Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #179: A Business Day (3/6/98)
Inarm walks through the dock area of Bender Cove, searching for an address.
Inarm carries a briefcase in her left hand, but the right sleeve of her shirt is empty.
Inarm finds the proper address, but the building looks like it's been abandoned for decades.
Wise Snake is hanging out of a window, clutching a stained glass window in her hands and tentacles.
Wise Snake pants, coming down from an unexpected burst of augmentation.
Wise Snake: Shen!
Wise Snake: Ack....
Inarm puts down her briefcase and pulls out a piece of paper from her pocket. She double checks the address.
Rapol rushes up behind Snake.
Wise Snake tries to back into the building, although she is practically hanging by her ankles from the windowsill.
Wise Snake: Rapol! Oh, good, Can you give me a hand?
Inarm takes a closer look at the building, and sees that there is an occupant, after all.
Inarm: Hello?
Rapol reaches out to grab Wise Snake by the waist.
Rapol: Certainly.
Wise Snake pauses in her life and death struggle to peer down at the figure below.
Wise Snake: Hello?
Wise Snake: [calls down] Hello... can I help you?
Inarm goes down the walk, to get closer so she won't have to shout.
Inarm: Are you... [puts down briefcase and checks paper again] Wise Snake Farris?
Inarm finds the Simelan name difficult to pronounce.
Wise Snake: Yes!
Wise Snake: Yes.. uh....
Wise Snake: Just a minute, I'm, in the middle of falling out of a window here.
Inarm: Oh. Certainly. Take your time.
Wise Snake tries to squirm back in, using Rapol's anchoring arms as a safety measure.
Rapol tries to guide Snake back in carefully.
Wise Snake pauses as the window turns out to be too large to go back in the opening.
Wise Snake: Good grief... that can't be possible, can it??
Rapol: Have to turn it. Want me to grab it while you get on feet?
Wise Snake manages to get her feet on the floor, with Rapol's help, but the window is still outside the building.
Wise Snake: Oh... thanks.
Wise Snake lets Rapol take the window.
Wise Snake: Don't drop it, that thing is worth a bundle.
Rapol takes one hand of Snake's belt to grab a corner of the window.
Rapol move his other hand to the middle of the top edge.
Wise Snake tries to help Rapol turn the window.
Wise Snake: You mean like this? [bonk... thud... scrape]
Rapol's arms are extending past Snake's head on either side.
Wise Snake: Did you see what just happened? Shidoni amazing.
Rapol: Yesh. [tongue sticking out slightly]
Inarm watches the antics with amazement and alarm.
Rapol tilts the corner in his hand to come in first.
Wise Snake helps Rapol slide the window inside.
Rapol has to shuffle to keep his balance.
Wise Snake: Do you suppose if we hadn't been walking down the stairs just now, this window would have landed on that woman who just walked up?
Rapol considers. "Likely."
Wise Snake: I'd better go see what she wants.
Rapol: Her good karma.
Rapol: Certainly.
Wise Snake: Here... got it?
Rapol carefully shifts his grip. "Yes."
Wise Snake: Brr.... [shakes her chilled tentacles] If I'd known I was popping outside for a bit, I'd have worn my cloak.
Wise Snake goes the rest of the way down the stairs and opens the door.
Rapol: [hand cramping slightly]
Rapol: Up or down?
Inarm picks up her briefcase again and squares her shoulders, whole and mangled.
Wise Snake: Ah... just set it on the landing there. [calls back]
Rapol carefully feels with his foot for the next step down.
Wise Snake makes sure her hair is standing up properly and then opens the door.
Wise Snake: Hello? Can I help you?
Inarm approaches Snake.
Rapol gets it firmly down and then moves the other foot.
Wise Snake zlins Inarm.
Rapol gets to the landing and carefully squats to get the window on the floor.
Inarm is a 28-year old out-T Gen, low field, with a mostly healed stump instead of a right arm.
Inarm: Yes. I'm Anna Inarm, representing Harcort Construction Supplies.
Inarm: You asked for some information on our products.
Inarm tries to appear bright and cheerful, despite the way the cold makes her stump ache.
Rapol leans it up flat against the wall on the downward side.
Wise Snake: I did? Er... [momentarily distracted by wondering if the arm were severed by any of the products in question]
Wise Snake: Sure, come in.
Wise Snake stands aside to let Inarm come in.
Inarm goes in, looking around at the open lower floor.
Inarm: Is this the building you plan to restore?
Rapol nudges the window and waits to make sure it is in a stable position.
Wise Snake: Ah... yes.
Wise Snake closes and locks the door.
Inarm looks around, trying to see which products would be of most interest.
Wise Snake: Would you like to come upstairs, where it's warmer?
Wise Snake tries to remember what products Harcort sells... and if she really ever contacted a company called Harcort.
Rapol decides that the window isn't making another break for it today and starts down the stairs.
Inarm: Thank you.
Wise Snake leads Inarm up the stairs.
Wise Snake: Ah... Rapol... just in time.
Rapol nods and surrounds Snake with his nager.
Wise Snake brings Inarm to her office.
Rapol looks at Inarm, eyes lingering on her stump.
Wise Snake offers Inarm a seat by the fireplace.
Inarm takes a seat, self-consciously arranging herself to hide her empty sleeve from sight as much as possible.
Wise Snake: Would you like any tea?
Inarm: Please. It's very cold out there.
Wise Snake: We have Trin, Blackberry, Acorn, [looks through some of Sky's more eccentric varieties]
Wise Snake: ...Red Zoiks, Shazam, Boy Howdy, Her Lover's Lips....
Inarm: Blackberry would be lovely.
Wise Snake: Blackberry.
Wise Snake gets Inarm some tea, using the hot water kept by necessity always on the fire.
Rapol glances at Snake's mouth without realizing it.
Wise Snake has the stereotypical Farris lips.
Wise Snake distributes blackberry tea to Inarm, and trin for Rapol and herself.
Wise Snake sits down at her desk.
Wise Snake: Now... what do you have to show me?
Inarm wraps her cold hand around the warm mug, takes a sip, then sets the mug down and lifts the briefcase to her lap.
Rapol: Thanks.
Inarm fumbles at the latch with cold-stiffened fingers.
Rapol takes a seat by Snake, making the short side of a triangle with Inarm.
Rapol looks away from her struggle.
Wise Snake makes a note on a blank piece of paper: "window spontaneously popping out of frame"... then taps the pencil against the paper, not exactly sure how to classify the note or what else to add.
Inarm finally gets the briefcase open, a small triumph in the daily struggle.
Wise Snake finally pencils in, "this is not good" underneath.
Inarm: We've got a nice line of roofing tiles, in modern and traditional patterns.
Inarm hands Snake a brochure.
Wise Snake returns her attention to Inarm.
Inarm: There are some which are a match for the remaining ones on your roof.
Wise Snake: Sounds good... what kind of lead time on those?
Rapol adjusts to let Snake zlin Inarm.
Inarm: For small orders, we can probably accommodate you from our stock on hand.
Wise Snake studies the brochure, squinting at the odd catalog names given to the different varieties.
Inarm: If you want to redo the roof entirely, you should give us two weeks after you make your choice of pattern.
Wise Snake: Just zlinning from the street and the attic, it looks like there are only seventy or eighty tiles missing.
Wise Snake: I think at this stage it would be better to re-use the old ones for now.
Inarm: Have you checked the remaining tiles for cracks, chips, or other damage?
Wise Snake pulls out a small library book entitled "Slate Roofs of the Late Early Post Pre Gothic Islamic Gen Architectural Era"
Rapol tries not to be alarmed at the vision of Snake crawling all over the roof.
Wise Snake: Well, this book had a guide for determining tile condition.
Wise Snake: I had a couple of Gens stand up there and illuminate it while I zlinned from various vantage points around the neighborhood.
Wise Snake: They seem to be in remarkably good shape, considering.
Wise Snake: The tiles, not the Gens. [adds quickly]
Inarm wonders why the Gens were in such bad shape.
Inarm fishes in her briefcase, and pulls out another brochure.
Inarm: We also have a nice variety of paints and wallpapers, and decorative wood in various forms for gingerbreading.
Inarm tries to get two more pamphlets out at the same time, and ends up dropping all three.
Wise Snake stares at a picture of bright red-and-orange ceramic tiles, and tries to envision the Ferry Building roofed with those.
Wise Snake blanches.
Inarm: ~~frustration~~
Rapol gets up and goes over to pick up the brochures.
Inarm: Excuse me.
Rapol hands them to Inarm.
Wise Snake: Now, what would the normal use be for these bright orange ones?
Inarm flushes with humiliation, but nods thanks as she accepts them.
Wise Snake has never seen a building like that.
Wise Snake looks up, only becoming aware of Inarm's emotion for the first time.
Wise Snake: [confusion]
Rapol goes back to his seat.
Inarm: Oh, that's an interior tile.
Wise Snake 's pale eyes dart between Inarm and Rapol.
Wise Snake: Oh, really.
Inarm: Yes. A lot of people use them for color accents in a bathroom or kitchen.
Wise Snake is glad she hasn't seen a lot of people's bathrooms and kitchens.
Inarm: Perhaps you would like to look over the pamphlets for a few days, at your leisure?
Wise Snake: Okay, sure.
Wise Snake reaches for the other pamphlets.
Inarm: I could come back, perhaps the day after tomorrow? Would that give you enough time?
Wise Snake: Well, ah, hold on.
Wise Snake looks at her calendar.
Wise Snake: How about a week and a half from now.
Wise Snake: I have to talk to my consultant, and the architect isn't online yet....
Wise Snake has finally found her notes and sees that the reason she has never heard of this company is, she never wrote to them asking for information.
Alea walks into the lobby.
Wise Snake wonders if she's going to be getting a lot of salespeople coming in from off the street, and if so, if she should maybe delegate greeting them to somebody else.
Alea looks around and thinks how boring the white walls are.
Inarm nods, trying to make the best of it--she really NEEDS results to justify the salary which pays her medical bills.
Wise Snake zlins Inarm.
Inarm: Just let me know when, and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.
Wise Snake: Have you had that looked at by a channel?
Alea decides to change that little problem.
Alea goes to the storage room to look for paint.
Inarm: Er, yes, actually. The man at the Sime Center looked at it yesterday, when he took my donation.
Alea: I wonder who I could draft into helping...?
Inarm: He said he might be able to help, but only if I could come back every day.
Wise Snake: Good.
Wise Snake: You will go, right?
Alea digs through the storage closet looking for the paint.
Alea finds the pretty green paint she ordered.
Inarm: When I can. I can't afford to lose my job, and it keeps me pretty busy.
Wise Snake: Um.
Wise Snake: Well, thanks for stopping by.
Alea brings the paint out and drafts four renSimes to paint the lobby for her.
Inarm: Thank you. Feel free to contact me at any time, if you have questions about our products.
Alea isn't going to do any climbing unless absolutely necessary.
Inarm closes her briefcase, this time managing the latch with minimal fumbling.
Wise Snake gets up to escort Inarm back down the stairs.
Alea then turns and goes down the hall, humming merrily.
Rapol follows along with Snake.
Jemmie clicks along with Tanat, her heels echoing loudly.
Tanat: It won't work.
Wise Snake lets Inarm out the front door.
Wise Snake: Good bye, and thanks again.
Tanat: Your time is almost up, and we still don't have an idea which will win.
Jemmie: We'll make it work!
Jemmie: She'll make it work.
Jemmie: She specializes in things like that.
Inarm leaves, feeling a bit more optimistic about her future.
Wise Snake closes and locks the door.
Wise Snake turns to Rapol.
Wise Snake: This is ridiculous.
Rapol: What is?
Wise Snake: In the time I've spent jumping out windows and talking to salespeople this morning, I could have taken 15 donations.
Alea goes into an office and begins digging around in the folders.
Tanat and Jemmie turn down the walk to the Ferry Building.
Rapol: Ah.
Wise Snake: This has got to stop or I'm going to go right out of my mind.
Rapol: Someone to handle?
Inarm decides that under the circumstances, she can afford to take Snake's advice.
Jemmie: She'll know what to do.
Inarm heads for the Sime Center.
Wise Snake: Sky is all right with logistics and money, but dealing with salespeople and the like... no.
Alea picks through the folders in the office.
Rapol: Buys too much?
Wise Snake: No, he just curls up in a ball until they leave in disgust.
Wise Snake: The last five salespeople he talked to didn't even leave their business cards!
Jemmie goes up to the door of the Ferry Building.
Nick wanders down the stairs in time to hear the last complaints.
Veraik goes to his office and opens the door, zlinning Alea's nager. "What are you doing?"
Nick: What's the matter, Snake?
Alea jumps, turning around, holding at her heart.
Wise Snake realizes she was whining, a very un-Farrislike trait.
Wise Snake: Ah... it's nothing.
Veraik waits for an explanation.
Alea: Good gracious, Veraik, you nearly scared me into....
Alea wonders if she has to answer that.
Nick shoots Rapol a "do your job" look.
Wise Snake: I just wish I spent more time being a channel and playing God, and less time dealing with nitpicky stuff like windows falling out of buildings and people trying to sell me orange bathroom tiles.
Nick: It's not nothing, if it leaves you so upset.
Veraik: And for good reason, you are in my files. WHY?
Wise Snake opens the door suddenly.
Wise Snake: What do you want!
Wise Snake: Oh... hello, Jemmie, Tanat.
Nick: You want a housekeeper.
Wise Snake: Excuse me.
Wise Snake closes the door in their faces.
Wise Snake turns back to Nick.
Rapol: ~~ support Calm ~~
Jemmie looks at Tanat....
Tanat gives Snake a cocky grin.
Wise Snake: I have a housekeeper. I need a receptionist.
Alea smiles.
Alea: I was simply straightening them.
Alea: I had some that should have been filed.
Rapol: have a desk if needed....
Alea: And so I filed them for you.
Alea goes toward the door.
Alea: I really should get back to work.
Veraik: Try again, Alea. Tell the truth this time.
Wise Snake tries to picture Rapol's desk used publicly and winces.
Wise Snake: The solid glass one with the starfish embedded in it?
Alea thinks shen....
Nick thinks about the dirty dishes, unwashed laundry, and cobwebs on the ceiling.
Veraik: No. Stay and explain yourself.
Wise Snake: Not that it isn't nice, or anything, but....
Alea frowns....
Alea: You know, Veraik. Getting angry of that and turning that shade of red really is bad for your health.
Alea: You really should be more careful.
Alea: We wouldn't want you falling ill.
Nick winces at the thought of the desk in public view.
Rapol: Yes. ~~ proud ~~
Alea goes to the door.
Wise Snake: Well, [carefully] We'll talk about it.
Veraik: Oh really. And YOU shouldn't be in my files.
Wise Snake: Meanwhile, there are customers.
Wise Snake opens the door again.
Wise Snake: I'm terribly sorry, now, where were we?
Veraik: Get out and stay out, Alea.
Tanat: ~~impatience~~
Alea: Oh, by the way, Veraik... have you seen the walls in the lobby?
Veraik: Or perhaps I should have you transferred.
Jemmie giggles at Tanat.
Rapol puts a zlinnable gap in the ambient by the door.
Jemmie: I told you she could help us.
Veraik stares at Alea. "What was that?"
Alea chuckles.
Jemmie: We came to you for advice.
Alea: They should be done by now.
Wise Snake: Oh? And?
Alea ~~ smug~~
Wise Snake stands back to let them in.
Tanat: We've got to have something that will wow the crowd.
Jemmie: Well....
Jemmie: Give us advice.
Tanat: Something really cosmic.
Jemmie: That is what we pay you for.
Veraik rubs a tentacles over his face. "What color is it this time?
Alea: Ever heard the term olive drab...?
Wise Snake: Hmmm. [the mention of "pay" sounds really good at this point]
Veraik: You didn't.
Alea: I thought it was rather nice.
Alea heads out of the office.
Alea: See you later, Veraik.
Veraik: You are going to be the death of me one day, Alea.
Veraik: ALEA. Have it repainted.
Nick sees that Snake is working, and since it's Rapol's shift, he retreats and goes upstairs.
Alea: I really will?
Rapol is happy to see it is those nice kids from the other day.
Alea ~~ hopeful ~~
Wise Snake: Well? Are you coming in?
Veraik zlins and pales.
Inarm reaches the Sime Center and goes up the stairs.
Alea chuckles.
Veraik slams the door behind her, shaking the building from the force.
Tanat follows Jemmie through the door.
Alea: My, he is certainly in a bad mood today.
Wise Snake sighs, locks the door, and leads them up stairs to her office.
Wise Snake: Please, have a seat.
Inarm enters the lobby and sees that it has mysteriously turned olive drab overnight.
Alea: Remember your venous pressure Veraik!
Rapol: Tea?
Wise Snake: I'll take a "Boy Howdy", Rapol.
Wise Snake is going to need it.
Wise Snake: You two?
Rapol nods and goes over to fix it.
Tanat sits where indicated, trying hard to look cool and not bounce like Jemmie.
Tanat: You got any "Shazam"?
Tanat has never actually tasted the stuff, although he's heard cool things about its effects.
Inarm looks around at the paint cloths.
Rapol: Err, no.
Wise Snake: Now. About your... little problem.
Rapol looks apologetic.
Jemmie: So, Snake, can you think of something really wild for us?
Jemmie is chewing her gum, popping it loudly
Inarm wonders why anyone would repaint in such cold weather, when the windows can't be opened.
Wise Snake: Yes, provided you have the funds required.
Jemmie pulls out the money from her purse.
Jemmie: Of course.
Rapol brings Snake her tea.
Jemmie hands her the money as if it's not that big a deal at all.
Wise Snake: For what I have in mind, I will require [names an exorbitant sum, about 10x what Jemmie paid her the first time]
Jemmie shakes her head.
Jemmie: I can't pay you that much.
Inarm tells the clerk that she wants to see a channel, and clears paint cloths off a chair to sit down.
Wise Snake: That would cover my consulting fee, equipment rental, personal danger charge, and payroll for the actors.
Wise Snake frowns at Jemmie's words.
Wise Snake: Oh?
Rapol takes Jemmie and Tanat two mugs of tea.
Veraik tries to calm himself before having to face the awful paint job.
Tanat reaches into his shirt pocket and draws out a large wad of cash.
Tanat: ~~smirk~~
Jirelle walks into the lobby carrying some folders and a mug of hot tea.
Tanat: We'll split it, sweet pea.
Tanat passes the remainder of the sum to Snake.
Jemmie turns and sees the Donor who is much older and takes the tea, giggling.
Jemmie looks at Tanat and doesn't like his look.
Veraik walks into the lobby and goes to the clerk.
Alea goes down the hall, the file on Gaelan tucked secretively away up her dress
Rapol smiles at the nice girl.
Wise Snake accepts the money with a genuine smile.
Wise Snake: Good.
Wise Snake: Now, let me tell you what I can do for you.
Tanat leans forward eagerly.
Inarm sees two Simes enter the lobby, and wonders if either of them is a channel.
Jemmie looks away from Rapol and leans forward, her attention caught.
Wise Snake: Jemmie, you're due day after tomorrow. Now, if I have heard correctly, that's also the night of the gala opening of the new gym at the Academy, right?
Jemmie: Yes.
Wise Snake: I assume you and your friends were planning on attending, fashionably late of course?
Alea sneaks into Tarsh's office and pulls out the file.
Rapol goes back to Snake's side.
Veraik zlins the Gen with the right arm missing and goes to the lady. "Hello, How may I help you?"
Tanat: Everybody who IS anybody will be there.
Alea slips the file into his top drawer for him to read up on... and leaves.
Inarm: I'm here to see a channel.
Alea decides to go for a walk.
Inarm: About my arm.
Veraik: I'm a Channel.
Inarm: Or what used to be my arm, at any rate.
Jemmie: Well, I am going to be there.
Veraik: Yes?
Jemmie ~~ considers herself one of those Everybodies ~~
Wise Snake: Right. Well, here's the deal.
Veraik: Would you like to go to my office?
Inarm stands.
Alea slips out and snags her cloak... and heads toward Snake's
Wise Snake: You, Jemmie, will have to wait about three hours past your usual due date. It will be somewhat uncomfortable, but not outrageously so, since you won't be really deep into hard need anyway.
Veraik points a tentacle in the direction of his office.
Wise Snake: Can you handle it?
Inarm: That would be fine. The paint fumes are very strong in here.
Jirelle remains frozen where she first came into the lobby, tentacles twitching, eyes locked open staring at the green walls.
Jemmie thinks of going that far past and the romantic twist to it... and smiles
Veraik shudders. "Yes they are."
Jemmie: Yes, of course I can.
Jirelle: ~~shocked~~
Alea heads down the street to Snake's
Wise Snake: Well. Now, do you think you can talk your friends, what were their names, Betta and Hahn? into riding with you to the party?
Jemmie: Why do we want THEM along?
Wise Snake looks exasperated.
Wise Snake: I thought they had to see this.
Veraik quickly walks to his office, zlinning that the Gen is following him, then opens the door.
Alea catches a cab that takes her to the Ferry Building.
Tanat: She's right, Jemmie.
Tamlen walks in the front door, swinging his stick and whistling.
Jemmie glares at Tanat.
Jemmie: Well I knew that.
Alea knocks on the door at the Ferry Building.
Wise Snake zlins somebody outside bruising their knuckles.
Libby Whore sees Alea in a cab passing by and sighs then turns back to the whorehouse, crying.
Wise Snake: Uchh... shen... Sky!!
Wise Snake: Sky, would you get that!
Wise Snake waits for an answer.
Alea thinks knocking is such an odd feeling.
Alea goes over and jerks on the bell--hard.
Jemmie: Well?
Sky sighs and starts trudging down the stairs.
Jemmie: And what are you going to do for this money?
Wise Snake jumps wildly as the bell clangs.
Tamlen notices an amazingly lifelike statue of Jirelle as part of the lobby's new decorating scheme.
Wise Snake snarls and disables the bell.
Rapol: ~~ Calm ~~
Wise Snake relaxes a little as Rapol works on her.
Wise Snake: Uh.... sorry about that... anyway.
Rapol: ~~ relaxation ~~
Wise Snake: Now, I happen to know that the Bacgh family in Eastcove has a carriage nearly identical to your father's. I can "borrow" that carriage under certain circumstances better left undescribed.
Tamlen goes over to look at the lovely sculpture....
Jemmie: Yes?
Jemmie: But why do we need a carriage?
Veraik ushers the Gen into his office, indicates that she should be seated then sits behind his desk, waiting and forcing himself to be calm.
Wise Snake: What happens is, my person will pick you up in that carriage, and you two should act as if you don't know it's not the same one, and act as if you recognize the driver.
Wise Snake: You'll start off down the road, supposedly going to the party, but... you'll never make it.
Wise Snake: Instead, you get hijacked by road bandits.
Wise Snake: You know, that stretch of heavy woods before the Academy campus starts? Right there.
Tanat: ~~excitement~~
Jemmie: Yes?
Wise Snake: Your friends won't know it's not real, of course.
Alea goes back to the door and jerks on the handle.
Inarm sits, looking around.
Alea grumbles when she finds it locked
Sky opens the front door.
Sky: Hello... Oh, hello Alea!
Sky smiles.
Alea falls backward
Sky had been expecting another of those mean salespeople.
Alea staggers, catches her balance...
Alea: Sky!
Veraik zlins the Gen, wondering. "How may I help you?"
Wise Snake: So. All four of you are dragged out of the coach by armed thugs.
Jemmie: Oh wow!
Jemmie thinks this sounds really romantic
Wise Snake: Tied up, gagged, and brought on horseback to a, er, "pirate ship".
Jemmie remembers some of the books she's read....
Inarm: Well, the man I saw yesterday said that you could help this.
Inarm wiggles her aching stump.
Alea: Is Snake here?
Wise Snake: Your two friends, Betta and Hahn, are thrown into a cage... sort of like a Pen.
Sky: Oh, yeah.. she's with customers right now. Want to wait?
Jemmie 's eyes gleam.
Sky: You can come inside.
Alea: Yes.
Alea: Thank you.
Veraik zlins the pain and winces.
Alea: How are you today?
Sky lets Alea in and closes the door behind her.
Alea goes inside and slips off her cloak.
Sky: I'm fine, and you?
Alea: Just great.
Alea: I've been bored and thought of this great idea and want to run it past Snake.
Veraik: The pain. Yes. Join me on the couch and we can talk while I zlin it.
Sky: Really? What idea is that? [all innocence since he has no idea what this would lead to]
Inarm moves to the couch.
Veraik goes to the transfer couch.
Veraik: First I would like to deep zlin you. Have you ever had that done before?
Wise Snake: You, Tanat, get tied to a trunk, and beat up, (well, only a little bit) and then the pirate queen will strip you of your selyn.
Rapol: [ A cloak rack seemingly made of squirming snakes stands nearby ]
Tanat thinks that over.
Alea: Well, I know Snake is trying to make this place look much better.
Tanat: Will Betta and Hahn be able to see?
Sky: Oh er.. yeah?
Veraik guards his nager against her pain.
Inarm: Well, I did donate yesterday. Does that count?
Sky: Yeah... lots of cleaning and stuff.
Wise Snake: Oh, yeah. They'll be right in the same room, in cages.
Jemmie: Of course they will.
Veraik: Yes. In a way.
Wise Snake: Like their turn is next, you know?
Wise Snake: Now Jemmie, at this point your intil will probably be raging.
Veraik: Deep zlinning is just like donating however no selyn flow occurs.
Inarm: Oh. Well, that's all right, then.
Jemmie: Oh wow!
Jemmie giggles
Wise Snake: So then YOU are removed from the cage, and by that time you'll be dying to get your hands on a Gen... but the only Gens available belong to the pirate queen right?
Veraik: Give me your arm then I will take the third and fourth location points at your neck and shoulder before the fifth or lip to lip contact. Is that all right with you?
Jemmie: Yes.
Inarm: All right.
Wise Snake: So then, it becomes a struggle for life and death, yes? Your need against the pirate queen's greed.
Inarm holds out her arm.
Wise Snake: Have you ever taken any self defense classes?
Inarm: You'll have to get the cuff.
Alea: So... well... I thought I could paint for her.
Alea: Potraits.
Alea: Of everyone here.
Sky: Hmmm....
Alea: You've seen my drawings. [to Sky]
Sky: Interesting idea.
Inarm: I can't unfasten it myself.
Alea: I just know she'll love it.
Jemmie: You have to get all sweaty for that.
Veraik: May I? Perhaps I can help?
Jemmie wrinkles her nose.
Jemmie: I don't like to get sweaty
Sky has only seen the one drawing... of Snake and Alea naked in the back room of a bar.
Sky pales.
Sky: Er, actually, I'm not sure that, er....
Alea: Did you see the picture of Her on the mountain?
Alea: In her Zeor Cloak?
Alea: I did that.
Wise Snake: Oh, good.
Alea ~~ proud ~~
Wise Snake: Well, so then the struggle for supremacy between the two predators... ending in you taking the other Sime's life... a Sime kill.
Tanat: It won't make as good a show....
Wise Snake: All simulated, of course.
Veraik unbuttons the cuff and rolls up the sleeve then waits for the Gen to give him the arm.
Jemmie nods eagerly.
Wise Snake: But I can make it pretty damned real.
Jemmie: This will certainly top whatever they do.
Inarm holds her arm out.
Jemmie: As real as possible I hope.
Jemmie: I'm not paying you to let us lose.
Tanat: No question, we'll win, big time.
Wise Snake: Afterward... in an ecstasy of post reaction... which I can absolutely guarantee... you can take advantage of Tanat, who should still be strapped across a barrel.
Wise Snake: Or a trunk, or whatever.
Wise Snake: Tanat willing, of course. [to Tanat]
Tanat is all for being taken advantage of by a pretty girl.
Jemmie looks at Tanat, but only sees him as a walking selyn bank at the moment.
Wise Snake: And "escaping" the "pirate ship", after rescuing your friends, can come at any time after that, that you choose.
Wise Snake hopes not too long, since nobody could pay her enough to "play dead" for longer than an hour or so.
Veraik gives the zlinning position then zlins for the damage in her arm.
Jemmie: That sounds perfect.
Alea goes to the stairs and starts up them.
Wise Snake: Great. Now, I'll just need you to sign this contract.
Wise Snake pulls out a huge, carefully written contract in triplicate.
Wise Snake: This is for both your and my protection.
Wise Snake: You can show it to your friends afterward, when you let them know it was your plan all along.
Jemmie signs the contract, still popping her gum.
Wise Snake: Tanat?
Wise Snake hands him the pen.
Tanat makes a show of reading the contract over, although he can't understand the whereases and therefores. He signs anyway.
Tanat: There.
Tanat hands the copies to Snake for her signature.
Veraik moves a tentacle he had at the shoulder contact point to get a little further under the shirt so he can zlin more of the damage.
Jemmie giggles.
Jemmie: I think we'll win this.
Jemmie: I really do.
Jemmie: I told you she could help us, Tanat.
Inarm flinches slightly, but holds still.
Tanat: Worth every penny, if all goes as planned.
Sky: Oh!
Sky: That!
Veraik breaks fifth contact then repositions his tentacles around the damaged area, moving the shirt away from the area as he gets to the best healing position.
Sky: Yes... you did that? [curious/impressed]
Rapol wonders what "selyn indemnity waiver assurance" means...
Sky: She likes that.
Veraik gives into his growing need.
Veraik: I'm sorry. I forgot to ask. What is your name?
Wise Snake smiles.
Inarm: Anna Inarm.
Wise Snake marks them with her sinuous and nearly unreadable signature and hands Jemmi and Tanat their copies.
Veraik nods. "And I'm Veraik ambrov Liorie."
Alea: Yes.
Tanat tucks his copy into his shirt pocket, radiating self-importance.
Alea: I'm glad to know she likes it.
Inarm: Pleased to meet you, I'm sure.
Alea rubs at her lower back and then places a hand on her stomach.
Alea is getting tired of standing in the hall.
Rapol: [chair made from a stuffed Grizzly Bear beckons to Alea]
Kadi wanders down the hall, looking for rats, and discovers a familiar door-opener, litter-pan emptier, and food-dish filler.
Alea sees the chair and goes over to sit down.
Sky: So you, er, paint too?
Kadi: Mrruuuup!
Sky follows Alea, not sure if he should tell her what happened last time somebody sat in that.
Jemmie smiles
Jemmie: You ready to go, Tanat?
Wise Snake: Now, don't lose those. Keep them in a safe place.
Jemmie is very proud that it worked out like she knew it would.
Veraik zlins and feels the throbbing but continues to heal the infected places. ~ NEED ~
Kadi jumps up on the chair, waving her tail in Alea's face.
Rapol is unsure he approves of such a elaborate and public charade....
Alea: Yes, I paint
Alea: And I sew.
Alea: I am very artistic.
Tanat: Sure. I can't wait to see Betta and Hahn's faces, when they find out they've lost.
Alea just doesn't tell him that all of her artistic things aren't necessarily artistic to others.
Sky: How interesting.
Sky: I'm not artistic at all, I'm afraid. Nobody in the family is.
Sky: Er... I mean....
Alea: Oh, but Snake is.
Alea nods.
Kadi butts against Alea's hand, somewhat indignant at being ignored by her mommie.
Sky looks incredulous.
Sky: Snake??
Wise Snake stands.
Rapol stands also ~~ solid bubble ~~
Alea: Yes, she is.
Alea looks down.
Alea: Kadi!
Alea picks the cat up and nuzzles her.
Kadi: Purr, purr.
Alea: Oh my sweet darling. How is mama's baby doing?
Alea: Oooh you little itsy bitsy sweetie pie you....
Alea: [baby talk]
Kadi kneads vigorously.
Jemmie goes to the door
Tanat: We'll see you in two days, then.
Jemmie pushes it open
Rat pokes his head out of a hole in the wall and sees the cat.
Alea: Snake is very creative in her work, is she not?
Wise Snake moves with Jemmie and Tanat.
Wise Snake: Allow me to show you out.
Rat walks slowly out and in front of the cat as if in challenge.
Alea thinks more creative than Alea likes... but it has helped Snake so far.
Sky: Well, um, cunning I think is the word people usually use.
Sky: Creative?
Alea tickles Kadi's belly
Sky: I'm not so sure about that.
Alea: Ah well... cunning... artistic... it's all one's....
Rat then runs like heck to the other hole in the wall and wiggles in.
Kadi sees the rat and explodes out of Alea's grasp, landing on its neck.
Alea thinks she'd better not mention some of the things she's heard....
Alea gasps.
Sky looks bored, having seen the same thing several times now.
Sky: Snake said something about having both cats flattened and used as doormats, earlier.
Sky: [comments]
Tanat drops back, so he can get the rear view of Jemmie as she bobs down the stairs.
Alea gasps
Sky: Something about clawed woodwork... oh, hello Snake!
Alea: She WHAT!!!!!!
Alea ~~ Panic ~~
Wise Snake recoils at Alea's nager.
Wise Snake hesitates, then hurries Jemmie and Tanat toward the door.
Kadi stands by the rat hole, sniffing eagerly to locate her prey.
Wise Snake: Well, it was great talking to you guys, bye bye....
Wise Snake shuffles them out the door.
Tanat blinks as he finds himself outside.
Jemmie looks surprised then shrugs and walks off.
Wise Snake: See you day after tomorrow! Bye bye... [shuts door and locks it]
Rat peeks out and blinks at the cat. "Missed me."
Alea looks at Snake, glaring accusingly.
Sky thinks it would prudent to leave.
Sky slips away up the stairs.
Wise Snake looks confused.
Rapol nods to Alea and Sky.
Wise Snake: What!
Alea: You were going to skin my CAT?
Kadi snags the rat with a lighting swipe of one paw, and drags it from the hole.
Wise Snake backs away from Alea.
Wise Snake: I was what!?
Alea: Make a RUG out of her?
Wise Snake hides behind Rapol.
Wise Snake: Alea, have you gone crazy?
Alea pushes up out of the nasty old Chair.
Wise Snake: Why would I do something like that?
Alea: Sky said you were going to.
Rat squeals.
Inarm waits for Veraik to finish his inspection of her stump.
Rapol: ~~ Solid Block ~~
Alea hears the squeal and looks over at Kadi.
Kadi stops the squeal with a practiced bite.
Alea: Oh NO!
Alea: Kadi!
Alea takes off toward Kadi.
Alea: Get away from that nasty thing!
Rat: [dies]
Kadi picks up the dead rat and drops it at Alea's feet.
Jirelle keels over.
Kadi: Mmrrroooow!!
Alea looks at the bloody rat and faints.
Jirelle's tea, which is now cold, spills all over the floor.
Kadi: Purr, purr.
Wise Snake leans against Rapol's back.
Wise Snake: Shen... what is that crazy woman talking about now? [whispers to herself]
Wise Snake is grateful for Alea's easy distraction.
Veraik: I am in the process of reducing the infection in your arm.
Rapol reaches back to touch Snake's arms.
Rapol: No idea.
Wise Snake leans on Rapol nagerically as well.
Kadi moves the ex-rat closer to Alea, so that she can properly admire it.
Tamlen looks up from his mail at the noise.
Rapol: ~~ support ... stability ~~
Inarm: Oh.
Veraik: You should come here every day for the next week to have a channel help the healing process of the arm stump.
Jirelle's eyelids flutter.
Jirelle: What... oh.....
Kadi rubs up against Alea.
Veraik: Then come back after that as the attending Channel indicates.
Inarm: I will, as much as my job allows.
Jirelle almost looks at the walls again, but remembers just in time.
Jirelle gets up and hurries quickly out of the lobby.
Jirelle leaves the papers and tea cup on the floor.
Veraik: You can come to the Center at anytime. It is always open.
Tamlen: Jirelle?
Tamlen comes over quickly. His stick is still tucked under his arm.
Tamlen hurries after Jirelle.
Wise Snake: Look, ah, Alea... did you come here just to yell at me, or did you have some other business?
Inarm: I'll keep that in mind. It would be easier to come after working hours.
Veraik: Good.
Wise Snake notices Alea is unconscious.
Wise Snake: Hmm....
Wise Snake goes over to Alea and rolls her over.
Wise Snake removes the dead rat Alea fell on and tosses it away for the cat.
Veraik: Veraik finally withdraws his tentacles.
Rapol follows, allowing Snake to zlin Alea freely.
Kadi pounces on the rat remains, batting them against the wall.
Wise Snake zlins Alea.
Alea moans.
Alea's head hurts.
Wise Snake: Alea... take it easy. You had a fall.
Alea suddenly blinks her eyes open.
Alea: You've turned my cat into a murderer!
Kadi decides that that was fun, and brings the rat back to Snake to have it thrown again.
Veraik: How's that? I hope a little better however you should know that it WILL take time.
Wise Snake: I... what??
Wise Snake: [utter confusion]
Inarm cautiously moves the stump.
Rapol brushes Kadi away.
Alea shoves up.
Alea: She's murdering... ugh.
Alea points.
Wise Snake backs away.
Wise Snake: Alea... they're just rats.
Alea: Oh... oh!
Wise Snake: Take it easy, maybe you should lie down a little longer.
Alea looks at the dismembered rat and feels ill.
Inarm: Well, it's aching a bit less. It's hard to tell whether it's real progress or just that it's warm in here.
Rapol blocks off Alea again, expecting another explosion.
Alea goes to stand, looks down at her skirt.
Alea: Oh! Rat guts!
Veraik nods. I understand.
Wise Snake: It's just a little blood.
Kadi rubs up against Rapol, since he's at least paying attention to her.
Alea ~~ Panic ~~
Veraik: You will come back, won't you?
Wise Snake: Honestly, Alea, you don't mind getting human blood on you do you?
Alea: Of course not.
Wise Snake backs off again from Alea's panic.
Inarm: I'll do my best.
Wise Snake retreats entirely to Rapol's field.
Alea is just sick to see her new pink dress covered with ugh.
Veraik: Good.
Veraik stands.
Alea rubs her head.
Alea: I came here because I wanted to HELP you.
Alea: That's all I wanted....
Veraik: It's is good that you are donating. That, too, will help the healing process.
Wise Snake grimaces, avoids saying the obvious.
Alea: and now I find out from your own brother that you are going to skin my cat for a rug.
Alea: Just like that nasty chair there....
Alea: Animal skins... ugh.
Wise Snake: What! What is it with you, Alea? I am not going to skin your... look.
Rapol orients his full nageric strength between Snake and Alea.
Inarm grimaces.
Alea: Then why was Sky lying to me?
Inarm: It hurt. All the way down my arm, which isn't there any more.
Wise Snake: I have been taking care of your cat. You know it's been a hardship for me. Can't you just say thank you instead of handing me this hysterical fit?
Alea [in tears]
Inarm stands.
Alea turns and walks toward the door.
Wise Snake: For the last time, I am not going to skin your c... where are you going??
Alea: You obviously don't want me here.
Veraik: I know that is how you may feel but the nerves haven't realized that the arm isn't there yet.
Veraik: It will in time.
Alea: My help isn't needed either.
Alea: So, I'm going back to the Center.
Wise Snake covers her eyes with her hand as she tries to think of the right thing to say.
Wise Snake: Alea....
Veraik: I wished that that part could be speeded up more but that just takes time, I'm afraid.
Alea: What?
Wise Snake: What is really bothering you?
Alea stops.
Inarm: So that's why it hurt to donate?
Wise Snake: This can't just be about some toss-off comment about cat doormats. What has you so upset?
Alea: The fact that you don't care that I come to visit isn't enough?
Rapol is disappointed when Alea stops.
Inarm: Nerve damage?
Wise Snake looks at Alea incredulously.
Wise Snake: When have I been given a chance to show I cared?
Alea shrugs.
Alea: It's not important.
Wise Snake: The moment I came down the stairs you were throwing an anger fit at me.
Alea: As you say.
Veraik: The nervous system and the selyn storage system are closely related. Or perhaps I should say physically close together.
Alea: So, perhaps it is best I leave until later.
Wise Snake has no idea what this conversation is about.
Alea: If you'll excuse me.
Alea goes over to the door.
Wise Snake looks at Alea in puzzled loss.
Veraik: The pain should be greatly reduced or non-existent for your next donation.
Rapol will be happy to excuse her if it gets her out.
Inarm: That will be a relief.
Wise Snake sighs and goes over and unlocks the door for her.
Wise Snake: ~~unhappy~~
Alea: Thank you, Snake.
Alea ~~ unhappy ~~
Alea goes out the door.
Veraik: Yes. And your healing sessions will help more than anything.
Wise Snake looks after Alea, completely confused.
Rapol stays very close to Snake.
Alea goes down the street, walking back to the Sime Center.
Wise Snake becomes aware that she is letting in a huge draft making Rapol cold.
Wise Snake closes and relocks the door.
Veraik: I don't know what your job is but you should be extra careful until the stump is completely healed.
Wise Snake: That does it. I need a receptionist yesterday.
Wise Snake feels her forehead.
Nick comes down the stairs.
Nick: What was all the commotion about?
Wise Snake: Oh, nothing, Nick, don't worry about it.
Rapol looks a Nick and mouths "Alea" silently.
Inarm: I'm a sales representative. I'm not doing heavy labor any more.
Nick's eyes widen.
Rapol turns back to snake. "Day before."
Wise Snake looks at Rapol.
Wise Snake: What?
Veraik: Oh good.
Nick: Snake, just what happened? And why is there a dead rat in the hall?
Veraik opens the door.
Veraik: Don't forgot to come back tomorrow.
Nick sees Kadi down the hall, eyeing the former rodent hungrily.
Nick: Never mind, I see where the rat come from.
Inarm: I'll do my best, as I said.
Veraik nods.
Inarm: Thank you for your help today.
Rapol: Receptionist.
Wise Snake looks down at the rather flattened rat.
Veraik: You are welcome and it was my pleasure.
Wise Snake: Umm....
Wise Snake: Well....
Wise Snake: I think Alea was having a bad day today.
Wise Snake: As for the rat, it's just another of Kadikat's kills.
Nick: Snake, you mentioned hiring a receptionist earlier. Have you anyone in particular in mind for the position?
Wise Snake: No.
Nick: Because if you don't, I think Linn would be perfect.
Wise Snake: Uggh... don't get started on the Linn thing again.
Wise Snake: When Linn wants something from me she'll come to me. In the mean time, get over her.
Wise Snake: Or go visit her on your own time.
Wise Snake is still upset by Alea's confusing visit.
Rapol looks over at Nick. Him and Linn?
Nick signals Rapol to get Snake calmed down.
Wise Snake turns and starts back up the stairs.
Rapol: ~~ Calm Relaxation ~~
Wise Snake feels somewhat better as Rapol's field affects her.
Veraik: You're welcome.
Rapol follows. "With those two children. Where will I be in this?"
Inarm returns to the lobby.
Wise Snake: Ah. You, my friend, will be a pirate prince. First Mate perhaps?
Nick looks after Snake.
Veraik goes back to his paperwork.
Nick: ~~hurt/frustration~~
Rapol puts a hand over his eye. "Arrr...."
Nick sighs and goes back to his interrupted rest.
Rapol: Need parrot?
Wise Snake laughs ruefully.
Wise Snake: You stay away from those imports ships.
Rapol: ~~ affected pout ~~
Wise Snake pokes Rapol, amused.
Wise Snake: Stop, stop.
Wise Snake: No pouting.
Rapol resumes ~~ calm relaxation ~~
Wise Snake re-enters her office, feeling much more relaxed.
Wise Snake: Well... this fee for the fancy transfer ought to cover that ridiculous Water Utilities Reinstatement Premium.
Rapol: So much to turn a valve on....
Wise Snake: More like to prime the bribe system.
Rapol sips at his now cold tea.
Rapol: Pirate ship or just on-shore lair?
Wise Snake pours them two new cups and refills the Bottomless Teapot.
Wise Snake: A ship, why not? There are boat owners who could use the money and would put up with a tad of remodelling.
Wise Snake: And, er, redecorating.
Wise Snake: I'll get somebody on that right away. That's a bit of work to be done in only 2 days.
Rapol: ~~ brightens at mention of decorating ~~
Wise Snake notes his enthusiasm.
Wise Snake: Would you care to be in charge of set design on the pirate's booty-hold?
Rapol: Certainly!
Rapol rubs hands together, thinking.
Rapol: ~~ gleeful ~~
Wise Snake: I was thinking, exotic... sleazy... expensive... with a touch of the barbaric.
Wise Snake: Don't forget to leave room for the cages.
Wise Snake: Er... and, don't put anything too breakable in there, as people will be "fighting to the death" and such.
Rapol: Saw some old ones in the freight area....
Wise Snake envisions herself struggling in hand-to-hand combat against a desperate Sime and trying to both make it look realistic and also avoid damaging the furniture.
Wise Snake chuckles and pats Rapol's shoulder.
Wise Snake: I'm sure you'll do well.
Wise Snake: Here. Get enough stuff for a rectangular room about 30 by 15 feet.
Rapol: ~~ pride in Snake's confidence ~~
Wise Snake: It's probably going to be in a fishing boat's hold.
Wise Snake hands Rapol some money.
Rapol looks around for some paper.
Rapol: Oh.
Wise Snake: I think the mental state they'll be in, these kids won't know the difference.
Rapol takes it.
Wise Snake: I'll take you down and show you the cages tomorrow, so you can get an idea of the size.
Rapol: In the fight, 'queen' gets 'killed'. First mate knocked out? Or runs away?
Wise Snake: Knocked out, I'd think.
Rapol nods.
Wise Snake: You'll have to get some practice on zlinning unconscious.
Wise Snake: It's not easy to do well, but their attention will be on other things.
Rapol considers that novel nageric trick....
Rapol starts scribbling on a paper using the corner of Snake's desk.
Rapol: [mutters] padded bandanna....
Wise Snake thinks he hears Rapol say "padded banana" and firmly closes her thoughts to that.
Wise Snake sits at her desk to begin her paperwork once again.
Rapol eyes Snake, considering how a "pirate queen" would dress....
Wise Snake looks like the pirate of the tax forms at the moment....
Wise Snake: [scraggly black hair flying everywhere, somewhat ragged clothes, various bruises and scars, and a horrible scowl on her face]
Rapol purses his lips.
Rapol picks up a book to write against and sits down.
Wise Snake: Oh, Rapol, that big shipment from the south islands came in during the day today.
Wise Snake: So count on us doing a bunch of distribution tonight.
Rapol: Certainly.
Wise Snake: Warehouse and Porno.
Wise Snake: There was some dockside but it was large quantities, I had it drop shipped.
Rapol: Read about Pirates. Raiders of the Nor'West coast.
Rapol: Hide in the Couver Isles and chased Gen ships along the coast.
Rapol: Thing was that they didn't kill the Gens.
Wise Snake looks up.
Wise Snake: What?
Wise Snake: What are you talking about? [distracted]
Wise Snake: What did they do with them?
Rapol: They had contacts across the border who arranged for ransom payments.
Wise Snake smiles.
Wise Snake: Heh heh heh, that's funny.
Rapol: Of course, they *said they'd kill them. If ransom wasn't paid.
Rapol: Or so the story goes, anyway.
Wise Snake: Hmmm....
Wise Snake: Maybe we should work some talk of ransom into the kids' scare.
Rapol: The money was used to buy from the Nor'West Pens.
Rapol: Though the is a darker version of the story....
Wise Snake: Oh?
Rapol: Well,
Rapol: ~~ uncomfortable ~~
Rapol: A ransom doesn't have to be in money or goods.
Wise Snake: Lives for lives?
Wise Snake: ~~intrigued~~
Rapol: Yeah.
Wise Snake: Somebody else's relative for your own?
Wise Snake: Twisted, but Gens have often done it.
Wise Snake: The old "survival instinct" gets mighty particular when it starts coming down to individual life and death.
Rapol: So it was said. Trade one for one, with money on top.
Rapol: Or give several for one.
Wise Snake: I tried something like that once. Didn't work out well.
Rapol: Yeah. Junctedness infecting the Gens, even out-Territory.
Rapol looks up sharply.
Rapol: Tried what?
Wise Snake: Kidnapping for ransom.
Rapol: Ah. ~~ uncertain ~~ "No money in it?"
Wise Snake: When I was younger, I masterminded this truly elaborate scheme to kidnap the son of a prominent druglord.
Wise Snake: Well, he seemed prominent to me, at the time... he was kind of middle-level.
Rapol: ~~ reassured a druglord ~~
Wise Snake: And then there was this big public demand for ransom money.
Wise Snake: Well, it turned out the guy hated his kid's guts. Laughed in my face, said he'd pay ME to off the kid... and have me "put on ice" if I didn't do it.
Rapol imagines a kind of ransom futures market.
Rapol: Didn't check the market for the product? [smiles]
Wise Snake laughs.
Wise Snake: I guess not.
Wise Snake: I ended up turning in the kid to the cops, and that was right when I went to Zeor.
Wise Snake: By the time I came back, old Skooge was no longer a power.
Wise Snake: I don't know. Kidnaping, in general, seems to be a lot more trouble than it's worth.
Wise Snake: So, ah, Rapol.... where are you from?
Rapol: Fortunate.
Wise Snake: You have mentioned NorWest territory....
Rapol puts the book down on the floor.
Rapol: Geographically, yeah.
Rapol: You know that Nor'West Proper collapsed in Zelerod's Doom, right before the Unity war.
Rapol: So Sime areas where completely depopulated, and Gen enclaves were mostly overrun also.
Rapol: Once the First contract was signed, there was this enormous tract of unclaimed land.
Rapol: With a fair supply of buildings and such things.
Wise Snake: Yes.
Wise Snake wonders when Rapol is going to answer her question.
Wise Snake puts down her pencil and looks at Rapol curiously.
Rapol: It was a great opportunity for people with few assets.
Wise Snake: Yes, I imagine so.
Rapol: And for certain... groups who... wanted to dispense with previous... entanglements.
Rapol: Especially once things in Nivet became rather restricted.
Rapol: I'm sure you understand how politics has dark undercurrents that differ from the face it presents to the public.
Rapol: I grew up in a community of such people.
Wise Snake looks blank.
Rapol sighs.
Wise Snake: A community of... people who... wanted to dispense with previous... entanglements?
Rapol: Yes.
Wise Snake: What are we talking about here, divorcees? Patricidal maniacs?
Wise Snake: Ex-householders?
Wise Snake: Released criminals?
Wise Snake doesn't get it.
Rapol: Snake. In your history class at school. What were the main inter-Territorial requirements of the First Contract?
Wise Snake: Rapol, I have not been to too much school.
Rapol: Ah.
Wise Snake had not been embarrassed when she said it, but something about Rapol's "Ah" makes her suddenly feel inadequate.
Rapol: Well, the Tecton was supposed to provide for the Simes of Nivet.
Wise Snake looks down, scowling.
Wise Snake: Okay....
Rapol: And protect the Gens out-T from attack by organized Simes.
Rapol: But the kill was big business. Lots of people worked in it.
Rapol: What happened to them?
Wise Snake: They got jobs in construction and industry?
Rapol: Some.
Rapol: Lots of the Pen System people ended up working for the Tecton.
Rapol: But...
Rapol: Where did the... Licensed Raiders go? They couldn't keep up their old work, after all.
Rapol: Despite the confiscation orders, they still had Gens. And knew how to get more, albeit at great risk.
Rapol: They knew what scared Gens. You can use that knowledge in more than one way.
Rapol: It was clear that the old system killing was over, like it or not.
Rapol: But Raiders never got on with the Pen System. Which was what the Tecton really was, underneath.
Wise Snake listens with increasing incredulity.
Rapol: How good a service would they have gotten? The good channels for transfers? Not bloodyshen likely.
Rapol: So they... left.
Rapol: Most of these groups came to a bad end of one sort of another. It was that kind of time.
Wise Snake: And yours?
Rapol: Had gotten a unusual lot of Gens.
Wise Snake looks at Rapol.
Rapol: They had Gens who knew about transfer.
Wise Snake: How'd they get those?
Wise Snake's eyes narrow as she imagines perhaps a raid on a Householding.
Rapol sighs. "I don't know."
Wise Snake: I see.
Rapol: Understand that this was never talked about when I was growing up.
Rapol: "We have always been here."
Rapol: That was what I was told.
Rapol: Gens weren't killed... normally. But Simes were in charge.
Rapol: "A Gen is a child that never grew up, after all."
Rapol: A Gen has a Sime. The Sime cares for the Gen in all things. And the Gen serves the Sime.
Wise Snake: I see.
Wise Snake looks at Rapol closely.
Wise Snake: Is that what you expect from me?
Rapol: In one sense, yes.
Rapol: In another, no.
Rapol: I wasn't happy there.
Rapol: You listen to Gens. You care what they want, instead of just telling them.
Wise Snake beams at the compliment, but is a little concerned about the yes and no answer.
Wise Snake: In what sense yes?
Rapol picks up the paper and gestures with it.
Wise Snake's eyes flick to the paper uncomprehending.
Rapol: I'd never be trusted with this back there.
Rapol takes out the money. "Or this."
Rapol puts it away.
Rapol: I was raised expecting to take care of Simes.
Rapol: Not just transfer, but field management, shielding, support.
Rapol: There's nothing else I know how to do. Or want to do.
Rapol: Just because I couldn't accept the conditions doesn't change that.
Rapol watches Snake for a reaction. ~~ deeply worried ~~
Wise Snake considers his words.
Wise Snake: I hope that... if I do tell you to do something, and you have a problem with it, that you'll tell me.
Wise Snake: Not right at the time, but later.
Wise Snake: Because I have been accused many times of simply ordering people to do things... and I probably do it.
Wise Snake: As for your choice of vocation... I can certainly find you enough work to do of that type to keep you more than occupied.
Rapol: I'll try to. But old habits are hard to break.
Wise Snake stands and moves around the desk toward Rapol.
Rapol: ~~ worry receding ~~
Wise Snake: I have to confess, part of why I haven't insisted on knowing your background until now is that I just really need a good Donor. So long as we can see eye to eye on the subject of fields and transfers, I can float just about anything else.
Rapol looks levelly at Snake.
Rapol: ~~ relief ~~
Wise Snake meets Rapol's eyes, trying to be gentle about it.
Rapol: Uh... starting on telling you how I feel about things....
Wise Snake's expressive face shows a hint of tension.
Wise Snake: Yes?
Rapol: 'I can float just about anything else.'
Wise Snake now looks definitely worried.
Wise Snake: Uh... I meant... that is to say....
Rapol: That sums up a lot of how I feel about a lot of the things you are involved in.
Rapol: Of which, frankly, I do not approve.
Wise Snake: Oh.
Wise Snake looks a bit sick.
Rapol hastens to add, "it is more a question of impropriety than immorality."
Rapol: That I feel.
Wise Snake sits down again and stares at her desk.
Wise Snake: Well you... certainly aren't alone in that.
Rapol: But I do see your point about how these people do require help, whatever their lapses.
Rapol: You seem to be the pan at the bottom of Bender Cove.
Wise Snake grimaces.
Wise Snake: It won't be that way forever.
Rapol: Keeping people from falling all the way down.
Wise Snake laughs with a tinge of bitterness.
Rapol: ~~ interest ~~ "Really?"
Wise Snake: Of course not. I can't live like this forever, it's killing me.
Rapol: ~~ knows that ~~
Wise Snake: Why do you think I've been putting so much effort into that hospital in Eastcove, and spending so much time kissing up to the City of Bender Cove, and Police Inspector Tormer?
Rapol: Trying to carve a niche?
Wise Snake: This whole thing, this building, the hospital, the protection ring, all of it is part of a big... movement... upward.
Wise Snake: More like trying to carve the stuff that isn't the niche.
Wise Snake: As Bender Cove rises, I will rise.
Wise Snake: Where the bottom of Bender Cove is, there I am. But it won't always be this low.
Wise Snake's pale eyes sparkle oddly.
Rapol: A rising tide lifts all boats?
Wise Snake: And cleans all beaches, yes.
Wise Snake picks up some papers again, then tosses them down.
Wise Snake: I can't do this now.
Wise Snake: Come on.
Wise Snake jumps to her feet and grabs for her cloak.
Rapol: Certainly.
Rapol gets up and looks for his coat.
Wise Snake waits restlessly.
Wise Snake looks out the window at the town.
Rapol pulls it on.
Rapol: Ready.
Wise Snake heads for the door.
Wise Snake is in a weird, wild mood.
Wise Snake: Tonight will be an interesting night, I think.
Rapol follows.
Rapol: ~~ calm ~~ "Uh-oh."
Rapol tucks his hands into his pockets as Snake leads to the front door.
Wise Snake lets them out into the cold, then carefully locks the door behind them.
Wise Snake leads the way on foot to a pickup location in the warehouse district.
Rapol looks up at the brilliant stars.
Rapol: Beautiful, but cold....
Wise Snake looks up at them.
Wise Snake shivers, feeling wild.
Wise Snake: Do you know what I like about the stars?
Wise Snake: It's that, no matter what the weather, or the season, you can always be sure they're there.
Wise Snake: Forever.
Wise Snake: I don't have to be able to see them to know.
Rapol: Yeah.
Rapol: But they have cycles too.
Wise Snake: Have they?
Rapol: They turn around a fixed point in the north.
Rapol: The planets move in strange but predictable fashion.
Rona staggers up toward Snake, drunk and smiling.
Rona: Hey honey....
Wise Snake: I suppose I never differentiated between the individual ones, they were always just "star.... [pauses at Rona's approach]
Wise Snake: Er,
Wise Snake zlins Rona.
Rona runs a hand up a tentacle sheath.
Rona: What say you and I have a little fun?
Wise Snake jerks her arm away from Rona.
Rona leans forward rubbing herself enticingly against the Sime.
Rona is a renSime.
Rona: Ah, honey....
Wise Snake: ~~ nageric rejection ~~
Rona looks reluctantly at Rapol.
Rona: Well, if you wanna make it's a threesome sweet cheeks, it's fine by me.
Rona moves toward Rapol.
Wise Snake: Stay away from him.
Rona: you wanna join us...?
Rona turns.
Wise Snake: ~~unsettled/caught off balance~~
Rona: Sure honey... sure.
Rapol: ~~ distaste ~~
Rona needs the money and moves back up to Snake.
Rapol: ~~ covers Snake ~~
Rona: You sure you don't want a little quickie?
Rona: I'm good.
Rona: I can give you anything you want.
Rona leans forward to whisper in her ear just what she can do.
Wise Snake cringes back away from Rona.
Wise Snake: I am not interested.
Rona sighs.
Rona: Pity....
Rona: I really needed one more trick....
Rona turns to stagger off.
Wise Snake stares after Rona, pushing her hair back from her forehead.
Bexter: Alms....
Wise Snake: Ucch... that's all I needed.
Wise Snake almost runs into Bexter.
Wise Snake: What... oh.
Bexter moves up toward the people he saw being nice to Rona.
Wise Snake digs some coins out of her pocket and gives them to him.
Bexter is Gen and smells like a brewery.
Bexter thinks this person looks like they can give more than that.
Bexter moves forward.
Bexter: I be needing to put my poor pitiful wife into the hospital.
Bexter: Can you spare some more?
Bexter follows after Snake.
Wise Snake stops.
Bexter: And then there is the problem with my uncle's daughter's son's grandkid.
Wise Snake: Yeah, ah, what's wrong with your wife?
Bexter: Can you help a poor man down on his luck?
Bexter: The Gak.
Wise Snake: Can't you bring her to the Sime Center?
Bexter: No... not around those Simes. Er....
Bexter: They say she needs to be cut open.
Bexter ~~ lying ~~
Wise Snake looks at Bexter incredulously.
Wise Snake: You're trying to lie to me?
Bexter: No no... never.
Wise Snake: Why don't you tell me the truth if you want my help.
Bexter ~~ lie ~~
Wise Snake rolls her eyes.
Bexter: I just need the money. ~~ lie ~~
Wise Snake: I can zlin the lies. Just tell me the truth and this will be short and sweet.
Bexter: I am telling you the truth....
Bexter: I really am.
Bexter belches.
Wise Snake: You keep lying to me, I'm not going to give you any more.
Bexter: I'm not... I just need....
Bexter mutters.
Wise Snake: What?
Bexter stumbles off.
Wise Snake: Shen.
Wise Snake looks at Rapol, then starts walking again.
Bexter: Shenned Simes... can't lie to them.
Rapol follows.
Beggar watches the two pass with accusing eyes.
Wise Snake: Here we go.
Wise Snake uses the knocker on a small door in a brick wall.
Wise Snake: [the door has a crude carving of a goat over it]
Zorch: [small slot pops open]
Zorch: Whaddaya... Oh!
Zorch: [small slot slams shut]
Zorch: [Door opens]
Zorch: Come in, come in. [looking both ways]
Wise Snake slips inside.
Wise Snake: Zorch, this is Rapol, I've told you about him. Rapol, Zorch.
Zorch is bright-eyed, emaciated Gen with hair fixed to stand straight up.
Rapol: Hello.
Zorch: Pleased to meetcha dude.
Rapol: Charmed.
Zorch has a large ring in his nose.
Rapol tries not to stare at the nose ring, but gaze keeps drifting back to it....
Wise Snake slips a wad of money out of a pocket, checks it, and passes it over to Zorch.
Zorch's nose twitches as he takes the money and counts it.
Zorch's nose twitches a couple more times in what is evidently a regular facial tic.
Zorch sniffs and rubs his nose.
Rapol never realized there was so much money in the world.
Zorch: All right, looks like it's all here.
Zorch stuffs it in his pocket and produces some small packets.
Zorch hands them over to Snake.
Wise Snake opens them one by one to inspect them.
Wise Snake: Oh... she'll like these. Good.
Wise Snake: Great. Thanks a lot, I'll be seeing you around.
Zorch twitches his nose, and licks the ring with the tip of his tongue, nervously.
Rapol looks away at the rest of the room.
Zorch: [a small cramped room with black painted walls, and bottles on the floor]
Zorch: Ok... bye then.
Zorch lets them back out into the cold.
Rapol: Nice meeting you. ~~ not really ~~
Wise Snake hurries toward the Sime Center.
Rapol hustles to keep up.
Rapol reflects that his wind has improved considerably on the WiseSnakisize program.
Wise Snake wonders if the new, open Rapol is going to comment at all.
Wise Snake hopes not.
Wise Snake: Hopefully we'll be able to get all this out of the way in time to get some channeling stuff done tonight.
Wise Snake thinks, and avoid too bad of entran.
Rapol: I hope so. You shouldn't go too much longer....
Wise Snake: Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.
Wise Snake: But have to do this stuff now, so the money will keep coming in for that ridiculous money pit of a building.
Wise Snake: It'll be different once the building is mine, and the initial... startup costs... are done with.
Wise Snake: You haven't met Lanyi, have you?
Rapol: I thought people *made money in real estate.
Wise Snake chuckles.
Wise Snake: Well... somebody's making money here.
Rapol: Lanyi? I don't think I've had the pleasure.
Wise Snake: You will.
Rapol: I look forward to it.
Wise Snake and Rapol walk all the way to the Sime Center.
Wise Snake: You know... I really should invest in some sort of transportation.
Rapol: Good idea. [stamps feet getting cold]
Rapol: speaking of which, will there be much to carry?
Wise Snake: It depends on how much is available.
Wise Snake: Last thing I heard was some sort of cryptic comment about things being a tad sticky.
Lanyi finishes a transfer and shows her out.
Wise Snake climbs up the Sime Center's front stairs.
Lanyi: Thank you Keli. Why don't you go get some rest now?
Wise Snake almost gets run over by a pleased-zlinning renSime.
Wise Snake: Whoa! And a good night to you too. [staring after the woman]
Wise Snake: Some people.
Rapol ducks aside.
Wise Snake holds the door for Rapol.
Wise Snake wonders, a fraction of a second too late, if this is something Rapol would not like, from his past.
Wise Snake wavers slightly, but keeps the door open.
Rapol comes in without noticing.
Wise Snake follows Rapol in.
Lanyi comes down the hall, wiping her hands.
Wise Snake studies the schedule board.
Rapol takes his coat off and hangs it up.
Wise Snake: Lanyi.... transfers... room T5.
Wise Snake starts down the hall.
Wise Snake: Ah, there she is.
Lanyi moves around room T5, straightening things and checking trays.
Wise Snake enters the open door of the room.
Wise Snake: Lanyi? [quietly]
Lanyi stands of straight without turning.
Wise Snake hasn't been to the Sime Center in several days and feels completely out of place there.
Lanyi: Snake?
Lanyi turns around.
Wise Snake meets/almost doesn't meet Lanyi's eyes.
Wise Snake: Have a minute?
Lanyi: Hello again.
Lanyi: Yes. 18 in fact.
Wise Snake: ~~on edge, showing it very slightly~~
Wise Snake: Here?
Wise Snake's creepy eyes dart about the room, taking in the trays, the furniture, the walls.
Lanyi: Downstairs.
Rapol sizes up Lanyi.
Wise Snake nods.
Wise Snake: Lanyi... Rapol.
Wise Snake: Rapol, Lanyi ambrov Dar.
Wise Snake feels a sudden surge of an unidentifiable emotion as she wishes she could have said Rapol ambrov... whatever, the name of her House.
Wise Snake: ~~control~~
Lanyi tentacle gestures politely.
Wise Snake: ~~hidden confusion~~
Rapol doesn't quite recognize the gesture.
Rapol bows and then pauses, looking fondly at Snake.
Lanyi: This way.
Lanyi leads then out into the hall and towards the back.
Wise Snake follows Lanyi.
Rapol brings up the rear.
Lanyi opens the basement door by the broom closet.
Lanyi: Mind the steps, a bit steep.
Wise Snake follows.
Wise Snake's gaze flicks about nervously.
Rapol holds tight on th handrail on his way down.
Wise Snake has never liked the basement here, too many sprinkler-system shutoff memories.
Lanyi passes the so-called secure room that couldn't hold Avaleia.
Lanyi opens another door and goes in.
Lanyi: [Poorly lit room with peeling paint on the brickwork]
Lanyi: [Boxes piles up around three walls chest high]
Lanyi: You wanted the heavier painkillers and mood enhancers?
Wise Snake follows, nager controlled but body language obviously nervous.
Wise Snake: Yes.
Rapol projects ~~ calm (definitely not worried about the stability of the construction)~~
Wise Snake quiets.
Lanyi pulls open a box labeled "clipboards, long, dozen ".
Lanyi tosses a pill bottle to Snake.
Wise Snake catches it, pops it open.
Wise Snake looks at, sniffs, and zlins the contents.
Wise Snake: Good.
Wise Snake: How many of these can you give me?
Lanyi lugs the box over to a rickety table under the light.
Wise Snake follows.
Lanyi: 25 today.
Wise Snake: The rest in cash, then?
Lanyi: Or selyn.
Wise Snake: Umm... selyn would be fine.
Lanyi is looking a bit nervous and uncertain, and therefore is clearly an impostor posing as Lanyi.
Lanyi: Easier for me. Just put it down as donations, and use the voucher account to order replacements.
Lanyi: You know there was some Special Agent Gaelan sniffing around don't you?
Rapol idly peers into the box, surprised that there is a clipboard in it too.
Wise Snake looks sharply at Lanyi.
Wise Snake: Special Agent? What?
Wise Snake reaches into her cloak and removes one of the bundles picked up from Zorch, passes it over to Lanyi.
Lanyi: Some investigator from out-Territory.
Wise Snake: Really. Does Tarsh know?
Lanyi: But he's managed to tick off most everyone he deals with, Alea, Tarsh, Briel.
Wise Snake realizes saying that will alert Lanyi to the fact that Tarsh has reason to worry... but also figures Lanyi would be sympathetic to Tarsh's reasons for what he's done.
Wise Snake: I see.
Lanyi takes the bundle from Snake.
Wise Snake: Take a look and let me know if that'll be high quality enough for you.
Lanyi stands there for a moment trying to decide where to put it....
Wise Snake is used to having higher quality standards than most, but thinks it doesn't hurt to ask anyway.
Lanyi puts it down on the table and unwraps it.
Wise Snake: I have three more like that if you want them.
Rapol finds an empty and water-damaged box in the corner and puts it by the table near Lanyi.
Lanyi takes out a small vial and holds it up to the light.
Lanyi carefully reads the label.
Lanyi opens it and sniff it carefully.
Wise Snake: I also got a line on some shipwreck salvage off the Posthole Islands.
Lanyi rotates the vial, watching the viscous green fluid flow around.
Lanyi recaps it. Her eyes are watering slightly. "Excellent."
Wise Snake: Fosebine, ronaplin inhibitor, and halbornal. Supposed to have been destroyed.
Lanyi: Three more like this?
Wise Snake: Let me know if you find an outlet for that. I can't vouch for the condition but the quantities are large enough... yes.
Wise Snake pulls the other packages out of their hiding places and passes them over.
Lanyi: I presume that salvage still has intact seals?
Wise Snake: Uhmm... seals, yes. Packaging, not in all cases.
Lanyi takes the other three puts them down unopened.
Lanyi: Seals are what's important.
Wise Snake: My contacts estimate 30 to 50 percent is still usable.
Wise Snake: Yeah.
Rapol thinks that Snake will fit the role of pirate queen well.
Lanyi: I'll check to see about the salvage. I'll take this [ gestures] now.
Wise Snake: Great. Where do we stand, then?
Wise Snake looks through the loot from Lanyi, mentally tallying the relative worths.
Rapol takes out a pad and tears out a sheet.
Rapol hands it to Lanyi with a pencil.
Lanyi: Thanks.
Lanyi leans over the table and writes.
Lanyi hands over the paper. "15% off if you pay in selyn."
Wise Snake looks over Lanyi's figures and nods.
Wise Snake: Very well.
Wise Snake: I'll pay in selyn. Do you want it immediately? [after zlinning to make sure Lanyi has the capacity available]
Lanyi: Yes. I just came off shift.
Lanyi zlins to see if Snake has enough in her secondary.
Lanyi: ~~ 45% capacity, plenty of room ~~
Wise Snake: ~~~huge buttloads of selyn available~~
Wise Snake: Good.
Wise Snake offers her arms.
Wise Snake only afterward feels odd about reaching for a Tecton channel's arms... and a Tigue at that.
Lanyi reaches out to take Snake's arms. ~~ neutral field ~~
Wise Snake schools her nager and makes herself hold steady.
Wise Snake tilts her head up to make her lips available.
Rapol expands his field to enclose both of them.
Lanyi takes a light grip and extends tentacles.
Lanyi leans forward to make lip contact.
Wise Snake releases selyn to Lanyi in a smooth, precisely calculated flow.
Lanyi draws the selyn into her secondary smoothly.
Lanyi reaches the agreed amount. ~~ inquiry ~~
Rapol thinks about how they will carry the box with them.
Wise Snake does not think much of Lanyi's measurement precision and fiddles the flow until it terminates at precisely the right point.
Wise Snake: [somewhat more than Lanyi had originally thought]
Wise Snake: ~~affirmation~~
Lanyi breaks contact.
Wise Snake releases Lanyi's arms.
Wise Snake draws back.
Lanyi retracts her laterals and then handling tentacles.
Wise Snake isn't sure why that bothered her so much... she touches worse every day... including that slug at the Uptown Center.
Wise Snake: I hope we can do business again.
Wise Snake: [gathering the goods Lanyi traded her]
Lanyi: Well. A pleasure doing business with you. I hope that [gestures] helps your people as much as mine are.
Wise Snake smiles [sort of] at Lanyi. "It will. It will."
Rapol pulls a piece of tape from another box and tries to use it to close the one Snake is holding.
Wise Snake offers the box to Rapol when she sees what he is trying to do.
Rapol: [tape doesn't really want to stick.]
Wise Snake: We can just fold the top.
Wise Snake wonders if Rapol is, with the tape, trying to "bandage" the transaction he sees as wrong.
Wise Snake sighs.
Rapol repeatedly slide-presses the tape trying to get a good bond.
Wise Snake: I'll do it... don't worry about it, Rapol.
Wise Snake: [softly]
Wise Snake folds the top of the box.
Rapol: Certainly.
Rapol takes the tape off and crumples it up.
Lanyi picks up the sorry looking box from the floor and puts the bundles into it.
Wise Snake thinks about the things he told her earlier and feels ~~sadness/compassion/regret~~
Wise Snake keeps much of it from her nager.
Wise Snake tucks the box under her arm.
Rapol looks at Snake, unable to define a sudden feeling of some sorrowful nature.
Lanyi: Next week then?
Lanyi peels at the label on her box, which isn't terribly legible anyway.
Rapol moves the nager to separate Snake from Lanyi again.
Wise Snake takes a deep breath.
Wise Snake: Next week, then. [nods]
Wise Snake meets Lanyi's eyes briefly, then turns away toward the door, adjusting her showfield to cover anything else she might feel.
Lanyi nods. ~~ glad they're done ~~
Lanyi: I'll wait here a bit. Unless you want me to escort you out...?
Wise Snake: I'll be fine. Thank you.
Rapol bridles a moment about what he thinks sounds like a questioning of his ability to care for his Sime.
Wise Snake zlins Lanyi's gladness but does not respond.
Lanyi nods.
Wise Snake: Come on, Rapol. [puts a hand gently on his wrist]
Rapol: Certainly.
Wise Snake leads the way out of the basement, projecting her usual arrogance and ignoring everyone they pass.
Rapol follows Snake.
Rapol steadily scans ahead to anticipate field conditions.
Lanyi closes the door behind them and leans against it with her arms folded and a pensive expression.
Lanyi reminds herself. "It's her judgment I question. Not her integrity."
Lanyi: And people out-T can use this stuff. No reason they should have travel all day to get to a city with a Center.
Wise Snake appreciates Rapol's protectiveness, which she is paying particular attention to since he has told his story.
Rapol is glad when he has Snake out of the Center's ambient finally.