Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #180: How Now, Veraik? (3/7/98)
Jirelle goes up to Briel's office.
Jirelle looks around anxiously, sees nobody coming, then signals.
Jirelle: ~~unhappy~~
Briel is working.
Briel: Come.
Briel zlins Jirelle.
Jirelle enters.
Briel stands.
Jirelle: Could I... possibly have, er, a moment? Of your time?
Briel: Hello, Jirelle. May I help you?
Briel: Of course you may.
Jirelle: I realize you're really busy and stuff and my problems are kind of minor in comparison to the Center's problems, but....
Briel: Please, sit down.
Jirelle: Oh... thank you, thank you.
Jirelle: ~~relieved/anxious~~
Briel motions to Jirelle to take a seat.
Jirelle sits.
Briel moves around her desk and takes a seat nearer Jirelle.
Jirelle: [after closing the door]
Briel: How may I help you?
Jirelle: ~~grateful/anxious/submissive~~
Jirelle: Well, I'm terribly sorry to disturb you, I just was hoping to bring something to your attention....
Briel: Yes?
Jirelle: I am not sure if it's important or not... I mean, probably not, er,
Jirelle realizes if it isn't important she shouldn't be bothering Briel with it.
Briel: If you think it's important, then it must be.
Jirelle flushes.
Jirelle grins weakly.
Jirelle: I haven't really seen Eliza in two days.
Briel: I value your judgment, Jirelle, as one of the channels here at Bender Cove Sime Center.
Briel frowns.
Briel: You're scheduled to work with her.
Jirelle: Well... actually... more like three.
Jirelle tries to smile though she is very nervous.
Briel sighs and rubs her neck.
Briel: I see.
Briel's tentacles move restlessly.
Briel: I'll send someone to find her right away.
Jirelle: The last time we talked together for any length of time, she said something about er.... [sees Briel's tentacles and subsides into silence]
Briel shakes her head.
Jirelle: ~~flattering adulation~~
Jirelle: Thank you, Hajene.
Briel: Eliza was young, inexperienced. She's been upset and worried and confused about certain things.
Jirelle: I am sorry to have dist... oh? [nervously]
Briel nods.
Briel: Yes.
Briel: I'm afraid we rushed her too quickly.
Jirelle: Oh...? [wonders if the same has been done with herself]
Briel: As a matter of fact, I'm considering sending her on to Tien for training.
Jirelle: You have?
Jirelle worries she, too, will soon be sent from Bender Cove.
Jirelle: ~~alarm, trying to remain hidden~~
Briel: They specialize in out-Territory people moving in-Territory.
Jirelle: Oh. ~~somewhat relieved~~
Briel: I am hoping to send her there for a short time while they help her learn better Simelan and things....
Briel: Jirelle, what's the matter?
Jirelle: But... er... when were....
Jirelle is flustered by Briel's question.
Jirelle: I'm sorry... I'm over-reacting, I'm sure.
Jirelle: ~~shame~~
Jirelle: I just wondered... when... who... [realizes Briel and Veraik would never screw up and leave somebody without a Donor... blushes again at her own foolishness]
Briel: If you feel that way, then simply tell me and let me decide if you're overreacting.
Briel: The only way you're going to progress as a channel is by sharing, learning. That's what I'm here for.
Jirelle: Will you send her after this month is over?
Briel ~~ offering ~~
Briel: Actually, I think we may go ahead and send her. If we do, then I'll be assigning Jelana to work with you.
Briel: She's a new Donor just out of First Year.
Jirelle: ...Oh.
Jirelle is a little paranoid about brand new Donors after Arcadia and Eliza.
Jirelle realizes she is being terribly uncharitable toward this Donor she has barely met, and flushes a third time.
Jirelle: Oh! I mean... thank you.
Jirelle: ~~grateful, and guilty~~
Briel: You have worries about this?
Jirelle: No! No no.... I am sure I will absolutely love her, and she will be perfect.
Jirelle: ~~eagerness to please~~
Jirelle smiles at Briel.
Briel thinks Jirelle requires more confidence.
Jirelle: I'm sorry I'm being so nervous.
Jirelle: [apologetically]
Jirelle: When will you know about Eliza and Jelana?
Briel: There is no reason to be.
Jirelle thinks oops... she screwed up on being apologetic.
Briel: Sorry, that is.
Jirelle berates herself for being so apologetic.
Briel: You're past turnover.
Briel: No one likes to be past turnover.
Jirelle: I'm... er... you're right, of course.
Briel ~~ two days past turnover ~~
Briel: I'll talk to Veraik and let you know.
Jirelle thinks that wasn't the smartest answer she'd ever given, but at least she wasn't apologizing again.
Jirelle: Thank you. [grateful, and thinking she doesn't deserve the co-Controller being so nice to her after the way she has been acting.]
Briel: In the meantime, why don't you work with Tamlen.
Jirelle gapes.
Jirelle: The First?
Briel: When we get done getting this straightened out, then I'll send your regular Donor to you.
Jirelle realizes of course Briel knows what she's doing.
Jirelle: Oh! I mean... well.. thank you!
Jirelle feels a good deal more optimistic with this news.
Briel: Yes.
Jirelle smiles at Briel.
Briel: I hope you enjoy it.
Briel: It's not often a second order Channel gets to work with a low First.
Jirelle: Should I... er... go back to work now? Er....
Briel smiles back.
Briel: sounds good.
Briel smiles.
Jirelle: Thank you.
Jirelle backs out of Briel's presence, feeling really glad that that has all been straightened out and everything is okay, and Briel isn't angry with her or anything.
Jirelle leaves.
Briel rubs at her temples wondering what she is going to do with Jirelle.
Briel goes back to work.
Veraik wraps his Liorie cape about his shoulders to better feel the material. ~ home ~
Veraik: ~~ need ~~
Veraik: Gnome. I miss home.
Veraik: Oh well.
Veraik gets up and goes back to his office.
Veraik: [after hanging up his cape, Veraik goes to the cafeteria for a cup of trin.]
see note 1
Aarohart walks up the front steps of the Sime Center.
Aarohart is carrying a small brushed-metal briefcase.
Aarohart enters the Sime Center's lobby and goes to the clerk.
Aarohart makes an appointment to see Veraik.
Aarohart: He's available in 15 minutes? That will be fine.
Aarohart goes to a couch to wait.
Aarohart sets the small briefcase on the ground between his feet.
Clerk studies Aarohart curiously
Aarohart is a nondescript person who is probably male and probably Gen.
Veraik enters the lobby and goes to the clerk then turns to the man on the couch.
Aarohart stands.
Aarohart: Hajene Veraik.
Aarohart: [formally]
Aarohart picks up his case.
Veraik: Yes. How may I help you?
Aarohart: The question is, how may I help you?
Aarohart smiles.
Aarohart: I believe I may be of service to you.
Aarohart indicates the case, then Veraik's office.
Aarohart: May I...?
Aarohart is a slender, androgynous Gen man.
Aarohart's features are unremarkable.
Aarohart is dressed in plain street clothes, of reasonable quality.
Veraik points the way with a tentacle.
Aarohart precedes Veraik to the office and takes a seat in front of the desk.
Veraik zlins the man. ~~curious~~
Veraik sits at his desk, wishing for a Donor.
Veraik: Now. Tell me. [serious, business-like look]
Aarohart places the case on the desk and opens it, facing him.
Aarohart pulls something out, carefully.
Aarohart sets that on the front edge of the desk and removes the case.
Aarohart: [it is a small pottery jar with a wax seal, painted with thick gold paint.]
Aarohart: [there is a sigil on the side in dark red... paint?]
Aarohart: This was made for you.
Aarohart: You do not have to accept it... but if you are willing to pay the price, it is yours.
Veraik: [surprise] And what might that price be, and why was it made for me in the first place?
Aarohart smiles an impersonal, but not unkind, smile.
Aarohart: You are an influential man, and in obvious need of our services. We chose you out of several such, to be the recipient of our work.
Veraik controls his nager, protecting himself.
Aarohart appears to be harmless.
Veraik: [concerned] Who are you and what organization are you with?
Aarohart: My name is Osoari Aarohart. I represent the Blackwing Collective.
Aarohart: We specialize in... difficult situations.
Veraik: I haven't heard of the Blackwing Collective.
Aarohart: We prefer to exert our influence... quietly. Not publicly.
Veraik: But why me?
Veraik: I'm not really having difficulties other than the usual ones that a Sime has.
Aarohart: That is what you tell your associates and your public. But is that what you tell yourself?
Aarohart: We can help.
Aarohart touches the wax sealing the mouth of the jar, lightly.
Veraik encloses his nager.
Aarohart's nager remains nonthreatening, open.
Veraik: No. I think you are mistaken. I'm fine.
Aarohart: It is up to you. Your right is to accept our gift or to accept your original fate, as you will.
Aarohart picks up the metal case and opens it on his lap.
Aarohart picks up the gold-painted jar, carefully not touching the red symbol, and places it back in the case.
Aarohart closes the case with a double click.
Veraik: Thank you, but I will pass.
Veraik stands.
Aarohart: Thank you for your time.
Aarohart stands also.
Aarohart leaves Veraik's office.
Veraik nods. "You are welcome."
Aarohart walks to the front of the Sime Center.
Aarohart gives something to the clerk. "Please see that Hajene Veraik gets this."
Veraik sits down at his desk and wipes a tentacle across his face.
Aarohart leaves the building.
Alea walks down the hall.
Alea goes into the lobby.
Lukass sits at the receptionist's desk and stares at the card the guy gave him.
Alea pauses at the clerk's desk.
Lukass shrugs and puts it in Veraik's mail slot.
Lukass: Oh, hi Alea.
Alea sees what he does and is curious.
Alea: Hello Luk.
Alea: How are you today?
Lukass thinks just his luck... the weirdoes always show up when Alea is in the lobby.
Lukass smiles.
Alea thinks just her luck, the clerk is always there when there's juicy information she wants to find out.
Alea returns his smile.
Lukass: I'm okay.
Lukass: And you?
Alea: Good to hear.
Alea: Oh, I'm fine.
Alea: No more morning sickness.
Lukass: My wife finally named our youngest.
Alea: I'm sure all the Simes in the area are happy.
Alea: Really?
Alea: What did she name...?
Alea sidles over toward the mail boxes.
Lukass: Yeah.... Febe er.... [pauses as he spots Alea sidling]... Febe Catryn.
Lukass watches Alea like a hawk.
Alea looks at the boxes, her eyes cutting to Veraik's box
Alea: Febe?
Alea: What a wonderful name.
Alea sees a card of some sort.
Card reposes in Veraik's box.
Lukass wonders what Alea thinks is so keen over there.
Alea reaches up and takes her papers out of her box, leaning forward to read.
Alea: Catryn is a nice name too.
Alea: I haven't even thought of names yet.
Alea: Guess I'll have to ask Tarsh what HE thinks.
Card is thick, textured offwhite paper, with a black feather stuck to it with red wax.
Alea sidles over a bit closer.
Card has some writing on it in black scrawled handwriting.
Alea reaches out and palms the card, turning her back to Lukass.
Alea reads the card.
Lukass: Thanks. Yeah, I had my heart set on Alea, but she.... [stops, puzzled]
Alea: Really?
Alea: Alea?
Alea: Now that's a great name.
Alea tries to sound very very interested as she looks at the card.
Card: "The Blackwing Collective: Love Philters, Shape Shifting, Auras and Futures read. Discretion Absolute."
Lukass frowns, sure Alea is up to something.
Alea slips the card into her pocket and turns, shuffling her papers.
Lukass: Well, ah, yeah, and, um, I thought maybe "Stupid Dumbass" would be a good name too... we thought about it but....
Lukass is seeing if Alea is really listening.
Alea: So, when....
Alea looks totally shocked.
Lukass: But Meme said no, even "Alea" is better than that....
Alea: How in the world could THOSE WORDS trigger Alea too?
Alea: I don't see how those two even belong in the same running.
Lukass: That's what she said. [admits]
Lukass decides Alea was probably paying attention.
Lukass: But Febe Catryn is a nice name.
Alea is rather offended to think "stupid" and "Alea" would even be considered in the same breath.
Alea: Yes, it is.
Alea goes through the mail, tossing the unimportant papers.
Lukass remains alert so long as Alea is in the lobby.
Alea goes over and sits on the desk.
Alea: So, Lukass....
Lukass: Um... yeah?
Alea: Do you happen to know where Hajene Veraik is?
Lukass pries his paperwork out from under Alea's leg.
Lukass: I think he's in his office.
Alea crosses her legs and begins to bounce one.
Alea: Really?
Lukass points at the wall.
Lukass: Yeah.
Alea thinks of the card burning a hole in her pocket and that maybe this guy can cure him of his orneriness... and smiles.
Alea: Well now... that certainly is good to know.
Alea: Yes, indeed.
Alea fingers the paperwork on the desk.
Lukass looks up from his paperwork, staring at Alea.
Veraik grabs another file then tosses it across the desk hard enough that it slides off onto the floor.
Lukass is afraid Alea is going to make him do her work again.
Alea: Do you know if Veraik has time off today?
Lukass: Me?
Lukass glances up at the board reflexively.
Alea: Yeah.
Lukass: Well, I mean, he always has a little bit of time off. Everybody does.
Alea looks up at the board, wondering if it's correct.
Veraik sighs, then picks up the file and places it on his desk.
Alea nods.
Alea: I have somewhere I want to take him.
Alea smiles slowly.
Alea: Make sure Hajene Briel or one of the other Firsts knows he'll be unavailable for the next hour or so.
Veraik decides that he was too unnerved by that Gen to do paperwork and heads for the lobby.
Lukass is afraid if he gets up to go look, and turns his back on her, something disastrous will happen.
Lukass: Sure... okay, Alea.
Lukass thinks that sounds relatively harmless.
Alea: Oh, and while you're at it, Lukass....
Lukass looks up.
Lukass: Yes, Alea?
Alea: I have two stacks of folders on my desk that need to be refiled.
Lukass grimaces.
Veraik walks into the lobby.
Lukass: Great... thanks Alea.
Alea: Since I have to take Veraik to visit this... patient... I hope you'll do it.
Alea: Great.
Alea nods, still bouncing her leg.
Veraik: Alea. Do your own work.
Lukass tries to look really innocent.
Alea looks over, surprised.
Alea: Hajene?
Veraik: What patient, Alea?
Alea: I was just getting ready to come see you.
Veraik: I am here.
Alea pushes herself off the desk, her hand going briefly to her stomach.
Veraik: Lukass. Do your job and let Alea do hers?
Veraik: ~~satisfied with self~~
Lukass looks surprised since he was just sitting there.
Lukass: No problem, Hajene Veraik.
Alea: A man. He wanted to see you. I wanted to make sure you had a Donor.
Alea smiles at Lukass.
Alea: Thank you for your help.
Lukass: ~~pure as driven snow~~
Alea: I have no idea what is the matter with him.
Lukass: Yes, Sosu Farris.
Alea: But I'm worried that if we don't go....
Lukass goes back to his (own) paperwork.
Alea pauses to smile at Lukass again.
Veraik: All right but if we are going out, we should meet back after we have retrieved our capes.
Alea: Don't forget....
Alea nods to Veraik.
Alea: Of course, Hajene.
Alea turns and walks over to where her cape is on the cloak stand.
Alea slips on her tattered black and blue cape.
Alea goes to her office.
Veraik goes to his office and gets his Liorie cape.
Alea gathers up the two HUGE stacks of files and brings them back out to the desk.
Alea: Here you go, Lukass.
Alea plunks them down.
Alea: I really appreciate any of these you can get to.
Alea: If you can't, well, then I'll understand.
Veraik fingers the blue material with violet trimming and sighs.
Alea smiles sweetly and then walks over to the door, rubbing at her stomach.
Veraik puts it on and slightly augments back to the lobby.
Lukass picks up a file and sighs.
Lukass wonders if that Gaelan guy will come by later on and give him a huge bribe to look at the files again.
Veraik zlins Lukass and the stack of files.
Lukass perks up at the thought.
Lukass looks up and smiles at Veraik.
Lukass: Hello, Hajene Veraik, how are you doing today?
Alea sees Veraik and nods.
Lukass: Any work you require me to do?
Alea: ready, Hajene?
Veraik: Lukass, placed those files on Alea's desk and get back to your post as soon as possible.
Alea shoots Lukass a warning look.
Veraik looks at Alea.
Alea warns him with a look then smiles at Veraik.
Alea pulls open the door.
Alea: Shall we go?
Veraik: I'm ready.
Alea heads down the stairs and down the street toward the address on the card.
Veraik follows, staying close and bathing in the Farris nager.
Alea follows the address....
Alea gets to the street and feels a cold sensation run down her spine as something looks awfully familiar.
Alea: Uh, Hajene....
Veraik: Where are we going, Alea? Is there someone ill?
Alea spots the house.
Alea: Third house on the left.
Black Raven is sitting on the peak of the house's roof.
Alea points.
Black Raven sees Alea and Veraik and lets out a harsh croaking.
Alea sees the bird and nearly cowers.
Black Raven launches itself off the peak and flaps its wings, rising up over the rooftops.
Veraik zlins the house and gets suspicious.
Alea remembers her last incident with a bird and doesn't like the idea of it looking at them.
Alea: I'll just go pick up something that is waiting on me and be right back.
Veraik zlins Alea. "It's just a bird. What is the matter with you?"
Alea: I have a one inch scar on my shoulder from a bird that attacked me when Tarsh and I were out visiting Snake.
Veraik: Oh. All right. I'll wait here, if you would like.
Alea doesn't want to go into the witch's house and is greatly relieved when she doesn't have to.
Alea hears Veraik's words.
Alea: No... you go on.
Veraik: Then you should have learned that the best place for you to be is safely inside the Center.
Alea glares at Veraik, and thinks it's worth going in that house. Maybe the witch will be there and put a curse on him.
Alea turns.
Alea: Shall we go?
Alea starts determinedly toward the house.
Alea thinks no fear... no fear... no fear....
Veraik: What? What about the house you do not like?
Alea goes up to the door and knocks.
Veraik zlins Alea with interest.
Vosylviac answers the door.
Alea: I hate this part of town....
Alea smiles.
Alea: Hello.
Vosylviac is a thin, pale renSime with silver hair, wearing a white gown.
Alea: Hajene Veraik and I are here to speak with....
Vosylviac zlins Alea, then Veraik behind her.
Alea gets a funny feeling running up her spine again.
Alea was hoping the witch was here but doesn't know her name.
Alea: Hajene Veraik is here.
Veraik: Did you require the services of a channel?
Alea turns her nageric attention on Veraik.
Vosylviac: Yes? [silvery, clear voice.] Please. Come in.
Vosylviac stands back and gestures for them to enter.
Veraik starts to enter the house then hesitates at the threshold.
Alea moves up beside Veraik.
Vosylviac studies them.
Vosylviac: Or not...?
Veraik: ~~fear~~
Alea wonders if she should have forced him.
Vosylviac: Please. There is nothing to fear.
Alea ~~ soothing ~~
Vosylviac does not engage their nagers, but hangs back, waiting to see what they will do.
Vosylviac: ~~neutral~~
Veraik nods and forces himself to cross the threshold then stops just inside the door, breathing hard and watching.
Vosylviac: [it is a small entryway, off which a sitting-room can be seen.]
Vosylviac: Would you like to sit, while I get him?
Vosylviac: [offering, a hand toward the sitting-room]
Veraik: Thank you.
Veraik gestures for Alea to accompany him.
Veraik and Alea sit and wait.
Sitting Room's walls are lined in shelves, upon which are many old and odd books, as well as many bottles.
Sitting Room has antique chairs and a small table with a tea service waiting on it.
Alea sees the tea.
Alea reaches out and pours tea for two.
Alea hands Veraik a cup.
Alea: Here.
Veraik zlins the tea. "No, thank you."
Alea looking at the shelf suddenly starts, surprised.
Alea: Oh my....
Veraik: What is it, Alea?
Alea sits the tea down, standing, her eyes never leaving the shelves.
Alea: Your name, on one of the bottles.
Veraik: My name? Don't touch it. Please.
Alea walks over to the shelves and pulls down a bottle with "Veraik" written in bold, italicized script.
Veraik stands to leave.
Veraik: Alea!
Alea doesn't seem to hear Veraik... until he yells.
Alea jumps, spinning around.
Alea: What?!
Alea hurries over to Veraik, still holding the bottle.
Veraik: Don't touch that.
Alea looks down at it.
Veraik steps back.
Alea: It's just one of many many bottles.
Alea turns it so Veraik can see the bottle
Bottle has a sticky substance on it that has now gotten on Alea's fingers.
Veraik backs to the door. "Alea. Put it back."
Alea looks at her hands.
Alea: Ugh.
Veraik pales.
Alea: This stuff is as old as the hills.
Alea suddenly gasps and grabs her stomach.
Veraik reaches behind him to feel for the door.
Veraik: ALEA!!
Veraik augments to her.
Alea reaches out, grabbing Veraik's shoulders.
Alea: I... I....
Alea blinks.
Veraik zlins Alea. "What?"
Darkness swirls.
Alea: I have never felt the baby kick THAT hard before.
Alea feels tears of joy in her eyes.
Scuttle of rats noise reminds Alea of another time.
Alea [bottle against Veraik's back leaks out]
Veraik almost smiles then sees the bottle and takes his Liorie cape in hand to knock the bottle away without touching it.
Alea: Oh!
Sticky stuff seems to migrate to every surface it touches.
Sticky sweet
Alea realizes what she did and drops the bottle.
Veraik vomits all over Alea.
Alea: [bottle shatters]
Alea: Hajene, are you okay?
Alea: Come on, let's get you back to the Center.
Alea ~~ Concern ~~
House seems to press in around them.
Veraik breathes hard and says nothing.
Veraik nods.
Alea slips an arm around Veraik's waist to help support him.
Alea ~~ support ~~
Entryway is deserted.
Alea: I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought you here.
Alea: I have no idea where the person went.
Veraik takes her support.
Alea pushes the door open and steps into the street.
Passersby do not seem to notice their arrival.
Veraik stumbles out the door then takes a a huge breath.
Passersby swirl and eddy around them in curious silence.
Alea turns Veraik toward the Sime Center.
Alea: Let's get you home and into bed.
Veraik's tentacles wrap a little too tightly around Alea's arm.
Passersby go about their business... one or two of them stop to look at Alea and Veraik oddly, then go on.
Alea winces, gasping in pain.
Veraik quickly releases her arm. "Sorry."
Alea: No. No, it's quite all right.
Veraik looks at Alea. "Let's go."
Horns grow on Veraik's head.
Veraik shivers from either the cold or reaction.
Tail grows as well (from a different part)
Alea looks at Veraik, her eyes widening in horror.
Hair sprouts.
Alea: Oh my... shen!
Alea jumps back from Veraik.
Alea: Veraik?
Alea reaches out for him.
Veraik steps towards Alea. "What?"
Alea: You look... you look like....
Alea looks at him... pale and sweating as she does.
Veraik: I look like what?
Veraik: ~~concerned~~
Shoes fall off when they no longer fit... seams strain....
Alea looks at his feet.
Alea looks at his clothes as they begin to rip off him.
Veraik doubles over in pain.
Liorie cape rides up on his back.
Passersby stop and stare.
Alea cries out in fear and horror.
Alea: VERAIK!
Veraik screams.
Veraik just took a potion that turned him into a cow... but he is just finding out this moment.
Alea reaches for him but a passerby grabs her arm.
Alea notes the shapes and color of the hair that is now covering Veraik.
Alea: White with large brown patches.
Alea: You look like a... a....
Alea looks at the passerby for confirmation.
Passersby mill about, the ones who saw it firsthand now being diluted by people who just showed up and don't know what's going on.
Amazed guy slaps his forehead.
Amazed: Well, I'll be shenned!
Veraik: What? What it is? What is happening to me?
Amazed: I never seen anything like that in my life!
Alea looks at Veraik, shock in her eyes.
Amazed runs off to tell his pals.
Alea: You're turning into a.... COW!
Veraik backs up.
Veraik turns and augments at level 8 towards the woods.
Goggling people fence them in.
Goggling people dive for cover as Veraik lunges at them.
Alea watches the cow/Veraik run off.
Wise Snake sees a crowd and zlins Alea in the middle of it.
Wise Snake grimaces and hurries cautiously in that direction.
Alea sees Wise Snake.
Alea: Snake!
Wise Snake: Alea??
Wise Snake zlins her.
Alea starts to tell her what she saw... remembers how SHE didn't believe Alea had turned Sime, and closes her mouth.
Wise Snake zlins Alea is coming down from a huge adrenaline rush.
Alea ~~ shock fear disbelief ~~
Wise Snake: What happened?
Alea: Nothing.
Alea: Not a thing.
Wise Snake looks around nervously, not liking all the people around.
Wise Snake glares at people to make them back off.
Alea wonders how she's going to tell the Center their Controller is now a cow.
Wise Snake: Why are all these people... come on, let's get you back to the Center.
Alea: Oh yes.
Alea: Please!
Alea runs over and wraps her arms around Snake.
Alea: I've never been so glad to see you in my life.
Wise Snake flinches.
Wise Snake: Uh... great. [pats Alea's back awkwardly]
Alea hugs Snake, trembling.
Alea: You are a wonderful channel, did you know that?
Alea: I have to apologize for yesterday.
Alea: I was upset.
Wise Snake looks up and sees a house.
Wise Snake frowns, looks away from it.
Alea: Things have been going on at the Center. I'm worried about Sumulo... and well....
Alea: I miss your company.
Wise Snake: Um... yeah, I gathered....
Alea: Yes, yes yes... please do come back to the Center with me.
Alea thinks she doesn't want to be alone and she does NOT want to face any questions alone.
Wise Snake moves out of the crowd, a bit hampered by Alea all over her.
Alea moves with Snake, staying glued to her.
Alea: [baby kicks Snake]
Alea is THAT plastered to her.
Wise Snake winces as Alea's tummy kicks her.
Wise Snake thinks it is definitely going to be one of THOSE days.
Wise Snake leads Alea slowly in the direction of the Sime Center.
Wise Snake: Um... Alea... do you want to tell me why you're so freaked?
Alea: Oh please, Snake... let's not fight again... please don't get angry with me.
Alea is on the verge of tears.
Wise Snake: Angry...? [puzzled] I don't even know what you did yet, how can I be angry?
Alea: I didn't do anything.
Alea: Honestly.
Wise Snake: Oh? Okay....
Alea: All I did was walk with Veraik to this house, and start to take him home when he threw up all over me.
Wise Snake tenses.
Wise Snake: Veraik... is he okay? Where is he?
Alea: He....
Alea gestures toward the woods.
Alea: ...ran.
Wise Snake: Shen!
Alea: He wasn't feeling too good.
Wise Snake: All right, let's get you back to the Center and then we can get some people to go look for him.
Alea: He was still wearing his cape, though.
Alea thinks of this as a plus.
Alea: Uh....
Wise Snake pauses.
Wise Snake: His cape? Well... of course. It's midwinter.
Wise Snake: He'd be wearing that....
Wise Snake can't help but feel she is missing an important part of this story.
Alea: Well... not necessarily....
Alea: But, then again... I suppose you are right.
Wise Snake: Are you all right?
Wise Snake zlins Alea again.
Alea: No... no, actually I'm not.
Wise Snake finds something sticky on herself, and on Alea.
Alea: perhaps you and I should go look for Veraik?
Wise Snake: Ucch.... [sniffs it] Uch!
Wise Snake: Um... I think you'd better get inside and get cleaned up, and warmed up.
Alea thinks Snake was there last time she was hallucinating... if she's there now... then she'll know....
Alea notices the sticky stuff .
Alea nods.
Wise Snake: This stuff is disgusting... what is it?
Alea: yeah... the baby might be affected by this stuff.
Alea: I wouldn't want it turning into a cow....
Alea: I don't think I could deliver a cow, Snake.
Wise Snake: A COW!!
Wise Snake remembers what B'cal said about learning about humor.
Wise Snake smacks her palm against her forehead.
Wise Snake: Never mind... never mind.
Alea wipes her hands on her tattered cloak.
Wise Snake: I'm sure the baby is fine.
Alea: Oh, good.
Alea: I don't look like a cow, do I?
Alea looks up, suddenly worried.
Wise Snake looks at Alea's cloak and wonders what in shen Alea has be into.
Wise Snake: What!
Wise Snake: ~~suddenly worried~~
Wise Snake: You don't look like a what!
Wise Snake stops.
Wise Snake reminds herself about the humor.
Wise Snake: Ah... right. Of course.
Wise Snake: No, you don't look like a cow at all, Alea.
Alea smiles, relieved.
Alea walks toward the Center.
Alea: Veraik does.
Wise Snake: Looks like a cow?
Wise Snake sighs.
Wise Snake leads Alea to the Center.
Alea nods.
Alea: You know, Snake, I'm really tired.
Wise Snake: Yeah, I'll bet.
Alea: I didn't sleep last night.
Wise Snake: You didn't? Why not? [sights set on the Center's front door]
Alea: That has to be it.
Wise Snake: You really should get your sleep, Alea.
Alea steps into the Center and looks around to see if anyone is looking at her oddly.
Wise Snake leads Alea to her room.
Wise Snake: Now, just get out of those sticky clothes and get washed up and get right into bed.
Alea goes into her room.
Alea: Will you put me to sleep?
Wise Snake: ~~concerned~~
Wise Snake: If you like.
Alea thinks if Snake doesn't... she'll scare every Sime in the building with her nightmares.
Alea goes into her room and strips.
Alea walks to the bathroom.
Alea: Yes, yes, I would.
Wise Snake: Then I will.
Alea washes the sticky stuff off her arms.
Wise Snake sits on the bed and waits.
Alea comes back out and stands by the bed.
Wise Snake thinks she really should push Nick harder, get him working with her during the day again, because things are just too weird when she's without a Donor.
Alea crawls into bed by Snake.
Wise Snake: You rest now, Alea.
Alea pulls the covers up to her shoulders.
Alea: Do me a favor, Snake....
Wise Snake: Yes?
Wise Snake: What.
Alea: Find Veraik for me.
Wise Snake: I'll get someone looking for him right away.
Alea nods.
Alea: He'll be the cow with the Liorie cape.
Wise Snake grimaces.
Wise Snake: Your humor is.... very well. I'll tell them.
Wise Snake puts Alea to sleep.
Alea ~~ sleeps ~~
Wise Snake gets up and leaves Alea's room, goes downstairs in search of a reliable person to tell about Veraik.
Notes:
1) Some time passes between these two scenes. [return]
Go on to Episode #181: "Layers" of Meaning
Return to the Index of Episodes