Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Two Roads Diverged Scenario
Episode #15: Fifty Kills (6/10/98)
Eliza wakes up and stays still, feeling odd.
Wise Snake is sitting near by, hunched over some small project.
Asteroth is crouched and peers through a bush at the hapless travelers.
Eliza sits up and kicks off the blanket someone must have put over her.
Eliza walks over and crouches next to Snake.
Eliza: [loud whisper] what you doing?
Wisesnake has nothing in her hands, having smoothly hidden whatever she was working on before Eliza got there.
Wise Snake: Oh, hello Eliza.
Asteroth notices some luggage with interest and zlins for any danger.
Eliza sits next to Snake and sighs.
Eliza: Maybe we should go visit that Householding we heard about, Snake.
Eliza: Maybe we could stay there for a few days.
Wise Snake looks at Eliza as if she's gone insane.
Wise Snake: [Eliza, that is.]
Eliza: I've never seen a Household, have you?
Wise Snake carefully avoids looking in Asteroth's direction.
Wise Snake: Eliza, I don't think that would be a great idea.
Asteroth scurries backwards away from the group gathering dried-out twigs on her way.
Eliza: Why not? Surely we have come far enough to be able to stop for a little while?
Wise Snake sighs as the person retreats through the woods.
Eliza: And it's not like it would be like a Tecton Center or anything.
Wise Snake: Any Householding would have a lot of Tecton people around.
Wise Snake: And their channels would have no trouble recognizing us for what we are.
Asteroth makes a small pile of kindling and places some large branches on them out of earshot form the group.
Wise Snake frowns in Asteroth's direction, trying to decide if she should sneak after the person and find out what they're doing.
Eliza misinterprets Snakes frown.
Eliza: I'm sorry. I'm always saying or doing the wrong thing.
Eliza: You would probably be better off without me!
Wise Snake: ... what? [distracted]
Eliza: ~ miserable ~
Wise Snake: What??
Eliza gets up and kicks the ground.
Wise Snake forgets Asteroth and stares at Eliza in amazement.
Wise Snake: What?
Asteroth confidently smiles to herself and is sure these will be easy marks, she gets excited just thinking about the spoils she will gain.
Wise Snake: Just because you made a suggestion I didn't take?
Eliza: I said I was sorry. You are always upset with me. [completely ignoring the fact that Snake hasn't been upset with her for days]
Asteroth ignites the kindling and augments her way round to the other side of their camp awaiting their response.
Wise Snake: I am?
Wise Snake: [bewildered]
Wise Snake: But....
Wise Snake: Eliza, it may seem that way, but....
Wise Snake zlins somebody running in a circle around their camp.
Wise Snake frowns again.
Asteroth waits for the fire to get going.
Eliza: I'm doing my best, honest I am. I try not to interfere with your field or get in your way.
Wise Snake looks obviously distracted.
Eliza: You don't have to go frowning at me all the time.
Wise Snake: Eliza, could you move over a bit?
Asteroth feels uneasy but isn't sure why so shrugs it off.
Wise Snake pushes Eliza aside to get a better zlin in Asteroth's direction.
Eliza sits down out of the way and feels tremendously unloved.
Asteroth waits for them to investigate the fire ~~ anxious ~~
Wise Snake sniffs, smelling smoke from a campfire.
Eliza: Snake, do you smell... smoke?
Wise Snake looks at their campfire, which is still cinders from the night before, then over in the direction where she'd originally zlinned Asteroth from.
Eliza: No, from over there.
Wise Snake: There. [points a tentacle at a small column of smoke rising up in that direction.]
Eliza: [points in the opposite direction from Asteroth.]
Eliza: ~ excitement ~
Asteroth zlins their attentions [smiles at her brilliance]
Eliza: Do you think it could be other people?
Eliza: Camping?
Wise Snake: One person.
Eliza: Let's go look!!!!
Wise Snake: Well, one adult anyway.
Wise Snake can zlin there's nobody there.
Wise Snake: Er....
Wise Snake: Why don't you go ahead, Eliza?
Wise Snake: I'd like to, er, fetch some firewood.
Wise Snake: Yes, I'm going to go fetch some firewood but I'll be back soon.
Asteroth giggles to herself ~~ senses victory again ~~
Eliza: By myself?
Wise Snake zlins the direction of the fire again, sensing nobody.
Wise Snake: Hmmm...
Wise Snake: Well, would you rather wait here?
Asteroth waits for the two to leave.
Wise Snake: I'll be back in a bit and then we can both look.
Eliza: Oh... well... if you think....
Eliza: Okay then.
Wise Snake nods.
Eliza is wondering if this is some way of getting rid of her.
Wise Snake: I'll just be right over here.
Wise Snake checks to make sure she has everything, then casually walks into the woods in Asteroth's direction.
Eliza thumps off, snapping twigs and making a lot of noise.
Eliza: I'll go then.
Asteroth creeps into their camp being careful not to awake any sleeping bodies.
Wise Snake: Excuse me.
Wise Snake: [to Asteroth]
Asteroth still chuckling to herself, how gullible they were.
Asteroth: SHEN!
Asteroth looks.
Asteroth makes a dash back to the bushes.
Eliza sneaks up on the untended fire.
Wise Snake augments to intercept Asteroth.
Eliza watches it carefully to make sure it doesn't have any ulterior motives.
Asteroth falls to the ground.
Wise Snake jumps on Asteroth trying to pin her.
Asteroth: What d' you want? Let me be!
Eliza decides it's probably harmless and puts it out.
Wise Snake: Just hold it.
Asteroth tries to free herself.
Wise Snake: I want to know what you were doing just now.
Asteroth: Nothing, I just saw your camp and thought I'd say hello, no reason jump on me.
Wise Snake: Why'd you run when I said hello then?
Eliza has a quick look around and heads back to camp.
Asteroth: You snuck up on me, I thought you were going to hurt me.
Wise Snake: Look, can we start over again? Tell me you won't run if I let you up.
Asteroth looks into Wise Snake's eyes and realizes attempting to run would be futile. " I promise."
Wise Snake zlins for truth.
Asteroth: ~~ scared honesty ~~
Wise Snake nods and lets go of Asteroth.
Asteroth gets up and brushes herself off.
Eliza looks around for Snake.
Wise Snake: Now, shall we go sit down and talk like civilized people?
Wise Snake has heard it's possible to talk like a civilized person, although she has yet to actually experiment with it much.
Eliza: ~ Snake??? ~
Wise Snake: Here, Eliza. [calls out]
Eliza looks around and wishes she could zlin.
Asteroth follows Snake back.
Wise Snake emerges into the campsite's clearing, with Asteroth.
Eliza: She probably doesn't want me near her anyway.
Eliza sits down on a log and a tear runs off the end of her nose.
Asteroth zlins her captor.
Wise Snake wonders what Eliza is moping about now, and offers Asteroth a seat.
Wise Snake sits between Eliza and Asteroth so Eliza's mood doesn't cause the woman to burst into tears.
Asteroth sits down, head lowered.
Wise Snake digs in a bag and pulls out some day-old rolls left over from the evening before.
Eliza: Oh! there you are.
Wise Snake offers one to Asteroth.
Wise Snake looks at Eliza oddly.
Wise Snake nods.
Wise Snake offers a roll to Eliza too.
Asteroth takes the roll. "Thank you." [smiles]
Wise Snake keeps one for herself and puts the bag away.
Wise Snake: Now... you were saying?
Asteroth: I am sorry I didn't really mean you any harm, I just need a few things ~~ guilt ~~
Wise Snake: Oh? Like, er, for example?
Asteroth: Just thought you could spare some food and stuff you didn't really need.
Eliza takes the roll and looks at the odd Sime.
Wise Snake: Hmmm. [nods]
Asteroth zlins Eliza.
Wise Snake: Well, you see, we're in a bit of a tight spot ourselves. We barely have what we require as it is.
Eliza smiles across Snake at the lady.
Eliza: Was that your fire?
Wise Snake: Which is why I was so, ah, quick to...
Eliza: I'm afraid I put it out.
Asteroth: Yes, yes it was, I had planned to distract you so as I could find some food.
Wise Snake doesn't bother divulging that she can zlin a heck of a lot farther than Asteroth probably realizes.
Asteroth: I know it was wrong, but I am all alone here. I have to survive. You do understand, don't you ?
Wise Snake shrugs uneasily.
Wise Snake: So do we.
Wise Snake studies Asteroth.
Eliza wonders uneasily if this women is junct.
Eliza: ~ unease ~
Wise Snake adjusts her field to block Eliza's unease from the renSime.
Asteroth is puzzled as to why this woman seems to know her so well.
Asteroth: I am really alone here I'm not trying to con you ~ sincerity ~~
Wise Snake: Do you have somewhere to live?
Wise Snake had kind of assumed there were no homeless in the country, for some reason, but after running into Tojam the day before, is now wary of such assumptions.
Wise Snake has a few things to learn about the country... for one thing, her view of it was probably a bit glamorized to begin with.
Asteroth feels a strange affection towards Wise Snake and wants to open herself to her, but decides against it.
Asteroth: I am sorry I have upset you all. Please just allow me to go. I won't bother you again.
Eliza gets up and moves over to put a pot of water near their fire. [which has burnt to coals overnight]
Eliza: Don't go, I have some trin here somewhere, give me a few minutes and we can have some tea.
Eliza pulls out their few mismatched mugs and locates the packet of dried leaves.
Wise Snake grinds her teeth as Eliza invites the woman to stay, but looks away so the expression in her eyes won't be seen.
Wise Snake's nager is, of course, pristine.
Asteroth licks her lips at the mere mention of trin and looks to Wise Snake for her approval before she accepts.
Eliza: Tell us why you were wondering around at this time of the morning.
Eliza: ~ open and curious ~
Wise Snake gets up and walks over to the periphery of the camp, looking at the ground.
Eliza sort of thought that only she and Snake were up at this ungodly hour.
Asteroth: It's the best time to hunt, so quiet and calm.
Eliza wishes that Snake hadn't moved away, and quickly schools her nager to something not exactly unlike control.
Asteroth moves closer to Eliza.
Asteroth zlins Eliza again.
Wise Snake continues to zlin Eliza and Asteroth as she walks around the edge of the camp, appearing engrossed in the plant life.
Eliza: Hunt? What do you hunt?
Asteroth starts to tremble. She tries to ignore Eliza's nager but feels compelled towards her.
Eliza looks up to find the woman a lot closer to her than before.
Eliza oh so casually moves around the other side of the fire.
Asteroth: Um... maybe hunt is a bad word. I look for possessions that their owners don't really need.
Eliza: You mean, to steal.
Wise Snake keeps moving, changing her position to keep the best zlin while providing the illusion of not being immediately present.
Asteroth: STEAL no, well its not really stealing, is it? I only take what I need ~~ tries to justify ~~
Eliza moves further around the fire so that they are oh-so-casually circling it.
Eliza: But if it isn't yours, that's stealing!
Eliza wishes Snake would damn well get back from whatever it is that is engrossing her so much.
Asteroth ~~ need ~~ zlins the immediate area, and smiles at Eliza.
Eliza smiles cautiously back and tries very hard to keep her nager flat.
Eliza: Snake!!! Would you like some tea?
Asteroth: Can you please come back with me and check that fire is out? I don't want it to get out of control.
Eliza puts the trin leaves in the now boiling water next time she circles past.
Wise Snake walks back to the fire. [and to them]
Wise Snake: Excuse me. [to Asteroth]
Wise Snake: I can't help but notice you desire my Gen.
Eliza: It's out - I made sure it's out.
Asteroth: Oh she is yours ?
Eliza looks up at Snake in amazement. HER gen?
Wise Snake gives Eliza a warning look.
Wise Snake: [to Asteroth] You know better than to do that. And after we were getting along so nicely, too.
Eliza: ~ pleasure ~
Eliza: Oh Snake, I'm sure she didn't mean anything.
Wise Snake sighs as Eliza keeps talking.
Wise Snake smiles at Asteroth.
Wise Snake: I think it would be better if you leave now.
Asteroth: I didn't mean to intrude, it's just that I need something, even her nager helps me.
Eliza can't help being pleased that it's helping someone.
Wise Snake blocks Eliza's nager's influence from Asteroth.
Wise Snake: Where do you usually take transfer?
Asteroth: That all I need just a little time, I won't hurt your Gen.
Asteroth avoids the question.
Wise Snake: ~~impatience~~
Asteroth: I must get going, thank you for the trin [smiles at Eliza]
Eliza: But you didn't drink it!
Eliza holds out the cup.
Wise Snake glares at Eliza.
Wise Snake: It's time for her to leave.
Asteroth: Oh... um I think I better leave, though I would dearly like to talk with you again soon Eliza.
Wise Snake: I regret that that will be impossible. Good bye.
Wise Snake: ~~frosty~~
Eliza looks at Snake in bewilderment.
Asteroth: I'll look out for you, Eliza. ~~frustration~~
Eliza: I don't think that would be a good idea.
Asteroth leaves the camp, but doesn't go to far.
Eliza waits till she [thinks] Asteroth is out of hearing.
Eliza: Snake that was so rude of you!
Eliza: She could have at least had some tea!
Eliza: I mean, we could be in that situation one day.
Wise Snake is staring at the woods in Asteroth's direction.
Wise Snake still looks angry.
Wise Snake: I was rude??
Eliza looks angry too.
Eliza also zlins angry.
Eliza: ~ angry ~
Wise Snake turns and walks away from Eliza.
Eliza throws down the cup of tea.
Eliza: You don't own me you know! I'm not really your Gen!!!!
Eliza: [quieter] Shen, you don't even like the feel of me.
Wise Snake: Not when you're not bothering to control yourself, no.
Eliza: I've been trying!
Wise Snake: Not at this moment, you're not.
Eliza turns and storms off to the other side of the "camp" to sit down and simmer in silence while she attempts to get control of herself.
Wise Snake returns slowly to the fire and sits down, picks up her mug, maintaining awareness of Asteroth, Eliza and the miraculously still sleeping other Gens, automatically.
Asteroth sees Eliza sitting alone. "Psst, Eliza!"
Eliza opens her eyes.
Eliza looks around.
Asteroth: Hi, it's me. [smiles]
Eliza makes "go away now" gestures while looking over at Snake.
Asteroth whispers, "Come this way so we can talk."
Eliza KNOWS that Snake is zlinning this.
Eliza turns around.
Eliza: [whispers] Go away.
Eliza: She will hurt you if you don't!
Wise Snake looks over at them.
Asteroth ~~ oblivious to Snakes zlin ~~ c'mon make an excuse, we'll just walk and chat for a little.
Eliza rolls her eyes.
Eliza gets up and moves back over to Snake, her nager more under control.
Eliza: I'm sorry I lost it before.
Wise Snake nods.
Eliza sits close to Snake, casting nervous looks back towards where she last heard the woman.
Eliza: She is still there you know. What does she want?
Wise Snake pulls a tiny blue book out of a pocket and flips through it, finds the right page then runs a tentacle tip down the column.
Wise Snake: Transfer.
Asteroth sighs and disappears back behind the bushes.
Wise Snake: Ah, here it is. "RenSime laterals, 300 for the gross."
Wise Snake: Hmm, a gross, that's a lot of laterals.
Eliza: What!
Eliza tries to look over Snake shoulder.
Eliza: If she wants transfer aren't you going to give her transfer?
Eliza: She didn't look in need to me though!
Wise Snake: A renSime doesn't have to be in hard need to be attracted to a high field Gen.
Wise Snake: Any time after turnover they are vulnerable.
Eliza thinks that a gross of laterals sounds gross.
Eliza: Oh. Is she junct?
Wise Snake closes the "Table of Standardized Trade Worths, Year 33 Ed." and tucks it back in her pocket.
Wise Snake: Yes.
Wise Snake: That's probably why she's out here living in the woods, instead of living in a house with a job somewhere.
Eliza looks quickly at the sleeping Lynn and Griff.
Wise Snake: It isn't easy for juncts these days.
Eliza: Should you just let her go? I mean, she is going to kill, isn't she.
Wise Snake: Yes, she will. If she can find a kill before she is caught.
Eliza looks a bit ill.
Eliza: Can't you do anything?
Wise Snake: Like what?
Wise Snake looks at Eliza.
Eliza: I don't know!
Wise Snake: There isn't much you can do about juncts, Eliza. That's why the Tecton is trying to make sure no juncts ever happen.
Eliza: Isn't there anything that can be done?
Eliza: But if she kills every month... [thinks hard] that's well, a lot of people!
Wise Snake: That's true.
Wise Snake: And if we wanted to get involved there are a number of things we could do.
Wise Snake: We could destroy her ourselves.
Wise Snake: We could write to the local Householding and alert them to her whereabouts, and hope they find her and try to keep tabs on her.
Eliza: What would they do to her?
Wise Snake: Probably take her in and give her channel's transfer until she dies.
Wise Snake: They wouldn't be able to allow her to run free, any more than the Tecton would.
Eliza: I didn't know that there were that many juncts still around in Sime Territory.
Wise Snake: There aren't that many.
Asteroth unintentionally makes audible noises as she shuffles through the trees.
Eliza sits up straighter, listening.
Eliza: Well, we can't just leave her there! Linn and Griff will be waking up soon.
Wise Snake: Eliza, she's not in hard need and we'll be leaving as soon as they've eaten.
Wise Snake is not keen to do any junct-slaughtering.
Eliza: Do you think Bumanuel is all right?
Wise Snake's expression darkens.
Wise Snake: I have no idea.
Eliza: I hate to think of him alone like that woman.
Wise Snake: Don't worry on that account.
Asteroth realizes she is fighting a losing battle, but still stays close enough to keep an eye on them.
Eliza sighs.
Wise Snake: Bum Bum and people are like... they're like urine and water.
Eliza: Maybe you could offer her transfer? That way she wouldn't need to kill this month anyway.
Eliza: Like WHAT?
Wise Snake: [doesn't think much of Eliza's idea]
Wise Snake: She isn't really in need.
Wise Snake: I'd have to entice her, that would be forcing her against her will.
Eliza: Oh.
Wise Snake: All right, if she comes back I'll ask her.
Wise Snake: I wonder if they list junct laterals separately?
Wise Snake pulls the book out again and flips through it thoughtfully.
Asteroth crawls closer again.
Asteroth: Psst. Eliza!
Wise Snake puts a hand on Eliza's arm to keep her from moving, then extends her field to mask Eliza's.
Eliza kicks Snake's foot.
Wise Snake jumps.
Wise Snake: [startled/angry]
Asteroth [louder] Psst, Eliza!
Wise Snake: Look [calls to Asteroth] forget it.
Eliza: She's back.
Asteroth frowns.
Wise Snake: Eliza, I'm not entirely insensitive to the presence of a renSime within 20 feet of me.
Wise Snake: [to Asteroth again] You can have channel's transfer, but you're not getting your hands on one of these Gens.
Asteroth sinks futilely to avoid detection.
Eliza rolls her eyes.
Eliza: I know that Snake.
Eliza: Shen!
Eliza: Let go my arm, I'm not likely to go running off now am I?
Wise Snake, who had only been touching Eliza's arm, removes her hand.
Wise Snake's nager is still blocking Eliza's, though.
Eliza: Shendoni, for that matter why can't I give her transfer? What harm's it going to do?
Asteroth looks up from behind the bushes.
Asteroth: What do you mean, "not with a Gen?"
Wise Snake looks at Eliza seriously.
Wise Snake: If you cannot trust my judgment regarding your field, we are not going to be able to continue this association.
Wise Snake: I don't dislike you as much as you seem to think.
Wise Snake: But I have to know you can be relied upon.
Eliza: What have I done to make you think you can't rely on me?
Eliza: [lately that is, well, within the last few days, umm the last few hours?]
Wise Snake: Argued with me repeatedly.
Wise Snake: Refused to allow your field to be taken down.
Wise Snake: And now your high field has tempted an innocent.
Asteroth hears their bickering and sinks behind the bushes again.
Eliza: You want to take my field down? There are juncts out there and you want to take my field DOWN?
Wise Snake: Yes.
Eliza can't believe what she is hearing.
Eliza: But if you take my field down I won't be able to....
Wise Snake: Until and unless we encounter a channel in need, it will not be necessary for you to give transfers.
Wise Snake: Nor would it be desirable to.
Eliza: But....
Eliza has this idea in her head that her field is like a shield.
Wise Snake: Can I offer you an analogy?
Eliza wraps her arms around herself.
Eliza looks suspiciously at Snake's hand.
Eliza: I think I'm allergic to them.
Wise Snake looks disgusted.
Wise Snake: Then consider this:
Asteroth wishes it was her arms around Eliza.
Wise Snake: Each month, you have your menstrual cycle, correct?
Eliza blushes.
Wise Snake: Your body renews itself, readies itself for having a baby.
Wise Snake: When it cleans itself, you bleed.
Eliza looks momentarily alarmed.
Wise Snake: The blood is good while it's inside you, but you don't want to keep that blood. You have to let it go, every month.
Eliza: What has this got to do with it?
Wise Snake: Everything.
Wise Snake: To remain healthy you must allow your selyn cycle to operate as it was meant to.
Wise Snake: If you hoard selyn, you will become unhealthy. Remember when you first came to Bender Cove?
Eliza: Yes, but....
Wise Snake: Or if you are uneven, and give little transfers here and there, not on schedule, never fully draining your system, your body will become confused.
Wise Snake: If you give too many little transfers, your nerves will eventually burn out.
Eliza: I haven't given any for ages. ~ bitter ~
Wise Snake: A Donor wasn't designed to function like a channel, a Donor was designed to complement a channel, to work alongside a channel, and to serve a channel's Need once a month.
Wise Snake: If you can't serve a channel, you must at least stay within the normal rhythms.
Asteroth is growing impatient.
Eliza: You want to take down my field, don't you?
Wise Snake: You also have the option of simply walking away from me.
Wise Snake: Perhaps that woman would welcome you as a life partner.
Eliza: I don't want that, you know that Snake. I don't want to lose you.
Eliza: If staying with you means you take down my field then take it down.
Eliza puts out her arms ~ offering ~
Wise Snake casts a wary glance and zlins in the direction of Asteroth, then nods.
Wise Snake: Fine.
Asteroth leaps from behind the bushes and takes hold of Eliza, wrapping her tentacles around her forearms as she withdraws her laterals.
Wise Snake: Reject her, Eliza. [calmly]
Wise Snake: Don't hurt her, just reject her.
Asteroth waits to feel Eliza's fright.
Asteroth inserts her laterals, just waiting for her reaction.
Asteroth feels her rejection and revels in it.
Wise Snake uses her field to lower Asteroth's intil and bring the renSime duoconscious.
Eliza: ~ rejection ~
Eliza: Let me go now.
Eliza: You can't hurt me.
Wise Snake: You're advised to do as she says. [from behind Asteroth]
Asteroth grips Eliza firmly with her tentacles but withdraws her laterals.
Eliza: ~ pity ~
Eliza stands very still.
Asteroth: I don't really want to hurt you, I like you, but you have to understand, I just need this.
Wise Snake: You're not going to get anything from her.
Eliza: And you don't need it, not yet, not really.
Wise Snake: Now you have three choices. You can attack her, and be shenned.
Wise Snake: You can turn around and leave quietly, and I mean really leave, not lurk about in the bushes.
Wise Snake: Or, if you really think you can't wait, you can turn around and take transfer from me.
Wise Snake: Now which will it be?
Eliza doesn't want to think about the unspoken forth choice.
Asteroth: From you? But you're not a Gen... what are you talking about, "transfer"?
Wise Snake: I think you know.
Wise Snake: ~Gen~
Eliza wishes that the renSime would loosen her hold.
Asteroth: I don't want to, but if I don't take their lives I will lose mine. You understand, don't you?
Asteroth ~~almost pleads~~
Asteroth awaits confirmation from Snake.
Eliza: ~ pity ~
Wise Snake: I understand that you want to kill Eliza, but not only won't I allow it, Eliza won't allow it either.
Wise Snake: Now, let go of Eliza and turn around slowly.
Eliza: Is it worth it? Living like this I mean?
Asteroth: [to Eliza] Is what worth it?
Wise Snake's ~Gen~ projection becomes slightly exasperated as she waits to see what Eliza plans to do with the renSime's attention which she keeps getting back again.
Eliza: Do what Snake says. ~ encouraging ~
Asteroth wonders at Eliza's protection, and although not understanding it lets go of her hold.
Eliza sighs with relief.
Wise Snake: ~~Gen/offering not rejecting~~
Asteroth takes Snake's arms in her hands and slowly wraps her tentacles around them.
Asteroth: Is this OK?
Asteroth ~~ need~~
Wise Snake: Yes. Yes, it is.
Wise Snake: ~~soothing/offering~~
Asteroth still confused. ~~strange yet excited feeling~~ She extends her laterals.
Wise Snake: ~~enticement~~
Wise Snake entwines her laterals with Asteroth's.
Asteroth still unsure of the events begins to relax and enjoy.
Asteroth closes her eyes, moves closer to Snake and makes lip contact.
Wise Snake allows it.
Wise Snake: ~~willing Gen/enticement~~
Asteroth begins to draw, slower than usual, not entirely sure of what may happen.
Wise Snake: ~~spark of pleasure~~
Asteroth feels the selyn as it fills her. ~~ immense joy~~
Wise Snake: ~~rising strength/beauty/optimism~~
Asteroth waits for the pain. Why is this so soft?
Wise Snake offers her ~~bliss~~ instead.
Asteroth is not sure whether she is in bliss or agony as she withdraws.
Wise Snake maintains a supportive nager as the renSime finishes.
Asteroth opens her eyes and look into Snake's with awe as she breaks lip contact.
Wise Snake studies Asteroth curiously.
Asteroth releases her grip of Snake's arms as her tentacles gently caress her wrists.
Asteroth still can't speak but hopes Snake can hear her gratitude.
Wise Snake nods to Asteroth, and gently removes her hands.
Eliza: [actually it's one of Lynn's tops]
Eliza hands Asteroth a towel.
Asteroth takes the towel and places it on the ground, still a little mesmerised.
Wise Snake: I think she would like something to eat, now. [to Eliza]
Eliza: I'll see what I can find then.
Eliza pushes the pot of very stewed trin closer to the fire.
Asteroth can't take her eyes off Wise Snake.
Eliza opens the bag and looks at the gradually hardening left over bread.
Eliza sighs and pulls some out, then pours two mugs of trin and hands one to Snake and one to the renSime.
Eliza: If you dip the bread in the tea maybe...
Wise Snake sees the others are finally waking up and introduces the various sleepy, tousled heads to the dazed renSime.
Wise Snake suspects she's going to have to redo these introductions again later.
Wise Snake: And this is... I'm sorry, what was your name?
Asteroth: ~~dazed~~ um... it's um Asteroth [manages a smile]
Wise Snake: Asteroth... and this is Nick, Linn, Griff, and....
Wise Snake pauses, realizing Asteroth had already known Eliza's name.
Wise Snake: Did you tell her your name? [to Eliza]
Eliza: She must have heard you Snake.
Wise Snake doesn't believe that for a minute.
Asteroth: Nice to meet you all.
Asteroth keeps gazing at Snake and wonders what else she can do for her.
Eliza: What are you going to do now, Asteroth?
Asteroth: Um, I don't know, can it always be like this?
Wise Snake looks at Asteroth.
Wise Snake: It can be that way most of the time.
Wise Snake: Not every time, but almost every time.
Eliza: How long have since you changed over?
Asteroth: Almost 4 years now.
Asteroth keeps glancing back at Wise Snake. [smiles]
Eliza: Oh.
Eliza thinks well, it can feel that good until you get sick and die.
Asteroth feels a new need now and zlins for any potential.
Wise Snake looks at the juvenile Griff and the still dead-to-the-world Nick and sympathizes with the renSime's problem.
Wise Snake: Um... maybe later hey?
Wise Snake wishes her own problems were so simple!
Eliza is glad that Snake seems to have forgotten about taking down her field.
Wise Snake: Okay, let's get that field taken down, Eliza.
Eliza: ~ doh ~
Eliza takes Snake by the arm and leads her aside.
Eliza: Snake, if you take down my field, will I still be able to resist things like that?
Wise Snake: Of course.
Eliza looks at Snake carefully.
Eliza: Well, if you are sure.
Wise Snake: Resistance has nothing to do with field size.
Wise Snake: It's simply a matter of control. You do not allow selyn to flow: selyn will not flow.
Eliza: ~ offering ~
Wise Snake: You do not project offering, you will not be offering.
Wise Snake: Eliza, don't project at me.
Eliza: No?
Eliza: Oh... ummm.
Eliza looks at Snake blankly.
Wise Snake: Don't offer.
Wise Snake: When you "offer", you're projecting.
Wise Snake: Simply remain passive, without trying to either encourage or stop me.
Eliza: I'm sorry.
Wise Snake: No, that's okay, but you'll have to learn this.
Eliza thinks this must be like making a channel take channel's transfer.
Eliza sighs.
Eliza: I don't want to think about this too long Snake, just do it.
Eliza: ~ please ~
Wise Snake: Eliza.
Wise Snake: I don't know where you have gotten the idea there is anything negative about having your field taken down.
Eliza: I'm ready, Snake.
Wise Snake: But your attitude now is just as difficult as your arguing before.
Eliza: ~ I just can't do anything right ~
Wise Snake: Can't you just accept that this is a perfectly natural thing to have to do now and then, as a professional Donor?
Wise Snake: You do want to be a professional Donor, don't you?
Eliza: I don't want to go back to the Tecton! ~ alarmed ~
Wise Snake: You work for me, not the Tecton. But do you want to be a professional Donor or not?
Eliza: I want to work for you, yes.
Wise Snake: Okay.
Wise Snake: Now, I'm not stealing your Genhood or anything here. Your selyn was made to be harvested every month.
Wise Snake: And maybe we'll find a channel for you to have transfer with eventually. You want to be healthy for them, right?
Wise Snake can't actually think of a plausible situation where this might happen, but you can never tell. Maybe in a Householding.
Eliza: I know. But it means that, even if there were a suitable partner around, I wouldn't be able to have transfer for a month anyway.
Wise Snake: True.
Wise Snake: However, your nager will be less disruptive.
Wise Snake can see that Eliza still doesn't believe Snake's judgment is sound in these matters.
Eliza looks guilty.
Eliza: I know, I'm sorry.
Eliza: Snake I can't try any harder then I am! You are asking for more then I can give.
Eliza: I've been trying to stay under control, and I KNOW I'm getting better at it!
Eliza: But you only ever see fault.
Eliza knows she is losing control and pulls herself together.
Wise Snake is looking at Eliza with a wary expression.
Eliza: I mean, you asked me to control the ambient yesterday and I DID!!! But you never said anything about it.
Eliza: I had NEVER done anything like that before!
Wise Snake: Never??
Wise Snake: [flabbergasted]
Eliza: I don't know why I'm even trying sometimes.
Eliza: Snake, I'm flat out controlling myself!
Wise Snake's life flashes before her eyes as she imagines what would have happened if Eliza had blown control during the operation on Tojam's leg.
Wise Snake: Look... we haven't worked together that much. I'm sure that once we've gotten to know each other a little longer, I'll have a better picture of your overall experience.
Wise Snake: I'm sorry I didn't... [censor censor]... er... [edit edit]... say anything.
Eliza feels slightly mollified.
Wise Snake: I mean, and if you ever want to ask me about a certain situation after the fact, I'd be glad to tell you anything you'd like to know.
Wise Snake: But, ah, for now, do you think you could just sort of believe me? When I say it's better for you to be low field?
Wise Snake: Or when I say other things that might seem odd?
Eliza: I do believe you Snake. In any channeling matter I trust you. But do I have to enjoy it?
Wise Snake: Well, there isn't any "enjoying" getting your field taken down, you won't feel a thing.
Wise Snake: But I am not interested in being treated to a "you shot my dog" nager every time I make a decision regarding you.
Eliza: I know. But there is still the knowledge that transfer is now impossible for me. That I won't enjoy.
Eliza: I know it has to be done though. So can we just do it?
Wise Snake's tentacles twitch as she is very, very sorely tempted to tell Eliza to just get out of her sight.
Wise Snake wears a distressed expression.
Eliza sits down on a log and waits patiently.
Wise Snake quietly turns away and walks off into the woods.
Eliza drops to the ground and cries.
Eliza gets up and wipes her eyes.
Asteroth walks over to Eliza "What's wrong, girl?"
Eliza: I'm useless.
Eliza: Nothing is wrong. I'm sorry if I upset you.
Asteroth kneels down besides Eliza and wipes away some tears with her finger.
Asteroth: Tell me, what happened ?
Eliza wonders how far back to go.
Eliza: It really doesn't matter. I've just upset Snake again and I don't know how or how to make it up to her.
Asteroth: Upset her how ~~worry concern~~
Eliza: She is very sensitive, I'm pretty rough. My nager upsets her all the time.
Asteroth: Oh I hope she is OK, perhaps I should try to find her?
Eliza: I don't know. I don't know what she wants me to do.
Asteroth is confused who to seek, all she knows is that she needs company NOW.
Eliza: Do you think you would be able to zlin her? Can you zlin again yet?
Asteroth zlins for Snake.
Wise Snake is some distance away, walking in the woods away from them.
Asteroth: Nope I can't pick her up.
Asteroth puts an arm around Eliza "it will be fine".
Asteroth hope Snake stays in the woods for a little longer yet.
Eliza: She is so mad all the time. I am trying to control myself.
Eliza: But whatever I do is never good enough.
Asteroth wipes away more tears and draws Eliza's face to hers.
Eliza: OH I could just SLAP her sometimes!
Asteroth: Shhh It will be fine.
Asteroth: Close your eyes and relax.
Eliza: I can't just relax! I have to DO something!
Eliza: I know, we need water. Want to come for a walk with me and get some water?
Eliza leaps to her feet.
Eliza: ~ do something do something ~
Eliza: Do you know of any streams or anything around here?
Asteroth bounces up and ahead of Eliza. "Sure, follow me."
Asteroth is happy at Eliza's sudden ease with her.
Asteroth: Come on what are you waiting for.
Asteroth breaks into a carefree stroll.
Eliza runs to catch up.
Asteroth: Its just a little way down here. I'll race you?
Eliza: Oh sure!
Eliza: Not likely.
Asteroth: Chicken.
Asteroth: I thought you were too old for fun.
Eliza shrugs.
Eliza: If you augment I can't catch you, and if you don't augment you can't catch me. Not much point in a race really.
Asteroth: I can beat you easy, no augmenting... honest.
Eliza doesn't say anything but takes off.
Eliza feels better running anyway, the stress seems less.
Asteroth thinks of tripping her but chases instead.
Asteroth: Ha ha I am catching you, better try harder.
Eliza leaps over a fallen branch, unfortunately into a hole.
Asteroth wonders if she could get away with just a little augmenting.
Eliza sprawls on the ground and hits her chin.
Eliza: ~ pain ~
Asteroth sees Eliza's demise and stops abruptly.
Eliza tastes blood as she bites her tongue.
Asteroth: Hey, are you OK? ~~knows she isn't~~
Asteroth reaches down to pick Eliza up.
Eliza: I bit my tongue.
Eliza wipes her mouth with her hand and it comes away bloody.
Asteroth: Was it tasty? ~~attempting humour~~
Eliza glares at her.
Eliza: Shen, I'm glad Snake's not near!
Eliza: She would skin me for that!
Asteroth: Just wait here. The stream isn't far away. I'll get you some water.
Asteroth heads off down the embankment.
Eliza: Dank you.
Hic flinches. "Shen!! What was that?"
Hic feels pain and zlins in the direction.
Eliza keeps wiping her mouth.
Eliza: Damn it.
Eliza tenderly pokes at her chin.
Hic: Ohhh a Gen and high field too.
Hic licks his lips as he closes in.
Hic looks down at the sad figure before him.
Eliza: That will be bruised too. Well, I guess she would zlin it anyway.
Eliza: Shen it shen it shen it!!!
Eliza gets up.
Hic: Well, Miz, seems like me problems are solved.
Eliza looks up quickly, startled [but not showing it in her nager yay!!!!]
Hic grabs Eliza without another word and flings her over his shoulder.
Hic augments off with his prize "hehehehe"
Eliza: Oh shen.
Eliza: Put me down you oaf!
Hic [sniggers] Sure lady, I'll put you down.
Eliza: I don't want to have to hurt you!
Hic heads for a large shed.
Hic pounds on the door. "Oi, open up!"
Asteroth arrives back at the hole with the water.
Eliza: Look, just put me down and tell me what you want. I'm sure we can come to some arrangement.
Asteroth: Shen, she must have gone back with out me.
Troth opens the door.
Asteroth augments back to the camp after Eliza.
Troth: What you hollering about?
Hic: Hehe lookie what I have here.
Hic dumps the heap on the floor.
Troth wipes sleep out of his eyes.
Troth: Wot?
Hic: She's full, now gimme me money.
Troth: Money?
Troth looks at Hic through dilated pupils.
Hic: Hey, you wanted a Gen. Here it is. Now pay me.
Eliza stands up.
Eliza: Guys, I'll just be leaving now....
Troth stands there, slack-jawed.
Troth: You want me to pay you money?
Hic grabs Eliza by the collar. "I don't think so luvvy."
Eliza: Eerk.
Hic growls. "Don't mess with me, Troth."
Eliza hopes that Snake isn't anywhere close.
Asteroth gets to the camp.
Asteroth: Eliza? Snake? Where are you?
Troth: I don't know, this one feels wrong....
Eliza: You better believe it. You better let me go!
Hic: Whatya mean wrong? Just gimme me pay, my job's done.
Troth: I don't think so. I don't want any of this. You just get out of here with her! That there is one of them were Gens!
Eliza: Yeah, that's right, I'm a were Gen!
Hic: You'll be a "were" Gen in a minute if you don't keep that trap shut.
Hic: As in were alive.
Eliza: I can turn you into a Gen, you know.
Eliza: How would you like to know what it's like?
Eliza: Not to be able to zlin... being chased for your selyn.
Eliza: Let me walk away now and no one gets hurt.
Troth: Hey lady! I had nothing to do with this! It was him. All him!
Troth: [points to Hic]
Hic: Don't be silly, she can't do that.
Eliza would love to take a threatening step forward, but can't with Hic holding her up by the collar, so has to make do with taking a threatening step with her nager instead.
Hic: Can she ?
Eliza: ~ GROWL ~
Troth: I've heard stories.
Eliza: ~ PUT ME DOWN ~
Hic: Whatya mean "stories" how could she turn us into Gens?
Eliza: ~ put me down NOW~
Hic puts Eliza down but still blocks the doorway.
Hic: You just gimp my pay Troth, this is your problem not mine.
Hic: You wanted and I got.
Hic: Now pay up.
Troth pushes Hic out the door.
Troth: I don't want it!
Troth: Take it away!
Eliza: Ok, now, I'm going to go now, and you are going to let me.
Eliza: ~ you better ~
Hic grabs Troth and throws him up against the shed wall "Now pay me or I'll have ta hurt ya."
Troth: Errrgh ark muffle doff.
Hic: Where's me money ?
Eliza edges calmly towards the door.
Hic doesn't notice Eliza moving.
Troth: Berfle put me down I'll get it I'll get it.
Eliza slides out the door and looks around.
Hic releases Troth and keeps his eyes fixed on him, ready for a chase should he run.
Troth shoves his hand in his pocket.
Troth: Hey, where'd she go!?
Hic: Who?
Troth: The were Gen!
Hic: Shen!!
Hic: You fool why'd ya let her go?
Troth: Let her go! She is dangerous!
Hic: Well just pay me, makes no difference to me so long as I get me money.
Troth shoves some money at Hic, shoves Hic out of the door and bolts it behind him.
Eliza has climbed down into the creek bed where she hopes she can't be zlinned.