Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario

Episode #190: Control is for Nagers (3/21/98)

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Walter walks with a strange stiff legged gait as if he is always falling forward and just putting a leg out to stop himself.

Walter pushes the mop and bucket down the corridor in front of him.

Briel strolls into the lobby.

Walter mops under a lounge.

Alea checks the boards and notes the new janitor.

Alea watches him mop, thinking he is certainly thorough.

Walter mops around Alea's feet.

Alea lifts one foot, then the other....

Walter gets down and carefully wipes Alea's shoes with a clean cloth.

Alea: Uh, hello there.

Lanyi takes the files back to the cabinets and starts putting them away.

Walter gets up and continues mopping

Alea: Excuse me? [to Walter]

Alea shrugs and makes a note to ask Zethraim about his new employee.

Alea moves over to the door and collects her cloak.

Walter: Hello, Miss!

Walter keeps mopping.

Alea glances over her shoulder to see if he is talking to her or to Lanyi.

Alea shrugs, slips her cloak on and reaches for her scarf.

Alea grabs her gloves and slowly makes her way across the room toward her office.

Alea rubs at her back.

Alea gathers her painting and sketching supplies in a large bag.

Alea hooks the bag over her shoulder and heads back out toward the door.

Alea quickly signs out with the desk clerk and then heads out of the Sime Center.

Alea signals a passing cab.

Lanyi picks out other files, building up a heap.

Alea climbs awkwardly up into the cab and tells the driver where to take her.

Wise Snake is now known as Cabbie.

Cabbie has been told where he can go many times in his life, but never quite this way.

Cabbie pushes up his cap and nods, looking somewhat mystified, then clucks at his horses.

Alea smiles thinking it's another beautiful day out... cold, but beautiful.

Alea watches the beautiful scenery as they go past toward the Ferry Building.

Alea wonders if Snake will be surprised to see her today.

Alea sighs in relief when they pull up at the Ferry Building, and she is still completely intact.

Alea pays the cabbie and awkwardly slides down out of the cab.

Alea grabs her bag.

Alea signals at the door.

Toi Toi answers.

Toi Toi: Hello? Oh, it's you.

Toi Toi says tartly.

Alea looks down her Farris nose at Toi Toi.

Toi Toi: Well, you may as well come in, at least for a MOMENT.

Toi Toi lets Alea in.

Alea: Please inform your -employer- that her COUSIN is here.

Lanyi takes the files back to the conference room, leaving the door open.

Alea moves past Toi Toi.

Toi Toi closes the door, then consults the list of instructions.

Toi Toi: List: "Alea... warn before sending up. DON'T let her leave."

Toi Toi sighs.

Toi Toi: Please, have a seat.

Toi Toi indicates a large couch with zebra-hide coverings and carved elephant-tusk arms.

Alea sniffs disdainfully and moves past Toi Toi to sit on the banana.

Alea curls her lip at the ugly banana couch.

Toi Toi shrugs and heads up the stairs.

Lanyi: [blackboard covered with multi-colored chalk graphs; books and paper scattered over the big table.]

Alea seats herself and smoothes her dress over her tummy.

Toi Toi goes to Snake's office and signals at the door.

Toi Toi signals a second time, sighing.

Alea glances over and sees the carousel horse.

Florist signals at the front door of the Ferry Building.

Alea gets up and goes over to the horse.

Rapol goes over to the door, cocking an eye at Snake.

Wise Snake flicks a tentacle absently in the direction of Rapol and the door, still scowling at her paperwork.

Alea pushes the tarp back so she can see the entire painted carousel horse.

Alea: Oh... my....

Alea smiles, eyes gleaming.

Walter finishes mopping the lobby, picks up the bucket and mop, and lurches down the corridor.

Rapol opens the door and looks inquiringly at Toi Toi.

Alea wonders....

Alea shakes the horse to see how stable it is.

Florist signals at the Ferry Building door again.

Alea sets down the bag and goes to climb up on it when she hears the signal.

Toi Toi looks at Rapol like a snooty higher-servant might look at a lower servant.

Alea glances over at the door.

Toi Toi: [very much like that, actually]

Alea turns and makes her way over to the door.

Rapol: Yes?

Toi Toi: Hmmmyes. Alea Farris is here to see Her.

Alea opens it.

Alea: Yes?

Alea looks at the person at the door of the Ferry Building.

Florist: Flowers for Miz Wise Snake.

Florist is holding 24 long stemmed pink roses.

Alea: Flowers?

Alea smiles.

Alea: For SNAKE?!

Alea: Oh, how beautiful!

Alea: Who are they from?

Alea reaches out for them, thinking Snake will love these.

Lanyi: [mutters to self ] There is something here I can't place. Almost familiar, but not quite....

Florist: Just sign here, please.

Florist thrusts a clipboard and pen at her.

Alea signs for them.

Florist hands her the flowers.

Alea takes the flowers and sees a card.

Card: To Wise Snake from R.

Toi Toi decides Rapol has nothing to say to that.

Alea: Oh my....

Rapol looks over at Snake. "That Farris Donor is here."

Wise Snake grunts, still writing.

Wise Snake pauses.

Wise Snake looks up.

Wise Snake: What? Who?

Toi Toi sniffs and goes back down the stairs.

Alea turns and goes back over to where her bag is by the carousel horse.

Rapol: The pregnant one. From the Center.

Wise Snake: Alea's here?

Rapol: Yes.

Wise Snake jumps up in a hurry, anxious to see Alea before she takes off.

Alea gets her bag and turns toward the stairs, thinking to take these up to Snake.

Toi Toi sees Alea starting toward the stairs.

Toi Toi: Don't move! [snaps]

Rapol prepares a field bubble for Snake.

Alea sneers at Toi Toi and moves to go around her and start up the stairs.

Walter gets clean water and heads back to the transfer rooms.

Alea is highly insulted that a little nonentity would snap at her.

Toi Toi grabs Alea in a Judo hold.

Toi Toi: Nobody goes up those stairs without my say so!

Toi Toi: [grunting with effort]

Alea's bag and the flowers go flying.

Walter starts mopping the first empty transfer room.

Alea: Hey, what the shenned do you think you're doing!

Wise Snake gestures to Rapol, then hurries down the stairs.

Toi Toi: I ASKED you to remain seated.

Toi Toi: But did you listen? No!

Alea: Listen you... I don't care WHAT you asked.

Toi Toi drags Alea back toward the banana.

Alea: I'd suggest you let go now before... HEY!

Alea digs in her heels while digging an elbow into Toi Toi's ribs.

Toi Toi: Ow!

Alea jabs again for good measure.

Alea: Let... me... GO!

Toi Toi reaches out a foot and drags the banana close enough to shove Alea onto it.

Toi Toi: Ow! Ow! No! [snarls]

Alea jumps back up from the banana and tries to dart for the stairs.

Toi Toi tackles Alea and drags her down.

Rapol follows.

Alea falls.

Toi Toi: Would you kindly SIT AND WAIT? I told her you were here, shen you!

Alea: Get your hands off me.

Alea ~~ anger ~~

Wise Snake zlins what is going on and races the rest of the way down the stairs.

Alea wraps a hand around her stomach, glaring at Toi Toi.

Wise Snake: Wait! Wait... shen.

Toi Toi looks up immediately, not letting go of Alea.

Rapol rushes forward, leaving a gap for Snake to zlin through, but ready to snap it closed.

Alea turns and sinks her teeth into Toi Toi's wrist.

Wise Snake looks around at the disarranged furniture, the flowers and bag, and the two people on the floor.

Toi Toi: Oww!! ~~outrage~~

Alea smiles and shoves at Toi Toi.

Wise Snake cringes.

Alea sees Snake and blunts her field.

Toi Toi reaches out to strangle Alea.

Wise Snake: Wait... would you two stop it!

Wise Snake grabs Alea and Toi Toi and tries to pull them apart.

Wise Snake: What is going on here?

Alea shoots Toi Toi a warning look.

Wise Snake: ~~upset~~

Alea gladly moves away from Toi Toi.

Toi Toi shoots Alea a narrow-eyed, you'll-get-yours look.

Alea moves back from Snake too, since her field isn't too steady.

Wise Snake: Go back to your desk. [to Toi Toi, annoyed.] I'll talk to you later.

Wise Snake sees the pink roses lying nearby.

Wise Snake: And put THOSE you-know-where.

Alea backs a bit further away until she is by the carousel horse.

Wise Snake: [sneezes]

Alea: Someone sent you flowers, Snake.

Alea: Aren't they beautiful?

Alea: Oh, no.

Wise Snake: Alea... please come upstairs where it's a bit... quieter.

Alea: You're allergic to them?

Wise Snake: Not at all. [defensively]

Wise Snake: Ahhh-CHOO!

Alea nods.

Alea: Of course.

Wise Snake wipes her nose and backs somewhat up the stairs.

Rapol looks sharply for any more bees.

Alea goes over and begins to gather her art supplies, which had spilled out of her bag.

Alea shoots Toi Toi a satisfied smile.

Toi Toi ignores Alea arrogantly.

Toi Toi picks up the flowers and disappears into the recesses of the first floor.

Alea finishes gathering her supplies and starts up the stairs.

Alea shoves her hair out of her face and continues on up the stairs.

Wise Snake: Um, Alea, I'm trying to impose a certain amount of order on the... comings and goings here. I know my receptionist is a bit new, but.. could you possibly, er, try to avoid setting her off until she is a bit worn in?

Walter finishes washing the floors in the transfer suites and goes to get fresh water.

Alea simply looks at Snake.

Alea: Me setting her off?

Alea: I wasn't the one who wrestled the pregnant lady to the floor.

Alea sniffs disdainfully.

Lanyi leans back against the far wall and stares at the blackboard.

Wise Snake: Yes, yes, I know, she went too far.... but you tried to go up the stairs, didn't you? I've talked to her about this before, but....

Alea continues up the stairs.

Wise Snake zlins Alea for injuries.

Alea: It's no matter that we're cousins?

Alea sighs dramatically.

Rapol tries to stay between Snake and Alea.

Alea glares at Rapol and moves right up next to Snake.

Wise Snake: No! I mean, of course it matters. Actually, she may not know that. But....

Walter enters the conference room and starts washing the floor without comment to the person in there.

Rapol: ~~ firmly tries to exclude Alea's nager ~~

Alea gives Rapol a 'get real' look and slips an arm around Snake.

Wise Snake: All I'm asking is, [trying to keep eye contact with Alea despite Rapol getting in the way]

Alea: I've missed you, Snake.

Lanyi doesn't notice Walter until he blocks her view of the board.

Alea pauses to hug Snake.

Walter starts at the door and proceeds to mop himself into a corner.

Alea ~~ happy joy soothing ~~

Lanyi stands up abruptly into a loose crouch.

Wise Snake: Uh.... thank you, Alea.

Walter is apparently blind to Lanyi.

Wise Snake wonders what is going on.

Alea smiles.

Rapol tries not to let his irritation show in his nager.

Alea releases Snake and moves to her other side to continue on with them.

Wise Snake feels Rapol's irritation and wonders if Alea has not been assigned to anybody this month.

Lanyi straightens up. "Hello... Walter, isn't it?"

Alea: I am so happy everything is going good with you, Snake.

Walter mops under the desk.

Walter stops mopping and stands up. "Hello miss!"

Wise Snake: Yes, yes. ~~nervously~~ Well with the deed transferred, it's a matter of setting the restoration process in motion....

Lanyi: Hello, Tuib.

Alea: And when will that be?

Alea ~~ joy at being around a channel ~~

Walter: I'm just mopping the floor, miss!

Rapol sees that all three of them will not fit through the door at once, and wonders who is going to drop back.

Lanyi: And very well, too. Thank you.

Alea slips an arm around Snake's waist, then sees the problem and reluctantly drops back so Rapol can be by Snake.

Lanyi: How are you doing today?

Alea ~~ yearning ~~

Walter: So I'll just continue will I now?

Wise Snake crowds against Rapol going through the door.

Walter: Walter is doing a good job today!

Alea follows behind the two.

Alea ~~ desire to be closer to Snake ~~

Lanyi: Yes, please do.

Walter mops around a piece of paper on the floor.

Walter stops, thinks, picks the paper up, mops under it and puts it back down again.

Wise Snake's nager crawls at the competing Donor influences.

Walter: Almost missed that spot!

Rapol moves over to one side of the office to get Snake some tissues and an inhaler, in case.

Alea goes into the office and moves to the opposite side, staring at Snake forlornly.

Alea gives Snake puppy dog eyes as she sets her bag down.

Alea: So, when is your transfer, Snake?

Lanyi goes over to pick up the now slightly damp paper.

Walter mops carefully around Lanyi's feet.

Lanyi reads it. "Ah. a missing piece."

Walter stops and looks at them.

Walter: Could you move please, Hajene? Cause I have to mop under you!

Lanyi: Thanks for reminding me of this, Walter. [waves paper]

Walter: Thank you!

Walter continues to mop until he is in the corner.

Wise Snake sits tensely at her desk.

Alea: That soon? [studies Snake and moves back a bit further]

Walter stands and looks at Lanyi walking on the wet floor

Wise Snake: Today. Soon.

Lanyi: Of course.

Lanyi moves to a cleaned area, stepping gingerly.

Walter: You shouldn't walk on the wet floor Hajene, it will mark!

Alea: I guess I came just a little bit too early then.

Wise Snake: Early?

Alea: Why, yes. I was supposed to come here today to talk to you.

Lanyi: Sorry.

Walter waits patiently for the floor to dry.

Wise Snake looks surprised.

Wise Snake: You were?

Alea glances at Rapol, then Snake.

Lanyi sits on a corner of the table, getting both feet off the floor.

Rapol agrees that Alea is Early.

Alea decides to move just a tad bit closer to Snake... loving the feel of a channel in need.

Rapol takes the tissues and inhaler over to Snake. "Touch any of the flowers?"

Wise Snake: No. Not this time.

Wise Snake blows her nose.

Alea moves a little closer, until she is able to perch on the edge of the desk.

Lanyi: Good.

Wise Snake: Honestly, Sky is worse than a mother about that marriage thing.

Alea thinks okay, it's a lot closer, but maybe Rapol won't notice.

Alea sighs.

Alea: Marriage thing?

Alea: You're getting married?

Wise Snake fidgets as Rapol's and Alea's fields compete... and at the subject of Marriage.

Alea's eyes widen in shocked delight.

Wise Snake: No, no, no. My brother is just always trying to hitch me up.

Wise Snake: Honestly, I think he's more interested in these men than I am!

Rapol realizes that Alea is just attracted to the need, and simultaneously sympathizes and resents it.

Rapol: Marriage? ~~ surprise ~~

Wise Snake strengthens her showfield to hide as much need as possible.

Alea gapes.

Alea: Oh, dear.

Alea: You mean you think he wants you to marry one of them so he can be close to....

Rapol: ~~ support - promise ~~

Alea's eyes are as big as saucers.

Wise Snake: No, no, no, I think he wants me to get married because he raised me and now I'm grown.

Alea: Ah.

Alea ~~ relief ~~

Wise Snake: It's complicated. Look... have you something to tell me today?

Wise Snake looks at Alea's bag.

Alea: Oh!

Lanyi: Have you seen Eliza or Jon Drake today, Walter?

Alea: Well, yes.

Alea: I was supposed to talk to you about doing some art for your Ferry Building.

Wise Snake: You were? [surprised]

Walter: No, Hajene!

Alea: Yes, I was.

Alea: Didn't Sky talk to you?

Wise Snake thinks this is news to her.

Wise Snake valiantly tries to keep this off her face.

Wise Snake: Er... no?

Wise Snake: Had you spoken to him about it?

Lanyi: Ah. thank you.

Alea: Yes.

Alea: I thought the walls were too bland, and suggested some art.

Walter: Walter could go find them for you, Hajene!

Alea: I thought he was going to talk to you about it and I'd get with you after your transfer.

Walter: Walter is good at finding things!

Wise Snake: Bland! [shocked, remembering the murals on the first floor]

Wise Snake: I see.

Lanyi: That would be a help, if you have time.

Wise Snake: What sort of... art... were you going to suggest?

Alea: Well, that's what I was going to talk to you about.

Walter: Okay! Who is Walter looking for?

Rapol: Preservation Committee.

Alea: However, I don't think we should do this before transfer.

Rapol: Good at Gen atrocities?

Alea looks at Rapol.

Alea: What?

Wise Snake thinks of Alea's sketches of the Tarsh excision, and Snake and Alea nude in bed, and thinks maybe they WOULD go well with the mural, at that.

Lanyi: If you could find Eliza Furdens. Don't wear yourself out, though.

Wise Snake: Uh, Alea, the entire first floor is done up in period murals of public attritions, excisions, troop movements, and the like.

Walter: I won't Hajene!

Rapol: Murals now are of Gens doing horrible things to juncts.

Alea: I thought you were going to cover all of that up.

Rapol: Classic art, we're told.

Wise Snake: No!

Alea: Well, mine wouldn't.

Wise Snake: No, it's a part of the building's original decor.

Alea shudders.

Walter lurches out the door and into the corridor, like a toy on a string.

Wise Snake: There is also a mural in the hallway on the second floor.

Alea: Oh.

Alea: Well then, I suppose I could do it for the bedrooms and things up here.

Walter enters the cafeteria. "I'm looking for Eliza Furdens!"

Wise Snake: The decoration of people's rooms would be their own business, but perhaps my office and the hallway....

Wise Snake: I do already have the two pieces you gave me before.

Wise Snake points at the two sketches.

Wise Snake: [they are framed on the wall]

Eliza chokes into her tea and looks at the renSime making the announcement in the middle of the room.

Alea: Ah well... as I said, wait until after your transfer and then we'll talk.

Eliza's first instinct is to run and hide, but she stands up. "I'm Eliza, what do you want?"

Wise Snake nods.

Wise Snake: Okay.

Walter: Hajene wants to talk to you!

Walter turns and lurches out.

Alea leans forward to get just a tad bit closer to Snake's field.

Eliza wonders which Hajene in particular and hurries after him.

Walter returns to Lanyi in an amazingly short time with Eliza in tow. "Here she is, Hajene!"

Eliza enters the room looking confused.

Eliza: Oh, Lanyi! You wanted to see me?

Lanyi: [brightly] Thank you Walter. Very Good.

Lanyi: Yes, Walter volunteered to find you. Were you busy?

Wise Snake: Um... Alea....

Walter picks up the mop and finishes the unwashed corner.

Alea: Yes?

Wise Snake: As attractive as you are, Rapol is my transfer partner.

Eliza: Not at all, I was just having some tea.

Alea sighs.

Wise Snake: It is his first time this month, so could you help him feel a little more secure?

Alea: I couldn't serve you anyway.

Wise Snake: It is true. [admits]

Lanyi is still sitting on the table.

Alea ~~ guilt ~~

Alea: Of course, Snake.

Walter picks up the bucket and mop and heads off to the next room.

Alea: They just haven't assigned me to anyone yet this month.

Alea: You do know, this will probably be my last transfer until the baby is born.

Eliza looks at him strangely as he walks past her without seeming to notice there is even anyone there.

Wise Snake: Haven't they assigned you to anyone? [concerned]

Wise Snake: You should still be working, shouldn't you?

Rapol: ~~ glad of Snake's intervention, while slightly irked at the implication that he needs securing ~~

Alea reluctantly slips off the desk and moves away from Snake.

Alea: Yes.

Alea: At least I think so.

Alea: There seems to be some debate on that.

Wise Snake: Really?

Eliza walks over the sparkling clean floor to where Lanyi is perched on the desk.

Wise Snake: I take it Briel does not agree with you?

Rapol: ~~ surrounds with Support and promise ~~

Alea: Veraik says no. Briel says yes.

Wise Snake: I see.

Wise Snake realizes she is not going to be able to help in that case.

Alea shrugs.

Alea: They'll figure it out soon, I'm sure.

Wise Snake nods.

Alea: Then perhaps I'll come back after you've had transfer?

Alea: I can leave you some samples of all the different type of art I do.

Wise Snake's eyebrows raise.

Wise Snake: Er... sure.

Alea: And Snake, if you're offended by my art and don't want it, please let me know.

Lanyi: Eliza, I've been looking over all the statistics of our channels and Donors.

Wise Snake's nager shrinks.

Wise Snake: Okay.

Alea: I won't be upset if you decide not to accept my offer.

Lanyi indicates the graphs on the blackboards.

Alea smiles.

Alea: Great.

Eliza wonders if this is about her next assignment and thinks maybe Briel hasn't told Lanyi she is off the list.

Eliza looks uncomprehendingly a the graphs.

Eliza: Yes?

Lanyi: I notice that yours are ramping up quite well.

Briel heads into the lobby with the morning reports.

Eliza: Err, thank you? What's ramping?

Lanyi: You have qualified as a 2nd on your... Third transfer? Or was it Fourth?

Briel hands the newest schedule of assignments to the desk clerk.

Briel ~~ tense ~~

Lanyi: Going up.

Briel: Post these. And do NOT change them for anyone, understand?

Briel: This is the final draft.

Lanyi hops off the table and goes over to the board.

Briel ~~ queasy at making the decision but firm in it ~~

Lanyi: This is you. And here is Jon Drake.

Lanyi: See how much steeper yours is? 1

Eliza: Oh, a lot more then that. John and I had transfer about 5 times. Of course, we didn't wait that long between transfers. We did it whenever he wanted it. I think about every 10 days or so.

Alea moves over to the bag and begins pulling out 'samples' and laying them on the desk.

Rapol is uneasy in the silence. "Like some tea?

Briel starts back down the hall and passes Lanyi and Eliza.

Briel pauses.

Briel: Good morning.

Briel strolls in.

Lanyi looks ~~ surprised ~~.

Briel wonders why Lanyi is so surprised.

Eliza: I guess whenever John reached turnover.

Lanyi: Hello Briel.

Briel nods to Lanyi.

Briel: Lanyi.

Briel nods to Eliza.

Eliza: Hello, Controller Briel.

Briel: Eliza.

Lanyi: 10 days or so....?

Briel sees the blackboard and moves forward with interest.

Alea: Here are the samples.

Alea is certain Rapol wasn't offering her tea so she ignores him as she continues to pull out the samples.

Alea: You can look them over.

Briel: What is this?

Lanyi: I'm graphing all the stats, trying to spot something that's been eluding me.

Briel: Ah.

Briel: And what is it you think has been eluding you?

Rapol watches both Alea and Snake for a response.

Wise Snake notes Alea is ignoring Rapol and nods to him, indicating tea for all.

Wise Snake studies the samples.

Eliza: We didn't know anything, you see. I guess as soon as he felt need he wanted to... [trails off as she realises they are more interested in the graphs]

Rapol moves over to the fire, keeping attention pointed back at Snake.

Alea: Don't look at them now!

Alea ~~ shock ~~

Wise Snake jumps, badly startled.

Wise Snake drops the samples.

Alea: Forgive me, Snake.

Alea lowers her voice.

Lanyi: I can't place it, but some of it doesn't... fit somehow.

Alea: I didn't mean to startle you.

Wise Snake: It's... it's... fine.

Wise Snake puts the samples aside and tries to calm her racing heart.

Rapol forgets the tea and comes back to Snake.

Alea: It's simply... well... you should wait until your mind isn't on need.

Rapol: ~~ Calm ~~ ~~ support ~~

Alea sees Rapol forgot the tea and moves over to pour three cups.

Wise Snake melts desperately onto Rapol's support.

Wise Snake: Ah... of course. I'll wait.

Briel: You don't know what you think you're missing though?

Lanyi: Jon Drake's profile reminds me of something, but I can't say what.

Lanyi: No.

Alea looks around to find a hot pad to grab the tea with.

Briel: Well, I can tell you he had a major problem with underdraw when he first came here. 2

Briel: That's what eventually led him to become a Donor.

Lanyi gestures at Eliza. "Sosu Furdens feels the same way, and yet she doesn't."

Eliza wonders if she should leave as they have forgotten she is there and shifts her feet uncomfortably.

Briel: I've never zlinned a Donor like that... except for a Farris. But he's not a Farris. 3

Lanyi: No, definitely not a Farris.

Briel: Well, I'm not sensitive enough to figure out what the difference is.

Briel shrugs.

Lanyi turns to Eliza. "Eliza, who was this John you mentioned?"

Briel: Exactly what do you mean that Eliza zlins like Jon?

Briel shakes her head.

Eliza: John was my cousin.

Eliza: My father's sisters son.

Lanyi: Not zlins, but her profile isn't usual.

Eliza: She died when he was born.

Lanyi: And he changed over? How old was he?

Briel looks at Eliza in surprise, wondering if Eliza has told Lanyi everything about her.

Alea gets the tea and begins pouring it.

Eliza: John was a year older then me I think. About 15?

Alea: What do you like in your tea, Snake?

Rapol watches Alea get the tea, trying not to wince at her handling hot things.

Alea pours a second cup... and then a third cup.

Lanyi: His mother died? Your aunt? Do you know what from?

Briel: Probably from having a channel, Lanyi.

Briel: Is that what you're getting at?

Eliza: No. She just died having him. A lot of women do that. My mother died when my baby brother was born. The baby died too.

Briel: From what was in the report, I would imagine he was a channel.

Eliza is determined never to have children and can't see why Alea is so brave!

Eliza is feeling uncomfortable talking about the past.

Eliza: ~~ shaky control ~~

Alea sets the tea down and lifts the three cups, carrying them back over to the desk.

Alea: Here you go, Snake.

Alea: I didn't remember what you took in it.

Alea carefully sets all three down.

Alea spills only a bit.

Wise Snake takes a cup of tea and sips it.

Lanyi: Your mother too?

Alea grabs up a towel and mops it up out of her saucer.

Briel: Lanyi....

Briel: This is making Eliza uncomfortable.

Briel: If you have a specific reason for wanting to know, please ask it.

Eliza nods.

Lanyi notices Eliza is uncomfortable. "I'm sorry if this is upsetting you, Eliza."

Briel: I have a report in my office on the particulars that, with Eliza's permission, can be discussed later.

Alea moves over and sits down near Snake, but not close enough to interfere with Rapol.

Lanyi: Eliza, do you know if any of your family came from in-Territory?

Rapol: Thanks.

Rapol takes his tea.

Eliza blushes. "Lanyi can read it if she wants to. I don't mind."

Alea: Ah, Snake....

Briel nods.

Eliza: I don't know, Lanyi.

Briel: By the way, Lanyi, Eliza is currently off the Donor's list for the next month or so.

Briel: She and I thought it might be best to talk a little first before she Donates again.

Briel very carefully avoids saying anything about what happened.

Eliza looks miserable.

Wise Snake looks at Alea.

Lanyi: Your baby brother and John may have both been channels.

Alea: You know, Snake... um....

Alea: I've heard rumors that Tramila might be getting pulled to go somewhere else.

Briel: It is probably almost positive that they were.

Wise Snake looks at Alea more closely.

Eliza: Yes, I thought they might have been. I mean, I'm fairly certain that John was.

Wise Snake: You have?

Alea ~~ overly-casually ~~

Alea: Yes.

Alea: I had wondered if you might have heard anything like that?

Alea: Actually, it doesn't matter if you have or have not.

Alea: I just thought you might like to hear what I'd heard.

Wise Snake: I am not exactly in a position to... ah.

Alea ~~ nervous ~~

Lanyi: I'm wondering why there were so many high order people in your family.

Alea: You wouldn't happen to know... no, of course not.

Briel: Uh, Lanyi... why do you think there are high order people in her family?

Briel: We haven't met any of them.

Briel: And if we're LUCKY we'll be able to pull Eliza up to a low First.

Lanyi decides to change the subject.

Lanyi: How did your transfer with Jirelle go?

Briel: Excuse me, Lanyi.

Briel: I asked you a question.

Briel [sounding very Controller at the moment]

Briel: If there is something here you know that I don't, I'd appreciate knowing it.

Briel ~~ concern ~~

Lanyi: I'm speculating with too little data, but we know of one for sure [gestures at Eliza] and two more probable. 4

Eliza is confused by the switch.

Briel: But she's not high order.

Briel: And we simply are speculating they were channels.

Briel: They could have been Third Order for all we know.

Eliza looks from Lanyi to Briel and is uncomfortable at the tension. She wishes she knew what to do and tries to radiate calm support towards them.

Lanyi turns and sits down, swings the chair back towards them.

Briel zlins Eliza again like a bug under a microscope.

Lanyi: "I'm wondering if she has some Farris blood somewhere." 5

Eliza clears her throat.

Eliza: It seemed to go well.

Alea: But, maybe if you hear something... you could let me know?

Briel glances back at Lanyi.

Briel: You think she'll be more than a high second?

Rapol clears his throat. "Midwife? That the question?"

Alea: Yes, Tramila is a midwife.

Alea nods.

Wise Snake glances at Rapol and Alea.

Eliza feels very uncomfortable under Briel's gaze.

Briel realizes she is making Eliza uncomfortable and immediately backs off.

Lanyi: No. Not unless she plateaus suddenly and soon.

Wise Snake: I doubt I will hear anything from Zeor. But if it's a midwife that you want, I may be able to find one I'd trust with you.

Lanyi: I mean, yes she will be higher, unless.

Alea: You will be there, won't you?

Briel shakes her head.

Briel: No, she won't be.

Briel: I'm sorry, Lanyi, but perhaps you haven't been working with her as much as I have.

Lanyi: Just an idea to consider.

Briel: She might match me one day, but that would be about her limit.

Lanyi: Think it over.

Briel: Think what over?

Wise Snake: Yes.

Wise Snake: I will be there.

Lanyi shrugs. "Okay."

Briel: I can't MAKE her into a high First.

Lanyi: If she might be.

Briel shakes her head in disgust.

Briel: Eliza, don't forget our meeting later.

Briel turns to leave.

Briel: Lanyi... [pausing at the door]

Lanyi: Yes?

Eliza is bright red with embarrassment.

Briel: Before you decide to tell another Donor just where they're going to rank, you might want to check with the Controller next time, first.

Lanyi bristles, since Briel was the one who'd told her to spit it out.

Briel walks out.

Alea ~~ relief ~~

Alea: Thank you, Snake.

Alea: I'm glad you will be.

Wise Snake nods.

Briel goes down the hall to her office, making a note to have a private talk with Lanyi later.

Lanyi sighs.

Lanyi: Thank you, Eliza. I'm sorry if I upset you.

Rapol stands behind Snake and massages her shoulders.

Rapol looks at her arms.

Wise Snake's tentacles move about restlessly.

Wise Snake: And let me know immediately if Tramila is removed. All right?

Eliza: I'm not upset, Lanyi, just confused.

Alea nods.

Wise Snake: I'll try to do what I can for you, then.

Alea: Thank you.

Alea stands and goes over to hug Snake, enjoying the feel of her need.

Wise Snake stiffens.

Lanyi: Yeah, well, I was talking up in the stratosphere with Briel. Don't worry, you're doing very well here.

Alea would really really like to offer support, but reluctantly backs up.

Wise Snake: I will see you later about the art, then.

Alea steps back further.

Alea: Thank you.

Alea gathers her bag and goes to the door.

Lanyi: Ask Briel about it later. And talk to me again if she approves.

Alea: Have a good transfer, Snake.

Wise Snake: Thank you.

Rapol supports Snake while feeling ~~ sympathy ~~ for Alea's concern for her pregnancy.

Alea goes to the door and leaves.

see note 6

Rapol looks at Snake's arms to try and gauge her intil.

Wise Snake appears to be low intil, but in hard need.

Rapol: ~~ offers selyn ~~

Wise Snake seems depressed by Alea's news.

Wise Snake looks at Rapol, then holds out her hands to him.

Rapol takes Snake's arms.

Rapol: ~~ need-to-give ~~

Wise Snake: I wonder if Tramila is really going, or if Alea was just worrying unnecessarily.

Rapol: Wouldn't be sensible to send midwife away so late.

Wise Snake sighs.

Wise Snake: There is a lot of politics surrounding that baby.

Wise Snake: Veraik blackmailed the House of Zeor to force them to allow Alea to remain here, and to provide a midwife.

Rapol: ~~ concealed disgust ~~ Politics.

Wise Snake: That's why she asked me about Tramila leaving... she thought I may have heard something.

Rapol: Blackmail worn off?

Wise Snake: Perhaps. I really haven't heard.

Rapol: Worry later.

Wise Snake moves her hands up Rapol's arms, the tentacles touching his skin.

Rapol: ~~ Bright Eager Selyn ~~

Wise Snake realizes she is dreading this transfer.

Rapol: ~~ confidence ~~

Wise Snake: Rapol, I... I haven't been completely honest with you about .... [stops at the surge of confidence from him]

Rapol: ~~ curiosity ~~

Wise Snake realizes it probably isn't that important, as her hands and tentacles grip his arms more firmly.

Wise Snake: ~~stirring of intil~~

Rapol meshes his field with Snake's more tightly. ~~ need to give ~~

Wise Snake decides, the heck with it and seizes him in a transfer position.

Rapol: ~~ anticipation ~~

Wise Snake takes a fifth contact and begins to draw at a reasonably controlled pace.

Rapol delivers selyn at the draw rate, resisting the urge to push more.

Wise Snake sees this is fine and quickly accelerates her draw, seeking his limit.

Wise Snake: ~~hope~~

Rapol delivers faster and faster.

Rapol finds himself starting to strain to keep up, and Snake still increasing.

Wise Snake controls herself with an effort, slowing the acceleration to make sure she squeezes all the speed she can out of him without injuring him.

Rapol tries to go as fast as he can.

Rapol feels like his flow thin in the middle like a stretched piece of taffy.

Rapol: ~~ joy/strain ~~

Wise Snake, seeing that Rapol has more than enough selyn, finishes through to the end at that speed.

Rapol: ~~ Soaring pride and satisfaction ~~

Wise Snake knows a shadow of his pride and satisfaction... knows it on his behalf.

Wise Snake ends it.

Rapol feels the selyn flow slow and stop without the kind of soaring ecstasy feedback from Snake he expected.

Rapol tires very hard not to not to show ~~ disappointment ~~

Wise Snake breaks the fifth contact and leans heavily on Rapol, clinging to his arms.

Rapol: ~~ love and support ~~

Rapol holds his head against the side of Snake's.

Wise Snake: You did very well, Rapol. [whispers]

Rapol: ~~ pride ~~

Rapol: Thank you Snake.

Wise Snake pushes herself away from Rapol.

Wise Snake opens her eyes and looks up at him.

Wise Snake: You are certainly a match for me in capacity.

Rapol looks happily back into Snake's pale eyes.

Rapol studies her to try and assess her feelings.

Wise Snake dismantles her grip on his arms and looks down at her forearms, rubbing her tentacles against each other and avoiding his look.

Wise Snake looks around for something to wipe the ronaplin off with.

Rapol realizes, "that wasn't everything you needed, was it?"

Wise Snake hesitates.

Wise Snake: You come in somewhat under my maximum draw speed. But that ought to improve gradually.

Rapol: Of course.

Wise Snake glances up at him.

Wise Snake nods, seeing he understands.

Wise Snake: Believe me, matching me in capacity is something few Gens even have the potential to do. I am well pleased.

Rapol: ~~ glad ~~

Rapol: I hope I can do better next mon-next time.

Wise Snake hesitates.

Wise Snake: I am sure you will. As for when that time will be, it will be either next month or the following one. You won't have to wait any longer than that.

Wise Snake: [promises]

Rapol: ~~ happy to hear that ~~

Rapol: Nick is devoted to you.

Rapol's face twists slightly.

Wise Snake studies his expression curiously, then forces herself to zlin.

Wise Snake: He is a good Donor. [cautiously]

Rapol: Certainly.

Rapol: ~~ Jealousy ~~

Wise Snake zlins the jealousy and isn't sure how to handle it.

Rapol is surprised to be zlinned so soon after transfer, when he can let his emotions have free rein.

Alea goes to her office and dumps her bag on her desk.

Wise Snake zlins his surprise and wonders if the surprise was in response to the zlinning.

Alea puts up the supplies.

Wise Snake thinks, uh-oh.

Alea decides to go to the library to do some more research on a secret project she has been working on.

Alea goes upstairs first and to Tarsh's room.

Wise Snake withdraws her laterals.

Alea sneaks in to look at the medal of his father's on his wall and writes down some pertinent information.

Wise Snake: As are you. It is a good combination.

Rapol goes back into calm relaxation.

Wise Snake wonders what is going on.

Rapol: Thank you, Snake.

Alea smiles and slips the paper and pen into her pocket.

Wise Snake looks confused.

Wise Snake: Sure...?

Alea goes back downstairs.

Rapol: I'm sorry.

Wise Snake: Sorry?

Wise Snake is really confused now.

Alea retrieves her cloak.

Alea goes down the street to the library.

Wise Snake: Look... you did a fine job. You and Nick between you ought to supply all my needs perfectly.

Wise Snake touches Rapol's hand.

Rapol: For not staying in control just now, but I thought you'd....

Rapol realizes that he didn't get Snake post.

Rapol: I... I hope so.

Alea thinks it'll be a nice surprise if she finds out just what Tarsh's father got his award for.

Alea wonders why Tarsh didn't know.

Alea goes into the library reference section.

Wise Snake studies Rapol carefully.

Wise Snake: Do I know what we're talking about?

Rapol sits up. "Sorry. I just wish I'd done better."

Wise Snake: No! no, you did as well as I expected. And you'll do better and better in the future. I'm very pleased.

Wise Snake tries to show how pleased she is in her expression, so he'll believe her.

Rapol: Oh. Okay.

Rapol: ~~ brightens ~~

Wise Snake smiles as he brightens.

Rapol tries to distract himself to other concerns. "Hungry?"

Alea goes over to the section on the military campaigns of Nivet Territory.

Wise Snake: Yes, actually.

Alea looks specifically for a book on the specific awards given out by the governments.

Wise Snake: Rapol?

Rapol gets up.

Rapol: "Yes?"

Alea searches book by book until she hits upon one pertaining to the time period and award.

Wise Snake: You seem... preoccupied.

Alea begins thumbing through it.

Wise Snake: Is there something I can do to... to help?

Wise Snake: To make you feel more at home?

Rapol: I'm just adjusting to the situation.

Alea moves to the next book when she doesn't find what she needs.

Wise Snake: I want to be accommodating.

Alea opens up a third when the second doesn't have what she wants either.

Wise Snake thinks that didn't sound right, but can tell Rapol is not happy.

Rapol: Snake, you have been. You've put up with all my secretiveness and alien attitudes.

Wise Snake blinks.

Alea's brow furrows when she realizes this is a book that is talking about attacks against the Householdings... and their strategies.

Alea almost closes that book when something catches her eye.

Wise Snake: Is that enough, then?

Alea moves to the page number indicated and begins to read.

Rapol: You're doing all you can. Any shortcomings are my own.

Alea: Oh... oh... no....

Rapol shrugs. Yes. ~~ no ~~

Wise Snake's eyes narrow as she tries to figure out what that means.

Wise Snake: I... see. Why does your nager say no, then?

Rapol sighs and collapses into a chair.

Rapol: "Everyone wants more than they can have. Rapol is no exception."

Wise Snake feels the usual nervousness beginning to make her fidget.

Wise Snake: Can you at least tell me what is wrong?

Rapol: "Learning to deal with that is how a child becomes an adult. Getting tentacles or a nager is just step on that journey."

Alea drops down into the chair, her eyes widening in dismay.

Rapol: If you insist.

Alea fishes the paper back out of her pocket and reads exactly what it says, then re-reads the book.

Alea: He got this award for attacking a HOUSEHOLDING!

Alea: In Nivet Territory.

Alea rubs her forehead.

Alea doesn't want to know.

Wise Snake: Well, I think that as long as I can sense your discontent, I should know what causes it.

Wise Snake: As it may be in my power to do something about it.

Wise Snake looks at him searchingly.

Alea looks back at the paper, then at the book.

Alea shakes her head and slams the book closed.

Alea ~~ fear ~~

Alea stands up, then sits down.

Rapol looks directly at Snake. "You aren't post. I didn't get you post."

Wise Snake's eyes slide away from Rapol's, then she forces herself to meet his direct gaze again.

Wise Snake: I... don't... that's not your fault.

Alea slowly opens the book back up and checks again, gleaning as much information as she can so she can perhaps find just what householdings were attacked in that time period.

Wise Snake: You will, one day.

Alea finally has the information she needs and goes to search back issues of the papers.

Wise Snake: And you should know that in fourteen transfers, I have only ever been post three times.

Alea doesn't take long since the library is so organized.

Alea finds three possibilities, one leaving her ill.

Alea continues to stare at the paper in disbelief before finally folding it.

Rapol: ~~ surprised and glad to hear it is possible ~~

Alea slowly refiles the paper.

Rapol realizes what that means. "Oh my... only 3?"

Rapol: ~~ SYMPATHY ~~

Alea goes back into the main part of the library and returns the books to where they go.

Wise Snake: I have... peculiar... [dislikes talking about it]... needs that are difficult to meet.

Wise Snake finds his sympathy touching, if a bit intense.

Alea finally looks at the white piece of paper in her hand, the piece of paper with all of the information on Tarsh's father and his award.

Alea stares at it a long time, then finally tears it up and drops it in a nearby wastebasket.

Alea leaves the library, not looking back.

Wise Snake: You will learn more about them when your delivery speed has improved just a little more.

Wise Snake wishes Rapol would never have to feel what Nick did, and it shows in her face and voice.

Rapol: Certainly.

Alea decides a walk is just what would be best right now, to forget what she read and clear her head.

Wise Snake: Was that all that concerned you, or was there something else?

Rapol wonders why he's a bit ~~ disturbed ~~ at the way Snake said that.

Alea walks until she sees a cab.

Rapol: Yeah. That was it. ~~ half-truth ~~

Alea thinks she'd probably be safer in a cab than on a street since she is slowing down so she hails the cab.

Wise Snake zlins the half-truth and hesitates.

Wise Snake: Rapol?

Alea catches the cab and sits back for the ride.

Rapol: The rest follows directly from that.

Wise Snake doesn't follow.

Wise Snake thinks back over what was said.

Wise Snake: ~~confusion~~

Wise Snake looks at Rapol oddly.

Alea gets out at the Ferry Building and pays the cabbie.

Wise Snake REALLY looks at Rapol.

Wise Snake: Follows from me not being post?

Alea makes her way slowly up the path to the Ferry Building wondering if Hoity Toity is still there....

Rapol sighs and looks away. "If you *were post, what would we be doing now?"

Alea goes over to the bell.

Alea isn't sure if Snake had transfer yet or not, so she gives it a teensy tiny little tug.

Wise Snake stares at Rapol.

Wise Snake: What would we... oh.

Wise Snake feels faint.

Rapol rubs at his neck. "Yeah."

Alea doesn't want to make too much noise and startle Snake.

Wise Snake hears a small dull ding from the bell and goes over to it, absently pushing it out the window before returning to look at Rapol curiously.

Wise Snake: You assumed... all along... that it would be your duty to...?

Alea screams as she sees the bell flying down at her.

Alea throws her hands up over her head and ducks.

Toi Toi hears a scream outside and jumps up.

Alea feels ~~ pain ~~ as it hits her.

Alea decides that means Snake must NOT have had her transfer yet.

Rapol: ~~ Indignant ~~ "DUTY?!"

Alea turns and heads back down the sidewalk to go walking.

Wise Snake recoils.

Wise Snake stammers like Sky.

Alea rubs her sore head seeing stars.

Rapol realizes what he's done.

Alea suddenly sits down on the curb.

Alea ~~ dizzy ~~

Alea: Ouch.

Rapol tries to drop back into calm.

Wise Snake thinks it would be prudent to retreat to the other side of the room.

Wise Snake: I apologize if I offended you....

Wise Snake: ~~nervously~~

Rapol: No, it's just....

Alea thinks she's not going to make it back to the Center and pushes back up.

Rapol: The answer to that question is yes.

Rapol: And no.

Wise Snake: It is? ~~worried~~

Alea wobbles back to the door and stands there.

Rapol: 'Duty' is not the right word.

Wise Snake: It isn't? ~~confused~~

Alea thinks the banana looks pretty good right now.

Alea signals at the door.

Rapol: But the rest is more or less correct.

Alea looks up to make sure no more flying debris is going to come slamming down on top of her while she waits.

Toi Toi opens the door.

Toi Toi: Hello, oh, it's Oh! [sees the blood]

Toi Toi grabs Alea by the arm.

Alea blinks at Toi Toi wondering why in shenned she is grabbing her again.

Alea: You are not going to do another Judo hold, are you?

Alea ~~ wary ~~

Wise Snake: You thought it would be your... right?

Alea: I'd hate to have to do some Farris something-or-other to you.

Toi Toi: I think you'd better sit down right over here while I get you a bandage.

Alea blinks trying to think of what Farris something she could do to Toi Toi.

Alea: A bandage?

Toi Toi wonders what Farris Gens do to other Gens.

Rapol: No!

Toi Toi pulls Alea over and impels her to sit on the banana.

Alea goes over to the Banana and sits, totally missing it and landing on the floor.

Toi Toi: You missed the couch.

Rapol: It isn't... shouldn't be... about duty. For anyone.

Alea looks down.

Alea: Oh.

Toi Toi tries to pull Alea up but isn't strong enough.

Wise Snake looks oddly at Rapol.

Alea reaches up and grabs for the banana.

Wise Snake: Duty is how I've always seen it.

Alea: Between you and me, Toi Toi, I'm not strong enough either.

Alea: I think I'll just stay here for now.

Wise Snake: Since a channel must do it to maintain health.

Alea sinks back down leaning against the couch.

Alea: Oh!

Alea sees the blood on her hand.

Toi Toi sees Alea's head is bleeding like crazy and would have gotten all over Rapol's banana.

Toi Toi: Well... okay. But you stay still okay?

Alea: Where'd that come from?

Alea frowns.

Alea: That's going too far.

Toi Toi: Your head, dear. You seem to have taken a head injury.

Toi Toi: You just sit right there, okay?

Alea: I mean, I know Farrises get upset and jumpy before transfer... but she coshed me with a BELL.

Alea: I wasn't that much of a threat to Ra... huh? Oh!

Alea: Yeah, I think I will.

Alea notices the blood stain on the yellow banana.

Alea slips her scarf off and covers it up.

Wise Snake zlins Rapol cautiously, then approaches him.

Alea tries to look innocent hoping no one will realize she did that.

Rapol looks at Snake. ~~ sorrow/sympathy ~~

Wise Snake: Do you... feel anything for me in that way? [surprised at the idea, curious]

Rapol starts to get up but stops.

Rapol: [tears brimming in eyes]

Rapol: Yes! Of Course! You have to as-*

Alea decides perhaps the best thing to do is distances herself from the couch.

Alea crawls over toward the stairs and then hauls herself up.

Alea promptly sits back down.

Alea: Bandage?

Alea: Why in the world would she be getting me a bandage when there is a channel in the building?

Alea leans back on her elbows and tries to look up, wondering if she can walk that far with a pounding headache.

Wise Snake takes a step closer automatically, staring into his tear-filled eyes.

Wise Snake: As...?

Toi Toi returns with a medical kit.

Toi Toi: Oh, dear, look at this.

Toi Toi surveys the blood all over everything.

Rapol: Ask.

Alea looks innocently

Alea: Why, where did THAT come from?

Rapol looks away.

Rapol sniffs and rubs at his eyes.

Wise Snake: As what, Rapol? [softly]

Alea: You know, Toiti, all I have to do is have Snake look at this...

Alea: That is... well....

Alea thinks since Snake is the one who GAVE her this... maybe that's not such a good idea.

Rapol: I suppose you did have to ask. The answer is yes.

Alea: Did Snake seem... upset with me when I left, Toi Toi?

Alea thinks that's ridiculous.

Toi Toi: I haven't seen Her since you arrived the first time, Sosu Farris.

Toi Toi starts cleaning the area around the head wound.

Alea: Well... I suppose there's no reason my niece would be upseeeeesheeeen... that hurts!

Alea: Ow ow ow ow....

Wise Snake reaches hesitantly for Rapol's hands.

Alea forces her field flat so she won't disturb any Sime in the area.

Toi Toi: Niece? I thought you said you were cousins.

Rapol looks up at her, sniffing and tear streaked.

Toi Toi changes to a clean cloth and keeps wiping until the wound is located.

Toi Toi: It's smaller than it looks, fortunately. [reports]

Alea: Ah well, that's nice to know. You do know head wounds often look worse than they are.

Alea: I'm sure this one is just... ouch... fine. Really.

Wise Snake: When you told me where you came from, and you said a Gen belonged to a Sime... did you mean in that way as well? In marriage?

Wise Snake's voice lends a peculiar edge to that last word.

Alea bats Toi Toi's hands away.

Alea: I'm fine.

Alea: I didn't even know it was bleeding.

Toi Toi finds a big bottle of antiseptic.

Toi Toi: Now now, hold still. I'm almost done.

Alea: Oh no....

Toi Toi: This will sting just a little.

Alea: Now, I don't want that....

Alea: No....

Alea: Toi Toi, I'm a Donor... I know what I need and don't need.

Toi Toi pours it over the wound.

Rapol: Yes.

Alea: I'm a shendoni Farris... aaaaaaaggggggghhhhh!

Alea: Shen shen shen!!!

Alea grabs her head and bends over.

Toi Toi slaps a bandage over the foaming wound and straps it on with bandage tape.

Toi Toi: There you go, good as new!

Rapol: Of course, if the gender/larity mix doesn't fit, things are more complicated.

Alea: I did NOT... ouch... need... ouch... THAT!

Wise Snake looks in shock.

Alea looks up and glares at Toi Toi.

Alea sees two of her and thinks that's even worse so she looks back down.

Toi Toi smiles to herself and marches away to put away the medical kit.

Alea: If you're done torturing me, I'd like to see my sister.

Rapol: I know that isn't how it is here. But you kept pushing to know what I wanted.

Alea glares at the woman who marches away.

Alea staggers up and starts up the stairs.

Alea: Shendoni.

Wise Snake: You mean... when I offered to... agreed to... you thought...?

Alea: Thought we got rid of B'cal.

Alea: B'cal must be dead, because that's a reincarnation if I've ever seen one.

Wise Snake: I'm sorry, Rapol. I didn't know.

Wise Snake feels wretched.

Alea gets to the second floor and continues on up the stairs.

Alea shoves her hair over her shoulder, realizes her clip is askew and jerks it out.

Alea: Ouch!

Wise Snake: No wonder you wondered how it would work out with both you and Nick around.

Alea looks at the several hairs that came out with the clip.

Alea gets to the third floor and stops, panting, waiting until the dizziness passes before starting down the hall.

Wise Snake clutches Rapol's arms suddenly.

Wise Snake: This changes everything, doesn't it? ~~alarmed~~

Rapol: No, that isn't what I expected. It isn't what I thought you agreed to.

Wise Snake: Are you going to leave me? Do I have to worry? Oh, shen.

Rapol looks away and mumbles. "It's just what I want."

Alea goes up to Snake's door and pauses outside.

Rapol: No.

Wise Snake: I'll do it, Rapol. It's okay, I misunderstood. I'll do it, if that's what it takes to keep you.

Rapol: I'm here, I'm staying.

Alea hears voices and leans against the door, trying to hear what is said... to see if they have had transfer yet....

Rapol: I'm taking what I can get.

Wise Snake: [desperately]

Alea frowns.

Wise Snake: Are you... are you sure?

Wise Snake: ~~worried~~

Rapol: Yes. The other way doesn't work anyway.

Alea hears takes... gets... sure....

Wise Snake: It doesn't?

Alea hears: doesn't work?

Rapol: ~~ firm nager ~~ Yes.

Alea leans her head against the door.

Rapol: [mumbles] "Didn't for me."

Alea doesn't think Snake sounds very post... then again, she is a Farris. Farrises don't get all googly eyed like other channels. At least not the ones she's known.

Wise Snake trembles.

Wise Snake: Rapol....

Alea reaches for the door handle.

Wise Snake: If you are my Donor forever, and if we do not in time develop the relationship you would want with a woman, then you are free to seek that out in any woman you choose, and I will not interfere.

Wise Snake: Do you understand?

Rapol looks at her. "What?"

Alea hesitates over the door handle.

Wise Snake: If you choose a lover, I will welcome her into my family as I have you.

Alea thinks, if they are getting ready for transfer, she really doesn't want to interrupt. If they are done and she is really post, then she doesn't want to disturb that either.

Alea smells a funny smell... some sort of cleaner and her eyes begin to water.

Alea glances around wondering what in shenned Snake is using to clean this place. 7

Alea has an urge to sneeze.

Alea's eyes widen.

Alea knows if she sneezes she might disturb the people on the other side of the door.

Rapol nods.

Rapol: I....

Rapol: I... agree.

Alea thinks, not to mention what it'll do to her head...."AaaCHOOOO!"

Alea covers her mouth.

Alea thinks, shen shen shen!

Rapol: Thank you.

Rapol looks over at the door.

Wise Snake clutches Rapol's arms reflexively at the loud noise.

Alea listens and hears no noise whatsoever now.

Wise Snake lets go after a moment, and forces herself to zlin.

Alea thinks the gig is up. If Snake didn't know before, she knows now.

Rapol moves his field to block whatever-it-is from Snake.

Wise Snake can't believe her laterals.

Wise Snake: Alea??

Alea ~~ guilt ~~

Alea: Uh....

Alea calls through the door.

Alea: Hi Snake. Whatcha doing?

Wise Snake: Er... having an intimate discussion of a private nature with my Donor?

Wise Snake: [calls back]

Alea: Ah... okay.

Alea ~~ great relief ~~

Alea turns the handle and pushes open the door.

Alea: I was afraid you might be having transfer.

Alea: Oh, my. I see you have had transfer.

Alea: You look much better.

Alea steps into the room and smiles.

Alea looks at Rapol, sizing up how his side of the transfer went.

Rapol turns quickly to hide his face from Alea.

Wise Snake unhands Rapol hastily.

Wise Snake: Alea, what...?

Wise Snake backs away, hiding her ronaplin smeared arms behind her back.

Alea smiles.

Alea: Good job, Rapol.

Alea: Keep working on my niece.

Wise Snake sits down at her desk rather shakily.

Alea glances at Snake.

Alea: Please... it's not like I haven't seen, or had ronaplin smeared all over me, Snake. No reason to be embarrassed.

Alea: Er....

Alea blushes as she realizes how that sounded.

Wise Snake: This is... so unexpected.

Rapol fumbles for a handkerchief and wipes at his face.

Wise Snake finds a rag nearby and tries to rub the nearly dry ronaplin off her arms.

Alea looks at Rapol.

Alea's eyes widen.

Alea: You proposed to her!

Alea gapes.

Alea: Oh my....

Rapol: ~~ shock ~~

Wise Snake nearly severs a lateral at Alea's exclamation.

Wise Snake: ~~shock~~

Alea: So, we're going to have a wedding?

Alea: How nice.

Wise Snake throws the rag away.

Wise Snake: Alea!

Alea blinks and stumbles back against the wall.

Alea: What!

Wise Snake jumps up, shaking.

Rapol makes guttural noises in his throat.

Alea has never heard quite that note in Snake's voice before.

Alea: You said this was all so sudden.

Alea: And you did tell me Sky was trying to find you a husband.

Alea: What was I supposed to think?

Alea looks at Rapol.

Alea: You did do the honorable thing, didn't you?

Alea's eyes narrow and she starts toward Rapol.

Wise Snake: Alea!

Rapol struggles to his feet very unsteadily. ~~ shame/embarrassment/urge-to-burst-into-flames-and-die ~~

Wise Snake: Don't.

Wise Snake: Please.

Wise Snake: Shut up!

Wise Snake: [frantically]

Wise Snake: No no!

Alea: If you didn't, so help me, I'll go smear more blood....

Wise Snake interposes herself between Alea and Rapol.

Alea stops and looks at Snake.

Wise Snake: Please....

Alea: Of course, Snake.

Wise Snake thinks Alea has gone flat out of her mind.

Alea ~~ confused ~~

Alea glances at Rapol.

Alea sees the odd look on his face.

Alea: Are you okay?

Rapol tries to leave the room, but has trouble finding a knob on the bookcase.

Alea: You better sit down, you look a bit faint.

Wise Snake: Please... go.

Alea goes over to Rapol to grab his arm.

Wise Snake: No, he is not okay. Please.

Alea: I see that.

Alea: Did you burn him?

Alea: Come on, Rapol.

Alea: Come sit down.

Wise Snake blocks Alea's way physically.

Wise Snake: No!

Wise Snake is near tears of frustration.

Wise Snake: Leave him alone!

Alea stops.

Alea backs up

Rapol snaps his arm to throw Alea off. "Gnrah!"

Alea: I'm... sorry.

Alea backs toward the door.

Wise Snake realizes she is freaking out and tries to take deep breaths.

Alea ~~ soothing ~~

Wise Snake: Alea... look... I'll talk to you okay? I'll come and talk to you about the art.

Alea: Of course, Snake.

Alea: No... no, that's okay.

Alea: I'll just... leave.

Wise Snake: But not right now. I'll come later.

Alea backs up until she finds the door handle.

Alea: No. No, that's okay.

Alea: No problem.

Alea smiles.

Alea: If you'll just excuse me....

Wise Snake watches Alea's progress anxiously.

Alea flees out the door.

Rapol slowly collapses into a pile in front of the bookcase, curling up in his arms.

Toi Toi looks up as Alea runs down the stairs.

Alea doesn't stop but flees out of the Building into the street.

Alea turns down the street and starts walking.

Toi Toi stares after Alea and hopes Snake got a chance to talk to her this time.

Rapol is sobbing convulsively.

Wise Snake remains frozen for a moment longer, then darts to Rapol's side.

Wise Snake: Rapol.... Rapol?

Alea walks down the street until the city thins to forest.

Rapol slows his sobbing. "I'm sorry."

Alea continues to walk.

Rapol: "What was she doing here?"

Rapol: "How does she know all that?"

Wise Snake crouches near Rapol, offering him her hands.

Wise Snake: I don't know.

Wise Snake: Sometimes she just knows things.

Wise Snake: Sometimes she has hunches, and they're close to the truth.

Rapol takes Snake's hands and grips them tightly.

Alea walks until Bender cove is behind her.

Wise Snake: One time, when there was a blizzard, she found shelter here, in this room. That was back before anybody besides me knew I was going to buy this building.

Wise Snake: It was one of the first few nights I had even slept here.

Wise Snake: What are the odds of that happening by accident?

Rapol: She's a Seer then?

Wise Snake: I don't know about that. But she does sometimes know things.

Wise Snake: That's all.

Wise Snake pulls Rapol a little closer to her and hugs him.

Wise Snake is still trembling with reaction.

Wise Snake finds it unnerving that a Donor could have that much emotion where she is concerned.

Rapol hugs Snake to him and sobs on her shoulder.

Alea continues to walk, looking at the bright sunny day and the melting snow around her.

Wise Snake wishes that she had something to give him in return.

Alea suddenly realizes she is out in the middle of nowhere... and she has to go--again.

Rapol slowly slows the sobbing to snuffling.

Rapol: Thank you.

Rapol loosens his grip and tries to get to his feet.

Wise Snake automatically offers assistance.

Alea looks around at the trees since there is no building in sight.

Alea: With my luck, blackbird or Swan Man or some other someone will come along if I try that.

Alea nibbles her lip and clasps her hands squeezing her knees together.

Rapol: ~~ very weak at the knees ~~

Tree: Oh I'm an Old Oak Tree, Swinging in the breeze, [singing]

Tree: And I'd sure enjoy it if you peed on me.

Alea looks at the laaaaaarge oak tree that just might hide her....

Alea: Ooooh.

Tree: Oh my shoots and my roots will grow strong and woody,

Alea: I can make it....

Alea: But to WHERE!

Alea's eyes cross.

Alea has no idea where she is.

Alea: Shendoni.

Rapol leans on Snake as he tries to get his balance.

Alea: I SHOULD have been a channel.

Alea: Channels NEVER get lost.

Tree: If you'd do it and go to it on my footie.

Alea sidesteps over.

Alea: be still little one.

Tree: La la la, tre le le, oh, I love to be a tree....

Tree sways to and fro.

Alea rubs her hand over her tummy to try to convince the child to stop moving and making the situation harder than it is.

Alea gasps when the baby chooses that moment to bounce.

Alea: The tree wins.

Alea makes a dash for it.

Wise Snake supports Rapol physically.

Alea: You know, Baby, if you're going to be a channel, you are going to HAVE to learn control.

Wise Snake is very aware of his physical presence, now that her attention has been drawn to the subject.

Alea moves around the tree and with one last quick glance, lifts her skirt.

Tree sees there is hope.

Alea: Oh this is sooooooooo humiliating.

Alea: How did they do this in the old days?

Alea [bright red]

Alea shivers.

Tree: Ah, what a happy thing it is to be neeeeeeeeeeeded by a beautiful lad-y from the cit-y [singing still]

Alea: And it's cold, too.

Rapol: I think we should both eat something now.

Wise Snake: Wh... what? Oh.

Rapol: ~~ starving ~~

Alea readjusts her little bit of nothing and drops her skirts over it.

Wise Snake drags her attention away from the smell of his skin and the feel of his hands.

Wise Snake: Y-yes. Of course.

Alea thinks she is really going to have to get new underwear. Underwear that looks like Mother's underwear or something.

Alea straightens her skirt and slips around the tree trying to see if anyone is around.

Alea ~~ relief ~~

Alea: No one in sight.

Wise Snake does feel rather hungry now that he mentioned THAT.

Alea moves back out to the road and looks left, then right.

Alea sighs.

Alea turns right and keeps going.

Tree: And I shall shade this lovely glade / and doing her thing she shan't be seen / and I will be the 'nificent Tree / that provided for her every... [oblivious to the fact that she is already gone]

Rapol: Come on. I'll put some porridge on and we'll have fruit while we wait.

Wise Snake: Okay.

Wise Snake follows Rapol closely.

Alea looks around, realizing she has never been here before.

White Stag poises in a sunbeam in the dark woods ahead.

White Stag turns his head seemingly to look at Alea.

Alea sees the white stag, and having had much experience with things white is IMMEDIATELY wary.

Alea thinks, white wolf, white bird, white hare, white witch... uh huh....

Alea decides she is a Farris and looks back arrogantly at the white stag.

Alea: Hello there.

Alea nods.

Alea thinks it's simply mind over matter or some such she has heard.

Alea: Go ahead... give it your worst shot....

Alea: Haven't you ever heard white is suppose to be sacred and lucky?

Alea stares at the stag.

Alea thinks, what in shenned am I doing?

Alea: I'm talking to it.

Alea rubs her head.

Alea thinks every since the witch turned her into a channel that day, things have just not been right.

White Stag turns and crashes into the woods, moving away from Alea.

Alea: Don't do it. Do NOT do it... you're stupid if you do it....

Alea: But you're going to aren't you?

Alea sighs and follows the White Stag.

Alea: Didn't your Sectuib ever get that through your head? That curiosity killed the Donor?

Alea: No. You never would listen to him.

Alea: That's how you ended up a spy.

White Stag's thumping progress can be heard some distance ahead.

Alea goes ahead and follows.

Alea: That's how you ended up in every mess you ended up in.

Alea moves through the brush following the White Stag.

Alea continues to follow the noise.

Alea is shortly out of breath from fighting the underbrush.

Clearing opens up in front of Alea.

Alea looks around the clearing.

Clearing contains a salt lick, a water trough, and strewn around hay.

Alea: How did I know the stag would be gone?

Clearing also has a hedge along one side, with a small white-painted iron gate.

Alea rubs her lower back and moves forward.

Alea sees the gate.

Alea goes over and pushes the white painted iron gate open.

Alea winces at the squeak.

Alea looks around at the garden in surprise.

Garden beyond is a huge formal garden, now dormant for winter.

Alea: This would be really beautiful in the spring.

Alea sighs and walks into the garden, wondering where the shen she is.

Alea: You should just turn around and go back....

Alea: To what?

Alea: You've upset Snake. You'll upset Tarsh if you go in zlinning like you do right now.

Alea: Yeah... go back... no.

Alea shakes her head.

Alea walks to one of the paths and looks down it.

Alea sees a house.

House rises up at the distant end of the garden.

Alea shakes her head in disbelief.

House is a beautiful gothic mansion.

Alea walks down the path to the house.

Alea goes up the steps to the door.

Alea: Oh, my.

White Tiger watches Alea from a window.

Alea wonders if anyone is home.

Butler answers the door.

Alea: Oh!

Butler seems very surprised to see somebody.

Alea suddenly realizes how silly she must seem.

Butler: Yes, may I help you? [looking Alea up and down]

Alea: I... uh... just stumbled across the house.

Alea: I must apologize. I wasn't even thinking. I was drawn here by the beauty of your dormant gardens.

Butler thinks Alea doesn't look homeless.

Alea: I wasn't even sure anyone lived here.

Butler: You have arrived at the rear of the house.

Alea pulls her tattered Farris cloak closer about her and then smoothes her fine leather gloves.

Alea: Oh?

Butler: I assure you, the front is more frequently populated.

Alea: Oh well, I suppose I have.

Alea: The gardens and all.

Alea: Forgive me.

Butler: [dry butlerly amusement]

Alea: I hate to ask this... but... well....

Alea smiles.

Alea: I was out walking and it seems I've gotten lost.

Alea: Can you tell me just where I am?

Butler: Yes. You are two miles southwest of the edge of the town of Bender Cove, on Tripp's Road.

Alea: Ah, I see.

Alea: And southwest is which direction?

Alea: From Bender Cove, I mean.

Butler looks at her incredulously.

Alea smiles apologetically.

Alea: I get turned around very easily.

Alea: I am no good with directions.

Butler: Ah, yes.

Butler: Southwest would be the direction away from the waterfront and away from the Gen Territory border.

Alea: Ah... I see

Alea doesn't see at all.

Alea: Then I could go back this way and find the Border?

Alea points.

Alea sneezes.

Butler: You want to get to the Border?

Alea: I...well... yeah.

Alea: I think so.

Butler flinches back infinitesimally as Alea's sneeze lubricates his shiny brass buttons.

Alea: Oh, dear.

Butler: Of Gen Territory?

Alea reaches for her scarf, realizes she doesn't have it.

Butler thinks Alea doesn't have a lot more than her scarf.

Alea: Unless you know a good Distect group in the area that will take in a Farris. [half-jokes]

Butler stares at Alea.

Alea digs in her pocket and finds a hankie and wipes at Butler's buttons.

Butler: Ah... that is quite all right. [fends off Alea's hankie]

Butler: I am sorry, I know of no such... organization.

Alea slips it back into her pocket.

Alea: Ah, well then.

Butler: The border is that way. [points West] about six miles.

Alea: Okay.

Butler notes Alea's tattered and pregnant condition and wonders what her story is.

Butler: Are you going to walk all that way?

Alea: Yes, I had planned on it.

Alea: I'm in very good physical shape.

Butler: Do you... want some food before you go? The kitchen usually has....

Butler pauses at Alea's words.

Alea: Well, except for where my cousin accidentally threw the bell on my head and wounded it.

Butler looks at her blankly.

Alea: She didn't mean to.

Alea: My cousin would never do that.

Alea: On purpose, that is.

Alea: My cousin is very fond of me.

Butler deduces that Alea is not interested in food.

Butler: I wish you luck on your journey, then.

Butler goes to close the door.

Alea nods.

Alea sighs and turns toward the way the butler pointed.

Alea: Good bye, then.

Alea goes down the stairs.

White Tiger watches from the window as Alea walks past.

Alea walks back to the garden and looks left.

Alea sees the white tiger and smiles softly at it.

Alea turns and walks out of the garden and in the direction of the Border.

Alea realizes her feet are tired and finds a tree to sit down by.

Alea realizes she has no where to go and finally cries.

Rona walks up to the Ferry Building door.

Rona signals at the door.

Rona ~~ need ~~

Toi Toi feeling a bit beleaguered goes to the front door.

Toi Toi: Hello?

Rona: I'm looking for a channel named Snake.

Rona: I'm wanting a transfer.

Toi Toi: Snake is not in right now. Would you like to make an appointment?

Toi Toi: [unclear on the concept]

Rona: You mean I can't get a transfer--now!

Toi Toi: No, Snake isn't in right now.

Toi Toi: She ought to be in later tonight.

Toi Toi: Say, six or seven hours from now?

Rona's tentacles move restlessly.

Rona: Fine.

Toi Toi: You can make an appointment. [helpfully]

Rona: Can I make an appointment then?

Toi Toi: Yes.

Toi Toi gets the appointment book.

Toi Toi: How about... [checks her watch] six hours and twelve minutes from now?

Rona estimates and then nods.

Rona: That'll be fine.

Toi Toi: Your name please?

Rona: Rona.

Toi Toi writes it in.

Rona: Rona Rampant.

Toi Toi: Sorry for the inconven... [chokes]

Toi Toi: Ahem, yes. We'll see you then.

Rona nods.

Toi Toi closes the door.

Rona turns and walks off.

Briel walks down the hall toward her office.

Briel rubs at her neck.

Briel goes to Veraik's door and signals instead.

Briel forces herself to keep her nager closed.

Veraik opens the door. "Briel! Hello. Do come in."

Briel steps into the room and shuts the door behind her, and then falls into Veraik's arms.

Briel ~~ desire to be held ~~

Veraik takes her and cuddles.

Briel: Oh shen, Veraik, I need someone to talk to.

Veraik strokes her hair. "What's the matter, Briel?"

Briel: It has been one shenned day.

Briel shudders.

Briel: One shenned week.

Veraik leads her to the couch.

Briel: How do you do it?

Veraik shrugs.

Briel: I screwed my transfer up yesterday. I'm sure you've heard about that by now.

Briel: And I went ahead and assigned Alea to Jirelle even though you thought Alea should stop working this month.

Briel ~~ defensive ~~

Briel: And then I had to call Lanyi on the carpet.

Veraik: Yes. How are you feeling now?

Briel: Shen!

Briel sinks into the couch and rubs at her temples.

Shonie clumps up the front steps of the Sime Center, spurs jingling.

Briel: How am I feeling?

Shonie adjusts the strap of her shiltpron case, spits on the porch's floorboards, and pushes the door open.

Briel: I'm half scared out of my mind that I'm going to go attack Frutata for what he offered me!

Briel: I'm not sure if I'm post or so scared of being post....

Veraik takes over rubbing Briel's temples as he projects a soothing field.

Briel shudders.

Briel: shendoni.

Briel groans.

Briel: I hate this job sometimes.

Shonie surveys the lobby, spits on the floor and walks up to the front desk in a bowlegged fashion.

Briel: Who do you turn to when you don't know what to do?

Veraik's field turns to offering.

Shonie: Ah'm a lookin' for EEEEEliza Furdns, you got anyboddy by that name round here? [drawls]

Briel wants the friendship and leans into Veraik.

Briel: Tell me, Veraik....

Clerk looks at the amazing person in front of him.

Shonie removes a large weed from between her lips and grins slowly, revealing one gold tooth.

Shonie: (also a wad of chew)

Briel: Where do you go when you're all alone and making decisions you don't like?

Briel: Where do you turn?

Clerk translates the drawl in his head and decides that Eliza is the most likely candidate.

Veraik: Come with me. The only way to be sure that you do not fear post is to have it.

Briel: I am sick over facing Lanyi today.

Shonie is a renSime cowgirl of dubious virtues.

Veraik takes a tentacle in one of his own.

Veraik: Briel. Being controller IS being alone.

Clerk: Yes, I believe we do.

Clerk thinks, "well, that answers that," and returns to his paperwork.

Veraik: In fact, being Sime means being alone.

Briel leans back into the sofa.

Briel rubs at her head again.

Veraik: We all survive it and continue.

Shonie pauses, a long pause.

Briel: I didn't know what to do with her today, Veraik.

Shonie chews thoughtfully, the grass stalk bouncing up and down.

Veraik massages her shoulders and head.

Briel slowly relaxes.

Briel finally looks up at Veraik.

Briel: I think Alea can work one more month.

Briel: I am firm in that.

Briel: I've already posted the list assigning her to Jirelle.

Clerk notices that the person didn't go away and looks up again

Clerk: Can I help you further?

Shonie: Do y'all reckon I could have a word with young ee-liza any time soon? [drawls sarcastically]

Veraik looks at Briel. "If that is what you want but that will just be another stress factor in your life but then if that is what you would like to do that you is what your next lesson will be."

Clerk: Ah I see, well please take a seat, [looks at spurs] errr wait here and I'll see if I can have someone fetch her for you.

Briel glares at Veraik.

Briel: I just KNEW you'd say something like that.

Briel: And I suppose that's just something I'll have to learn, then, isn't it?

Briel: But I think Alea can handle it.

Briel: Besides, if she isn't with someone this month, she'll just keep going around flaunting her field at every channel in need.

Veraik looks at Briel but continues to massage.

Veraik: You could always just take her field down.

Briel: I'm going to have to go talk to Frutata.

Briel looks disconcerted.

Briel hadn't thought of that.

Clerk has someone go for Eliza.

Briel isn't going to tell him that though.

Briel thinks SHENDONI big time.

Veraik: Changing the subject so soon?

Briel leans her head back and looks at Veraik.

Shonie clumps over to a couch and removes her shiltpron from its case.

Eliza comes into the lobby to see who this mysterious visitor is.

Shonie begins tuning it up.

Veraik gently squeezes Briel.

Shonie sees Eliza.

Shonie: Well, hello, there dear. Ready for your first lesson?

Shonie: By the way, I can see why yer so frustrated n' all at work. Look et this place!

Briel: I'm simply changing the subject because this is something we have to discuss.

Shonie gestures about the lobby.

Shonie: What this place needs is a little music to liven it up! [raising her voice]

Briel: Frutata and I were having transfer... and for some reason... evidently in his culture... well....

Veraik: I'm listening. [gentle knowing smile]

Briel: He touched my disjuncted pathways....

Shonie begins to play.

Veraik zlins.

Shonie: "In mah Youuuuuuuth, when ah was a Chaaaaaaaald"

Veraik: Would you like me to deep zlin you?

Briel: I... yes, please

Eliza: Shonie!

Briel ~~ nervous ~~

Shonie: "May first ponyyyyyyyyy, hit barbed wiiiiiiiiiiiire"

Eliza grins from ear to ear as she recognises that wonderful playing.

Veraik: But you must know already that if there was any damage.

Veraik: Turn around and give your field to me.

Shonie plays a spunky C&W tune with dolorous nageric overtones.

Briel turns and holds her arms out to Veraik.

Shonie: "May first puppyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, caught a rabbit traaaaaaaaaap"

Briel ~~ offering ~~

Shonie stops.

Shonie: Hey EEliza, you wan' give it a try?

Shonie hands her the shiltpron.

Veraik takes Briel then touches lips to begin what he hopes will end up with good news.

Eliza claps her hands in delight.

Shonie: Don't be shy. Everybody had to pick it up their first time once in their life.

Eliza: Oh! Can I!

Shonie grins from ear to ear, then spits on the lobby floor.

Briel ~~ offering nervous ~~

Shonie: Shure thing.

Eliza: Well, maybe we could go some place more, private [looks around the lobby at the stunned people]

Shonie looks around at them, then snorts.

Shonie: Child, you're going to hafeta learn to play before an audience if you ever want to get anywheres.

Shonie: You sit your little self right on down here and let me teach you a thing or two.

Veraik zlins her pathways leading to the junct pathways.

Briel trembles in Veraik's grip.

Eliza takes the instrument and sits where indicated.

Shonie: Now, just put your hands here, and here.

Shonie guides Eliza's hands.

Veraik zlins the sensitive area but does not push at it.

Shonie: And then think about the words in your song, how they make you feel.

Eliza gently touches the strings.

Eliza: But I don't know any songs, really.

Veraik quickly checks the rest of her body for problem areas.

Shonie: Okay, I'll teach you one real quick like.

Shonie: It's called "Dang my Doggie left me."

Shonie: It's a real sad song.

Eliza tries to say it. "Dang my Doggie left me."

Veraik breaks contact and looks into her eyes.

Briel ~~ worry ~~

Briel: Well?

Veraik: You are safe.

Eliza tries to ignore the worried and startled looks of the people in the lobby.

Shonie: Yep. By the time I get done with you, you'll be able to make a whole room of Simes break down in tears when you sing that song, and pay you for the privilege!

Briel's knees give out and she collapses in a heap of relief.

Veraik: You were able to stop just in time. A little more and then may have been a problem.

Veraik holds her.

Briel: He had no idea, Veraik.

Briel begins to sob.

Briel: He is a wonderful Donor.

Eliza thinks that sounds cool too.

Briel: But... he had no idea.

Briel: His culture is evidently different.

Veraik: You should be proud of yourself, and this should reinforce how well your disjunction has held and will continue to hold.

Briel: You don't know what it feels like to be junct.

Briel's eyes suddenly glitter.

Briel: Oh shen, the taste....

Briel shudders.

Shonie: Now here's the first chord. Squeeze this thang here, and then brush your fingers lightly along these tines. This one, this one, and this one.

Veraik: No I don't but I am glad that you are putting up the good fight.

Shonie: Hear that?

Eliza: So what do I do now?

Briel looks at Veraik looking very junct at that moment.

Eliza: Yes.... [tries to copy what Shonie did with a slightly different result]

Briel: It's not something you ever forget.

Veraik shudders with the nager ripples of remembrance.

Shonie: Now you do that, and sing the first lahn. It goes, "MAH DAWGIE DONE LEFT ME... AND AH AIM SO BLUUUUUUUUU"

Jorgre comes walking into the lobby... and goes down onto one knee at the sound.

Shonie belts out the first line in a whiskey voice.

Jorgre curls in on himself.

Veraik nods. "I understand as best as a non-junct can."

Briel forces the memory from her mind.

Eliza repeats the cord and sings, very softly and tentatively - with lots of nervous overtones - the line.

Briel: I wanted it so bad... it's scary to know how easily I could have taken....

Veraik wraps his tentacles about her shoulders and neck and starts to massage once again.

Briel: Frutata has control... if he hadn't been startled or hesitated or whatever... I'm afraid....

Briel shudders.

Briel: He is a good man.

Veraik: Yes, but you did it Briel. You did it.

Briel: I think he should only be with nonjuncts though, from now on.

Briel nods.

Jirelle comes into the lobby with a renSime who's just had transfer.

Veraik: I agree.

Briel: Remind me of that during my needmares I'll be having.

Eliza looks up at Shonie for confirmation that that was right

Jirelle stops dead in the door way, while the renSime continues on to the front door in a considerable hurry.

Shonie: Yeah! Yeah, that was great. Try to be a little less nervous though, hon. Audiences ken sense fear, jes like animals.

Veraik: I think you should have a Donor sleep with you all month, just as a precaution.

Jorgre goes hyper.

Shonie: Oh, en... move yer little finger there. Yer hitten a sour note.

Shonie moves Eliza's finger.

Briel looks up

Briel: Yes, I would like that.

Eliza repeats the cord and the line with a little bit more confidence.

Jorgre winces.

Jorgre staggers to his feet, then staggers to the left and right... making his way over to where Jirelle is standing.

Jirelle stares at Jorgre incredulously for some confirmation of what she's hearing/zlinning/seeing, then realizes he is in no condition to respond.

Veraik: Good.

Briel: I'll get Eliza then.

Veraik smiles. "And now how about post? Have you had it yet?"

Briel: She needs practice in that area.

Eliza repeats it again.

Shonie: Wow. You sure do need some work on controllin yer nager, and you'll need to develop your ear, and your sengin' on pitch, but them's minor details, girl, I do believe yer a Natural!

Jorgre chivalrously tries to block the worst of it from Jirelle.

Shonie claps Eliza on the shoulder in congratulations.

Jorgre feels his teeth vibrating in pain.

Jorgre: Different isn't it? I've never heard a note quite like that.

Jirelle blinks through sudden tears.

Briel: Of course I took care of it.

Jirelle: It's so... it's so sad!

Briel: haven't you seen me....

Veraik: All right then. You can get Eliza.

Briel feels something odd crawling up her spine.

Briel: What in shenned is that creepy feeling in the nager?

Jirelle isn't sure what is sadder, the ambient, the Gen's lamentable lack of skill at the shiltpron, or the waste of a perfectly good Donor on this sort of musical career.

Eliza smiles delightfully and plays it again with lots of joy.

Eliza: ~~~~joy~~~~ "MAH DAWGIE DONE LEFT ME...AND AH AIM SO BLUUUUUUUUU"

Jorgre's skin crawls.

Jorgre turns green.

Jirelle's eyes fly open wide as suddenly JOY slams through the ambient.

Jirelle: Oh... oh!!!

Eliza: What's the next bit!

Jorgre is blasted both ways by joy and staggers back against he wall, sagging.

Jirelle feels queasy as she HEARS agony coming from the shiltpron, sadness from the lyrics, and Giddy Joy in the ambient.

Briel suddenly feels better.

Veraik zlins the ambient. "I don't know. Just ignore it."

Briel: I don't know, it's gone now.

Briel sighs.

Briel ~~ relief and easing ~~

Veraik massages her lower back.

Shonie: Now, it goes, "AHHH SERCHED FOR HOURRRRRRRRRSSSSSS ALONG THE HAIGHWAY TOOOOOO....."

Jorgre: Can you make out what the shenned that woman is saying? [whispers to Jirelle]

Shonie: Think sort of plaintive when you play thet one, lake you been searchin for hours yourself.

Eliza plays the same cord (the wrong one for the line) and sings "AHHH SERCHED FOR HOURRRRRRRRRSSSSSS ALONG THE HAIGHWAY TOOOOOO....." sooooo happily.

Eliza: Oh! I see.

Shonie winces.

Jorgre turns and grabs the wall....

Shonie: Oh yeh.. I ferget to tell ya... a different chord thes time.

Jorgre is certain the creature from hell has risen in the lobby.

Shonie sticks a finger in one ear, wiggles it, then pops it out.

Eliza thinks about the dog she left behind and repeats the line with tears in her eyes.

Shonie: UGGghh!!!! Wait.

Shonie grabs Eliza's hands.

Jorgre feels tears begin to stream down his face as he weeps over the misery she is putting out in the song.

Shonie moves her hands to the second chord.

Veraik massages Briel's shoulders and whispers an invitation.

Shonie: Here... here.

Briel: Oh, Veraik... I just don't know....

Briel ~~ sad ~~

Eliza: Ah! I see. Like this?

Jirelle starts crying too, helplessly, both at the sadness in the song, whatever Jorgre is sad about, and how incredibly out of tune the singing is.

Eliza: "AHHH SERCHED FOR HOURRRRRRRRRSSSSSS ALONG THE HAIGHWAY TOOOOOO....." ~~~ deep sorrow ~~~

Jirelle: Ohhhhhh bAWWWWWWWWWWllllll!!!! [tears like fountains]

Jorgre moves over to Jirelle to comfort her and ends up weeping on her shoulder.

Briel: Perhaps if we could just....

Veraik nods and doesn't suggest it again.

Jirelle clings to Jorgre in helpless abandon.

Briel looks at Veraik.

Briel: Could you just hold me?

Eliza is deaf to everything happening around her - which probably explains her singing.

Veraik: Of course I can.

Briel: I would like the comfort of another Sime right now. Someone who knows....

Shonie: Well, ye certainly have a lot of power to yer singen... and yer projectin.

Veraik snuggles Briel to him and hopes that she doesn't notice the evidence.

Briel moves into Veraik's arms and lays her head against his broad chest.

Eliza: Probably from growing up on a farm and having to holler a lot.

Eliza nods and sings it again.

Shonie is fortunate enough to be somewhat zlin-blind due to too many years of concert-volume performances.

Jorgre straightens up and wipes at his tears before pulling out a handkerchief and wiping at Jirelle's tears.

Jorgre: Are you okay, Jirelle?

Jirelle: Oh, Oh, I don't know, I'm just so... I'm just so... Saaaaahaha ha ha hah addddd [bawling]

Eliza finally hears the sound of crying and looks up to see Jorgre and Jirelle collapsed around each other and sobbing.

Eliza: Hey look! You were right!

Jorgre slips his arms around Jirelle.

Shonie beams.

Jorgre: It's okay, Jirelle.

Jorgre: The torture won't last forever.

Shonie: Yep, you got nachral talent girl.

Veraik zlins the soft nager and smells the sweetness of her scent as she buries himself into her desires for comfort.

Eliza's joy of achievement suddenly becomes horror as she realises she is probably not going to be in the good books for this.

Jorgre: Try going hypo, it helps

Jirelle knows a sudden shock of horror as the shiltpron amplifies Eliza's realization.

Jirelle: ~~~~horror~~~~

Eliza: Oh no! [to Shonie] I think maybe we should go somewhere more private. But just before we do - will you excuse me for just a moment?

Jirelle clamps her hands to the side of her face and her hair stands up.

Jorgre ~~ horror shock ~~

Jorgre sucks in a harsh breath.

Eliza carefully puts the instrument down and rushes towards the two channels.

Jirelle seems to be stuck in a silent scream.

Jorgre's teeth are clenched together in agony.

Eliza: ~~worry/concern~~ Jirelle! Jorgre, are you all right?

Shonie: Wahl sure, I.. er... [watches Eliza run off]

Briel sighs and finally moves back

Jorgre looks at Eliza as if she has two heads that are made of primary colors.

Shonie picks up the discarded shiltpron and damps the resonance of the tines, stilling its effect on the ambient.

Jorgre: Have you heard the word, Control, Eliza.

Jorgre shudders, not certain he isn't going to be sick.

Eliza blushes.

Jorgre: The... conference room perhaps would be a better place to... er... learn.

Veraik simply holds Briel, enjoying the feeling of being together.

Jirelle's hair slowly wilts down toward a more normal position, and her bulging eyes start to dart this way and that erratically instead of stare straight ahead.

Jorgre shudders again, realizes he is still grabbing Jirelle and carefully releases her, after smoothing at her hair.

Briel finally steps back and smiles.

Briel: Thank you, Veraik.

Eliza decides to ignore Jorgre for the moment, as Jirelle looks in worst condition. Besides which, she is familiar with Jirelle.

Eliza: Jirelle? ~~ careful offer of support which she isn't sure will be appreciated right now ~~

Jorgre thinks he has always enjoyed zlinning Eliza... but wow... he's not sure if he'll ever zlin her the same again.

Jorgre carefully goes duo to zlin her.

Eliza: I'm sorry, Shonie suggested it would be better if we had an audience.

Jorgre decides he just can't do it.

Shonie uses the opportunity to tug a flask of grocklammel from her vest pocket and has a few swigs.

Jorgre stays hypo.

Jirelle responds to Eliza's nager.

Jorgre moves back.

Jorgre: If you'll excuse me.

Jorgre hurries down the hall.

Jirelle begins to calm down a little, though her hands are still pressed over her mouth.

Eliza: I'm sorry! [calls after him]

Jorgre is looking for a bathroom to be thoroughly sick in before he has a collapse.

Eliza: Oh, shen.

Jirelle finally rests on Eliza's familiar nager.

Jirelle: Wow... that was....

Eliza: What happened? I mean, was my playing that bad?

Jirelle realizes THAT's what all that was.

Jirelle turns bright red at how she'd reacted.

Jirelle: NO!

Jirelle: No no!

Jirelle: Oh no. You're playing was just FINE.

Jirelle: ~~~embarrassed~~~

Veraik sighs heavily at the loss of Briel's touch and yet his Sime senses are relieved.

Jirelle: I guess I've just been... sheltered from that kind of music, that must be it, yeah.

Eliza: Then why were you crying?

Briel: I suppose I should let you get back to work.

Jirelle: Well it was for... for the beauty of your playing of course! [protests]

Briel: Thank you, Veraik, for taking the time to see me.

Veraik nods. "I guess."

Veraik: Anytime, Briel.

Briel moves forward and kisses Veraik on the cheek.

Briel: Later, hajene.

Jirelle realizes she's holding her own hands hard enough to hurt and lets go hastily.

Eliza thinks maybe the lyrics got to Jirelle, but she would have expected more emotional strength from Jorgre.

Briel turns and opens the door.

Jirelle: And the shock afterward, well... that was just the surprise of realizing that was our own Eliza up there!

Eliza: Yes - it's a sad song. I'm sorry it made you cry though. Are you feeling better now?

Jirelle: Making all that beautiful music.

Veraik holds his breath at the kiss.

Veraik: Yes, Briel?

Jirelle: I felt great the whole time. You're the best, Eliza. [would be wagging her tail if she was a dog]

Eliza blushes thinking it wasn't that good and that Jirelle is just being, well, Jirelle.

Briel slips out the door, with a short backward glance at Veraik

Jirelle: I hope that you play again for me sometime very soon. I only wish I didn't have to go off to work again right now.

Eliza: Would you like to hear some more then?

Eliza: Come on, we will... oh.

Jirelle hopes Eliza doesn't obsess on that bit about having to go work right now.

Eliza: What a pity.

Briel pulls the doors closed behind her.

Jirelle: Oh, isn't it?? But I was RIGHT in the middle of picking up the next transfer when I heard your... musical talent and was just... swept... away.

Eliza looks up at the board. "But you aren't working at the moment, are you Jirelle?"

Veraik sighs then turns back to his paperwork.

Eliza: I thought you had finished. [looks around the now empty lobby]

Jirelle: Er... [realizes the lobby is utterly deserted including the clerk]

Eliza: We don't seem to have any customers anyway. Why don't you come over and meet Shonie?

Jirelle: Er well... maybe somebody is waiting outside? I'd better go check.

Jirelle bolts out the front door.

Jirelle hopes that wasn't too abrupt.

Eliza looks at the smoking floor where Jirelle once stood.

Eliza: Boy, she moves quick!

Eliza walks back over to where Shonie is taking a swig from a bottle.

Shonie: Whoop!

Shonie jams the bottle back into her vest pocket.

Eliza: Gee, I didn't thank you for coming down here did I Shonie. I really appreciate this.

Shonie: No problem 'Liza, for talent like yers.

Eliza: Would you like to come to [thinks quick] well, the conference room may be free.

Shonie: When do ya want me teh come down agin?

Eliza: You have to go now? ~~disappointed~~ Would you like some tea, or something to eat?

Eliza doesn't want her to go yet and tries to think of some way to entice her to stay.

Eliza: ~~ enticing ~~

Eliza hopes that none of the Channels come into the lobby.

Shonie: Well, sure honey, I wouldn't mind a bite to eat round about now.

Eliza: Oh great! ~~ friendly delight ~~ come this way then, can I carry that for you?

Eliza reaches for the Shiltpron.

Eliza: Maybe I should buy one hey? [remembers that her wages were stolen] Well, maybe one day. Are they very expensive?

Shonie: Ah'd better put et back in the case first. Then you can carry it kay honey?

Shonie: You can spend just as much money as you want on a shiltpron, but the cheapest ones is about the cost of a broken down wagon and a lame mule.

Eliza thinks it's wonderful to have found someone in Bender Cove who she can understand.

Eliza: I have a farm back in Cooper's Creek. I've been thinking that I should see if I could sell it

Shonie: I reckon you ought to be able to set yerself up with a jug o' whiskey and a shiltpron that won't put your eye out, fer that. [agrees]

Eliza leads her to the cafeteria and puts the Shiltpron carefully on a table.

Eliza: It's informal here, you can just help yourself to whatever you like.

Eliza concentrates on how delicious everything is and how hungry she is.

Shonie: Well, let's see here.

Shonie takes one of everything.

Eliza, remembering her diet, takes some fruit and a glass of water.

Shonie is glad Eliza is picking up food for her since her hands are full with Eliza's.

Eliza leads Shonie, with the laden tray, back to the table.

Eliza: You sure must be hungry Shonie!

Shonie: Ah sure am.

Shonie: Now, let me show you the right way to et yer food. If you're going to be a proper musician, there's right and wrong ways to eat.

Shonie: Bet you didn't know that.

Eliza: No, I didn't!

Eliza watches with interest.

Shonie switches around their two trays and bites into Eliza's fruit.

Shonie: Now....

Eliza: but!

Shonie: First ya take the toast like this, and dip it in your soup.

Shonie demonstrates, and hands the results to Eliza.

Eliza decides not to upset Shonie in case she leaves.

Eliza takes the soggy toast and takes a small bite.

Shonie: NO no no.

Shonie: Ya gotta stuff it all in your mouth at once. All on one side, to make your cheek stick out.

Shonie: Then chew with your mouth open.

Shonie: The reason for this is, a musician has to be able to sing real good, and how are you supposed to sing good without taking care of your body?

Eliza thinks that her father would have killed her for that!

Eliza doesn't want to lose Shonie so complies.

Eliza: [chew chew splutter splutter]

Eliza: ~~ yum yum ~~

Shonie: Now, don't food taste better when ya eat it that way?

Eliza nods obediently.

Shonie: Folks weren't meant to be all rigid about their daily lives, control is for nagers.

Eliza hopes that Mostan won't see her doing this.

Shonie: Remember that, honey, these are words of wisdom. "Control is for Nagers".

Eliza repeats "control is for nagers" and spits food on the table.

Shonie: You waste all your attention on little old things like holding your knees together like a lady and keeping your lips shut when you chew, you ain't never gonna make it at nothin' else.

Shonie spits seeds at the floor.

Eliza wades through the double negatives and reaches what she thinks is the answer.

Eliza: Okay.

Shonie: Now, that might be a little hard to swallow, so then ye take yer beer... [looks around, realizes there is none]... or whatever, and drink it at the same time. Loosens everythin' up.

Eliza looks at the floor and tries not be be distressed.

Eliza follows Shonie's lead and picks up her glass.

Shonie: What's the matter kid, childhood in-hib-itions getting you down?

Shonie: Don't worry, that'll fade with practice.

Eliza: I guess.

Shonie: Remember, all that effort you put ento being mother's little angel is what yer gonna put into having the perfectly controlled nager from now on.

Eliza tries to drink with her mouth full of half chewed toast and dribbles most of it down her front.

Shonie: Sime audience doesn't give a rap what you're doing with your elbows, long as your nager is doing the hula with their erogenous zones.

Eliza: Ib'd libe to had a berbiply compoled mager.

Eliza puts the glass down and tries to wipe off her top.

Shonie: We'll haveta get you a bib til you've mastered the basics.

Shonie has finished the last piece of fruit and now drinks Eliza's water.

Eliza painfully swallows the lump in her throat.

Shonie: Now, take that bowl o' leftover soup with crumbs in it, and whoop it all down in one draft.

Shonie: The trick is not teh think about it too much as it goes down.

Eliza sighs and picks up her plate and swigs the soup.

Eliza manages to get at least some of it in her mouth.

Eliza wonders how she can stop this torture continuing.

Eliza feels very ~~ full ~~

Eliza feels that if she eats another bite she will burst.

Shonie zlins that ELiza is full.

Shonie: Well then, now I'll teach you the right way to go to the bathroom like a musician.

Eliza looks at Shonie, her eyes wide with horror.

Notes:

1) It is difficult to say which figures Lanyi is using, as Jon Drake's first Donor assignment was actually to Briel, a First Order channel. [return]

2) According to Jacqueline Lichtenberg's  recent explanation of underdraw on the Virtual Selyn email list, neither Jon Drake or Eliza could have suffered from underdraw prior to their beginning training as Tecton Donors. It is more likely that they were instead feeling the effects of a strong psychological need-to-serve that, going unidentified for some time, led to various stress related physical ailments. [return]

3) There has been some speculation that Jon Drake is a Tigue. [return]

4) This appears to be a difference in definitions. Lanyi is using "high order" to refer to any channel or Gen with Donor potential, while Briel is using "high order" to refer to those with potential to be Firsts. In either case, it is not unusual for a family with one channel or Donor-potential Gen to have more. [return]

5) If Eliza actually carried the Farris gene, she would have been a natural First. [return]

6) Some time passes between these two scenes. [return]

7) Actually, this was established in a previous episode to be Farris hand soap, since nothing else was available at the time. [return]

Go on to Episode #191: A Peaceful Place

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