Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #201: Rehearsals (3/29/98)
Griff comes into the Sime Center lobby, looking eagerly around to see the sights.
Griff really liked the ooky changeover he saw two days before.
Mostan is reading a Simelan magazine.
Griff likes ooky things.
Mostan: [In the lobby]
Griff is about 13, just Established, and still very much a snot-nosed kid.
Mostan zlins Griff. "Good Afternoon."
Griff sees Mostan, with his neat tentacles, and thinks enviously that they would be perfect for really grossing out his older sister.
Griff: Hello.
Griff drifts closer, still staring at Mostan's tentacles.
Griff: Those are cosmic!
Griff: Can I have some?
Mostan zlins Griff.
Griff: ~~ Gen ~~
Mostan: I'm afraid not. Gens don't get tentacles.
Griff pouts.
Griff: That's no fair!
Mostan shrugs. "Life is often like that, I'm afraid."
Mostan: But as a Gen you can donate selyn.
Mostan adds, "And get paid for it."
Griff thinks that over.
Griff: My brother Pleb said donating was ooky. [hopeful]
Griff remembers how grossed out their sister was when Pleb explained that he'd been ordered to donate.
Mostan pauses, trying to decide if 'ooky' is a positive or negative quality.
Mostan zlins hopefulness.
Mostan: Well, there is the ronaplin from the lateral tentacles.
Mostan: And the lip contacts.
Griff: Ronna-plan?
Griff isn't too impressed by the lip contact bit; kissing is for sissies.
Jelana walks into the lobby and moves to support Mostan.
Mostan: A selyn-conducting hormone secreted by these glands in the arms. [points]
Griff draws closer, peering at the lumps on Mostan's arms.
Griff: Is it gooky?
Mostan: Many people think so.
Griff: They do?
Mostan neglects to mention that many of them have never touched any.
Mostan: Yes. And others say it feels funny.
Griff thinks this donating thing is starting to sound like authentic, sister-grossing material.
Jelana ~~ support ~~
Griff: Funny how?
Jelana smiles at Mostan's description to the young person.
Mostan: Kind of ... tingly.
Griff: Oh.
Griff thinks that "tingly" can be redescribed in other, ookier terms for the benefit of siblings.
Griff thinks about smearing his sister with tingly gook.
Griff: Are you sure I can't have tentacles?
Mostan: Yes I am, sorry. Quite sure.
Jelana thinks it's interesting the young boy wants tentacles so badly.
Griff tries to think of a way to trick his sister into association with the gooky tentacles.
Griff's schemes are all insanely complicated, but hey, if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right.
Mostan: You can donate and find out what it's like yourself....
Griff frowns as he weighs the first part of that assertion.
Griff thinks that it's only worth getting in this much trouble for a sure thing.
Griff thinks, in any case, he should get a scary story out of it, that will impress all his friends, and maybe even Big Brother.
Griff: Yeah.
Jelana continues to support Mostan.
Mostan gestures thanks at Jelana.
Griff likes the idea more and more, the more he thinks about it.
Mostan: If you come over here, we can fill out some paperwork for you.
Griff: That's boring, just like school.
Mostan: Yes it is, but like school, some things just have to be put up with.
Jelana moves over and snags a clipboard and passes it to Mostan.
Griff: Oh, all right. [grudgingly] Will it take long?
Wise Snake walks up the front steps of the Sime Center.
Griff is in a hurry to get to the ooky part.
Mostan: Not too long. What's your name and address?
Nick makes sure that he's at maximum support as they enter the disaster zone.
Griff: Griff. Griff Gussleman.
Mostan writes it down.
Griff: We live on the base outside Eastcove.
Griff: There's lots of soldiers there.
Griff: And big guns that go BANG!!
Mostan: Are there really?
Griff's voice gives some indication of the gun's volume.
Mostan notes that he has never donated before.
Griff: Yeah. They use them to hunt down Simes and shoot them in the guts.
Wise Snake walks in to the lobby, wearing a wince in preparation.
Griff is delighted at the thought of guts.
Mostan: That must be very scary!
Griff: Yeah!
Griff: But my brother Pleb isn't scared.
Wise Snake goes to the front desk.
Wise Snake: Is Tramila in?
Mostan: I'm sure he isn't
Griff: He's one of the Wildcats.
Griff: They're the best.
Jelana moves closer to Mostan to continue support.
Bosis: I'm sorry, Hajene Tramila is off duty at the moment, Hajene Snake.
Nick follows, glued to Snake's side.
Jelana is determined to keep a close eye on the new channel she is working with.
Mostan is distressed by mention of gut-shooting, and takes refuge on Jelana's nager.
Wise Snake: Off duty??
Wise Snake: Er, do you know where she is?
Wise Snake: I'd kind of like to talk to her.
Bosis: I'm afraid so.
Griff: They're the ones who are called in to hunt down rogue Simes.
Bosis: Can I take a message for her? [gets pad and pencil]
Bosis looks over at the board.
Griff smiles with a little boy's hero-worship.
Mostan works through the other basic items on the form.
Mostan: A wildcat?
Griff: Yeah, the Wildcats. They're the best unit on base. Maybe in the whole Army.
Mostan: Well, that's enough on this paper, I think. Would you like to come with me and Sosu Jelana?
Griff: Sure.
Wise Snake: Yeah. Just tell her that Snake wants to talk to her.
Mostan: I have a friend here who says he was in Madison's Madmen back during the war.
Alea walks down the stairs and into the lobby.
Bosis writes it down.
Jelana is surprised.
Jelana: Madison's Madmen?
Jelana thinks that should impress the young man.
Griff looks around, so he'll be able to describe the scene for his sister, and sees a Sime who looks more like a Sime should look: scrawny, unkempt, and half-wild.
Bosis: I'll give this to her as soon as she gets in.
Jelana is certainly impressed, not realizing there were any of those still alive.
Bosis: Can I do anything else for you today?
Alea sees Snake.
Alea grins.
Alea: ~~ pleasure ~~
Griff drifts over to get a closer look.
Alea: Snake!
Mostan: Yeah. Tamlen says he was there for the whole war.
Alea hurries over toward the front desk.
Griff stares at Snake.
Jelana remembers the Donor and thinks he just might be that old.
Jelana is a very young Donor.
Jelana: I had no, idea, Hajene Mostan, that Tamlen lived back then.
Jelana: And you're friends with him?
Jelana looks at Mostan closer, wondering just HOW old Mostan is.
Mostan: Well, we just met a couple of months ago.
Jelana: Oh.
Jelana realizes she interrupted a channel working.
Jelana: That's interesting.
Jelana: ~~ support ~~
Wise Snake looks over at Alea. [a bit nervously]
Mostan waits for Griff to finish examining Snake.
Wise Snake: Ah... hello, Alea.
Alea walks up to Snake.
Wise Snake feels Griff's attention on her and darts a look in that direction.
Alea: ~~ field carefully controlled ~~
Mostan wonders if Griff is wondering if Snake will give him the tentacles Mostan has denied him.
Alea: What brings you here today?
Griff: Are you a channel, too?
Wise Snake: Er... [starts to talk to Alea, but is distracted by Griff's question]
Wise Snake: Yes.
Alea sees the child and falls silent, waiting for Snake to finish.
Wise Snake studies Griff with a touch of suspicion, since she'd overheard them talking about armies and the like before.
Alea: ~~ soothing ~~
Griff: You look different from him. [nods towards Mostan]
Mostan takes that as a compliment and smoothes his hair back.
Griff thinks that Snake looks a lot more exciting.
Jelana notes the action and smiles.
Wise Snake looks emaciated, grimy, wild-haired, has creepy pale eyes and is wearing a black cape.
Alea shifts from one foot to the other, rubbing her lower back.
Wise Snake blinks.
Wise Snake: Who are you?
Griff: I'm Griff Gussleman.
Griff: I wanted tentacles, ooky ones with lots of blood, like I saw before, but he says I can't have them.
Wise Snake frowns, wondering why that name seems so familiar.
Alea feels the baby bouncing and has to 'go' again...but is afraid if she leaves she'll miss talking to Snake.
Alea thinks her life has become very boring with having to go to the bathroom twenty times an hour.
Wise Snake: Gussleson? Any relation to that guy who they found tied up in the basement of that tentacle parlor a few weeks ago?
Wise Snake darts an uneasy glance at Alea, then moves over to Nick's other side.
Wise Snake: [fidgeting]
Griff: Tentacle parlor?
Griff thinks that sounds interesting.
Nick lays a hand on Snake's shoulder.
Nick: ~~ calm ~~
Wise Snake waves that away.
Mostan is ~~ surprised ~~
Wise Snake: Not your kind of place.
Wise Snake: So, you say you like ooky tentacles with lots of blood?
Alea eases away and hurries off, thinking if she goes really really fast...she can be back in no time and talk to Snake.
Griff: Yeah!
Mostan wonders if Snake is poaching donors in the Center lobby. Are things that slow outside?
Griff: I want to scare my sister. She's too bossy.
Jelana, concerned about the channel, moves forward and touches his back.
Jelana ~~ support ~~
Griff: But she's really scared of tentacles.
Mostan turns towards Jelana slightly.
Mostan shifts backwards to make firmer contact with Jelana.
Jelana has finally read up on the channel and is just slightly worried for him.
Griff smiles at Snake winsomely.
Wise Snake: Unnnhh... you ought to set your sights a little higher. There are more important, not to mention ookier, things you can do with your life than that.
Jelana: ~~ strong steady support ~~
Mostan exhales and relaxes against Jelana's nager.
Wise Snake smiles at Griff, an odd little smile.
Griff: Oh? ~~ eager to learn more ~~
Wise Snake: Yes. You don't happen to have a job, do you?
Griff: Naw, my dad says I'm too young.
Griff: But Mr. Eilson paid me to mow his lawn.
Griff: I spent the money on a rubber spider.
Griff: It made my sister scream when I put it in her soup bowl.
Wise Snake frowns.
Jelana suddenly wonders if they're going to lose this donation to Snake--and wonders if that's really a bad thing.
Wise Snake: You can't be that young if you've Established!
Wise Snake thinks this kid is sure talking about 5 years under his apparent physical age.
Griff looks surprised.
Alea comes back into the room and sidles over next to Wise Snake, smiling at her as she does.
Griff: I can't work for wages until I'm fifteen.
Griff: Not at a real job, anyway.
Griff is surprised that a grown-up wouldn't know that.
Alea sighs with pleasure at standing next to a Farris channel.
Mostan: But you can be paid for donating now.
Wise Snake takes the hint.
Mostan makes a feeble attempt to rejoin the discussion.
Alea really really wishes she could donate to someone this sensitive.
Wise Snake: Well, if you ever want a real job, see me. I have a position open in the yukky tentacle department.
Griff: You do?
Wise Snake turns away from Griff.
Wise Snake: Alea!
Alea: Yes?
Wise Snake: You're.... uh... [realizes what Alea is doing with her nager]
Alea looks at Snake a bit warily at the greeting.
Griff turns back to Mostan.
Alea: Oh, I'm ...
Alea blushes.
Nick steps between Alea and Snake.
Jelana ~~ support ~~
Griff: Paid how much?
Alea opens her mouth to say something and frowns at Nick's actions.
Alea: Just a tad protective, aren't you, Nick?
Mostan names a figure. "But you get more in later months if you keep it up."
Alea looks down her nose at Nick.
Wise Snake: He IS my Donor. [points out]
Wise Snake: [rather muffled since she is hidden behind Nick's broad back]
Alea shrugs.
Griff brightens.
Alea turns around and walks off, deciding it'll do no good to ask Snake's help if Nick is that protective.
Griff: That's more than my brother made working at the grocery store.
Griff: That's before he joined the Army.
Jelana thinks that isn't that much at all.
Griff thinks of all the pranks he can play with that kind of funding.
Jirelle: Alea! There you are.
Jirelle: ~~ joy and pleasure ~~
Jelana wonders if maybe they shouldn't start a program to inform people of the money that is actually paid.
Jirelle accosts Alea as she leaves the lobby.
Alea: Hello, Jirelle.
Nick turns to look at Snake and shrugs apologetically.
Mostan: See, I told you there was a good part of not having tentacles.
Alea: How are you today?
Griff thinks that it's rare to be offered megabucks for doing something delightfully ooky.
Alea goes over to the sofa and drops down on it and picks up a magazine.
Flower Quick comes in the Lobby door with a bundle of roses.
Mostan: So did you want to donate like your brother, Griff?
Griff: Yeah!
Jelana is glad they didn't fill out the paperwork for nothing.
Flower Quick goes up to the desk. "Flowers for Guy Real?"
Mostan: Cosmic! If you'll walk this way...
Mostan gives the kid a classic straight line.
Griff studies Mostan to see how he's walking.
Jelana moves with Mostan, continuing her support.
Mostan slides back towards a donation room with Sime grace.
Alea flips through the magazine page by page, bored.
Flower Quick: Some channel here.
Flower Quick hopes he gets a bigger tip since flower prices are up the last week or two.
Griff waltzes after, trying for the same floating movement.
Griff wonders if walking like a Sime would scare his sister.
Mostan takes them into a donation room.
Mostan: Please sit over there and take your shirt off.
Griff: My shirt?
Jelana wonders at the strange request, too.
Jelana: ~~ curious ~~
Mostan: Well, you can just roll up your sleeves if you want.
Griff wonders if Mostan has designs on his really cosmic shirt, with the lizard and the slimy frog.
Mostan tries to think of how to make things more dramatic for Griff.
Griff: Naw, then they'd get wrinkled.
Griff takes off his ratty, dirty shirt and lays it carefully on a chair.
Flower Quick: So, does Garyell work here?
Mostan brings over a cart with the top covered with gleaming cryptic instruments.
Mostan picks up one and looks at Griff and it speculatively.
Flower Quick is chewing gum.
Griff looks at the gleaming cryptic instrument, eyes wide.
Griff: ~~ delighted apprehension ~~
Mostan: Oh, I'm sure none of these will be necessary. But I want them here just in case.
Griff: ~~ thrill of danger ~~
Mostan: [Simelan] Jelana, could you assist me? Just the routine support.
Mostan puts the ear wax clearance tool back down next to something that he thinks is for adjusting the tea urn, maybe...
Jelana: Of course, Mostan.
Griff perks up at the weird language.
Jelana moves into support for Mostan.
Jelana: ~~ support ~~
Griff: Was that Simelan you were talking?
Jelana has no idea why Mostan is doing what he is doing, so she keeps a close eye on him.
Mostan: I was just asking her to move to the backup position.
Griff looks at Jelana.
Griff: Can she take donations, too?
Mostan: Now. I'll take you wrist in my hands, and wrap all my tentacles around your arms.
Mostan: No, only channels like me can take donations.
Jelana smiles at Griff.
Jelana: I have the better job, in my opinion.
Mostan: Jelana is another Gen who has been trained to help me.
Jelana smiles at Griff, thinking a Donor's job is the best.
Griff: She just stands around? Pretty cosmic job.
Griff thinks it sounds like road construction.
Mostan: It has its advantages, yes.
Jelana bristles at Griff's thought that she just 'STANDS AROUND'.
Jelana thinks with that attitude, Griff will never know just what it's like.
Mostan: Of course, sometimes she helps me with the really ooky stuff.
Nick sees that Snake has drifted off again and wraps her in his nager, trying to bring her back.
Griff: Really? Like what?
Griff thinks that such information might be useful when it comes to edit his account of this afternoon for his sister's edification.
Wise Snake blinks lazily, once or twice.
Jelana grins, wanting to hear Mostan's answer.
Nick: Don't drift off here. [mutters softly] You never know when disaster is going to strike.
Alea glances up from her magazine to the man with the flowers.
Mostan: Well, there are changeovers, and when people come in to be healed after accidents.
Alea sees Snake nearby and her eyes widen with dismay.
Alea: Roses....
Griff: Yucky accidents with lots of blood? [hopefully]
Mostan: Sometimes.
Jelana: Really ooky...and bloody and everything.
Griff: Neat!
Alea pushes herself up and moves toward Snake.
Alea: Uh, Snake....?
Wise Snake: [staring into space]
Jelana shakes her head, thinking she wouldn't want this kid seeing some of the ooky stuff she has... like losing a channel.
Nick places a careful hand on Snake's forearm, blocking the fields.
Alea moves forward and touches Snake's arm.
Alea: Snake.
Flower Quick, exasperated, resorts to reading the envelope on the card.
Alea: Can you come to my office?
Alea looks back apologetically to Jirelle.
Jirelle sees that HER Donor is approaching another channel.
Jirelle: ~~ alarm ~~
Jirelle follows Alea.
Jirelle: [about 3 inches behind]
Alea: ~~ soothing ~~
Wise Snake comes back to reality gradually, to find herself being crowded by two Donors and a channel.
Wise Snake: ~~ confusion/irritation ~~
Flower Quick: J - I - R - E - L - L - E
Wise Snake: What? What is it?
Alea: ~~ field directed toward Jirelle only ~~
Jirelle perks up at the sound of her name being spelled.
Alea glances at the roses worriedly.
Jirelle: Er.. me?
Alea: Can you come to my office?
Wise Snake, having inhaled for the first time since the flowers came in, suddenly sneezes.
Alea thinks flowers and Snake....
Nick: Shen!
Alea: Oh, dear.
Alea: Exactly, Nick.
Wise Snake: What the... [looks around and sees the roses]
Nick puts an arm around Snake and begins to walk her out of the lobby.
Jirelle hurries over to the flower guy.
Nick: Flowers. Let's get out of here.
Alea is surprised and delighted to find out they are for Jirelle.
Jirelle: Did you just read out my name? Jirelle?
Wise Snake: Alea's office.
Wise Snake: [SNEEZE]
Wise Snake points a tentacle.
Flower Quick: Yes. You her? [pops gum]
Griff: That's still not as ooky as having tentacles.
Alea: I'll ... uh... Jirelle... be right back...
Nick half-carries Snake in the indicated direction.
Jelana wonders if they could find some rubber tentacles and tape them on the kid's arms.
Jelana thinks this kid is obsessed with tentacles.
Wise Snake sneezes lubricatiously on Nick's front along the way.
Alea, knowing she has a Farris med kit in her office, follows as quickly as possible.
Nick is glad that laundry service has been initiated at the Ferry Building.
Mostan extends his handling tentacles at the mention.
Jelana: ~~ support ~~
Griff looks at the squirming tentacles, a bit disappointed.
Jirelle: Oooo!!! They're so pretty!
Griff: They're not bloody. The Sime two days ago had bloody tentacles that splattered everywhere.
Jirelle hugs the flowers to her.
Jirelle inhales their heady essence.
Jirelle sees the card and tugs it off to read it.
Card: Dear Jirelle, I'm so sorry that we lost contact. Could we meet sometime please?
Card: You can contact me at the hospital.
Card: Signed, F
Alea goes into the office and pulls out the Farris medical kit.
Jelana is glad to see the kid isn't scared by them.
Nick helps Snake to a chair.
Mostan: Yes, well, that was a changeover. That was years ago for me.
Mostan holds his hands out.
Griff: Oh.
Flower Quick: Sign here, please?
Alea digs through the kit, glancing at Nick.
Griff thinks that it figures: even Sime grown-ups are less gooky than kids.
Alea: What does she usually take for allergies like this?
Jirelle signs.
Jirelle: Wow!
Alea pulls out two different medications and offers them to Nick.
Jirelle inhales the flowers' scent again, then begins to turn circles in the lobby, hugging them.
Eliza crawls under the bed and pulls out the old shiltpron.
Nick: The N-carbamoylputrescine will do.
Nick takes the vial from Alea, opens it, and hands Snake a double dose.
Alea gets some water for Snake.
Alea: Here, Snake.
Alea: Take this.
Mostan: Want to feel them? [ holds out hands with squirming tentacles ]
Eliza unzips the cover and lovingly removes it from the case.
Griff reaches out to touch one of the tentacles.
Wise Snake takes the medicine, barely noticing the taste. (putrid)
Wise Snake: Ucch. What a week I'm having.
Wise Snake: [one last sneeze]
Mostan: [dry, smooth, velvety]
Griff: It's not scaly, like a snake, at all.
Jelana: ~~ support ~~
Flower Quick realizes he isn't getting a tip. "Thanks."
Flower Quick trudges out the door slowly, in case someone tries to rectify this grave error.
Jirelle twirls obliviously into the hallway and up the stairs.
Griff discovers that the tentacle does squirm nicely, though.
Wise Snake: Thanks.
Wise Snake: [as the urge to sneeze subsides]
Griff squeezes it, to see if it's squishy.
Alea: Are you going to be okay?
Wise Snake rubs her watering eyes.
Wise Snake: Yes... yes, thanks.
Alea: ~~ concern ~~
Alea goes over and wets a cloth.
Alea: Why don't you lie down and cover your eyes with this?
Alea looks at Nick to make sure it's okay with him.
Wise Snake thinks if this keeps going on she'll be utterly exhausted in a matter of days.
Mostan: No, no scales. just skin.
Mostan: [tentacle is fairly firm and curls around finger]
Nick nods, helping Snake over to the couch.
Wise Snake lies down and closes her eyes as instructed.
Nick sits down on the edge of the couch.
Nick: ~~ support ~~
Alea: I'll go out and make sure that the flowers are gone.
Mostan: [tentacle start creeping down the hand, and invites friends along]
Griff tries to pull his finger away, on an experimental basis, and discovers that the tentacle is very strong.
Eliza tentatively plucks a "Gee".
Griff: Gee, I bet you could lift a whole lot with that.
Jelana moves forward and places a hand on Mostan's shoulder.
Jelana: ~~ firm steady support ~~
Alea goes out into the lobby and looks around.
Mostan: Yup. Lots.
Alea asks the clerk to spray with the Farris safe disinfectant.
Griff: Why are they so strong?
Wise Snake finds Alea's well-insulated office quiet and soothing after the craziness of the lobby.
Wise Snake relaxes somewhat.
Wise Snake: I had really hoped to talk to Tramila about....
Wise Snake sighs.
Eliza sings the "Gee"
Mostan: When I take your donation, I have to hold you still. If you move you might hurt me.
Alea returns to her office, closing the door quietly and then taking her seat at her desk.
Nick: Bloodthirsty kids and flowers...
Mostan: So they have to be strong for that.
Eliza plays an "Argh".
Nick shakes his head, wondering if he should bring up the subject of hazard pay.
Eliza is depressed that she isn't trusted to work with a channel.
Griff: Hold me still?
Eliza sings an "Argh".
Griff looks at the tentacles again.
Mostan reaches out and takes Griff's other wrist.
Mostan wraps handling tentacles around it, holding it tight.
Wise Snake appears much more calm now.
Alea: They did a wonderful job with the insulation in here, Snake.
Alea: I have the desk clerk disinfecting the lobby now, trying to get rid of the smell.
Griff tugs, checking to see just how strong the tentacles really are.
Alea: I hope you'll be okay.
Griff: I can't move at all!
Jelana watches Griff carefully.
Wise Snake: I'm fine. It's just been a bad week.
Eliza plays the Gee and the Argh practicing the transition.
Jelana: ~~ steady support ~~
Alea: I'm sorry to hear that.
Alea ~~ concern ~~
Griff: ~~ delighted discovery, mixed with alarm ~~
Shonie stands on the ground under Eliza's window, wearing a shiltpron.
Eliza adds a "See" to the arrangement.
Shonie: OoohhhiiiiiiIIIIiii Loawwwwst my heaarrrrrrrttttt, whan my woooomaaannnnnn, ran awayyyyyyyyyy.
Eliza: See, Gee, Argh.
Eliza: Argh, See, Gee.
Eliza jumps a foot.
Shonie: [bawling out the lyrics to a C&W tragic ballad]
Mostan: Yup.
Eliza puts the shiltpron on the bed and runs to the window.
Mostan moves to take the other arm in transfer grip.
Eliza slams the window open.
Eliza: Shonie!!!!
Mostan is getting a bit tired of the way this donation is dragging out.
Shonie grins.
Shonie: Ready for your next lesson?
Eliza giggles.
Eliza: Sure am!
Shonie is wearing two ten-gallon hats.
Shonie: I brought ya somethin'.
Eliza considers climbing out the window, then does.
Shonie jumps forward, ready to catch Eliza if anything happens.
Alea: Want to talk about it, Snake?
Eliza lands, staggers a bit and grabs hold of Shonie's hand.
Eliza: Thanks!
Alea is curious about what problems Snake has been going through.
Wise Snake: Well....
Griff decides that being grabbed by two arm's worth of tentacles is getting towards a useful level of ookiness.
Mostan: Now. I have you in what we call [Simelan] transfer grip.
Eliza: What you bring me?
Griff repeats the phrase.
Griff: What does that mean?
Shonie takes off one of the hats and puts it on Eliza's head.
Shonie: I brought you a new song!
Eliza puts her hand up to the hat and goes "ooohhh" with delight.
Shonie: It's called "The Song that Never Ends."
Jelana: It's the way he is holding your arms.
Eliza: Do you want to go inside?
Eliza: Or to the hill?
Mostan: Now comes the ooky bit with my [Simelan] lateral tentacles and ronaplin.
Jelana: Think of it as the "special grip".
Shonie: I got a special place for you to practice today. [smiles and winks]
Eliza: Oh? Where!
Wise Snake: It's just been a bad series of days.
Griff: The ronna-plan?
Eliza is so excited and pleased to see Shonie again.
Griff: ~~ excitement, mixed with alarm ~~
Mostan extends his laterals to make contact with their coating of ronaplin.
Wise Snake: That day you visited... I had a terrible migraine that just wouldn't go away no matter what I did.
Wise Snake: Some guy has been sending flowers to the Ferry Building every day....
Mostan: Yes. See it glistening there?
Nick: ~~ soothing ~~
Griff: It feels weird!
Wise Snake: A bee flew out of one of the arrangements and landed right on me!
Jelana: Think of the 'lateral tentacles' as special conductors. [translating in English words for the kid]
Jelana: ~~ continued support ~~
Alea: A bee!
Alea: Didn't you send word to the person you are allergic to flowers?
Shonie: You'll have to come with me to see.
Alea: Why in the world were they allowed into the building?
Shonie tramps around to where she left the horses.
Griff: Are those the tentacles that suck a person's life right out?
Mostan uses Jelana's support to help with the strain of being donation primed for so long.
Alea: Actually, if you have someone who wants to send you flowers, perhaps you should send a list of the ones you aren't allergic to.
Eliza tags along.
Alea thinks Rapol should already know this... but...
Mostan: Yes, they are. But I promise not to take too much.
Nick can't recall any flowers that fall into this category.
Wise Snake: Don't worry. He's gotten off the flower thing, he's sending wine now.
Nick smiles, remembering a particularly nice, well-aged Cabernet.
Jelana thinks he ought to suck the kid nearly dry, sensing his discomfort.
Wise Snake: Then, Eliza accidentally slammed me in the lobby.
Wise Snake: One thing led to another and I was forced to sit at a formal dinner all that night.
Alea: I remember that all too well.
Alea: ~~ concern ~~
Griff: ~~ anticipation increases at this implication of possible danger ~~
Shonie mounts her big brown nag.
Shonie starts singing.
Shonie: "This is the song that doesn't end,"
Shonie: "It just goes on and on my friend...."
Shonie: "Some people started singing it not knowing what it was,"
Shonie: "And they will keep on singing it forever just because...."
Alea: Who did you have dinner with?
Mostan: All I have to do now is make lip contact for a little while.
Mostan leans forward.
Eliza hops on the spotted horse.
Eliza giggles at the song.
Shonie: Come on, this one's an easy song. [encourages Eliza]
Eliza: Okay...
Wise Snake: A businessman. Wanted to conduct a deal with me.
Eliza: "This is the song that doesn't end,"
Griff thinks that sounds sissy, not yucky, then remembers hearing it called the "Kiss of Death" when Simes are involved.
Eliza: Like that?
Shonie: "It just goes on and on my friend...."
Shonie: Yep, you got it.
Eliza: "Cause it goes on and on my friend,"
Eliza: "Some people" dah dah dah
Eliza: Oh, okay.
Shonie: "Some people started singing it not knowing what it was...."
Griff lets Mostan make lip contact.
Shonie: "And they will keep on singing it forever just because...."
Eliza: "Some people started singing it not knowing what it was,"
Eliza: "And they will go on singing it forever just because..."
Alea stands and moves around her desk, taking a chair close to Snake.
Shonie: [belting out the lyrics startling passers-by]
Mostan holds Griff firmly and draws from his GN-3.
Alea: Get Nick to take you for an hour and do something other than work.
Eliza: "This is the song that doesn't end,"
Eliza: "Cause it goes on and on my friend."
Alea: Just something that will be nice and calm, relaxing.
Shonie: Yes, yes! [encouraging]
Eliza sings along merrily.
Griff wonders what would happen if Mostan took too much.
Eliza: "Some people started singing it not knowing what it was,"
Griff: ~~ delighted terror ~~
Eliza: "And they will go on singing it forever just because..."
Alea: You know, perhaps look at the stars, or the clouds, sit and watch the swans swim...
Eliza: "This is the song that doesn't end."
Eliza: ~~ worry ~~
Wise Snake rubs her eyelids.
Eliza: "Cause it goes on and on my friend,"
Mostan wavers at the terror.
Wise Snake: I don't have time for that, Alea.
Eliza: "Some people started singing it not knowing what it was,"
Jelana lays a hand on Mostan's shoulder, increasing her support.
Griff squirms, and can't pull free.
Jelana: ~~ reassurance ~~
Eliza: "And they will go on singing it forever just because."
Alea: One hour, Snake?
Eliza: ~ growing worry ~
Eliza: "This is the song that doesn't end,"
Eliza: "Cause it goes on and on, my friend,"
Eliza: "Some people started singing it not knowing what it was,"
Shonie is slapping the time on her knee as they ride down the street.
Eliza is looking concerned now.
Eliza: "And they will go on singing it forever just because..."
Shonie: "And they will keep on singing it forever just because...." [big grin]
Mostan finishes the GN-3 level and stops his draw.
Alea: Even the channels here are forced to schedule relaxation time.
Eliza: "This is the song that doesn't end,"
Alea: I'm worried about you pushing too hard, Snake.
Eliza: ~ growing horror ~
Eliza: "Cause it goes on and on my friend,"
Griff thinks that being trapped like this is ooky enough to really gross out his sister.
Eliza: "Some people started singing it not knowing what it was,"
Jelana knows something didn't go exactly right and does her best to completely envelop Mostan in her field with Soothing Reassurance.
Mostan breaks lip contact.
Mostan: All done.
Eliza: "And they will go on singing it forever just because..."
Eliza looks at Shonie for help.
Eliza: "This is the song that doesn't end,"
Shonie grins at Eliza, approvingly.
Eliza waggles her eyebrows at Shonie.
Mostan withdraws his laterals.
Eliza: "Cause it goes on and on my friend,"
Eliza: ~~ help! ~~
Eliza: "Some people started singing it not knowing what it was,"
Shonie steers towards an abandoned barn near the edge of town.
Eliza's pony follows with no help from Eliza.
Eliza: "And they will go on singing it forever just because..."
Eliza: "This is the song that doesn't end,"
Eliza: "Some people started singing it not knowing what it was,"
Griff: Really?
Eliza: "And they will go on singing it forever just because..."
Shonie stops and dismounts in front of the barn, tying up her horse.
Griff starts to feel proud of himself, donating just like his brother, ooky tentacles and all.
Eliza: "And they will go on singing it forever just because..."
Eliza looks distressed.
Wise Snake: Every hour I don't do something is another hour sliding back.
Eliza: "This is the song that doesn't end,"
Eliza: "Some people started singing it not knowing what it was,"
Eliza: "And they will go on singing it forever just because..."
Nick: ~~ soothing ~~
Mostan unwraps his handling tentacles.
Alea sighs.
Alea: I see.
Eliza: "And they will go on singing it forever just because..."
Eliza: "This is the song that doesn't end,"
Eliza: "Some people started singing it not knowing what it was,"
Mostan: That was very brave of you, Griff.
Griff looks down at the movement, thinking that they were adequately scary, even if they were soft instead of scaly.
Eliza: "And they will go on singing it forever just because..."
Shonie takes the reins out of Eliza's hands and ties her horse also, then lifts Eliza down from the saddle.
Eliza: "This is the song that doesn't end,"
Mostan: You did well. Now later, I'll give a renSime your selyn, and she'll be able to live for a month on it.
Shonie leads Eliza into the barn, which is dim and filled with old rotting stalls.
Eliza: "Cause it goes on and on my friend,"
Jelana: ~~ relieved ~~
Tramila sees the note that Wise Snake is looking for her. She grabs her Zeor cape and heads for Alea's office, hoping to find her so she can go with her to the Ferry Building.
Shonie sits Eliza down on an old bench down at one end of the barn.
Eliza stops singing real sudden.
Griff perks up.
Shonie: You okay, kid?
Griff: I hadn't thought about that.
Eliza looks nervously around the dark barn.
Eliza: ~ slight fear ~
Eliza: Yes, I'm fine.
Griff thinks that this increases the total ookyness factor for the afternoon to a quite respectable amount.
Eliza pulls her attention back to Shonie.
Mostan: So that way the renSime won't have to attack someone and then get shot in the gut by your brother.
Tramila signals at Alea's door.
Eliza: it's hard to stop singing that song, isn't it?
Alea hears the signal and glances at her door.
Griff: Oh. [disappointment]
Eliza's attention wavers around the barn again.
Shonie: Yep. It's an excellent drinking song because of that.
Alea gets up and moves over to the door, cracking it open slightly.
Alea: Oh!
Muttley sniffs around an old rubbish bin, trying to find something to eat.
Alea: Tramila.
Alea: Come in.
Shonie: Okay, yer lesson this time is on "finesse".
Griff sees his ookyness quotient go down again.
Shonie: In volume, that is.
Alea: Snake is in here. She's not feeling very well. It might be nice to have another channel here.
Eliza: Okay... oh!
Shonie: We done the field a few times now, it's time for you to fine-tune yer volume control.
Muttley is an old brown dog of very indeterminate parentage.
Eliza looks at Shonie, all attention.
Eliza wonders if Shonie heard what happened.
Mostan takes the clipboard and writes on it.
Nick looks up as Tramila enters.
Shonie: Now, you just ignore whatever's around you, and concentrate on me.
Tramila: Hi Alea. I was wondering if you could go out with me on an errand.
Eliza can do that - she thinks.
Shonie: A real musician knows the show must go on despite any and all distractions.
Eliza tries to ignore the fact that the barn looks distressingly familiar.
Shonie: Ye can't be hungry, ye can't be horny, ye can't have any thing get in the way between you and your performance.
Shonie: Okay.
Tramila: Oh! In that case.
Eliza: Okay.
Shonie: Now... you and I are going to play a game.
Tramila enters to room and zlins Wise Snake.
Muttley finds something which is better left undescribed and gulps it down.
Wise Snake is lying on the couch in Alea's office.
Jelana gets a towel and hands one to Griff.
Alea moves back over to her chair near Wise Snake.
Mostan tears off two copies and hands them to Griff. "There you are. Go down the hall and you can get money for that."
Alea: Wise Snake...
Mostan: Hope things were ooky enough for you.
Alea: Do you feel up to Tramila examining you?
Eliza nods.
Wise Snake zlins Tramila.
Alea: I know you wanted to talk to her.
Griff blows his nose on the towel, then tosses it aside and puts his shirt back on.
Wise Snake: Ah... Tramila. Yes, I have to talk to you.
Griff: Yeah!
Tramila: Wise Snake? What's the matter? Besides the obvious.
Muttley continues on down the alley and stops to scratch.
Tramila: Of course, Alea.
Wise Snake wonders why Tramila thinks something has to be the matter for Snake to want to talk to her.
Griff can still feel the delightfully ooky tingling on his arms.
Muttley: [scratch, scratch, scratch]
Griff takes the voucher from Mostan.
Tramila zlins how tired she is.
Mostan: See you next month!
Tramila: I'm listening, Wise Snake.
Shonie: Now. The game is, you have to try to get me to sit right next to you there on the bench.
Shonie points at the space next to Eliza.
Shonie: But... I ain't gonna do it until I cain't feel yer projecting nager anymore.
Eliza: Oh.
Jelana straightens up around the room while keeping her nageric attention on Mostan.
Shonie: Remember how out in the field I moved to right on the edge of where I could zlin what you were feelin'?
Eliza: I thought you wanted me to... never mind. [blushes]
Shonie: Well, this is jest like that, only much smaller distances and you have a specific goal in mind.
Griff: Okay! (or maybe "Ooky!")
Shonie looks at Eliza oddly.
Shonie: What?
Griff leaves the donation room and goes off to collect his cash, visions of fake eyeballs and bugs dancing through his mind.
Eliza is embarrassed she even thought that Shonie wanted her to 'entice' her with her nager and has no intention of vocalizing it.
Muttley gets tired of scratching and looks around for something else to do.
Mostan slumps back on the lounge.
Eliza: I don't think I know what you want me to do exactly.
Tramila sits next to Wise Snake.
Shonie: Okay.
Jelana goes over and drops next to Mostan, offering her arms as well as support.
Jelana: You okay?
Jelana: ~~ concerned ~~
Shonie: I'm gonna call out an emotion. You already know how to make yourself feel different things, right?
Eliza feels a bit awkward about using her nager on a renSime anyway. She isn't sure that Alea or [groan] Mostan would approve.
Mostan: Exhausted.
Eliza: Yes.
Mostan: One in every crowd, and they always find me.
Jelana: Ah...
Shonie: This ain't any different than what we did out in the field.
Jelana chuckles.
Shonie: You make yourself feel that, and I'll go off to the edge of where I can barely zlin what you're doing.
Mostan: He spiked terror in the middle there.
Jelana: I have to wonder if there is something in your nager that says... "Scare me!"
Shonie: Then, YOU gotta tone down your nager, a little at a time, and make me walk closer and closer to you.
Jelana: I had a feeling he did something like that.
Shonie: That's how yer gonna learn nager-eek control.
Shonie: The goal, is to make me sit right down near you.
Alea lifts the wash cloth from Wise Snake's eyes and goes to the sink to wet it again.
Mostan cracks an eye at Jelana. "Probably. Never thought of it that way."
Shonie: Now that may not happen today, but that's the goal.
Shonie: Got it?
Alea squeezes out the excess water and then returns to Snake's side with the wash cloth.
Eliza: Okay.
Muttley wonders to the edge of town.
Wise Snake: Tramila, are you going to get reassigned before Alea has her baby?
Mostan leans against Jelana's field, hard.
Tramila: What?
Eliza: Got it.
Tramila zlins Alea. "Oh."
Shonie walks to the middle of the barn.
Tramila: ~~ deep disappointment ~~
Tramila's tentacle tighten up their sheathes.
Muttley sees an old barn and wonders over for a sniff or two.
Shonie: Okay, now, how about... worry.
Shonie thinks that would be easy at this point.
Alea's field goes flat and she carefully keeps from looking at anyone.
Shonie: Remember, you're trying for quiet now.
Eliza: Okay. ~ worry ~
Eliza finds that worry comes easy.
Jelana lays her hands over Mostan's tentacles, projecting reassurance.
Wise Snake doesn't like the zlin of Tramila's response, and its silence.
Jelana: Just rest, Mostan.
Tramila's field flattens.
Wise Snake: There have been rumors... are you going to be reassigned? Alea is very worried about it.
Muttley spots the open door and starts heading in that direction.
Mostan: Thanks.
Jelana: I'm sure that since you've had your share of nuts, it can only get better.
Mostan: I'm just a third and an underdeveloped one at that. Why do I get all the weird cases?
Jelana: Surely, now, the donations will go easier since you've been tested.
Shonie starts backing away from Eliza, down the aisle.
Muttley pokes his head around the door to see who's inside.
Alea gets up and moves across the room, examining the stolen burner and tea set she has hidden in her office to make tea.
Eliza: [the worry gets "louder" as Eliza sees Shonie backing away]
Alea moves it around carefully, knowing better than to attempt tea in front of two Farrises.
Shonie: No, no, 'Liza, you're projecting MORE worry. Control is what yer after.
Muttley sees a person seated on the bench and goes bounding towards her.
Tramila looks away and replies through clenched teeth.. "No. I am not. They will not. They have no choice."
Eliza sighs.
Eliza: ~ worry ~
Wise Snake appears to shrink away from Tramila on the couch.
Muttley: Woof.
Alea trembles at Tramila's words, not reassured by her tone and even more worried now.
Alea forces her field not to show her fear.
Tramila looks to Alea. "I will be there for you. You can count on it."
Tramila: The only way I won't is if they come and take me away."
Nick puts a reassuring hand on Snake's arm.
Alea: Of course, Hajene. [murmured]
Eliza: Oh, look!
Eliza: A dog!
Nick does not put forcible evacuation beyond the Tecton.
Eliza: Shonie, did you say you lost a dog?
Eliza: ~ delight ~
Shonie winces as Eliza's control [such as it was] evaporates.
Tramila: Besides... Veraik ..... Well, that is best left unsaid.
Muttley: Woof, woof.
Shonie sighs and walks down to rejoin Eliza near the dog.
Tramila: [confidence] I will be there for you. [truth]
Eliza pats the dog.
Muttley goes warily over towards the seated people.
Muttley closes eyes and wags his tail.
Wise Snake opens her eyes and looks at Tramila strangely.
Wise Snake: Veraik what?
Eliza: What a NICE dog. ~ nice dog ~
Eliza: Good boy.
Muttley: Woof.
Eliza: ~ nice doggy ~
Eliza: Do you think he lives here, Shonie?
Tramila's field goes to total unreadability. "Nothing. I said nothing."
Eliza looks for a collar.
Muttley rolls over onto his back, still with his eyes closed.
Eliza rubs his belly.
Muttley: [no collar]
Eliza: You need a bath, boy.
Wise Snake sighs and closes her eyes again, massaging them with one hand.
Tramila: I will be here. Veraik has even confirmed that for me.
Alea is decidedly pale at this conversation
Shonie's disgust fades slowly with the dog's antics.
Jelana releases Mostan and moves over to make tea for him.
Nick: ~~ soothing ~~
Shonie: He don't look like he got no home.
Shonie: Or if he does, they let him run as he please.
Eliza runs through the double negatives in confusion.
Eliza: Ah.
Muttley lies there with his tail wagging.
Eliza: ~ nice doggy ~
Eliza: Come on, boy, sit up. Don't lay on your back like that! Let's see you.
Wise Snake has decided against bringing up the other topic.
Wise Snake: How... is Veraik, these days?
Muttley gets sick of just laying there and rolls back over.
Mostan rests, letting his secondary recover.
Eliza: Good dog!
Jelana returns with tea for Mostan.
Muttley sits there with his tongue hanging out.
Jelana: ~~ support ~~
Jelana: So, how is Eliza these days?
Jelana sips her tea.
Tramila: Veraik is..... well, a bit reclusive.
Alea realizes she can't ask Snake what she wanted to now and so settles down next to her and Nick in silence.
Shonie watches Eliza with the dog.
Wise Snake: Ummh.
Mostan: Thank you.
Mostan sips at the tea.
Eliza rubs his ears.
Eliza: ~ nice doggy ~
Muttley glances in the Sime's direction and his tail stops.
Eliza: What's wrong, boy?
Eliza wraps her hand in the long hair on his ruff.
Jelana nods and rests.
Muttley: Gr..Gr...
Eliza: Hey, stop that! ~bad dog~
Shonie grimaces at the ~~bad dog~~ in Eliza's nager.
Eliza wops him across the nose.
Eliza: Don't growl at people, that isn't nice.
Eliza: ~behave~
Muttley decides the point has being made and stops growling, but his ears still remain alert.
Jelana : ~~ relaxation ~~
Eliza: Hmm, doesn't look like he likes you, Shonie.
Muttley tries to lick Eliza's hand.
Shonie has been known to augment and lift bad dogs up by the ears when they attacked her, so she is glad Eliza didn't have to see that.
Shonie: Well, honey, it's a fact of life that not everybody likes ya.
Eliza knows that well.
Eliza: I'm sorry, Shonie, I let my concentration lapse, didn't I?
Eliza: Shall we try again, now?
Mostan: Eliza.
Jelana smiles at Mostan.
Mostan: She's moping a bit about not being scheduled for a transfer yet.
Jelana: Oh, dear.
Jelana: I am sorry to hear that.
Mostan: And I'm not giving her as much attention as she deserves.
Jelana: I understand that she wasn't this month, but is training with Frutata.
Jelana: Perhaps you should try scheduling some time with her then, you know, writing it into your schedule.
Shonie: Sure.
Shonie gets up and walks over to the middle of the barn again.
Jelana: After all, you are very busy, and it might help just to sit down and look at everything, then pencil her in to make sure you have time.
Eliza: Can I think about something other then worry, Shonie?
Mostan: Yeah. But Frutata is assigned to Lanyi, who is doing some Iron Sime deal and not taking much help.
Shonie: Okay. You pick, then.
Eliza thinks.
Mostan considers.
Eliza is feeling very relaxed with the dog at her feet.
Mostan: That sounds like a good idea.
Jelana: Only a suggestion.
Mostan: Thanks.
Eliza: ~ pleasure ~
Jelana smiles and sips her tea.
Jelana: Anytime. That's what a Donor is for.
Jelana: ~~ pleasure at being able to help ~~
Eliza, having got the base emotion, tries to make it "quieter".
Eliza: ~ pleasure ~
Alea: How is she, Nick?
Mostan: You're just out of training recently, aren't you?
Muttley senses Eliza's concentration going elsewhere.
Jelana flushes.
Jelana: Actually, this is my second assignment.
Jelana: I have been out of first year for a few months now.
Mostan: Ah. You're very competent.
Tramila: Wise? Have you been getting enough rest lately? You zlin... well.... poorly.
Eliza tries harder ~ very little pleasure ~
Jelana guards her field.
Jelana: I--I--thank you, Hajene Mostan.
Tramila keeps her nager under control.
Muttley decides not to worry about it and lays down to fall asleep. [Right on top of Eliza's feet]
Nick looks at Snake, to see if she's actually fallen asleep.
Mostan opens his eyes. "Did I say something wrong?"
Eliza absentmindedly rubs him with a foot.
Jelana wonders how to tell a channel that you lost a channel under your care.
Jelana: No, Hajene, not at all.
Tramila looks to Nick, signaling to him to keep her asleep if possible.
Jelana: ~~ soothing support ~~
Shonie: Ummmm....
Shonie tries to think of how to say this.
Shonie: You're definitely changing something, which is good.
Mostan: Oh. All right.
Alea takes the cloth from Snake's eyes.
Shonie: Any kinda knowing how to change your nager is good.
Nick: ~~ soothing ~~
Alea: Are the allergies better?
Eliza: Well, I can go very loud!
Shonie: But in this case, you don't want lack-of-pleasure, you just want pleasure that isn't bein' yelled quite so loud.
Tramila looks at Alea and points to the door to join her outside.
Shonie: Yeah, you proved you ken do a great job at loud. Unfortunately that ain't quite what we're doin today.
Alea hesitates, looking at Snake, then reluctantly nods.
Eliza mutters.
Eliza: I don't know HOW to be quieter then that!
Jelana: Well, Mostan, are you ready to get back to work now?
Eliza: Anyway, how is this teaching me how to play the shiltpron?
Wise Snake wonders what Alea had wanted to talk to her about.
Jelana: We can go find you a nice enthusiastic reliable donor to take donation from.
Nick: I expect the flowers will be gone by now.
Shonie: Eliza, I explain this a hundred times. The shiltpron, you PLAY it with your nager.
Mostan: Sounds good.
Alea leans down and whispers to Snake where only she can hear. "Can you give me an examination, a Farris examination, later?"
Mostan finishes his tea and stands up.
Shonie: If you can't control your nager, you're just gonna be playing noise. Not music.
Wise Snake looks at Alea, then nods.
Alea: ~~ grateful ~~
Wise Snake pulls herself up into a sitting position, using Nick's arm as a handle.
Alea follows Tramlia
Eliza: Oh, all right.
Jelana moves to Mostan's side. ~~ firm stead support ~~
Eliza: I'll try again.
Nick helps Snake to her feet.
Eliza: But I just don't know how!
Eliza: ~rather loud frustration~
Shonie: Okay... well, this is what ah'ma tryina teach ya.
Shonie: You watch me moving.
Shonie: Don't ask me how you're doing, just WATCH.
Mostan walks out to the lobby.
Shonie: You see me movin' closer, you'll know whatever you're doin' is in the right direction.
Tramila gently opens the door and waits for Alea, then hesitates. "If you want to talk sometime...privately. Come to me or send for me. Understand?"
Shonie: You see me moving away, you'll know it's wrong.
Shonie: You got to feel what it feels like in yourself, experimentin' and all.
Eliza: Okay.
Alea walks out the door and into the lobby.
Shonie: If it makes it any easier, you don't got to use any one perticular emotion.
Shonie: What's importent is yer projection and how much of it is out there.
Alea rubs at her back, stretching tiredly.
Tramila: I have my cloak. Do you want to go for a walk?
Eliza: Okay, I'll try.
Wise Snake: Let's take the back door out.
Eliza: ~ worry ~
Wise Snake is not interested in braving the lobby again so soon.
Nick has developed lobbyphobia as well.
Nick: Let's go out the back.
Wise Snake and Nick leave the Center via the rear exit.
Muttley twitches in his sleep.
Eliza watches Shonie carefully.
Alea realizes Tramila asked her a question.
Shonie moves backward and forward a few steps as Eliza's field varies.
Alea: Oh!
Alea: Yes, that's fine.
Alea waddles over and grabs her cloak and heads toward the back garden.
Alea: I have some time before I should get back with Jirelle.
Shonie realizes it's going to be a long, long, lesson.
Tramila: Let's go out to the Gnome.
Alea: That sounds fine.
Alea pulls open the back down and carefully makes her way down the stairs toward the Gnome.
Alea: So, Tramila, what did you want to talk to me about?
Tramila zlins Alea, making sure she seems warm enough.
Tramila: Sit down.
Alea takes a seat.
Tramila takes a hand to wrap a tentacle over and around it.
Alea is a bit worried.
Tramila: Alea. I promise that I will be there for you and your child. You mustn't worry.
Alea: I'm not really too worried, Tramila. Well, yes, I am.
Alea: I lost our last child.
Alea: Tarsh was very torn up over it. He's lost so much in his life. I'm just, afraid, well...
Alea trails off, not sure how to voice everything.
Alea: I'm also worried about my field.
Tramila: I know, but you have been reasonably careful this time, and every time I have zlinned both you and your child, you both have been doing fine.
Alea: It's incredibly low.
Alea shrugs.
Tramila zlins her once again. "I realize that."
Alea thinks if Tramila is shipped away and things don't go right then Snake is going to be the only one there that she trusts.
Tramila: I think your channel is vying to be the future World Controller.
Alea wonders when the shenned she started trusting Snake so much... and decides it's simply because she IS a Farris and a shendoni good channel.
Alea: Oh.
Alea pales.
Alea decides to change the subject, instead of thinking about all the disasters that could happen.
Tramila smiles. I will BE there for you, Alea. I promise you that. I wish you could zlin me for the truth.
Alea: How are you doing, Tramila?
Alea smiles tentatively
Alea: I believe you won't break your word, Tramila.
Alea: I haven't seen you as much now that I'm working with Jirelle.
Tramila: I will be much better when you finally realize that this Farris channel is here and close and wants very much to attend you and your little channel.
Alea nods.
Alea: Thank you, Tramila.
Tramila: I will answer your question in a minute, but first I must tell you.
Tramila: Tell you how lucky you are.
Alea: Lucky?
Tramila: Yes, lucky.
Tramila: I am here for you.
Tramila: I am here for you, but you also have another Farris channel close.
Tramila: Not too many can claim to have the attention of two Farris channels.
Alea: Yes, I know that, Tramila.
Alea: And I'm sorry for worrying you.
Alea: It's just, after losing the last baby, and my field was nowhere like this, it worries me a bit.
Tramila: I know. I know.
Tramila: So, are you enjoying your work with Jirelle?
Alea: Yes, what we have done.
Alea: She is a very sweet young woman.
Tramila: That's good.
Alea yawns.
Tramila: You realize that you are much further along in your pregnancy than you were the last time. It is to be expected that the baby's selyn draw is more.
Alea: I realize that.
Tramila: Why don't we go in, and I'll watch over you while you take a nap.
Alea: Thank you, Tramlia.
Alea stands and shakes out her cloak
Tramila zlins Alea, taking in her pregnancy and suppresses a sigh.
Alea smiles at Tramlia.
Alea: Thank you again, Tramila.
Tramila: My pleasure, Alea.
Alea heads into the Center to rest.
Tramila: Come. Who knows? I may take a nap myself, since I didn't sleep at all last night.
Tramila opens the door to the Center, enjoying Alea's nager and looking forward to a bit of rest.
Darren looks at the duty roster. 1
Katarn enters the Sime Center Lobby.
Darren looks up as a Gen walks in, noticing the rather strong field.
Darren: Hello, there. Can I help you?
Katarn: I am here to donate.
Darren: I see. Have you donated here before?
Katarn replies, "No, I haven't."
Darren: Very well, I'll just get some forms here...
Darren scrambles behind the counter.
Darren: Ah, yes, this one and this one, I think.
Darren hands them to Katarn with a pen.
Darren: Just fill these out, please, then return them to me.
Katarn fills out the forms and returns them to Darren.
Darren takes the forms and has a quick look over them.
Darren: Well, that seems very clear. Let's see if I can find a donation room free.
Darren leads Katarn down the corridor.
Darren ushers Katarn into Donation Room 4.
Darren: Here we are. Please have a seat on the couch, there.
Darren indicates a rather odd shaped couch.
Katarn sits on the couch.
Darren puts the forms on the desk at the side and comes and sits next to Katarn.
Darren: Okay, Katarn, I'll explain what I'm going to do.
Darren extends his handling tentacles.
Darren: I'm going to hold you gently but firmly with these.
Darren: Then I will place my laterals [extends them] along your arm.
Darren: It's very important that you don't move at all.
Darren: You comfortable with that?
Katarn: Yes, that's fine.
Darren: Okay. After that, I will make fifth contact by putting my lips on
yours.
Darren: I will then start to draw off selyn.
Darren: You will feel nothing. All you have to do is be still
Darren: When I have finished I'll calculate how much selyn you donated, and
write you a receipt for that amount.
Darren: You take it to the bursar, and he will pay you.
Katarn: ~happy~
Darren smiles at Katarn's reaction to his mention of "pay".
Darren: You ready to start, then?
Darren: If you feel uncomfortable or anything during the transfer, I'll feel it and stop.
Katarn: Yes, I'm ready to begin.
Darren takes Katarn's arms in his hands and wraps his tentacles around them in a firm hold.
Darren waits to make sure that Katarn is comfortable with that.
Katarn: ~happy~
Darren extends his laterals, which are slightly damp.
Darren: Right?
Katarn starts to feel a little nervous.
Darren: It's okay, don't be nervous.
Darren: Tell you what, you make 5th contact when you are ready.
Darren: But please, don't move until I break contact.
Darren stays relaxed until Katarn is ready.
Katarn: Okay. I'm ready.
Darren waits for Katarn to make the 5th contact.
Darren: Lean forward and put your lips on mine.
Darren: Then don't move.
Katarn begins to make 5th contact.
Darren starts to slowly draw from the GN-3 levels.
Darren continues smoothly onto the GN-2 levels.
Darren is surprised at the depth of the field and increases his draw speed a little.
Darren draws the GN-1 level and stops.
Darren breaks 5th contact and retracts his laterals.
Darren: Very good, Katarn. You can move now.
Darren hands Katarn a towel to wipe his arms with.
Katarn uses the towel, as he gets up too leave the room.
Darren: [they have ronaplin, the selyn transferring hormone, on them]
Darren: Don't be so quick, Katarn!
Darren: I haven't filled out your chit yet!
Darren picks up the forms, writes the amount of selyn drawn on them.
Darren: Katarn, have you ever thought about Donor training?
Katarn: No, not really. What would be involved?
Darren: Please come and sit down again.
Darren: You have a very good field.
Darren: Of course, as you hadn't donated before, it would have been higher then normal, anyway.
Darren: I think that, with some training, you could be a Donor.
Darren: A Donor is a Gen who serves a channels personal need.
Katarn returns to the couch to listen to Darren
Darren: It's good work. The Tecton is a good employer.
Darren: They do tend to move people around a bit.
see note 2
Notes:
1) It is not clear whether this is Darrel misspelled, or another channel. [return]
2) Unknown whether this is the real ending or if there is more log that has never been submitted. [return]
Go on to Episode #202: Young People These Days
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