Are you all right?
Fise goes up to the front door.
Agness climbs to her feet.
Agness: I'll live.
Alea realizes there are enough people here and decides to go for a walk.
Agness: Where is this mural?
Staffan comes to a decision.
Staffan: I still don't want worms.
Alea goes over to the cloak stand and slips on her cloak and scarf and gloves.
Sky points at the walls.
Sky: Well, it's under all that paper. You can see through these rips.
Briel: You might decide to like them, Staffan. One day you may depend on them to keep you alive.
Agness takes a lantern over to the rips and inspects them closely.
Sky: And the one on the ceiling is uncovered, although soot damaged.
Darla runs over to Staffan, faster than Gen speed. "Why not?"
Briel smiles sweetly at Staffan before wiggling her tentacles toward Darla, emphasizing why she is alive right now.
Alea goes out the front door.
Staffan shrieks.
Alea has no desire to stay there and participate in the coming disaster.
Tamlen sighs. "We don't always get what we want, Staffan. No one can tell if they will get worms or not until it happens, or they establish as a Gen."
Staffan tries to run for the door.
Darla grabs Staffan's hand. "Let's go play. Now that I am Sime I can do all kinds of things you can't."
Tamlen runs after Staffan.
Frutata is shocked by Briel's behavior, but keeps it out of his nager.
Staffan: No!
Briel reaches back and grabs Frutata.
Staffan tries to jerk his hand free.
Frutata: ~~ support ~~
Agness moves to another rip and inspects the underlying art.
Briel rubs at her neck.
Fise pulls the bell.
Wise Snake hears the bell and goes down the stairs to answer the door.
Alea goes down the stairs and to the street.
Darla keeps Staffan's hand. "Simes are better, stronger, and more powerful then Gens. Don't you want to be one?"
Briel walks over to Darla.
Wise Snake opens the door.
Wise Snake: Fise!
Briel grabs Darla by the arm.
Fise: Snake!
Frutata stays with Briel.
Darla: Whaaaaaaaaaa
Briel: Do not scare the Gens, Darla.
Staffan struggles violently to free himself.
Briel: Or possibly a Gen one day.
Darla: What did I do?
Briel: This could very well be a future Donor unless you scare him.
Fise is smiling, something Snake hasn't seen before.
Staffan: No! No!
Frutata: ~~ calmness/support ~~
Darla: [admonished] But it's fu... oh all right.
Briel: Tamlen, handle him.
Frutata attempts to influence Darla as well, if it is possible to do so without depriving Briel.
Briel: Darla, come with me.
Darla: [Looks to Staffan] "I'm sorry."
Briel doesn't give her a choice but pulls her across the room.
Fise: ~~ floating on happiness ~~
Wise Snake zlins Fise in some amazement.
Briel uses her field to get Darla's attention.
Briel: Come on.
Agness continues her inspection, moving from rip to rip as she assesses the mural.
Wise Snake: You seem to be quite well!
Alea goes down the street, smiling at the people she passes.
Darla goes with Briel ~ willingly ~
Frutata follows.
Staffan backs towards the door, keeping a sharp eye for worm-armed people.
Briel: Now, Darla, are you from here? Or just passing through? How'd you know to come here?
Tamlen: Staffan, I'm sorry Darla scared you. But I'll protect you.
Briel: You said something about making it here earlier.
Darla stops and looks at Staffan before she leaves. "Sorry."
Fise: Yeah I....
Darla: You could be a great Donor if you are Gen. Really.
Briel smiles gratefully at Frutata.
Fise comes down a bit."What do I do with the kid?"
Darla looks at Briel, suddenly scared.
Wise Snake: Kid? [surprised]
Wise Snake thinks, childbirth, changeover?
Darla: I live on the border to the North of here.
Tamlen follows Staffan.
Wise Snake: Oh please come in.
Fise: Changeover.
Wise Snake stands aside to let Fise in the door.
Alea goes downtown and finds a fruit stand.
Wise Snake: You got to serve one? [smiles]
Fise: They brought him down, stage 5. No time.
Darla: So I knew about the Sime Center in case I needed one.
Wise Snake: That's great!
Fise grins broadly and nods
Staffan looks at Tamlen
Staffan: You don't have worms. So you can't wrestle with them.
Wise Snake: Well, now you can choose what to do. Either you can bring him to the Sime Center and get him set up with one of the counselors there, or you can try to get him started in Sime Territory yourself take him under your wing, as it were.
Darla: When I realized that I was in changeover, I tried to get here on time. But there were many delays and I almost didn't make it.
Fise: But what now? Take him to the Center? You got spare retainers?
Briel smiles at Darla.
Briel: Well, you did the right thing.
Briel: But you did. That's the important thing.
Wise Snake: It is usually possible to talk the hospital into driving them across the border in the changeover wagon.
Tamlen: Not with my muscles no. But there is another way, if you know how.
Wise Snake: If you agree to ride back there with the kid and can prove he is under your control.
Darla: Thank you but now what. My parents are Gen and I have no place to go.
Fise considers.
Briel: You can stay here for now, until you feel competent to make some decisions.
Fise: Left him with Loylic, told them not to go anywhere.
Alea goes up to the stand and buys some fruit.
Sky follows Agness around the perimeter of the room, holding another lantern and trying not to stand where her shadow from his lantern will block her view.
Darla: Thanks, but.... [impish smile]
Fise: ~~ conflicting dislike of responsibility versus liking the kid ~~
Wise Snake can't really picture Loylic going anywhere unless it is really necessary.
Wise Snake: Good thinking.
Wise Snake: Good work all around, Fise.
Darla: Could you get me into a Householding?
Wise Snake: You know, even if you bring him to the Sime Center, nothing stops you from being his friend and checking on him whenever you want.
Briel nods.
Briel: Certainly.
Agness mutters to herself as she finishes the main mural and starts to check the smaller ones in the offices.
Briel: Household Tien is available for cases just such as you.
Fise kicks that idea around."I suppose."
Staffan looks at Tamlen.
Staffan: What way is that?
Darla: Tien?
Darla: All right!!! When!
Briel: Yes, a very nice Householding I think you'll like.
Fise: Wanted to check with you. Couldn't remember what you do after First-T.
Briel moves over to the clerk.
Darla: And I can stay here until you find out?
Briel: Have Darla fill out some paperwork and then make arrangements for her to be sent to Tien. [to clerk]
Darla: Oh thank you!!!
Briel turns back to Darla.
Briel: That will start the ball rolling.
Tamlen: Gens can learn to control their selyn fields. Even better than Simes, if they know how.
Darla takes the paper.
Wise Snake: Well, whatever you decide, I am sure the kid is going to have a much better life because you were able to help him. Both in changeover and afterward.
Darla: Thank you.
Briel nods.
Wise Snake: That is precisely the kind of kid we are at the Hospital to help.
Wise Snake: The ones who are brought there too late.
Wise Snake smiles at Fise.
Alea takes her bag of fruit and goes over to a pier and sits down, dangling her legs off the end of it.
Sky follows Agness, wondering if it wouldn't just be easier to repaint the entire terminal in a sort of creamy white color.
Alea begins to peel her fruit.
Briel: If you have any questions, Clerk will be glad to answer them, Darla.
Briel: And, welcome.
Briel smiles at Darla.
Darla beams.
Briel moves over to where Tamlen and Staffan are.
Libby Whore wriggles herself to sit next to Alea.
Fise: He didn't have high reserves. Don't know if he'd of lasted, even if they used the wagon.
Alea pops a piece of fruit in her mouth, then almost chokes when she sees who sits down next to her.
Wise Snake: ~~ genuinely pleased, and proud of Fise ~~
Staffan looks down at the carpet.
Frutata moves with Briel.
Staffan: I just wanna go home.
Staffan: I don't like worms.
Briel studies Staffan to make sure he is okay.
Fise realizes he's doing all that gooey stuff and pulls himself down.
Briel thinks this has been a great start to the day and sighs, disgusted.
Darla takes the forms then sits down to fill them out then ask, holding up tentacles dripping and bloody. "Can I get cleaned up first, Briel?"
Briel: Of course, Staffan.
Fise: Well, I better get back. Thanks, Snake.
Briel looks over at Darla and nods shortly.
Libby Whore pounds the Donor on the back with a tentacle.
Libby Whore: Are you all right?
Wise Snake zlins Fise's deliberate sobering and clears her own field as well.
Alea spits out the fruit.
Alea: Fine [wheezes out] Fine.
Wise Snake: Very well. Thank you for telling me. And let me know what you end up deciding, if you like.
Tamlen: Do you want me to take you home, Staffan?
Libby Whore: Oh Honey. Are you all right?
Fise: Ok, later.
Staffan looks at Tamlen.
Fise turns to go.
Alea wiggles back and stands.
Staffan: Yes. Please.
Staffan: There are too many worms out there.
Darla: Where do I go?
Wise Snake: ~~ "hint" of pride in him gauged to just barely above his threshold of perception ~~
Alea: I was suppose to meet my sister. You'll have to excuse me.
Wise Snake: Good bye.
Libby Whore: Sister? But you don't HAVE a sister.
Fise half waves as he walks off.
Wise Snake closes the door and locks it.
Wise Snake smiles to herself.
Alea: Snake Farris.
Wise Snake feels a sudden chill go down her spine.
Alea smiles sweetly at Libby hoping to scare the shenned out of her with that pronouncement.
Wise Snake looks over her shoulder, but of course nobody is there.
Tamlen: Ok. Can you tell me your address?
Darla starts to waves her arms in the air, looking at the tentacles and the funny patterns on the lobby walls.
Wise Snake frowns to herself and goes back up the stairs.
Briel rubs her neck.
Staffan gives Tamlen an Eastcove address.
Libby Whore: SNAKE! [blanch]
Briel: Darla, go clean up.
Briel tries to smile.
Alea smiles sweetly.
Alea: Yes, Snake and I are veeeeeeerry close.
Darla does a dance with her tentacles, watching the field patterns swing and sway.
Alea pops another piece of fruit in her mouth and chews.
Sky wonders if this will ever end.
Agness finishes her inspection.
Alea: Nice talking to you again, Libby.
Alea turns and starts up the pier to go find Snake.
Libby Whore: But you're are no sister of Snake, even if you both are Farrises.
Tamlen: Were you hungry? Did you want to get something to eat on the way?
Alea waves a hand at Libby and keeps walking letting her believe what she will, then calls back.
Alea: Ask Snake, if you don't believe me.
Alea chuckles.
Staffan looks interested.
Briel thinks Staffan is going to be okay and turns to leave.
Staffan: Yeah. Ice cream?
Libby Whore augments to walk beside her. "Perhaps I just will."
Briel heads over to check the boards.
Briel: How are you doing today, Frutata?
Alea frowns and chews on her fruit.
Alea hurries down the street turning, hoping Libby will get tired of following her and leave.
Tamlen: Of course. Chocolate or vanilla?
Frutata: I am well.
Darla dances around, zlinning the motions, the plants and walls.
Staffan: Chocolate!
Briel looks over at Darla, then winces.
Frutata worries about Briel, but remains ~~ calm and supportive ~~
Tamlen: My favorite.
Briel: Can you show her where to clean up Frutata?
Frutata: Will you be all right alone? [quietly]
Libby Whore: I'm gonna protect you until you get to Snake's.
Briel: For a short time, as long as Avaleia doesn't come waltzing in that door.
Frutata is not familiar with the details of the Avaleia story, but takes her words for their face value.
Frutata lets his support shift smoothly and professionally from Briel over to Darla.
Darla goes to the nice Gen.
Frutata adjusts his field to not overwhelm the renSime.
Alea: I really don't need protection.
Alea: I am, after all, a Farris.
Frutata: Hello. Would you like to wash up now? I can show you where. [smiles kindly]
Darla: You feel good to be close to. [blush]
Alea ~~ arrogantly ~~
Agness finishes her inspection of the murals, and goes to look for Snake.
Libby Whore: Yes, and I've seen how much that protects you out in the City, dear.
Libby Whore: Snake will be very mad at me, if you do not get there safely.
Staffan buttons his coat, eager to be gone.
Alea wonders why all the nuts find her.
Tamlen gets a old ragged greatcoat from the rack and puts it on.
Tamlen: Com' on then. I know just the place for chocolate ice cream.
Briel goes back to fixing the board schedule and then gives it to the clerk.
Sky follows hastily.
Staffan takes Tamlen's hand eagerly.
Alea turns on the next street and picks up her pace.
Agness: Where is that mangy girl?
Darla: Oh yes. Thank you. [grin]
Darla goes with the Gen, fascinated by everything she sees.
Libby Whore never leaves her side.
Tamlen takes Staffan down the street. "What do you play in school?"
Staffan: Kickball. I kick it all the way across the field.
Sky: My sister? [helpfully]
Sky: She's upstairs.
Agness looks at Sky more closely.
Alea: You know, Libby, I have a brother too. A sister and a brother a whole family. They see no reason for me to be escorted around.
Alea hides the entire lie easily.
Agness: Yes, come to think of it. You do look almost as much of a weasel as she does.
Sky looks like a non-Farris weasel.
Sky looks offended.
Sky: Well, I.... [manages to avoid saying anything; clamps lips shut]
Sky: This way.
Sky starts up the stairs.
Agness clomps up the stairs behind Sky, using her lantern to avoid tripping.
Alea looks around at the buildings and realizes she has taken a wrong turn.
Alea immediately turns and starts down the other way.
Staffan looks at Tamlen in awe.
Staffan: You did? Left field?
Agness opens the door and goes in.
Alea hurries down the street.
Tamlen: Yeah. County champions my last year.
Wise Snake is sitting at her desk with a huge mound of papers, writing laboriously.
Wise Snake looks up startled as Agness enters.
Alea is holding her fruit bag in her hand and striding determinedly toward the pier again--and Snake's.
Wise Snake thinks she either has to get zlin-through doors or hire a receptionist.
Wise Snake: Hello! [acts pleased to see Agness]
Wise Snake: Well, did you get your tour?
Wise Snake: Please, have a seat. [indicates chair in front of desk]
Libby Whore stays with Alea.
Agness sits down.
Alea grumbles under her breath.
Agness: Those murals are some of the best I've seen.
Agness: The detail is incredible
Alea stops and looks, locating the Ferry Building tower in the distance.
Wise Snake: Really? [interested]
Staffan: Why did you stop playing?
Agness: Yes. They really must be restored to their former glory. ALL of it.
Wise Snake: I'm glad you agree.
Tamlen: I'd finished school. Had to go into the service.
Alea smiles and points.
Alea: There is my destination, Libby.
Alea: No need to go any further.
Wise Snake: Would you be able to recommend a course of action, and perhaps some artists and plasterers who would be good for the work?
Agness considers.
Agness: There are a few.
Alea starts off down the street at a fast pace, her gaze locked on the tower of the Ferry Building.
Agness: The wallpaper will have to be steamed off first.
Libby Whore smiles. "I'm with you. It is always so wonderful to be within zlinning distance of you, my pet."
Wise Snake: Would you consider being on hand to supervise the restoration? I can pay well.
Alea turns the corner and sees the Ferry building.
Wise Snake thinks, at least if the ungodly complex interwoven get-rich-quick schemes she has thought up over the last weeks all come to fruition, she will be able to pay well.
Alea groans at Libby's words.
Alea: I am -not- your -pet-.
Agness hesitates, torn between wanting to personally supervise the work and not wanting to help out a Sime.
Staffan: The service? You were in the service?
Alea sees the door of the Ferry Building and rushes up to it.
Alea: Well, Libby, thank you for your, er, escort.
Alea: If you'll excuse me now.
Wise Snake moves a pile of letters to and from architectural experts out of the way and pulls out the property tax forms the City inexplicably sent her.
Libby Whore: Sure you are, my pet, my lovely, lovely pet.
Darla sees a mouse run across the hall. "Ekkkkkk!" [wraps messy tentacles around Frutata]
Alea glares.
Tamlen: Here we are. The Peerage Street Diner.
Alea moves over and pulls the bell hard three times.
Frutata increases his support. ~~~ calm/soothing ~~~
Agness: Well, I suppose I could give it a try.
Tamlen: Yeah, in the army, a long time ago.
Libby Whore: Oh no. I'm gonna ask. Just like you said.
Agness: If, of course, you can guarantee my safety.
Frutata stands still while Darla grips his arm, and lets her see that there is no harm in the mouse.
Darla relaxes a bit.
Alea pulls on the bell again.
Wise Snake smiles at Agness.
Agness: We have quite enough Sime attacks on the Eastcove side.
Alea is really really wanting to get away from Libby.
Darla: It's going to bit, isn't it?
Wise Snake: We have very few in Bender Cove.
Libby Whore stands solidly, bathing in Alea's nager.
Wise Snake thinks, and we're 3 miles from where most of them happen -- the lobby of the Sime Center.
Alea forces her nager flat.
Frutata: Shall we go on? [indicates the door to the washroom, in a friendly manner.]
Darla nods her head up and down.
Wise Snake: Excuse me.
Staffan looks at the pictures of scrumptious confections in the window.
Wise Snake opens the window and looks out.
Staffan: Oh, my!
Wise Snake: Alea? and Libby? [nervous]
Libby Whore stands a little closer to Alea.
Alea looks up and waves.
Alea moves a bit from Libby.
Alea: Hi Snake!
Wise Snake is still not really sure what is going on between Alea and Libby, since Alea denies there is any relationship there but Snake is always seeing them together.
Alea waves a little more wildly.
Darla goes into the wash room then asks, "do you have something else for me to wear? My clothes are a mess."
Wise Snake: Er, I have somebody in my office here Can I help you, or?
Wise Snake: [hoping they just wanted to say hi]
Alea: I really NEED YOU SNAKE!
Alea smiles.
Wise Snake's hopes are dashed.
Wise Snake: Ah I see.
Wise Snake: Just a moment, then.
Alea: I've missed you soooooo much!
Alea nods.
Libby Whore stands tall and waits.
Alea looks at Libby and lifts an eyebrow.
Libby Whore zlins the two Farrises.
Alea smiles as if to say 'see'.
Wise Snake turns back to Agness.
Wise Snake pulls out some plain paper and a pen.
Tamlen: Shall we go in?
Wise Snake: Would it be possible for you to note down what your material and space requirements will be to begin? I can let you know when it is prepared for you.
Staffan: Yeah!
Wise Snake: I must go down and answer the door I will be right back.
Wise Snake hurries down the hallway and then down the stairs.
Alea moves further from Libby's side.
Libby Whore adjusts nager for maximum protection of Alea.
Agness takes the pen and paper and begins to scribble.
Alea moves right next to the door, waiting.
Libby Whore moves closer.
Frutata: I can see what is available. [to Darla]
Alea presses her nose against the door.
Darla: Thank you.
Frutata: Once you are done washing up, we can go together and I will check the storeroom.
Darla strips off her clothes and steps into the shower.
Darla: All right.
Frutata had not been aware that there was a shower in this room and is quite surprised.
Tamlen leads Staffan in and grabs him up to swoop him onto a tall stool by the counter.
Libby Whore stays closer and closer to Alea.
Darla: Darla looks. "OH! Where is the shower?"
Alea plasters herself to the door wondering where the shenned Snake is and swearing to have a talk with her about her tardiness.
Frutata had thought that this society's mores would not have allowed showering in front of a strange man, and realizes that one learns new things every day, even when one thinks one has seen it all.
Staffan looks over the menu, almost drooling on it.
Frutata realizes Darla had stepped into a small closet, not a shower.
Frutata: I believe there is one in the women's locker room.
Libby Whore stays next to Alea, slowing breathing as she takes Alea's nager as her own.
Darla blushes and quickly puts her clothes back on.
Alea concentrates on making her reduced selyn field teeny tiny so Libby won't move any closer.
Wise Snake opens the door.
Tamlen looks over another menu.
Wise Snake: Hello, what the ---- ?!
Alea falls into Snake's arms, hugging her soundly.
Alea: Snake!!!!!!
Alea: I've missed you sooooo much.
Wise Snake zlins the two of them.
Wise Snake: mmmmmfgggh!!!?!
Alea: It seems like it's been forever since I've seen you.
Alea kisses Snake on the cheek.
Wise Snake tries to push Alea away, somewhat clumsily because Alea just enveloped her in desperation as she was trying to zlin.
Libby Whore steps towards Alea, nager screaming, "MY GEN!!"
Alea is reluctant to let Snake go.
Wise Snake: ~~ panic ~~
Wise Snake: But it's just been a day or two!
Alea ~~ soothing ~~
Alea moves smoothly around Snake putting her between her and Libby.
Alea ~~ support ~~
Alea: Oh?
Alea: Well, I really should see you more often.
Alea smiles at Snake.
Wise Snake faces Libby, wondering what in shen is going on.
Libby Whore: NO!
Wise Snake: What in shen is going on here?
Wise Snake: ~~ suspicious ~~
Alea reaches into her bag of fruit and pulls out a small round piece and begins to peel it.
Libby Whore is left with her systems a whimpering mess.
Alea: I'm hungry.
Libby Whore: I was protecting her for you Snake.
Alea: You know, the baby has made me more hungry lately.
Alea pops a piece of fruit into her mouth.
Alea ~~ supports ~~ Snake
Libby Whore: I found the love of my life wandering the streets of Bender Cove, unprotected.
Alea concentrates on supporting Snake and ignoring Libby.
Alea ~~ gross ~~
Alea ~~ oops Support ~~
Snake zlins Libby, trying to figure out how her fields suddenly became a whimpering mess.
Wise Snake: The 'love of your life'?
Tamlen: Too bad they won't have any bananas this time of year.
Kadicat hears her mommy and comes running.
Wise Snake zlins them both.
Wise Snake: Are you serious?
Kadicat: Mmroww!!!
Alea ~~ nausea at the thought ~~
Alea looks down.
Alea: Kadi!
Alea scoops her up and nuzzles her.
Libby Whore: She is the only person I dream about Snake.
Alea: Oh my sweet darlin' how are you doing?
Libby Whore: You are her sister.
Kadicat: Purr, purrrr.
Libby Whore: Will you give her to me?
Alea whispers in Kadi's ear. "Go bite the old bat."
Libby Whore: I ask for her hand. Please?
Alea chokes.
Alea looks at Libby incredulously, dropping Kadi.
Wise Snake zlins Libby again, then Alea again.
Wise Snake looks at Libby oddly.
Wise Snake: I think you'd better come in for a moment.
Alea: Excuse me while I go, umm....
Libby Whore: We are so good together.
Alea turns toward the stairs.
Alea walks off.
Wise Snake: Alea, stay out of my office.
Alea does not believe she is hearing this.
Wise Snake: Use Nick's room. I have company in my office.
Alea: Of course, dear.
Kadicat sees that her mommy isn't happy, and runs to get her a present.
Kadicat grabs her latest rat and presents it to Alea.
Alea goes up the stairs.
Wise Snake sits Libby down on the stairs just inside the door and waits until Alea is gone.
Libby Whore looks to Snake.
Alea goes up to the third floor and heads toward Snake's office.
Wise Snake: Libby, this is going to be a great disappointment to you, but Alea is completely heterosexual She is incapable of answering your love.
Nick is snoring peacefully.
Alea pauses, realizes she isn't supposed to go in Snake's office but to Nick's room and turns to his room instead.
Alea: Shen, that... that... Libby is going to drive me to drink.
Libby Whore looks towards the direction that Alea took and sighs. "But she is so incredibly wonderful, Snake. I love her."
Kadicat is frustrated at being ignored, and pursues Alea with the dead rat.
Alea pushes open the door to the bedroom and goes in, peering into the darkness.
Rapol snores.
Wise Snake: Well, yes, but, unfortunately, she can't love you in return.
Alea shoves the door closed and goes into the darkened room.
Alea rubs a hand down her face.
Alea: Shendoni.
Libby Whore: Why not, Snake?
Libby Whore: You can talk to her. She's your sister.
Alea feels very queasy and decides to lay down.
Wise Snake: Because she's straight. She just doesn't feel that way for any woman.
Wise Snake: Well I, I admit Alea and I can talk about many things, but unfortunately a person's sexual orientation isn't something you can just talk them out of.
Wise Snake: Not even I can talk somebody out of that.
Alea pulls off her cloak, tosses it on a chair and crawls into the bed.
Alea's hand meets with something other than bed.
Libby Whore looks down at her tentacles, tears beginning to drip from the corner of her eyes.
Nick feels something poke him and starts awake, flailing at the presumed rat.
Alea: What the....
Alea: Aaaiiiyyy!
Nick: Yeow!
Alea jumps to the side, trying to avoid the batting hands.
Wise Snake: I think you'd better forget her, Libby.
Nick: Shenned rats!
Libby Whore: Are you sure, Snake? Are you really sure about Alea?
Alea grabs at the swinging hands.
Nick slowly realizes that the rats usually don't yell back when they get hit.
Libby Whore cries. "How can your sister be so wonderful and yet...."
Nick is not at his best when awakened suddenly--or slowly, for that matter.
Alea scoots across the bed, trying to get away from the hands.
Nick: Where's the cat when you require her?
Rapol hears noise through the wall and turns over, muttering.
Wise Snake hesitates.
Alea scoots and falls right off the bed, crying out in pain.
Alea realizes she is scrunched between the wall, and the bed.
Nick suddenly realizes who his visitor must be.
Nick: Alea? Is that you?
Wise Snake: I'm sorry, Libby, but she doesn't feel anything for you.
Wise Snake: I would know if she did.
Wise Snake: I'm sorry.
Alea groans.
Libby Whore: From the moment I saw her, I know that I loved her, but she doesn't love me, does she, Snake?
Wise Snake: No. [sadly]
Alea: Help me UP!
Libby Whore nods. "You are lucky to have such a sister."
Alea wiggles, banging the wall and bed, trying to wiggle out of the small space.
Wise Snake winces at that.
Wise Snake: Er, sure.
Nick: Just a moment.
Libby Whore: It must have been fun growing up together.
Nick gets up and lights the lamp.
Alea gets one leg out and back up on the bed.
Wise Snake: We had different mothers.
Wise Snake: ~~ half truth ~~ 1
Nick reaches down and hauls Alea free.
Alea staggers, falling against Nick.
Alea: Mmmrrrppphhh.
Libby Whore: Yes. Well. You are still lucky.
Alea pushes away from Nick, righting herself.
Wise Snake: Do you think you can maybe take some time and start getting over her?
Alea: I simply thought to lay down.
Nick: Alea, WHAT are you doing in my room?
Alea: What are you doing in here?
Nick: I live here.
Alea: Snake sent me up here.
Nick: This is where I sleep.
Libby Whore: I'll try. For you, Snake.
Nick: This is where I keep what's left of my clothing.
Alea: Well, I....
Alea stiffens.
Alea looks coolly at Nick.
Wise Snake: For yourself. You don't deserve to be desperate for someone you can't have.
Wise Snake: There are a lot of other women, some of them really nice.
Alea: Perhaps I can find somewhere else to wait then?
Alea: Any suggestions since her office is off limits?
Alea frostily.
Wise Snake thinks of that woman - what was her name? - at the Post Office who is always trying to grab her during donations and sighs.
Libby Whore: [tears dripping] I know. I've tried to get over her but she is always walking around the town and when I see her, my heart just stirs and I can't help myself
Wise Snake: Well, maybe you should consider getting some counseling.
Tamlen slurps at the last bit of his ice cream soda.
Nick: Try next door. I think Rapol's still up.
Wise Snake: I have a few business cards of counselors if you would like them.
Alea nods.
Alea: Very well.
Nick holds the door for Alea.
Libby Whore: Counseling? I'm a whore. Who would give me counseling?
Alea grabs her cloak and walks out, back stiff.
Kadicat slips through and drops her rat between them.
Wise Snake: Give me a break.
Alea sees the rat.
Kadicat: Mmrrooow!
Alea: Oh, how sweet Kadi.
Wise Snake: [disgusted]
Alea: Just what Nick wanted.
Wise Snake: You know very well they won't care what you do for a living.
Alea smiles at Nick smugly.
Nick sighs.
Alea picks up Kadi.
Alea: Come on, sweetie.
Nick: It's better than having the live ones chewing on me.
Wise Snake: Don't use that as an excuse not to get help if you need it.
Alea walks out of the room.
Libby Whore nods soulfully. "I guess."
Alea goes to the next door and taps first and waits.
Alea: have you been a good girl for Snake?
Alea rubs Kadi behind the ears.
Nick returns to his well-earned rest.
Alea hears no sounds so she goes into the room and shuts the door.
Kadicat: Purr, purr.
Wise Snake gets to her feet.
Alea feels around and finds the bed, and drops Kadi onto it.
Wise Snake: Well, I'm sorry I have to cut this short, but I had company waiting even before Alea showed up.
Libby Whore: But Snake, I have been there and being a whore does make a difference.
Alea goes over to the edge of the bed and lays down.
Wise Snake: Here. [pulls some cards out of her pocket for Libby]
Libby Whore stands.
Alea thinks this has been one shendoni day.
Libby Whore: I understand. Completely.
Wise Snake: These are social workers and counselors who deal with financially and socially disadvantaged people all the time.
Alea wonders how the shenned she is going to get home with Libby downstairs.
Wise Snake: Trust me, they will not bat an eyelash.
Libby Whore takes the cards.
Libby Whore nods, not really looking at the cards.
Libby Whore: Sure Snake. If you say so.
Alea relaxes, feeling the nausea slowly subside as she lays there.
Alea: Kadi? [calls softly wondering where the cat went to]
Libby Whore walks to the door and disappears through it without another word.
Wise Snake locks the door and climbs back up the stairs.
Kadicat has curled up on Rapol's pillow.
Wise Snake doesn't see Alea anywhere and continues on to her office.
Wise Snake re-enters her office.
Libby Whore hears the lock, sighs, and lets the cards fly to the wind.
Libby Whore mutters "Whatever you say, Snake."
Libby Whore goes back to the whorehouse.
Alea sleepily closes her eyes, waiting for Snake to return.
Rapol feels something tickling his nose and brushes at it without waking.
Agness looks up as Snake returns.
Agness: There you are.
Agness holds out her list.
Agness: This should be sufficient for a start.
Snake takes the list and scans it briefly.
Agness: There could be additional expenses, depending on what we discover about the mural's condition when the wallpaper has been removed.
Kadicat sticks her nose in Rapol's ear and purrs loudly to pacify him.
Alea hears Kadi purring and reaches over to stroke her.
Alea: Come here, sweetie.
Rapol settles back to sleep.
Wise Snake: I am still awaiting the deed to the building to pass into my hands As soon as that happens, I will put this plan into motion.
Wise Snake adds, "They sent me tax forms for the property tax, which seems a fair hint they plan to sell it to me."
Kadicat sees the possibilities of the situation, and moves to the warmest spot in the bed directly between the two humans.
Kadicat reflects that humans have their uses heaters, litter pan emptiers, kitty food preparers.
Agness: Or that they're even more mixed up than their Eastcove counterparts.
Agness: In any case, I will await word from you as to when you will be ready to begin the restoration.
Wise Snake: Great. Thank you very much for your time.
Wise Snake: I'll have Sky call a cab and escort you back to the border now, if you'd like.
Agness nods frostily, and stands up.
Agness: Good. I'm expected at a meeting in less than an hour.
Wise Snake's enthusiasm fades at the frosty nager.
Wise Snake edges away from Agness.
Wise Snake: Great.
Wise Snake leaves the office briefly, locates Sky, and instructs him as to Agness' return.
Agness departs in Sky's care.
Wise Snake returns to her office and sits down.
Wise Snake looks at the tax forms and tries to remember what she is forgetting.
Wise Snake gets up and goes to check on Nick.
Wise Snake sees/zlins him quietly sleeping, and is pretty sure that's not what she was forgetting to do.
Alea rolls over feeling for Tarsh and snuggles up, wrapping herself lovingly around her lover.
Wise Snake goes back to her office and sits down again.
Wise Snake gets up and goes to check on Rapol.
Alea rubs her tummy against Tarsh's back as the baby moves.
Wise Snake sees/zlins Alea in bed with Rapol, wrapped around him.
Alea: Feel that honey?
Wise Snake: ~~~ shock! ~~~
Alea mumbles before starting to drift off.
Wise Snake: Alea! [scandalized whisper]
Alea blinks groggily.
Alea: Yes?
Alea: Snake?
Alea: What are you doing in our room?
Wise Snake: Get your butt out here!
Alea rolls over and sits up before realizing she isn't in her room.
Alea: Oh SHEN!
Alea flies out of the bed toward Snake.
Wise Snake: Rapol isn't a hug toy!
Alea hits Snake in mid-air, grabbing for her.
Alea: How'd HE get in here!
Alea ~~ thud ~~
Wise Snake catches Alea and pulls her the rest of the way out of the room.
Alea ~~ shock ~~
Alea breathing heavily.
Wise Snake: Alea maybe you should just come in here and sit down. [panting]
Alea: Shen it!
Alea shaking.
Alea: Where is Tarsh?
Wise Snake guides Alea firmly into her office and sits her down in a chair by the fire.
Alea: Shendoni that was a dream!
Wise Snake: You stay right there.
Alea shakes her head and follows Snake.
Alea sits down nodding.
Alea: I guess I drifted off to sleep.
Wise Snake goes back to Rapol's room and checks carefully to make sure he is all right, pulls the covers up over him again.
Wise Snake closes his door softly.
Wise Snake returns to her office and sits down at the desk.
Alea rubs at her eyes and then looks around for her fruit.
Alea decides not to mention she left her bag of fruit in with Rapol.
Wise Snake: Alea how about you tell me what is going on?
Alea finally looks up at Snake.
Alea shrugs.
Alea: You told me to go to Nick's room.
Alea: I was feeling extremely nauseous and thought to lay down.
Alea: However, Nick was in bed.
Alea: So, he sent me to the next room, telling me Rapol was up.
Wise Snake: No, no, no I mean why are you here?
Alea: Oh!
Alea: Well I went out for some, well, you see....
Alea sighs.
Alea: Libby was following me and wouldn't leave.
Wise Snake waits.
Alea: You were the closest person around and since you are a Farris, I thought I'd be safe here.
Alea: So, I came by.
Wise Snake: Why does she think I'm your sister?
Alea just KNEW that was going to come up somehow.
Alea: I guess I mentioned we were related.
Wise Snake: Oh.
Wise Snake forgets it.
Wise Snake: Well, I had a talk with her.
Wise Snake: I hope she will leave you alone in the future.
Alea ~~ relief ~~
Wise Snake: You should be very careful never to entice or encourage her.
Alea: I have no idea why she thinks I am after her.
Alea: ENTICE?
Alea: I was sitting on the pier eating a piece of fruit.
Alea: And she comes up and sits down and starts putting the moves on me.
Alea: I begged her to go away.
Wise Snake frowns.
Wise Snake: You were sitting on the PIER eating a piece of fruit, in mid-winter?
Wise Snake: What, do you have a death wish?
Alea: Remember, this is the same woman who attacked me and I slammed her.
Wise Snake: How could I forget!!
Wise Snake: You were enticing her at the time.
Alea: I was not enticing her, well, I was, but only because she wouldn't let GO OF ME and was going to insist upon sexual relations.
Alea: So, I pulled her hyper to slam her so I could escape, which you probably never would have known about except that well....
Alea trails off.
Wise Snake: So you were going to go along with it??
Alea sighs.
Wise Snake appalled.
Alea: No!
Alea: I love Tarsh.
Alea: He is the only person for me--ever.
Alea: I'd never cheat on him.
Alea ~~ honesty ~~
Wise Snake: Um, for future reference, it would be a clearer message if instead of first enticing her, then slamming her, you simply made your nager unappealing whenever she comes around.
Alea: I DO!
Alea: You zlinned how disgusted and upset I was with her.
Wise Snake: I also zlinned you enticing her once.
Wise Snake: You're giving her a mixed message.
Alea: I was nauseous when she was down there but she is crazy.
Alea: I'm WHAT!
Alea points out her stomach.
Alea: How is THIS a mixed message?
Alea: I'm pregnant with Tarsh's child.
Alea: Very happily pregnant, I might add.
Wise Snake thinks Alea is unclear on the definition of "mixed message".
Wise Snake: Well Alea, I don't know what to tell you. You say you are already doing everything right I guess you have the situation handled.
Alea stands and gathers her cloak.
Alea: If you'll excuse me then, I won't impose on you further.
Wise Snake thinks Alea is giving her a mixed message as well.
Alea ~~ hurt ~~
Alea slips on her cloak.
Wise Snake: Okay.
Alea buttons it up and heads for the door.
Alea goes out and down the stairs.
Wise Snake follows Alea.
Alea gets down to the door and looks around for Libby before pulling the door open.
Alea: Thank you, Snake, for talking with Libby.
Wise Snake: Ummh.
Wise Snake thinks about how Libby zlinned at the end of the talk and is none too pleased with the whole incident.
Alea shrugs and heads off down the street, hoping it's safe enough that she gets home in one piece.
Wise Snake locks the door behind Alea.
Wise Snake pauses as she sees a piece of paper lying outside.
Wise Snake unlocks the door and slips outside, picks it up.
Libby Whore sees and zlins Alea from the distance and cries.
Wise Snake: [it is one of the business cards]
Libby Whore goes back to the whorehouse alone.
Wise Snake zlins for the others and picks them up.
Wise Snake goes back into the Ferry Building.
Notes:
1) And probably different fathers as well. [return]