Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Bender Cove Township Scenario
Episode #232: V'larians Reunite (4/30/98)
Eliza grabs a cab.
HoleNFlor cab stops for Eliza.
Eliza is going to tell Snake that she can go! [leaving out the bit about having to ask D'cor if he wants to go first]
Eliza: Can you take me to the Ferry Building, please?
HoleNFlor: Sure thing, lady. Hop in.
HoleNFlor: Mind the hole!!
HoleNFlor cab has a huge hole.. about 2' x 2'... in the floor where people's feet would go.
Eliza stands on the edge, noticing that there don't appear to BE floor the hole is so big.
Eliza quickly sits down and puts her feet under her on the seat.
HoleNFlor takes off with a lurch.
Eliza: You should get that fixed!
HoleNFlor: [ground speeds by under Eliza's legs]
HoleNFlor: Yeah yeah, I know. It just happened this morning!
Eliza looks down and imagines falling through it.
Eliza: How did it happen?
HoleNFlor: Damnedest thing I ever saw... [yelling over his shoulder as he drives]
HoleNFlor: A woman was just getting into the cab and she fell right through!
Eliza feels sick.
HoleNFlor: Boy, was her face red.
Eliza: Was she all right?
HoleNFlor: [piece of molding on the side of the cab, which was flapping loose, suddenly breaks off and clatters to the street, and is left behind them]
HoleNFlor: Oh yeah, yeah. She was fine. Boy was she steamed, after the embarrassment wore off!
Eliza drags her eyes off the ground and jumps as the cab seems to fall apart under her.
Eliza: Errr, could you slow down please?
HoleNFlor: What? Oh, sure thing.
Eliza looks behind them at the bits of cab lying on the road.
HoleNFlor slows, and now the cab's groaning and squeaking and rattling can be heard over the wheels and the horses' hooves.
Eliza holds on tight to the seat wondering if that is going to fall out too.
HoleNFlor: [cloth cover of cab's ceiling peels halfway off, and drapes itself over Eliza's head]
Eliza screams.
HoleNFlor: What!! Whoa, whoa! [cab jerks as the horses are startled by the scream]
Eliza: Oh, shen.
Eliza pulls it aside.
Eliza: You know, I don't think this cab is safe!
HoleNFlor: [a spoke from a wheel falls out onto the street, with a musical wood-block clatter]
HoleNFlor: No, no, it's perfectly safe. Been driving it myself for years, and nothing has ever happened.
HoleNFlor: [calling over his shoulder as the horses turn downhill]
Eliza: If you stop here, I'll walk.
HoleNFlor: Oh? Stop here? Okay, if you want.
HoleNFlor pulls on the reins, and reaches for the brake which snaps off in his hand.
HoleNFlor: Oh... dear.
HoleNFlor: Hold on! I'll just turn in over here.
Eliza had started to try to stand and gets thrown back into the seat.
HoleNFlor cab accelerates quickly down the hill as the driver tries to turn the panicky horses off to one side.
HoleNFlor cab sways alarmingly back and forth.
HoleNFlor cab's rear end swings wide and smashes into a pile of garbage cans, running them over.
HoleNFlor: [huge bump and outrageously loud clamor]
Eliza holds on tight to the seat to avoid being thrown on the non existent floor.
Eliza screams again.
HoleNFlor cab breaks in half, the front end going with the horses and driver, the back end with 2 wheels and Eliza continuing downhill.
Eliza screams more.
HalfInCab plunges down a steep, cobblestoned hill.
HalfInCab: [pedestrians and other drivers part to either side, gaping]
Eliza clings to the plummeting wreckage.
HalfInCab comes to a small rise and flies over it like a daredevil stunt.
HalfInCab: [lands with a crash, one wheel now wobbling]
Eliza is flung into a raked up pile of clippings of some sort [sticking and not smelling too good]
Eliza: Ooohhh.
Eliza stands up woozily.
Eliza puts hand to head, nicely smearing the guck that's there.
HalfInCab disappears somewhere in a downward direction, much slower, its progress marked by many odd exclamations of surprise and dismay.
Eliza looks around and tries to work out where she is.
Eliza: [everything is amazingly out of focus]
Eliza looks up to see if the gargoyles are flying.
B'cal treads up the stairs of the Center.
BumBum sees a likely looking "damsel in distress" and approaches her.
B'cal shoves the door of the Center open, barrelling in.
B'cal looks around and sneers at any walking through the lobby.
Eliza sees a pigeon and decides it's a gargoyle.
D'cor is in his bed still trying to work out just how he managed to survive such an amazingly bad transfer.
Eliza: ~~woohoozy~~
BumBum is a short, mean-looking channel with long hair and surprisingly nice clothes.
BumBum is projecting like a renSime however.
BumBum goes up to Eliza.
BumBum: Why hello, my dear. Are you in need of any assistance?
B'cal quickly finds out where D'cor is and heads that way, allowing no one in her way on her quest to another V'larian.
BumBum zlins her nager and thinks, "hubba hubba!"
Eliza focuses on the person in front of her.
Eliza: Snake?
Eliza shakes her head.
Eliza: I'm sorry? Do I know you?
B'cal shoves open the door to where D'cor is.
B'cal: D'cor ambrov V'lar what happened to you!
BumBum: I work for Snake. Perhaps you'd allow me to help you instead?
D'cor looks up and sees B'cal and goes white.
Eliza: Yes, please. I seem to be lost. Where is the Ferry Building?
D'cor: Just another bad transfer. I do not want to talk about it. [Shakes his head]
BumBum: It's right over there. But maybe you should sit down for a little while first?
Eliza: Should I? OK.
B'cal shuts the door, then locks it.
Eliza sits on the ground obediently.
BumBum points 6 or 7 tentacles at 8 or 9 slowly rotating clock towers in the distance.
B'cal smoothes her hair before pulling on the bottom of her jacket.
D'cor: What's brought you back here anyway? Surely Sectuib has more important work for you to do?
B'cal strides over to D'cor.
BumBum blinks at where Eliza sat, then realizes, "well you can never have too much obedience."
B'cal: ANOTHER bad transfer?
D'cor: The one before leaving the House wasn't the best either. Compared to the last one though... well, I'm alive and that's about all that can be said of it.
B'cal moves over to his side and doesn't hesitate to give support.
B'cal switches to an ancient language for more privacy, knowing how these people are at this Center.
BumBum zlins Eliza and decides she's just the thing.
D'cor gratefully relaxes on the support of a V'lar trained First.
Eliza pulls herself together.
B'cal: I'm here because an epidemic has broken out.
B'cal: I am looking for channels to help.
B'cal sighs.
D'cor: An epidemic where? That's not normally our concern is it? [Answers in the same language]
D'cor: Of course I'll help.
B'cal: V'lar.
Eliza looks up at BumBum, finally seeing only a single person where there had been at least 3 before.
B'cal ~~ grief ~~
Eliza: I think there was an accident.
BumBum zlins Eliza.
D'cor: Not V'lar ~ shock ~
Eliza thinks maybe she was the accident.
BumBum: You seem to have bumped your head.
Eliza: ~~less giddy, bruises, nothing broken~~
B'cal nods.
Eliza puts her hand up to the bump again.
BumBum: Would you like to have some tea in a nice quiet cafe?
BumBum: I know of a good one right over there.
B'cal looks at D'cor.
Eliza: Tea sounds wonderful.
Eliza attempts to get up.
D'cor takes a deep breath. "Of course I'll help, I can be ready to leave in an hour or so."
B'cal: We lost Liona just before I left. And....
BumBum takes Eliza's arm, helping her.
B'cal: Well....
Eliza: Thank you.
B'cal: Sectuib is ill.
BumBum: Easy does it. You had quite a fall.
D'cor: ~~sorrow~~
B'cal: No, no.
B'cal: I was told to wait here for word.
BumBum smiles at her.
Eliza thinks, "what a nice man."
BumBum: ~~predatory slimeball~~
B'cal: I have to talk to Snake and then Eliza wanted to go.
Eliza wishes more people were that nice.
B'cal: And in two days. Perhaps by then we'll have the instructions.
BumBum leads Eliza to a small indoor/outdoor cafe.
Eliza smiles at him.
Eliza looks at the guck on her hands.
D'cor: Eliza? [recoils] That's who my transfer was with. She shows promise, but I don't know if she can be trained or not.
B'cal lifts an eyebrow at D'cor.
BumBum points a tentacle at the small restroom.
BumBum: You can wash up in there if you like.
Eliza: I must look a mess.
Eliza: Thanks.
BumBum: Quite understandable, of course.
B'cal: V'lar can handle anyone, even this girl.
B'cal ~~ arrogance ~~
BumBum is undressing her with his laterals.
B'cal: Just let me get a hold of her for a week and she'll change.
Eliza toddles off, more or less in a not very straight line, to where the nice man pointed.
Eliza finds a tap and proceeds to wash hands, arms and face.
D'cor: There is something in the basement here, and between injuries, being close to attrition, and a nervous Donor it was a transfer I'll never feel like talking about.
B'cal ~~ steady ~~
B'cal: There is always something in this basement, or attic, or in the empty rooms... or broom closets.
B'cal: Probably the little tart making her rounds.
B'cal: Or the sniveling... no, he wouldn't be here.
Eliza looks for something to wipe herself on.
Eliza: [no towels]
Eliza shakes her hands clean and head back out, still damp.
BumBum brings tea to the table he has chosen, and contemplates training up this little doxie to be his next transfer experiment.
BumBum: Oo, with a nager like that, she ought to last 2 or 3 months at least.
B'cal: Be that as it may, I'll expect a report on it so we'll know just how to handle Eliza on the return trip.
D'cor sits back with a grin on his face looking forward to seeing B'cal start working with Eliza. "Are you OK? You don't have it I hope, we can't afford to lose you, B'cal. V'lar cannot afford to lose to many top people... and with Liona gone...."
Eliza returns to sit down at the table with the nice man.
Eliza: Thank you for this. I appreciate your help.
BumBum smiles at her.
Eliza smiles back.
BumBum: It is my pleasure to be of service. [smiles again, with a certain quality of longing]
Eliza: Did you say you worked for Hajene Snake?
BumBum: Yes, I do. What was it you wanted to speak to her about?
B'cal: Now, you want to tell me what happened? How long are you going to be in here?
D'cor stops smiling as his mind starts working on the extent of the disaster that has hit V'lar, and exactly what the house is going to have to do to recover from it.
BumBum is always on the lookout for stray tidbits of value that people might accidentally leak to him, thinking Snake entrusts him with information.
Eliza looks at him in confusion trying to remember what she was going to talk to Snake about.
Eliza: ~confused~
Eliza: You know, I can't remember?
BumBum: That's all right. [soothingly]
BumBum touches Eliza's hand in what is supposed to be a comforting fashion.
Eliza: ~~stressing as she is trying to remember~~
D'cor: Well to put in simply, Eliza shenned me about 4 times while we were having transfer. I'm functional this month but just. Something, large hairy and with very smelly armpits, had picked me up the previous day and tried to take me into one corner of the room.
BumBum is swooning over how nice her nager is, and how much of it there is.
Eliza instinctively pulls her hand back.
BumBum thinks, shy too... perfect.
B'cal listens to the description and thinks of Veraik.
BumBum withdraws his tentacles and keeps his hand to himself.
B'cal knows he has a habit of picking up people.
Eliza puts that hand to her head to hide the embarrassment of pulling it away.
Eliza: Must be the bump.
D'cor: That injured a lateral before I was able to get free, and I had no option but to go into healing sleep. When I woke up I was close to attrition and Eliza was nervous about it coming back. So she was concentrating on background noises not me, and she shenned me about 4 times.
Eliza picks up the tea closest to her and drinks it quickly.
BumBum: Well, perhaps I can help you remember.
B'cal reaches out for D'cor's arms. ~~ concern ~~
B'cal: Where the shenned was the contr-- never mind. I know how this place works.
B'cal: Well, you don't have to put up with that this month and I'll make sure she learns just what a Donor is while she's with us.
B'cal smiles, her eyes narrowing.
Eliza looks at him in surprise.
Eliza: Are you a channel?
Eliza: Oh you did say you worked for Snake didn't you?
BumBum: Yes, I do.
D'cor: I did manage to finish of the transfer with her, so most of the damage was cleared there. I can be up from here now, I've being taking it easy to give myself a chance to get back to full strength though.
BumBum: ~~peculiar mix of pride and resentment~~
Eliza can't zlin but she can see mixed emotions on his face.
Eliza: I'm sorry Hajene, I didn't get your name?
Eliza blushes as she realises she didn't tell him who she was either.
D'cor joins B'cal in the smile, quite happy that someone higher up in the house is going to work on the mess for him.
B'cal: Which is certainly understandable.
Eliza: I'm Sosu Eliza from the Center [points in the wrong direction]
BumBum: My name is Bumanuel Altavista. [with a flourish, the name rolls off his tongue]
BumBum: And it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
Eliza thinks that is a nice name.
BumBum would like to get acquainted with her on a lot more thorough basis, in about 3 weeks.
Eliza: That's an unusual name.
B'cal: Then I'll leave you to dress and we can then go to Snake's to talk with her.
B'cal: I told them to deliver any messages in care of her.
BumBum: It is from the Southern Continent. My great grandfather was from there.
Eliza: Bumanuel.
D'cor: Certainly, B'cal.
B'cal nods and goes out the door, pulling it closed behind her.
Eliza: Oh! I remember!
Eliza puts her cup down hard.
BumBum looks surprised.
Eliza: I remember what I was going to see Snake about.
Eliza looks to see if Bumanuel has finished his tea.
BumBum: Oh? What is that? [genuinely curious, mostly because he hopes to turn the situation to his own advantage]
Eliza: That I can go to V'lar with her.
Eliza is good at keeping things private.
BumBum: V'lar?
BumBum has no clue what/where V'lar is.
BumBum: I see.
BumBum regrets that he can find no way to twist this to his benefit.
BumBum sips his tea and sighs.
Eliza: There is a plague or something and Snake said that she and her channels... oh!
Eliza: That would mean you, wouldn't it?
BumBum's ears perk up.
BumBum: Er....
Eliza wonders if maybe she shouldn't have said anything about it until Snake had had a chance to talk to "her people".
BumBum hates getting caught out in the open like this.
BumBum: Well, shall we go there now?
B'cal sneers at someone who walks past and smiles in satisfaction when they hurry off.
Eliza: ~relief~
BumBum is worried there is something that is a really big deal that he didn't know anything about.
Eliza: Yes, thank you for the tea.
BumBum: [granted, with Snake he usually doesn't, but in this case it might directly concern him]
Eliza: ~gratitude~
BumBum: Shall I escort you there? I was actually on my way there anyway.
D'cor rushes around packing bags to take back with him.
Boofay walks down the hallway, minding his own business.
Eliza: ~more gratitude~
Eliza: That would be great, thanks. [hand to head again] I guess I still look a mess.
BumBum: You look nice.
BumBum: ~~sincerely, although perhaps he should have said "zlin" ~~
Eliza gets all flustered.
B'cal sees Boofay.
B'cal: You!
Eliza: ~embarrassed~
B'cal sneers.
Boofay jumps.
Boofay thinks 'wow, it's pit bull mama again!'
B'cal: Shenned jumpy people in this place.
Boofay: Hey, how're they hangin'?
Boofay: [super casually]
B'cal: Better than yours, I'm sure.
B'cal sneers.
Boofay looks at her like she's a mental case.
B'cal: Now, tell me, what do you know about any going ons in the basement of this Center?
Eliza follows Bumbum, automatically in support.
Boofay gapes at her, in the way that teenagers do better than anyone else.
Boofay: In the basement? Like where we do all the filing?
Boofay thinks, lots and lots and lots of FILING goes on there, mostly.
B'cal: Yes. Down the stairs.
B'cal: Odd goings on.
B'cal: Like channels or Donors possibly attacking others... or big hairy....
B'cal thinks she is not going to say what D'cor said.
BumBum walks along the "Eastern Promenade", which is actually a yukky, cracked, weedy road fronting on some abandoned wharves.
Eliza hasn't taken this route before.
Boofay: Ummmmmmmmmnnn...... [trying to look like he's thinking really hard]
B'cal: Things that don't belong.
B'cal: What, were you born out-Territory or something?
Boofay thinks this woman is a wacko and decides to have some fun with her.
Boofay: Well, I did see something kind of unusual the other day....
Boofay tries for beguiling innocence.
B'cal: Really?
B'cal's eyes narrow.
Boofay: Yeah... down by the pharmaceuticals cold-storage.
B'cal: Oh?
Eliza: Is it far?
Eliza feels woohoozy again.
BumBum 's tentacles cover a bit more of Eliza's arm than is strictly required for simple guidance.
Eliza: ~woohoozy and absent minded support~
Eliza realises what she is doing and quickly [and suddenly] stops doing it.
Eliza: ~ooops! sorry~
Boofay: Yeah. I saw this... this thing. It had black fur that stood straight up like this. [makes waving motions high over his head]
B'cal: And?
BumBum shudders.
BumBum: Why did you stop?
Eliza: ~confused~
BumBum: [tone of voice implies it felt really good]
Eliza: I didn't think I was supposed to.
Boofay: It looked like a giant... like a giant stoat, or a weasel or something, with shiny glowing eyes.
Eliza is uncertain on this point, usually the channel either runs away or the channel's Donor yells at her.
Boofay is really starting to get into this story.
BumBum: Well, it would be a little better if you weren't so dizzy, but you really are quite good.
B'cal: And what was done to this... thing?
Eliza gets even woohoozier with him saying that.
BumBum: Do you want to sit down for a little rest?
BumBum steers her over to a low wall to sit on.
Eliza: ~support~
Eliza sits on it.
Eliza: I'm okay, really. Is it much further?
Boofay: It arms were full of little bottles... what? Oh, I just ran like hell.
B'cal: No one caught it?
B'cal is appalled.
Boofay: I was the only one who saw it. You think I would tell a crazy story like that to just anybody?
B'cal: Then why don't you just SHOW me where you saw it.
Boofay looks at B'cal round-eyed, thinking this lady is really gullible.
Boofay: S.. sure, if that's what you want.
Boofay: [helpfully]
BumBum points up at the Ferry Building... about 5 blocks away.
BumBum: That's it right there.
Eliza groans at the distance
D'cor finishes packing his stuff (not that there was all that much of it), and starts going through medical supplies attempting to work out which ones would be worthwhile taking.
BumBum sits beside her, enjoying her nager and the reeking stench of algae drying on the rotten wharves.
Boofay leads B'cal to the basement.
Eliza wishes she could lean on him, just a little.
Boofay thinks it would be fun to get her lost down there.
Boofay has been really, really bored at work lately.
B'cal: Well come on. I don't have all day.
BumBum zlins Eliza, then gently puts his arm around her.
BumBum: Are you all right?
BumBum: ~~yahooo!~~~
BumBum: ~~gloat gloat~~~
Eliza: Just a bit giddy actually
Boofay: Watch out, it's kind of dark down here.
B'cal sneers.
Boofay leads B'cal down into total darkness.
B'cal: Of course it is, you moron.
Boofay thinks a lady this mean deserves to get really lost and spend hours trying to find her way out.
B'cal: Now, flip the switch and let's get some light.
Boofay: It's right up here. [from about 20 feet ahead of B'cal]
Boofay: Come on.
B'cal is certain this kid is lying... but follows anyway.
Eliza leans against him gratefully [and just a little guiltily]
BumBum: No sense in pushing too hard too soon, after all.
BumBum never lives by that principle himself, of course
Boofay leads B'cal around various corners, then stops, flipping a switch he knows does nothing at all.
Boofay: [flip flip flip] Shen!
B'cal: What?
Boofay: I guess the bulb is burnt out.
Boofay: Don't worry, the pharmacy has its own light.
B'cal: Oh really?
Boofay: It's only a little ways farther.
Eliza: I guess not.
Eliza wonders where Bumanuel's Donor is.
Boofay leads B'cal farther into the basement, picking the most obscure routes he can think of.
B'cal: Listen, kid. If you're lying to me, it's the last easy breath you'll take.
Boofay: [pushing aside cobwebs, stumbling over piles of moldy old records]
Boofay: No no, I really did see a giant weasel with glowing white eyes, pilfering the drugs.
Boofay is getting farther and farther ahead.
B'cal: Weasel!
Boofay: Ah! Here we are.
B'cal: Just a minute you shendoini idiot. That was no weasel, that was SNAKE FARRIS.
B'cal: Come back here!
Boofay ducks into a side corridor and tiptoes gently away.
B'cal hurries to catch up and walks into a wall.
B'cal ~~ furious ~~
B'cal: You will surely regret this you little tidbit of life.
Hairy Ogre hears the word "tidbit" and his stomach growls.
Hairy Ogre: [GARGLEARGLEARGLE GUGGLEUGGLEUGGLE GROWWWWLLLAAAGGGGHHHHGLLLAAAAALLLL]
B'cal puts her hands out, one on the wall, and one in front of her and starts forward, following the wall.
Hairy Ogre: Meeeeee Hungryyyyy. [deep, basso mournful voice from somewhere in the bowels of the Center's basement]
B'cal hears something and stops... listening.
B'cal: You little lowlife... come back here!
Hairy Ogre: [snuff snuff snufff..... snifsnifsnif snuffle]
Hairy Ogre: Fee Fi Foe Fum!!
Hairy Ogre: [shaking the walls]
B'cal goes forward, certain this is some nasty little trick.
B'cal: I'd suggest, you little nonentity, that you give it up.
Hairy Ogre moves in the direction of the delectable smell.
Hairy Ogre rarely gets a chance to snack on middle aged women as they usually have more sense than to get lost in the basement.
B'cal: I've had some of the best attempt to trick me.
Hairy Ogre: [stomp.... stomp... stomp.... crunch[splat]... stomp... stomp...]
B'cal: You might as well give it u-u-up now.
B'cal looks oddly wondering how the shenned the little twerp did that.
Hairy Ogre shoves aside an old, rotting door and steps into the room with the "tidbit".
Hairy Ogre: [massive, heat-radiating, stinking, hairy body]
Hairy Ogre reaches out for B'cal.
B'cal steps back, her nose wrinkling in distaste.
Hairy Ogre: I make stew out of you!!
Hairy Ogre's long, long arms keep reaching.
Hairy Ogre plucks up B'cal and tucks her under his huge, meaty, sweaty, onion-smelling armpit.
B'cal hears that and realizes THIS is what D'cor was talking about.
B'cal: Hey, you overgrown testosterone walking Gen, put me down!
Hairy Ogre carries B'cal back to his lair, singing a happy little tune about how lucky he is.
Hairy Ogre: You will taste good with lots of garlic. [promises B'cal]
B'cal reaches around grabs Hairy Ogre by his manly manly and twists--hard.
Hairy Ogre puts B'cal face down on a large chopping block.
Hairy Ogre: oooooOOOOOOhhhhhhhrghghhh!!!
Hairy Ogre reaches down and separates B'cal's grip from his thingie.
B'cal twists again and again, refusing to let go.
B'cal: You shen..donoi....
Hairy Ogre: You feisty one!
B'cal kicks it in the shin... nearly breaking her toe.
Hairy Ogre picks up a large mallet and taps B'cal on the head.
B'cal leans forward and bites an arm.
B'cal thinks she'd better not get poisoned from this.
B'cal staggers.
B'cal blinks.
Hairy Ogre: [actually it's a meat tenderizer, but he isn't trying to tenderize her head.. yet]
Hairy Ogre presses her face first on the chopping block.
B'cal ducks her head and rams the thing in the gut.
B'cal: mmuurrppphhh mmooorraaapp.
Hairy Ogre: Owww. [complains]
Hairy Ogre taps her on the head again to make her a little more malleable.
Hairy Ogre: [more firmly this time]
B'cal ~~ unconscious ~~
Hairy Ogre mourns his sore monsterhood.
Hairy Ogre pulls a large bag of garlic down from a rafter.
Hairy Ogre pulls out a big handful and starts rubbing B'cal vigorously all over with the garlic, crushing it against her.
Hairy Ogre shifts his feet, then adjusts his loincloth.
Hairy Ogre: Oww. Nasty little creature.
Hairy Ogre plunges the limp B'cal into a nice marinade of red wine and garlic, marjoram, onions, and brandy.
Hairy Ogre goes off to attend to some of his other business, figuring to leave her in there for 4-6 hours.
D'cor has finished packing everything, and is starting to wonder what's happened to B'cal.
Jelana walks down the hall.
Jelana wonders where her Channel is.
Jelana: Ah, hello D'cor.
Jelana: How are you today?
Jelana thinks now there would be a channel to have transfer with.
Jelana smiles.
D'cor: Hello Jelana. I'm OK, a lot better than what I was anyway. Have you seen B'cal around anywhere?
Jelana: Why, yes, I have.
Jelana: She was with Boofay. They were going down the stairs together.
D'cor: Going down stairs, oh boy. [Shakes his head] I'd better go down and find her I think.
Jelana: I, well... I see.
Jelana: Of course.
Jelana wonders what is so strange about a Donor going downstairs that D'cor thinks he must chase them down.
D'cor strides away, heading towards the basement. Not really happy about going back in there, but he's got to get B'cal out.
B'cal groans.
D'cor gets to the door and after a short pause opens it and starts down the stairs. Zlinning for both danger and any hint of B'cal's nager.
D'cor: B'cal [Shouts], are you down here?
B'cal sits up, her head is pounding.
B'cal winces.
D'cor: B'cal! [louder]
B'cal smells something awful and realizes she has been doused in garlic.
B'cal: I'm here!
B'cal is in the back.
D'cor reaches the bottom of the stairs and heads in the direction of the faint voice that he heard. "B'cal, is that you?"
B'cal rubs her head, getting off the table.
B'cal: Yes. Yes it is.
B'cal staggers forward toward the door.
D'cor: [Zlinning for any sign of the 'something', D'cor starts hurrying over to B'cal.]
B'cal: What the shenned....
B'cal rubs her head.
B'cal shoves the door open, barreling out.
D'cor gets there just as B'cal bursts through and is able to catch her before she stumbles and hurts herself.
B'cal blinks.
B'cal: [smells like garlic and a few other things]
D'cor: Shen B'cal what are you covered in? No, on second thoughts don't bother answering that, let's just get out of here.
B'cal: So, tell me, is the Controller into new fetishes or something?
B'cal is still convinced that it is Veraik... maybe.
D'cor: We can sort it out later, lets just get out of here. [looks around nervously just in case the 'something' is still around.]
B'cal walks with D'cor, still feeling a bit woozy.
D'cor gets to the stairs and slowly starts walking up, keeping a close eye on B'cal. [Though not too close, the smell of the garlic is making his eyes water.]
B'cal: Yuck.
B'cal: I need a shower.
D'cor doesn't bother answering as he considers it obvious.
D'cor gets to the top of the stairs and is surprised to see that the door remained open this time. "I'll go find one of the Controllers while you have a shower."
B'cal nods.
B'cal heads up the stairs, intending to roust someone from their room and while she showers.
B'cal tries to think of who is her size.
BumBum zlins that Eliza is no longer dizzy.
BumBum reluctantly slips his arm from around her shoulders, and takes her hand instead.
BumBum: Shall we go to the Ferry Building now?
D'cor heads off down the corridor, intending to see Veraik to sort out what's happening. When Veraik isn't in his office though, he continues on down the corridor to see Briel.
Eliza: ~gratitude~
Eliza: I'm really grateful to you, Bumanuel, for your help.
BumBum: It has been nothing but a pleasure for me, I assure you.
BumBum: [actually this is not precisely true... it's been an incredible turn-on too.]
Eliza has met so few really helpful people here, Snake of course being one of them. It only stands to reason she would employ others of the same kind.
BumBum is hatching many nefarious schemes of how to get his hands on Eliza permanently.
BumBum: [or at least for the 2-3 months the best ones seem to last]
Eliza follows BumBum up the street, ~supporting~ the nice man happily.
BumBum reaches the Ferry Building and signals at the door.
Toi Toi opens the door.
Toi Toi: Oh, it's you. [to BumBum]
Eliza smiles brightly at Toi Toi.
Toi Toi lets them in.
Toi Toi: Hello, Eliza.
Eliza: Hello, Toi Toi.
BumBum looks at Toi Toi unpleasantly, jealous of the great response she got from Eliza.
BumBum: So, Snake wanted to see me?
Toi Toi: I don't know about that. But she did say she has to talk to you.
Eliza: I wanted to talk to her too, Toi Toi.
Eliza: Had a bit of an accident, Bumanuel here looked after me.
Eliza: ~what a nice man~
Toi Toi looks at BumBum and Eliza incredulously.
Toi Toi: Sure.
Eliza waits patiently next to Bumanuel.
Vabun slinks across the street trying to get to the door of the Ferry Building without being noticed by anyone.
Toi Toi shoots BumBum a 'you better not try anything on that sweet innocent young girl' look.
Vabun: [All that he does with his slinking is to succeed in drawing attention to himself.]
BumBum meets Toi Toi's look accidentally and stiffens.
BumBum: Uh... maybe we ought to go on up. Yeah.
BumBum starts toward the stairs.
Eliza: Oh! OK.
Toi Toi: Hold it right there!
Toi Toi: Have a seat, I'll let her know you're here.
Eliza figures that must be okay cause Bumanuel works here after all.
Vabun tries to knock on the door and succeeds, but only at the cost of tearing the skin off his knuckles.
Eliza looks from one to the other in confusion.
Toi Toi sighs and goes to unlock the door again.
Toi Toi: Hello, can I help you?
BumBum: She's uh, a little bit domineering. I try to humor her. [to Eliza]
Vabun: Yes, I'm trying to find a channel [whispers].
BumBum: Anyway, you probably want to rest again before climbing all those stairs?
Toi Toi: Okay... please come in and have a seat.
Vabun sneaks inside.
Toi Toi: You'll have to wait your turn after these other people, though. Is that okay?
Toi Toi pokes her head out the door, looks around, shrugs, and closes the door again.
Vabun: Er, Okay.
Eliza looks at the new person carefully.
Vabun is a young RenSime, who looks to be 2-3 months past changeover.
Toi Toi climbs the stairs and disappears from view.
Eliza: I'm fine now, thanks Bumanuel.
BumBum sits down anyway.
Eliza smiles at the renSime.
BumBum wonders jealously if she smiles at EVERYBODY.
Eliza sits down too, near, but not THAT near, Bumanuel.
Vabun looks at Bumanuel and then looks away. Eliza, however, he considers to be worth a smile so that is what he gives her.
Eliza: Did you say you needed a Channel? Hajene Bumanuel, here, is a channel.
BumBum sidles closer to Eliza.
Eliza: He works here.
BumBum is a short, mean looking channel with long hair and wearing sharp clothes.
BumBum looks at the renSime suspiciously.
BumBum: [from behind Eliza]
Vabun looks at BumBum suspiciously before answering. "Actually I was sort of hoping for Hajene Farris, but you may do."
BumBum bristles as he wonders what Snake has that he doesn't have. Besides being a First, of course.
Eliza: ~support~
Vabun points to Eliza. "Does she work here?"
Eliza: Oh no! I'm just a friend of Snake's.
BumBum winces at those words.
BumBum thinks it's going to be awfully tough nabbing her for his experiments if Snake is going to be hanging around her all the time.
BumBum thinks, 'curses'.
Doodie walks up the front steps of the Sime Center.
Doodie stops on the top step and looks around, then turns around and goes partway back up the walk to where some tulips have bloomed.
Doodie gets on his hands and knees and inhales deeply of the tulips.
Vabun smiles. "I've found a couple of Gens who are willing to Donate every month simply to be able to get post. And I need to see someone about organising transfers for myself as well, so I thought I may be able to do a deal with Snake. Since she's not here, though, and you are - how about it?
Doodie: [nose inside one of the flowers sucking the petals up against his nostrils]
Doodie: snifffFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Eliza is shocked.
Eliza didn't think that sort of thing was allowed.
Doodie climbs up the front steps again and enters the Center.
Doodie: [to the clerk] AHHHHH, what a beautiful spring day.
Doodie has pollen on the end of his nose and green stains on his knees.
BumBum: I don't get it. What are you trying to do??
Vabun: All that I want is a transfer every month.. I don't like the Tecton and their mania for paperwork so I try to avoid them, that's pretty much it basically. These two Gens are willing to donate, and I want the selyn that you get from one of them. That's it, that's your part of the bargain.
BumBum scratches his head.
BumBum: This sounds like the kind of penny-ante thing Snake would get into.
BumBum: [dismissive]
Eliza looks at Bumanuel in shock
Eliza: ~horrified~
Eliza can't believe he said that about Snake
BumBum also wouldn't dare lay a tentacle on a client right in Snake's entryway, she'd string him up by his laterals.
Vabun: Oh well, if you're not interested I'll wait and see Snake. I just don't like paperwork, that's the only reason why I'm doing it.
Eliza edges away [nagerically] from Bumanuel.
BumBum figures the guy just isn't into paying his taxes.
BumBum: [actually he can sympathize with that, he hasn't paid any in years himself]
Wise Snake comes down the stairs.
Wise Snake surveys the group sitting there, looking a bit surprised at the combination.
Wise Snake: Ah... hello, BumBum, Eliza.
Wise Snake: And...? [turns to the renSime]
Eliza jumps up, remembers not to embrace her at the last minute.
Eliza: Snake! I can go with you!
Eliza doesn't quite bounce.
Vabun: Vabun, at your service Hajene. I'm here to see you on a possible business matter.
BumBum jumps at Eliza's exclamation.
Wise Snake jumps at Eliza's exclamation also.
Eliza jumps cause they jumped.
Wise Snake: Thank you for coming, Vabun. [a little shakily]
Vabun jumps as the two channels react.
Wise Snake: All right, who's first?
Vabun moves to a chair a bit further away from Eliza.
BumBum considers himself the most important there, but he has learned from experience if he says anything Snake will serve him dead last just to tick him off.
Vabun: I believe the other two are.
BumBum prudently points a tentacle at Eliza instead.
Eliza: I'm not in a hurry.
Eliza: I just came to tell you I can go [big smile] and to see when we are leaving.
Wise Snake: Ah.... all right. Well, I'm afraid there's been a change of.. look, let's go upstairs and talk about this.
Wise Snake eyes BumBum, then gestures to Eliza to accompany her.
Eliza: Oh. I can wait if you want to see the others first.
Wise Snake stops.
Eliza doesn't want to go first cause then she wold probably have to leave.
Wise Snake looks at them all, narrow eyed.
Wise Snake: ONE of you people has to be first.
Wise Snake: If none of you wants to be helped, you are all welcome to leave.
Wise Snake seems to be under some stress.
BumBum raises a tentacle hopefully.
Vabun: Ahh. [seeing that no-one else was coming forward] I was just wondering if you wanted to do a deal of sorts, hajene.
Wise Snake sees BumBum raise his tentacle and automatically looks over to Vabun.
Wise Snake smiles.
Eliza: ~soothing~
Wise Snake: Of course. Please come up to my office and we can discuss it.
Vabun stands and heads towards the stairs.
Wise Snake leads Vabun up to the 3rd floor.
Eliza is glad the bondage furniture is gone, somehow she wouldn't have felt comfortable sitting on it with Bumanuel.
Vabun is glad that he's a Sime after climbing all those stairs. It leaves him wondering how a Gen could ever manage at times.
BumBum is glad that all those extra people are gone, and smiles at Eliza.
BumBum: She can't even appreciate your nager, you know. She's too high and mighty.
Wise Snake leads Vabun into the office and offers him a seat.
Wise Snake: Tea?
Eliza smiles back a tad uncomfortably.
BumBum 's obvious implication is that HE suffers from no such impediment.
Eliza doesn't like people talking about Snake that way.
Eliza: She is a Farris First and I'm not trained.
Eliza: And I'm only a 2nd.
Eliza: I know that I make her feel uncomfortable.
Vabun: [Vabun sits] Well Hajene it's like this, I hate paperwork, and the Tecton's insane drive to fill out forms all the time leaves me a bit cold. I was wondering if I could possibly organize my transfers through you from now on.
Eliza: Still, when she is all upset like that I wish there was something I could do.
BumBum: I'd say that's her problem, not yours. I mean, 99% of the Sime population would think your nager is gorgeous.
BumBum: And the other 1%? Who needs 'em?
Wise Snake gives Vabun some tea and sits at her desk, listening.
Wise Snake zlins Vabun for truth/falsehood.
Eliza: I have a problem with my current assignment too. He is a 2nd and we are supposed to be well matched, but he doesn't like it either.
BumBum: What a shame.
BumBum seems genuinely sympathetic.
BumBum: [seems being the operative word there]
Vabun: [rushes on] I have found a couple of Gens who are willing to donate for the pleasures of being able to get post every month, and I would like to know if I could get the selyn from one of them, with the other being payment, or part payment of my transfer fee.
Vabun: ~ true enough, apart from some shading around the edges ~
Eliza feels good with Bumanuel's sympathetic manner. So many people seem to be on D'cor's side over this.
Wise Snake frowns thoughtfully.
Eliza strengthens her ~support~
Wise Snake: Well, I don't normally buy selyn, but... perhaps something could be arranged. Do you all live in the same household?
BumBum relaxes visibly.
Eliza: ~soothing~
Vabun: Yes we do, it's on the corner of Walnut and Pine.
BumBum: My, you DO have a special talent. [big pumpkin-grin]
Wise Snake: I see.
Eliza grins back, willing to forgive him the slips about Snake.
Eliza: [well the benefit of the doubt anyway]
Wise Snake: Well, I think something could be arranged, if you were to sign up for my health-and-protection package.
Wise Snake: That would include checkups and emergency medical services, as well as genuine Bender Cove police protection.
Vabun: Yes, I've heard of that [grins]. I may sign the whole family up. 1 child, and 3 adults, 2 Gens and myself. How much would that be worth per month?
Wise Snake: Does either of the Gens already donate at the Sime Center?
Vabun: My sister does, and my girlfriend was doing direct transfers before I met her, she hasn't donated at all for the last 3 months.
Wise Snake: All right, is there any reason she can't donate at the Center too?
Wise Snake is "writing this all down" mentally.
BumBum, infected by Eliza's grin, touches her hand teasingly.
Vabun: My girlfriend has being making things interesting for me. It's part of the reason why I'm trying to get away from the Tecton. Her production level must be sky high, and she makes things difficult for me at times. We've being living apart for the last week of my cycle.
Eliza jumps a little at the contact.
Eliza giggles.
Eliza: Sorry.
BumBum is nearly overcome by her giggling, positive nager.
BumBum: [in a good way]
Vabun: She doesn't donate at the Center, because, well she claims that she wants to be able to feel it. It's the only thing that gets her post enough. And that's something that I'm all for.
BumBum: That guy you're working with doesn't know what he has. I'd transfer with you in an instant, if I had the chance.
Eliza: How come you don't work for the Tecton?
Vabun: Tecton standard, no feeling of movement for the Gen. She claims that's worse than going without. I've stopped arguing with her over it.
Wise Snake looks puzzled.
Wise Snake: Why doesn't she just go in for Donor training? The pay is excellent and it would satisfy her... need for real transfer.
Vabun: She hates the Tecton and she wants me. I'm not complaining, and if she's willing to live like she is, then so be it.
Wise Snake: Um, okay.
Wise Snake: So you don't just want to trade selyn for a transfer, you actually want her to have special donations that will stimulate her as if she were giving personal transfer?
Wise Snake thinks this deal is beginning to sound like more and more of a money pit, and these people have so far listed no really pressing reason why they can't use the SC.
Wise Snake: Or do you want me to actually work her as a Donor?
Vabun: Aha, that's what we want. For T'Sara's donations to simulate her to as much as a Donation would if possible, and I've also heard that you give the best transfers.
BumBum: Me?
BumBum laughs.
BumBum: You don't know my family.
BumBum: I didn't even know what a Sime Center was until I was 17.
Eliza: But don't you have trouble getting Donors?
BumBum: Getting them, no. Keeping them... well....
Eliza: Why? What happens to them?
BumBum hides an expression of discomfort.
BumBum: Oh, they... I guess the ones I find aren't really cut out for the job of being a Donor.
BumBum: Not everybody is capable of becoming one, you know.
Vabun: How much would you charge for it all?
Eliza: Oh.
Eliza: If you joined the Tecton they would find a suitable Donor for you every month.
Wise Snake frowns to herself.
Wise Snake: Well....
Wise Snake mentally adds up the pluses (getting another house on that block into the protection ring, and getting the three non-SC-donors on the health plan), and the minuses: the illegal (for no good reason) transfer, satisfying the Donor who doesn't want to give transfer, and the general pain-in-the ass factor of the little voice in the back of her head telling her to say no.
Wise Snake: Can your transfer be from somebody besides me?
BumBum: Oh, no. [laughs a bit nervously] The Tecton wouldn't want me.
BumBum: Not now. I'm too old.
BumBum appears to be around 20, although an aged 20.
Eliza: Not at all! There are lots of channels older then you!
Eliza: Most of the channels where I work are older then you are!
BumBum thinks her innocence is almost painfully charming.
BumBum smiles at her sadly.
Eliza smiles back, puzzled.
BumBum: Well, maybe I'll look into that sometime.
Vabun: I don't think so, I've asked around and the name that kept on coming up was yours. My girlfriend is keen on the idea as well, she wants a female channel involved and she's heard of you somewhere.
Eliza hopes so, it would be nice working with a nice man like that.
Wise Snake: All right.
Wise Snake names an exorbitant figure, which in her mind is about 60% of what she would normally have charged.
Wise Snake: [seeing as how her personal transfer fees are based on the incomes of drug-smugglers and gang lords]
Wise Snake: That would assume your sister keeps donating at the Sime Center and would not be in on the health plan.
Eliza tries to think of "pleasant conversation" to make.
Vabun: Ok, then I can pay that. My next transfer is due in 3 weeks can we start from there? And I may be able to talk my sister into changing over as well, she may or not want to but I'll do what I can.
Eliza: How long have you worked for Snake?
BumBum winces.
BumBum: Er... about a month now.
Eliza: ~pulls in~
Eliza: I'm sorry, was I making you feel uncomfortable?
Eliza: ~worry~
BumBum: Not with your nager. I... the subject of my employment is a sore one for me.
BumBum wonders why in shen he admitted that to someone who is practically a stranger.
Vabun: ~ relief ~
Eliza: Oh. ~soothing support~ Why?
Eliza would love to work for Snake.
Wise Snake looks at Vabun incredulously.
Wise Snake: TALK your sister into changing over?
Vabun: Changing over to your health plan is what I meant.
Wise Snake: Oh.
Wise Snake: I thought you were talking about the child.... never mind.
Wise Snake: No, no, don't try to talk your sister anything. She's doing the right thing already.
Wise Snake is very firm on this.
Vabun: Ok then, as you wish. You're the boss on this.
Wise Snake sighs.
Wise Snake: All right, let me write up a contract here....
Wise Snake fishes for paper, then moves piles of tax bills and contracts to find the inkwell.
Eliza looks at Bumanuel curiously.
BumBum: Well, I was an independent operator before she muscled me off the market.
BumBum looks injured, and angry.
BumBum: Then she had the nerve to ask me if entran was becoming a problem, and ask me if I wanted to WORK for her.
BumBum: As if I had any choice!
BumBum wishes his mouth would stop babbling, and realizes it's her field doing this to him.
Eliza tries to sort out what he is saying.
BumBum: ~~shut up shut up!!~~
Eliza: What were you operating?
Eliza: ~support, it's okay, I'm here~
BumBum: As a channel. I was an independently working channel.
Eliza: Donations and transfers? Like we do at the Center? Oh! I see.
Wise Snake carefully writes out the contract. Most of it is the same as the usual one, so it goes reasonably quickly.
Eliza: [it had never occurred to Eliza that Snake musn't be the only channel working outside the Tecton]
Eliza wonders how he does that without a regular Donor.
BumBum: Yeah. Like that.
Eliza struggles with the concept of being "muscled off the market".
BumBum: [of course BumBum's business tended to be on the seedier side of things, rather than EXACTLY "like we do at the Center"]
Eliza sighs, she has no head for business obviously but is sure Snake did the right thing.
Eliza: I'm sure Snake did the right thing for you, really. I mean aren't you healthier working with her? [voice fades off as she remember how thin and unhealthy looking Snake is]
Wise Snake: Now, take these home and all three of you should sign them. Bring them back to me and I'll sign and give you back your copies. All right?
Vabun: Ok, then I'll get onto it right now.
BumBum: That's not the point. I have a right to be my own person, not her slave.
Eliza: Slave!? Doesn't she pay you?
Eliza increases the ~soothing~ as he seems to be getting upset.
Wise Snake: And I'll want to examine your friend before signing, okay?
Wise Snake: Can you bring her with when you come back?
BumBum: She pays my living expenses, that's all.
Eliza: I think you should look at working for the Tecton if you are unhappy with Snake.
Eliza nods, thinking that would solve everything.
BumBum: Oh, like they'd accept a junct like me. [bitterly]
BumBum: I'm stuck here.
Vabun stands. "I'll do that, thank you Hajene."
BumBum's normally whiny voice has sounded whinier and whinier as this topic has progressed.
Wise Snake: Thank you. Here, I'll show you out.
Eliza: That's not right, Briel is disjunct and she is co-Controller of the Center.
Wise Snake shows him to the stairs.
Vabun follow Snake out of the office and heads downstairs.
BumBum: It's too late. I can't disjunct. I'm too old.
Eliza struggles with this concept.
Eliza: ~confusion~
BumBum: I was too old 4 years ago.
Eliza: ~growing awareness~
Eliza: ~~shock, horror~~
Eliza: Junct??!!!
BumBum cringes away from her horror.
Eliza: You mean you are STILL JUNCT???
Wise Snake freezes part way down to the 1st floor, at the zlin of Eliza's field.
Wise Snake puts a cautionary hand on Vabun's arm.
Eliza: How can you still be junct?
Vabun stops, waiting for Snake to explain what's going on.
Eliza: I mean, you don't really kill, do you?
BumBum jumps off the couch and retreats from Eliza's yell. [and nager]
BumBum: No, no no. I mean, yes, I do when I'm in need, but....
Eliza: And you work for Snake? And she LETS YOU?
Wise Snake: Uh, Vabun, is it all right with you if I let you out the other way? There appears to be some trouble downstairs.
Vabun: Yeh, Ok. [doesn't see where it matters].
Wise Snake: [not only does she want to spare Vabun the disturbance, but also doesn't want to interrupt BumBum taking a beating, something she always enjoys.]
Wise Snake leads Vabun up to the 2nd floor and across to one of the corner stairwells.
Wise Snake lets Vabun out of a door on the harbor side of the building.
Eliza: HOW CAN YOU DO THAT!
Wise Snake: Thanks again, and I'll see you soon.
Eliza: ~DON'T YOU TOUCH ME~
Vabun: Ok, I'll be in tomorrow with the contracts. [heads off down the stairs]
BumBum, far from trying to touch her, continues to back hastily away.
Eliza: Why don't you stop?
Eliza: I mean- how can you live with yourself?
BumBum: I can't help it, [whines]
BumBum: I can't stop. I'm too old. It's impossible.
Eliza frowns trying to remember what she read about that.
Eliza: That's true, isn't it?
BumBum: I've been trying, I've only been killing once every 2 or 3 months....
Eliza: Oh shen, I'm sorry!
Eliza is still horrified.
Eliza: Are there many... junct... Simes?
Eliza thinks maybe she has been blind.
BumBum: No, not compared to... regular society.
BumBum: Most of the old ones are dead and gone. There aren't many.. new ones... happening.
BumBum thinks he should just shut up.
Eliza's eyes light up; she has a mission in life. [undeveloped of course - she will sort out the details later. You can't get in the way of religious fervor]
Eliza looks at Bumanuel with pity.
Eliza: ~soothing~
Eliza: I'm sorry I slammed you.
BumBum can hardly believe what he zlins.
Eliza takes a cautious step forward with her hand out [scared of frightening him]
BumBum is torn between resting on the support and doing the more sensible thing which would be to run like hell.
Eliza: ~soothing support~
Eliza: Tell me, why do you have to kill?
Eliza: What is it you need that makes you kill?
BumBum is suckered into resting on the field.
BumBum: Pain... fear... kill bliss. Their deaths.
Eliza restrains a shudder.
BumBum thinks if he had a Gen he could not kill, he could go for months at a time without it, though.
Eliza: And you can't live without that?
Eliza: What about if the Donor, errr Gen, could pretend that - does that help?
BumBum has no idea.
Eliza remembers what she read in "Lives of Great Companions"
BumBum: Look, ah, I don't think we should be talking about this here. [glances nervously in the direction of the stairs]
Eliza: I'm sure I read that some of the first channels were junct.
Eliza: And that it was their Companions who kept them from the kill.
BumBum 's mouth is saying no but his nager is saying ~~yes! yes!~~
Eliza: We shouldn't?
Eliza: You want to wait for Snake?
Eliza: And talk about it with her?
Eliza: ~soothing support~
BumBum: She has already told me she was looking for a Donor for me, and in the meantime, I'm expected to endure channel's transfers.
Eliza looks towards the stairs thinking that Snake is a very long time.
Eliza should have known all along that Snake had it in hand.
Eliza: That's excellent!
Eliza: See? That's what working for Snake does!
Eliza: ~pleased that it's all sorted out~
Wise Snake descends the stairs cautiously, zlinning. [barely]
BumBum thinks that Eliza really has no comprehension of how awful his life is right now.
BumBum zlins Snake coming and straightens up, trying to look more dignified.
Eliza sees Snake and beams at her.
Wise Snake approaches Eliza and BumBum.
Wise Snake: I see the two of you are becoming acquainted.
Wise Snake: Good.
Wise Snake: BumBum, I was hoping to send you to Householding V'lar with Eliza here for about a week.
Wise Snake: You'd be doing mostly healing the sick, which I realize isn't your area of interest, but the change of environment would be good for you.
Wise Snake thinks, and also keep him out of sight of any visiting dignitaries.
Eliza is confused by Snake's choice of words.
Eliza: Aren't you coming too, Snake?
BumBum's mouth falls open as he isn't sure which part of what she said to react to first.
Wise Snake: Ah... I can't. I can't avoid my responsibilities here. Not on such short notice.
Eliza: So you want me to go there without you, with a....
Eliza tries to find a way to say junct without actually saying junct.
Eliza: Junct?
Wise Snake looks at Eliza oddly.
Wise Snake: First of all, you did volunteer. I thought you were interested in going. As for being in the company of a junct, I hope you don't think he can kill you. You're a 2nd and he's only a 3rd.
Eliza wasn't worried about him killing HER. The possibility actually never occurred to her and she considers it for a while.
BumBum squirms, not liking this conversation... this whole visit, for that matter, at all.
BumBum: Who says I wanted to get sent to... wherever... anyway?
Eliza: I thought you were going, Snake.
Wise Snake looks at them both.
Eliza: Actually, Briel said I had to ask D'cor if he wanted to go [frowns miserably]
Wise Snake: Well, shen. I'm trying to help you both out. If you're not interested, just say no. [a bit annoyed]
Wise Snake is disappointed they weren't excited by her idea.
Eliza: I wanted to go, I thought you would be going. I guess I still want to go. [looks at Bumanuel]
Eliza: But I have to see if D'cor is going before I can promise to work with anyone else.
BumBum: Who's D'cor? That guy who doesn't like your field? Why would you want to go with him anyway? [pettishly]
Eliza: I don't want to go with him actually. But he is assigned to me.
Eliza: And I to him.
Wise Snake: You find out about D'cor, Eliza, and I'll coordinate with B'cal as far as the time. It could be as early as today.
Wise Snake: You'll want to get packed.
Eliza hopes that D'cor says no.
Wise Snake looks at BumBum. "And you're definitely going. If D'cor goes V'lar will have to find you another Donor to work with while you're there."
BumBum looks at Snake bitterly, having known all along that "just say no" thing was a lie.
BumBum: [and secretly relieved that he will have more excuses to hang out around Eliza whether she's really "assigned" to him or not]
Eliza smiles in Bumanuel's direction.
Eliza: ~gentle promise~
Eliza: If D'cor doesn't come with us I'll be happy to work with you.
BumBum's nager turns to jello.
BumBum looks at her with something akin to a desperate [but leashed] hunger.