Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Two Roads Diverged Scenario
Episode #18: Rogue Healer (6/13/98)
Tillet is sitting by the side of the road, wrapping one ankle in scraps of cloth torn from a shirt.
Tillet is a Gen about Nick's age, with a perpetually cheerful smile at odds with his throbbing ankle.
Wise Snake zlins Tillet up ahead.
Nick sees Snake's attention fix on something.
Nick: What is it, Snake?
Wise Snake kicks Freelance into a scramble to get there as quickly as is safe on the rocky road.
Wise Snake: Sprained ankle! Sprained ankle! Dibs!
Wise Snake remembers Bum Bum isn't there to contest her claims any more and cackles uncharacteristically.
Nick yelps as Pumpkin bolts after Freelance.
Tillet looks up at the sound and sees Snake heading towards him at a far too rapid pace.
Tillet: ~~ alarm ~~
Wise Snake excitedly drags Freelance to a snorting, plunging, rear-end-swinging-around, gravel flying halt.
Nick clings to the saddle, hoping that he will be able to stop when Pumpkin does.
Wise Snake leaps off him (headfirst almost) and darts to Tillet's side.
Tillet rolls to avoid being trampled, and falls in the ditch.
Wise Snake: Please don't be alarmed. [out of breath] I am a channel. Where does it hurt? Ah, I zlin. Please allow me?
Wise Snake chases Tillet.
Wise Snake: Stop! I only want to help you!
Wise Snake pounces on Tillet.
Nick dismounts almost as quickly, and somewhat less voluntarily, than Snake.
Nick: Oof!
Tillet looks up at Snake, which is easy enough because she's on top of him.
Tillet: You do?
Tillet: ~~ relief, of anxiety, if not ankle ~~
Nick gets to his feet, grabs the medicine satchel, and joins Snake, trying to look professional.
Nick would look more professional without the new dust spot on the rear of his jeans.
Wise Snake: Yes.
Tillet: Well, then.
Tillet tries to sit up.
Wise Snake shift her grip down to his ankle, ignoring the fact that they are both lying in a drainage ditch 2' deep in mud, water and cattails.
Wise Snake: Please remain still, sir. The healing process is facilitated by your cooperation.
Wise Snake: [but not dependent upon]
Wise Snake zlins his ankle.
Tillet nods and looks up at Nick.
Tillet: Now, isn't it fortunate that it rained last night?
Tillet: If the ditch had been dry, I might have been hurt falling into it.
Wise Snake, fascinated by the injury, slides into healing mode and loses contact with the outside world.
Nick thinks this sounds a bit odd, coming from a person whose clothes are saturated with smelly green water and mud.
Nick: ~~ support for Snake ~~
Nick: ~~ undertones of bruised rear end ~~
Tillet's natural optimism is returning as his alarm fades.
Tillet: Just goes to show that everything has a purpose.
Nick: I'm sure it does, sir.
Wise Snake: Ahhh.
Nick wonders what purpose Pumpkin's misbehavior serves, and is only able to come up with one: making Nick Reckage's life difficult.
Wise Snake comes duoconscious, releasing the guy's ankle and withdrawing her muddy arms from the slop.
Wise Snake: Thank you so much. I really appreciate this.
Wise Snake: ~~sincere, if a bit deranged~~
Wise Snake crawls out of the ditch.
Nick hands Snake a rag from the satchel.
Tillet: You do?
Tillet: ~~ confusion ~~
Wise Snake starts wiping mud from her arms.
Wise Snake: Of course. Isn't it a channel's pleasure and privilege to serve in healing?
Wise Snake hopes she gets that pleasure and privilege many more times today.
Wise Snake is still a bit giddy.
Nick returns to the #$@%! horse to retrieve a canteen.
Nick uncaps it and holds it out, offering to rinse the mud off.
Tillet: Well, then, I guess it's for the best that that bull took exception to my shortcut across his pasture.
Tillet smiles, having wondered at the time what purpose being chased by an angry, horned critter should serve.
Wise Snake rinses off her laterals carefully.
Wise Snake: You say you were chased by a bull?
Tillet: I twisted the ankle when I jumped the fence.
Tillet: Yeah.
Wise Snake: You don't happen to know any other people who have had seemingly unfortunate experiences they're still looking for the silver lining of, do you?
Tillet: He'd have gored me if I hadn't landed wrong and fallen, though, so it was all for the best.
Wise Snake: Particularly in the area of personal injury?
Wise Snake: ~~hopefully~~
Nick isn't quite ready to volunteer the injury he has sustained in a particularly personal area.
Tillet: Well, come to think of it....
Wise Snake manages, barely to restrain herself from clutching Tillet's shirt front in suspense.
Tillet: I was taking the shortcut across the pasture because a farmer was chasing me.
Tillet: With a pitchfork.
Wise Snake's face lights up in a grin as she imagines the potential for accidents there.
Wise Snake: And??????
Tillet: He'd just finished explaining that he didn't want to see my circular on the new Grgin Portable Writing Machine With Tentacle Keys.
Tillet: Didn't see the use for it, y'see, being Gen and all.
Tillet: He would have caught me, if he hadn't tripped over a rake.
Tillet: He was yelling something awful.
Tillet: ~~ hopeful ~~
Tillet: I don't suppose you'd be interested in the Grgin machine?
Tillet: It's got some new features which make it the best on the market.
Wise Snake: Wow! What an opportunity. If I look at your brochure will you take me to the possibly horribly injured farmer?
Tillet: Why certainly!
Tillet digs in his shirt pocket and hands Snake a dampish pamphlet.
Tillet: See, the paper goes in here, neat as you please.
Tillet: When you push these keys with your fingers, you can print any letter you please.
Tillet: Your tentacles work these switches to advance the paper when you've filled a line.
Wise Snake: This is fascinating.
Wise Snake: Can I keep this?
Tillet: Of course.
Tillet: ~~ happy ~~
Nick thinks the paper might come in handy the next time they have to start a fire and can't find dry kindling.
Wise Snake: Now, you said something about a poor fellow who, through no fault of your own, may even now be moaning with a broken leg or some such in a field nearby?
Wise Snake thinks, or maybe a broken arm, or even a back strain.
Wise Snake is beyond trying not to appear obsessively "needy".
Tillet: Why, sure, ma'am. His farm is over there, on the other side of the field.
Wise Snake wonders just how much damage CAN occur to a person carrying a pitchfork who trips over a rake.
Wise Snake: Thank you!
Wise Snake vaults over the ditch and leaps the fence, forgetting about the aforementioned bull.
Wise Snake: [the bull wasn't mentioned in a context having to do with work, you see]
Nick hesitates, then decides that he's got to stay with his channel.
Nick: Snake, be careful!
Wise Snake starts scrambling across the field, jumping over small hummocks and trying to zlin the alleged victim.
Tillet: Do let me know if you decide to purchase a Grgin machine! [yelled at retreating backs]
Torro shakes his head at the intruders and paws at the ground.
Nick chases after Snake, keeping a nervous eye out for the alleged temperamental inhabitant.
Torro charges after the running figure of Nick.
Wise Snake doesn't get that far ahead of Nick because she's running rather erratically, trying to zlin over all the hills at once.
Torro: [the sound of pounding hooves]
Nick yelps and accelerates towards the nearest tree.
Nick: Snnaaaaakkkeeee!
Wise Snake zlins Nick's fear and briefly wonders what has riveted his attention so.
Torro swerves around the tree.
Torro comes running back to the tree and shakes his head at it angrily.
Wise Snake hurries the rest of the way across the field and casts about excitedly, zlinning for the vict - er, patient.
Nick finds himself perched perilously on a branch, with no clear idea how he got there.
Torro does an experimental butt at the tree.
Torro paws at the ground again.
Nick yelps and clings harder.
Wise Snake notices Farmer Mac and runs toward him.
Farmer Mac is throwing some grain to some scrawny chickens.
Farmer Mac: ~~ grumpy ~~
Wise Snake: Are you all right? Where does it hurt! Let me zlin you!!!
Torro throws his head back and bellows.
Wise Snake nearly tackles him.
Farmer Mac pushes Snake away.
Wise Snake: But I'm a channel! I can help you!
Farmer Mac: No trespassers!
Wise Snake: Please? Just let me zlin you once.
Wise Snake zlins him.
Farmer Mac has a nasty bruise on his nose, where the rake handle caught him when he stepped on the rake.
Torro paws at the ground again, and is distracted by a particularly succulent piece of clover.
Torro eats it.
Wise Snake: I can heal you! That's got to hurt.
Nick looks up, trying to find a higher, more secure branch.
Wise Snake: Let me just... [jockeys for position, looking for a chance to grab his head]
Farmer Mac backs up until he hits the barn.
Farmer Mac: No trespassing on the Donald farm!
Torro notices that the area has a lot of clover he previously overlooked, so works at eating that too.
Wise Snake takes advantage of the barn's fortuitous placement to pin old Mac Donald thereupon.
Wise Snake: I swear I'll be off your land just as quick as you please.
Nick looks down again, taking the bull's distraction as a good sign.
Wise Snake: Almost as quick as you please.
Farmer Mac: Hey!
Wise Snake grabs his nose with her laterals.
Wise Snake: ~~orgiastic healing-ecstasy~~
Farmer Mac reaches up with his hands to try to push Snake away.
Wise Snake's handling tentacles fend off his hands for the necessary moments.
Farmer Mac: I dold you do go away!
Wise Snake finally releases Farmer Mac and dances backward.
Wise Snake: I'm terribly sorry about that.. thank you! Thank you, good bye... [retreating]
Farmer Mac is beginning to be seriously alarmed.
Farmer Mac: Help!
Farmer Mac: Phydeaux!
Nick sees a large dog come running around the barn in response to Farmer Mac's call.
Torro has forgotten all about the intruder up the tree as he works to mow the clover down neatly.
Nick: Snake, look out!
Wise Snake wonders what Nick is going on about now.
Rover: WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!!
Wise Snake looks over at Nick wondering, for the first time, why he is in a tree.
Rover: BOW WOW! BOW WOW!
Nick: Snake, look out for the dog!
Torro looks up, clover hanging out of his mouth.
Nick glances nervously at the bull.
Wise Snake: [hears: Nay, loo ow fo a OG!]
Wise Snake: What?!
Wise Snake: Hold on, I'm coming.
Rover runs at the stranger, barking loudly.
Wise Snake jumps over the fence of the bull's pasture.
Rover belts around the corner and nips at her heels as she jumps the fence.
Wise Snake: Eeyow!
Wise Snake barely clears fence and dog.
Rover thinks "another job well done by Rover" and tells the fleeing strange what he will do if she comes back.
Wise Snake sighs and walks towards Nick, squinting and trying to figure out what is so special about that tree.
Nick notices that the dog makes no effort to enter the pasture.
Torro is upset by the noise, and even more upset when he sees another intruder in his paddock. They probably want to steal his clover!
Torro paws the ground and blows loudly through his nose in warning.
Wise Snake walks towards the tree, and, incidentally (and obliviously) Torro.
Nick sees Torro fix on Snake.
Nick: Snake, watch out for the bull!
Wise Snake: Bull!! I thought you said Dog! [comprehending]
Torro gathers his legs together ready to start another heart pounding charge.
Wise Snake looks about for the bull in question, and finally locates him some 10 feet in front of her.
Torro starts to charge.
Wise Snake: .... Oh!!!
Wise Snake turns and augments wildly, running in place as her feet slide on a prairie pancake.
Torro sees red (which is a good trick for an animal who is color blind).
Nick starts to scramble down from his tree, hoping to distract Torro's charge.
Torro makes contact and sends the intruder flying.
Nick: Shen!
Wise Snake grabs his horns in self-defense and flies backward over his head as he rams her.
Torro does a quick skid turn and stands, snorting and looking around for another victim.
Torro can't see anyone, and is momentarily unaware of the person sailing over his back.
Wise Snake does a double back flip and lands on the same bull hockey (now sadly trampled) as the bull thunders past.
Wise Snake does another backflip upon slipping on the stuff, and lands flat on her face.
Wise Snake: Oof!!!
Wise Snake shakes her head dizzily.
Nick reaches the ground.
Nick: Snake, are you all right?
Torro turns 90 degrees left, then 180 degrees right looking for the disappearing person.
Nick rushes to Snake's side.
Wise Snake spits out partially-reconstituted reedy matter.
Torro sees another one (or is it the same one) under the tree and bellows with anger.
Wise Snake: Nick... look out!
Torro puts his head down and charges at the tree.
Wise Snake scrabbles for purchase, then notices the bull is running past them.
Nick turns, sees Torro, and ducks behind the tree.
Wise Snake: [or at least past her, which is what really counts right at that moment]
Torro slams into the tree.
Wise Snake: Oo.. that's gotta hurt.
Torro weaves sideways a couple of feet before sitting down.
Torro wonders why the stars are out so early.
Wise Snake smiles, since she can't zlin much in the bull's barely existent nager.
Nick: Never mind, let's get out of here.
Torro sits and gazes at the stars.
Wise Snake pushes herself up, covered with mud, grass and, er,
Nick grabs Snake and pulls her towards the road.
Wise Snake is still wet and bedraggled from the dive into the ditch as well.
Wise Snake: You know, those were two really good sessions.
Wise Snake lets herself get pulled.
Wise Snake: I'd like to do more work like that.
Nick thinks that typewriter salesmen are far preferable to dogs and bulls.
Torro decides that now is a good time to take a nap.
Nick climbs the fence, then reaches down to help Snake over the obstacle.
Wise Snake: Tell me, do you have any more friends who are, ah, trying to resolve puzzling incidents positively?
Wise Snake trips over the fence, which she had utterly failed to notice.
Wise Snake: Ah... thank you, Nick.
Wise Snake: Ah! What a great lead. You are my friend for life. [wraps a grimy arm around Tilley's shoulders]
Tillet looks sadly at the...processed grass...on his shirt.
Wise Snake has a fevered, glazed look in her eyes and a big wide grin on her face.
Wise Snake: Listen, how many of those writer things do you have anyway?
Tillet: I sell them on commission. 5% of the price for each sale.
Tillet wipes futilely at the odorous stains.
Tillet: Oh, no! I can't sell writing machines in this shirt now, and the laundry woman scalded her hands and can't work.
Tillet: Although she might be glad of the vacation, you never know.
Wise Snake grabs Tillet by the shirt.
Wise Snake: Where! Where is she? Come on man, don't hold back on me now!!
Tillet staggers backwards.
Nick moves closer.
Nick: Snake, he'll be able to answer better if you let him breathe.
Nick: ~~ calm ~~
Wise Snake manages, with the assistance of Nick's influence, to unclench her hands and tentacles.
Wise Snake: Excuse me.
Wise Snake wrings them instead.
Nick does NOT like to see Snake in these moods, much as he understands their cause.
Wise Snake: It's just, that I would really like to see her. Um, where is she?
Tillet is a little bewildered by this request to see the laundry woman, then decides that Snake must want to clean her clothes.
Tillet: I told you she can't work just now.
Wise Snake: I know, I know, her hands, her hands!! [her own hands shaking as she gestures eloquently]
Wise Snake: Just tell me where is she!!!!!! [shrieks]
Wise Snake takes a deep breath.
Wise Snake: I'm sorry.
Nick takes one of Snake's hands, firmly.
Wise Snake: I mean, ah,
Wise Snake grips Nick's wrist.
Tillet: She lives down that way.
Tillet points down the road.
Tillet: Second farm on the left. you can't miss it.
Wise Snake: Ah... thank you! Thank you so much.
Sadie picks up her mug of tea carefully in her heavily bandaged hands.
Wise Snake starts to fling herself on Freelance, then, mindful of Nick's attention, carefully walks over there instead.
Wise Snake is muttering maniacally under her breath.
Wise Snake: How bad could burned hands be? Second degree... third degree... skin sloughing off? No, blisters. Water burns... ah....
Sadie grimaces in pain but manages to hold the mug steady and sip her lukewarm brew.
Nick scrambles onto Pumpkin, seducing Snake into calmness as he goes.
Nick is therefore able to get close enough to grab Freelance's reins.
Wise Snake mounts Freelance and turns him in the indicated direction, then starts him off at what she considers an extremely restrained pace.
Wise Snake: [Freelance probably thinks so too]
Wise Snake: Hey!
Nick: We'll find out when we get there.
Nick: In one piece.
Wise Snake's breath snorts out in a semi-panicky fashion, but she doesn't say anything.
Nick nudges Pumpkin into a trot.
Nick: ~~ calm ~~
Wise Snake waits, fidgeting, trying to zlin the patient up ahead.
Wise Snake: [flick... flick flick... flick]
Wise Snake sighs and relaxes a titch more.
Nick frowns.
Wise Snake: There she is! [to herself, trying not to overreact]
Nick: Snake, she'll be more cooperative if you go slowly.
Sadie carefully puts the cup back on the tray.
Nick: And you'll get to heal her sooner.
Wise Snake: Oh? Oh. Ah, yes, thank you for the tip.
Wise Snake: [distracted]
Nick pulls the horses to a halt in the second farmyard on the left.
Wise Snake starts to plunge off of Freelance.
Nick: Slowly!
Nick: ~~ command ~~
Sadie hears people outside and gets up out of her chair, not easily done as she can't use her hands.
Nick dismounts at a more prudent pace and grabs the satchel.
Nick: Look professional.
Wise Snake's plunge ends in a clumsy scramble, and she manages to avoid bolting into the woman's house.
Sadie: Who can that be?
Sadie peeks out the window.
Wise Snake forces herself to approach the house at a reasonable pace.
Nick follows at a somewhat greater than professionally dignified pace.
Wise Snake zlins Sadie looking out and waves at her.
Sadie looks puzzled, then sees the state of the woman's clothing.
Sadie opens the door [with a bit of trouble]
Nick: See? She's aware, and able to cooperate if you go gently.
Wise Snake is a short, pale, wild-black-hair-standing-up-like-Einstein, mud-and-shit covered, black wearing, crazy looking Sime of about 14 years old.
Wise Snake's eyes and laterals are fixed avidly on Sadie's bandaged hands.
Sadie: I'm sorry that you came all this way for nothing, dear. I can't help you with your washing today. [holds up two hands wrapped up in bandages so they look like white boxing mitts.
Wise Snake licks her lips in nervous anticipation, exerting incredible self control.
Nick would look respectable if his pants weren't so tight.
Wise Snake starts panting.
Nick: Perhaps we can help you with those hands.
Nick: My colleague here is a channel.
Wise Snake mouth the words along with Nick.
Sadie takes a semi-panicky step backwards at Snakes intense gaze and looks at Nick for assurance.
Nick: ~~ calm ~~
Wise Snake moves closer to Nick, still staring at Sadie in fascination.
Sadie: Ah! Oh! I don't think I can afford a channel's help.
Nick: She would be happy to take a look at your hands.
Sadie: They will be right, they will heal with time.
Wise Snake's tentacles squirm.
Nick: Why wait?
Sadie: I have no money for healing.
Wise Snake looks yearningly at Sadie.
Nick: I'm sure Snake would be willing to help you, if you would clean her clothes afterwards.
Sadie looks at the "mud" splattered clothing.
Wise Snake: [Hey! Some of it's mud!]
Sadie: I errr, well, don't come inside in those clothes please.
Nick thinks the extract of north end of south-facing bull is a bit strong, particularly mixed with well-aged ditch.
Wise Snake obligingly begins ripping clothes off.
Sadie: Oh my!
Sadie puts a bandaged hand to her mouth.
Nick ducks as the shirt flies in his direction.
Wise Snake strips to her scrawny bare butt and advances upon Sadie.
Wise Snake: [hands outstretched, speaking in monotone]
Wise Snake: Let me help you... I'm a channel....
Nick: Don't be alarmed, ma'am.
Sadie backs into the house and slams the door in Snake's face.
Wise Snake: NO fair! No fairr!!!!
Wise Snake claws at the door, momentarily forgetting about the handle.
Nick reaches past Snake and turns the knob.
Sadie runs into the kitchen and picks up a broom.
Nick discovers that the door is locked.
Wise Snake deflates.
Wise Snake: Shen.
Nick then checks the window beside the door, and discovers that it's open.
Nick: Umm....
Sadie sits shivering in the corner of the kitchen.
Wise Snake sinks onto a step in despair.
Wise Snake: Why did I ever think I could make it without the Tecton? [moans]
Nick points at the opening.
Wise Snake: The whole world is stacked against First... eh?
Wise Snake looks at where Nick is pointing.
Nick tugs at the screen, and discovers that it's loose.
Wise Snake: I don't think she wants to be healed, Nick.
Sadie moans with fright.
Sadie: Don't you come in! I've got a broom!
Nick: Well, the farmer back there didn't want it either.
Wise Snake looks puzzled.
Wise Snake: He didn't?
Nick: Hear that? She's only got a broom, not a vicious dog.
Wise Snake: Of course he did!
Nick: Well, I'm sure Sadie there would love to be healed, but she's afraid of you.
Wise Snake gets up slowly and walks over to the window.
Nick: You have to go slowly.
Wise Snake: Hey... hey lady, all I want to do is heal your hands. Please? [calling through window]
Wise Snake sounds pathetic.
Sadie brandishes the broom in the general direction of the door/window.
Wise Snake: Please??
Nick: We mean you no harm, ma'am.
Sadie has never been attacked by a mad, naked, mud [and other things] covered Sime before.
Nick: She really will heal you, and you won't owe her any money afterwards, either.
Nick: Then you wouldn't have to lose any more work.
Sadie hyperventilates and passes out.
Nick hears a thud from inside the building.
Nick: What was that?
Sadie: [broom drops to the floor]
Nick: Are you all right, ma'am?
Sadie doesn't answer, being momentarily unconscious.
Wise Snake rips off the screen and nips in the window.
Wise Snake crouches over Sadie's supine form and starts unwrapping the hands feverishly.
Nick climbs through after her, hoping that this healing will be enough to break Snake out of her frenzy.
Nick: ~~ support ~~
Wise Snake: Oh, what awful burns! [delight]
Wise Snake: The poor woman.
Wise Snake slides joyously into healing-mode.
Nick keeps an eye on their vict...er, "patient" for signs of returning consciousness.
Sadie starts to come around.
Nick grabs a towel and blindfolds Sadie.
Sadie: [Moans]
Nick disguises his voice and says, "Just lie still, ma'am. You're going to be all right.
Sadie: Ooooohhh, what's happening?
Nick: You're safe. We're here to help you.
Nick: Can you tell us what happened?
Sadie: Oh, some mad naked person attacked me!
Nick hopes the request will prevent Sadie from putting two and two together.
Wise Snake's laterals are waving over Sadie's palms, the handling tentacles wrapped around the wrists.
Nick: A naked person?
Sadie: Said she was a channel.
Sadie: Do channels have to be naked to heal?
Nick tries to sound alarmed, as he keeps his professional attention firmly anchored on Snake's scrawny bod.
Nick: Err....
Nick: Not actually, no.
Nick: You said she attacked you?
Sadie: Why do you have my face covered?
Sadie: ~ suspiciously ~
Nick: You appear to have fainted, ma'am, and we wouldn't want your eyes to be damaged.
Nick wills Snake to hurry.
Wise Snake works slowly, lovingly, every grain of her Farris being savoring the repair of each cell and nerve, to good-as-new, better-than-new, superhuman.
Sadie: What are you doing to my hands! Who are you people!
Sadie: ~ starting to panic ~
Nick: We're here to help you.
Nick is a bit stressed out by his morning, and forgets to disguise his voice.
Sadie feels her hands tingling, then itching unbearably as they start the healing process.
Nick: Just lie still, and nothing too terrible will happen to you.
Sadie freezes.
Wise Snake's laterals touch the healing flesh gently, then withdraw.
Wise Snake belatedly releases the wrists as well.
Nick nods as Snake relinquishes contact, then removes Sadie's blindfold.
Nick: See? Your hands are healed, now.
Wise Snake comes duoconscious much calmer than before, and wearing a fairly sane [I mean, for Snake] expression.
Wise Snake: [that is to say, odd sparkling eyes, paranoid, haunted, etc.]
Sadie: Ahhhhhh. They do feel better!
Sadie looks up at the pair.
Sadie: EEEEEKKK!!!!
Sadie grabs at the broom.
Sadie swats Nick with the broom.
Nick: ~~ relief at Snake's returning sanity ~~
Wise Snake stares at Sadie in surprise.
Nick: Ouch!
Sadie: You perverts! Attacking an old lady in her own house!
Sadie whacks him again.
Sadie: Get out! Get out!
Sadie whacks at Snake too.
Wise Snake augments to snatch the broom out of Sadie's hands.
Nick holds out his hands, trying vainly to divert the blows.
Wise Snake: What do you think you're doing! [incredulous]
Sadie: Poor defenseless old lad....
Sadie: Give me my broom!!!!
Wise Snake slams it to the ground.
Sadie: HELP HELP! RAPE ATTACK MURDER!
Wise Snake: Ungrateful old bag.
Wise Snake stomps out.
Wise Snake sits down in the dust outside and starts putting on her scattered, scummy clothing.
Sadie: HELP HELP! INSULTS!
Nick: That's a fine way to treat the person who healed you.
Wise Snake still feels pretty good about having had the work though.
Wise Snake starts to pull the crummy shirt over her head, then spots a horse trough nearby.
Wise Snake picks up all the clothes, then climbs into the horse trough.
Nick keeps an eye out for vicious, ungrateful old bags with brooms.
Sadie peers at them through the window.
Wise Snake ignores the algae and mud-bottom, and cheerfully starts scrubbing self and clothes.
Nick has never seen Snake so eager to bathe.
Wise Snake climbs out, covered with tiny green floater-leaves, and drags on the clean but sopping clothes.
Sadie is going to write to the authorities about this.
Wise Snake's hair is plastered over her head like dribbles of black paint.
Nick: Well, you smell a lot better now.
Wise Snake: And if anybody asks, we got our clothes washed at SADIE'S! [loudly]
Sadie can't think what the world is coming to. The Tecton PROMISED that there wouldn't be any more Sime attacks.
Wise Snake stomps squishing out of the yard.
Nick isn't sure that "half-drowned weasel" is an improvement over "Shetland pony" in the hair department.
Nick collects the horses and follows.
McFeely is limping down the road, leading a lame horse.
McFeely's gluteous maximus throbs beneath his torn trousers.
Trigger feels grumpy, and sore in the foot.
Wise Snake is about to mount Freelance, when she spots McFeely up the road.
McFeely looks at the letters slipping through the torn leather saddle bag on Trigger's saddle, and sadly shakes his head.
Wise Snake freezes, peering intently in that direction, laterals waving thoughtfully.
Nick sees the laterals twitch.
Nick: What do you zlin, Snake?
McFeely: There'll be no speedy delivery for these messages, Trigger.
Trigger nods his head in agreement, or maybe at a fly.
Wise Snake: Oo... an injury.
Wise Snake takes Freelance's reins and starts to walk down the road toward McFeely.
Nick: Remember, take it slooowly.
Nick: ~~ CALM ~~
Wise Snake: Yes, yes. [impatiently]
Wise Snake: I've got it, I've got it. Keep your pants on.
Wise Snake takes a deep breath anyway, squares her shoulders, and keeps walking toward McFeely.
Nick shakes his head and follows, thinking that Snake might have done well to follow her own advice at their last stop.
McFeely minces down the road, trying to favor the injured haunch.
Wise Snake's hands clutch white-knuckled and white-tentacled on the reins, and her eyes glitter and dart, but otherwise she appears, well, semi-under control.
Wise Snake approached McFeely.
Wise Snake: Hello. [friendly]
McFeely looks at Snake and Nick.
McFeely: Hello, there, young lady.
Wise Snake: I can't help but notice you are in a bit of pain.
Wise Snake: And seeing as how I am a channel, I thought maybe I could be of some assistance?
Wise Snake's eyes glow eerily.
McFeely: Yes, that dog at the Donald farm is a bit....
McFeely: I say, are you feeling all right?
Wise Snake blinks a couple of times.
Wise Snake: Yes... yes. I'm fine.
Wise Snake: May I see to your injury?
Wise Snake is itching to get her hands on McFeely's behind.
Nick edges closer to Snake, pasting a reassuring smile on his face.
McFeely: See it?
Wise Snake: Zlin it. Heal it. See it. Yes.
McFeely shrugs, turns around, and moons Snake.
Wise Snake lunges towards McFeely and grabs his rear end.
Wise Snake zlins the bruises the dog's bite left.
Wise Snake: Oh, this is excellent.
McFeely stumbles forward, ending up against Trigger.
McFeely: Hey!
Wise Snake: I mean, must be very painful.
Wise Snake: Hold still now....
Wise Snake slides into healing-mode.
McFeely thinks it over and grins.
McFeely: Haven't had a girl say that in years.
McFeely cackles at this evidence of the quality of his... attributes.
Wise Snake missed that line, (un?)fortunately, as she is deep in the world of buttocks-molecular regrowth.
McFeely feels a tentacle stray in an interesting direction.
Trigger pulls at some grass on the roadside.
McFeely cackles.
McFeely: Trigger, it's a shame you don't have the proper equipment any more, because you'll never be able to appreciate this.
Trigger appreciates the grass.
McFeely clings to a stirrup for support.
Wise Snake heals his, er, injury very thoroughly and checks out the rest of him to make sure there are no additional problems.
McFeely is suffering from a bit of a hangover.
Wise Snake transfers her hands from his bum to his head.
McFeely: I say!
McFeely leans closer, trying to kiss Snake.
McFeely: ~~ lust ~~
Nick: ~~ support ~~
NickR reflects that at least this patient is cooperating, even if he does seem a bit confused as to what.
Eliza walks up the road a bit to see what is happening and is surprised to see Snake making out with some man in the middle of the road.
Wise Snake, deep in a healing-frenzy, has no idea what his motions translate into in real life, so allows his sloppy kiss.
McFeely starts pawing at Snake with both hands.
Wise Snake works on his head ache.
Wise Snake: [clutching his head in both hands and all tentacles]
McFeely feels himself marvelously rejuvinated, and ready for action.
Wise Snake finally releases him.
McFeely's condition is plain, because his pants are still down around his ankles.
Wise Snake: What the...
McFeely: Don't stop there, girl.
Wise Snake looks down at what's looking up.
McFeely reaches out and grabs Snake.
Wise Snake: Urk!
McFeely: He's ready for you any time.
McFeely: ~~ urgent lust ~~
Wise Snake uses her field to try to discourage his lust.
McFeely: He'll show you a really good time, too.
Wise Snake has never tried this on a Gen before, but as the situation seems a bit urgent....
Eliza turns away in embarrassment and heads back to Linn and Griff.
McFeely's lust has existed only in his imagination for so long that he's unaware at first that he has lost his ability to follow through.
McFeely: Come on, baby.
Wise Snake looks down at the aforementioned "he", pointedly.
McFeely sees he's point dropping past half mast to fully furled.
Wise Snake: You may want to save that for later.
Wise Snake: [dryly]
Wise Snake: Do you want me to zlin your horse while I'm at it?
Wise Snake circles [well] around him, studying the lame beast.
McFeely pouts.
McFeely: He's got less than I do.
Wise Snake snorts.
Trigger snorts back.
McFeely: Strained something getting away from that dog, I imagine.
Nick watches the beast for further signs of temper, having encountered too many vicious beasts for one day.
Wise Snake: Come on... shh....
Wise Snake reaches out and touches Trigger's side, stroking him.
Wise Snake's stroking hand moves down Trigger's hip to the injured leg.
Trigger nickers gently.
Nick goes over to Trigger and takes the reins, just in case.
Wise Snake uses the "light" of Nick's nager to zlin the injury.
Trigger has a bruised hoof.
Nick pets the horse, trying to distract it in case Snake hits a sore spot.
Nick keeps the non-petting hand firmly on the reins.
McFeely looks on.
McFeely: Did you find the trouble?
Wise Snake: It's his hoof that is bruised.
McFeely groans.
Wise Snake strokes her hand smoothly down to the foot, then coaxed him to pick it up.
McFeely: "No hoof, no horse" as my grandpa used to say.
Wise Snake checks the hoof for anything that might still be inside there.
McFeely: Well, I'll just have to walk to the next town and borrow a replacement mount there.
McFeely: The mail must go through, after all.
Wise Snake glances at Socks.
Wise Snake: Ummh.
McFeely follows Snake's gaze.
Wise Snake looks at Trigger again, trying to decide if the horse's relatively greater worth is too compromised by his injury to make a trade worthwhile.
McFeely smiles.
Wise Snake smiles.
Wise Snake: You know, ah....
Wise Snake: This here's a pretty nice horse, even if he is gone lame.
Wise Snake: I might have a use for one like him.
Wise Snake: Even slowed down as he is.
McFeely: That he is. Sound as a gold coin until today.
McFeely: You wouldn't be suggesting...?
Wise Snake: Well, I mean, you don't really want to lead a lame horse all the way to the next town do you?
McFeely: Now that you mention it, no.
Wise Snake: It would take forever.
McFeely: That it would.
Wise Snake thinks it would take at LEAST 75% the time it would take to ride Socks there.
McFeely: And the mail must go through.
Wise Snake: You know, Thunderbolt there we've been using as a pack horse but he's been getting mighty restless.
Wise Snake thinks of a new name for Socks spontaneously.
McFeely: Don't take to the work, you might say?
Wise Snake: Well, it's no job for a healthy horse, you have to admit.
McFeely: More fit for a mule.
Socks puts her bullet shaped head down and pulls at the grass.
Socks looks like she has plenty of grass in her belly already.
McFeely: Are you suggesting a trade?
Wise Snake: Well, yes, as a matter of fact I am.
McFeely appraises Socks again.
Wise Snake: I mean, the mail DOES have to go through.
McFeely goes over and inspects Socks' hooves with practiced ease.
McFeely: Seems sound enough.
Socks is very sound.
Socks is also very fat and lazy.
Socks won't tell anyone though.
McFeely reflects that Trigger belongs to the postal service, as would "Thunderbolt".
Thunderbolt lays back its ears as Flossie attempts to eat some grass that obviously doesn't belong to her.
McFeely looks sideways at Snake.
McFeely: I don't suppose you'd be willing to throw in a little extra, just to sweeten the deal?
McFeely: ~~ lust ~~
Nick moves closer to Snake.
Wise Snake looks like a cat that has just smelled another cat's urine.
Wise Snake: [open mouth wince]
McFeely: ~~ wistful ~~
McFeely: Well, you can't blame a fellow for asking.
Wise Snake: Umm... here, tell you what.
Wise Snake: Nick? [reaches for the medical satchel]
Nick hands it to her.
Wise Snake digs through it and finds a small, hand labelled jar.
McFeely looks at the jar curiously.
McFeely: What's that?
Wise Snake: This is an herbal aphrodisiac made by Titty Bittles-Fumbucker of Fum Buck Hamlet.
Wise Snake: Maybe it will come in handy in your quest for... er....
Wise Snake: Just be careful, it gets all over everything and it's pretty potent.
McFeely decides that any aphrodisiac made by someone named "Titty" must be effective.
Wise Snake: Very popular in Fum Buck from what I've seen.
Wise Snake nods.
McFeely: Why, that's right generous of you.
Wise Snake: So, have we a deal?
McFeely makes the jar disappear into a pocket.
McFeely: We surely do.
McFeely goes to Trigger and starts stripping off his saddle and mail bags.
McFeely: ~~ enthusiasm ~~
Wise Snake remembers what happened last time she ordered Eliza to change the loads, and goes and starts unloading Socks herself.
Wise Snake: [hey... unloading is a lot easier than figuring out the load in the first place]
Wise Snake hands some of the stuff to each person, counting on them to find somewhere to stash it.
McFeely sets the saddle and bags down in the weeds at the edge of the road until Snake has cleared the way.
Wise Snake hands Socks' lead over to McFeely.
McFeely saddles the newly unloaded Socks and attaches his mail bags.
McFeely frowns, then goes to fetch Trigger's bridle.
McFeely puts the bridle on Socks.
McFeely hands the lead back to Snake.
McFeely: Here. You'll want this for Trigger.
Wise Snake: Thank you.
Wise Snake puts Socks' halter on Trigger, having to take it in quite a bit since Trigger's head is actually longer than it is thick.
Wise Snake hands the lead rope to Eliza, the appointed extra-horse leader.
Wise Snake mounts up, figuring the sooner they get out of there, the better.
Wise Snake: Ah... nice meeting you, etc.
Eliza pats the new horse happily, glad to be rid of Socks.
McFeely pats his jar contentedly and jumps to the saddle.
McFeely: Yeee haaaa!
McFeely lands solidly on top of the burrs that attached themselves onto the underside of the saddle when it was in the weeds.
Wise Snake stares in surprise as Socks, er, Thunderbolt takes off like lightning.
McFeely clutches the saddle as Socks jumps at the stabbing pain, then bolts.
McFeely: Go, Thunderbolt!
Wise Snake: Hmm.
Nick sees a tattered envelope flutter to the ground.
Nick: He lost some of his mail.
Nick picks up the envelope.
Wise Snake: Maybe we should have traded him a sack as well.
Nick sees an official seal on the envelope.
Nick: He'll get in trouble. This is to the Tecton.
Nick: The District Offices, no less.
Nick: From....
Nick discovers that the return-address portion of the envelope did not survive its adventures.
Nick: Someone or other.
Wise Snake: Would you care to go deliver it to them? [wryly]
Nick: Only if I could be sure to avoid delivering myself as well.
Wise Snake: Let's see that.
Wise Snake holds out her hand for the letter.
Nick hands the letter to Snake.
Wise Snake exercises a bit of Farris sensitivity and zlins the letter's contents without opening it.
Wise Snake: [can you ride and zlin a letter at the same time? Coordination R Us]
Nick adjusts his nager for maximum legibility.
Eliza: [Eliza can ride and sleep at the same time - does that count?]
Nick: What does it say?
Wise Snake: "Dear Hajene Suvis."
Wise Snake: "First of all, I must congratulate you on your brilliant handling of Sosu Frant in the Regional Debates. You were most masterful. Those of us in the 183rd District are indebted to you for your loyalty to the people, and your great clarity of consciousness in world affairs."
Wise Snake: Sheesh! What a suck up.
Nick: If half what I've heard about Suvis is true, that's the only way to get his attention.
Wise Snake continues.
Wise Snake: "Food crops have done well this year, thanks to the brilliant agricultural program your office has set forth in recent years, for which we are effusively grateful. Where would be we be, without the Tecton's might to hold us upright and the Tecton's righteousness to give us moral direction?"
Wise Snake: Egads.
Nick: Any more sugar and the page would ferment.
Wise Snake: "With all the weighty and important matters passing over your desk, I am sure that the smaller, more trivial items must often be set aside until a more appropriate time. I was just wondering, if it isn't too much trouble, if you might possibly be able to let me know when you could see to the matter of the replacement channel for our town's clinic?"
Eliza is falling way back and can't hear what is keeping Snake and Nick so occupied. She doesn't care either - she is sulking.
Nick: Replacement channel?
Wise Snake: Hmmm.
Linn nudges her horse closer to Eliza's.
Linn: What's wrong, Eliza?
Eliza glares at Linn.
Eliza: Nothing's wrong with me, Linn.
Wise Snake: "As we are being quite overcome with treatable illnesses, aggravated work injuries, and seat-of-the-pants Gen transfers to changeovers."
Wise Snake brightens.
Nick considers the possibilities.
Linn: Really? You don't look happy, just now.
Eliza slows down more to keep up with Trigger's lame foot.
Eliza sighs.
Nick: The risk....
Eliza: Nothing I do makes Snake happy.
Wise Snake: "Yours in everlasting respect and admiration, Mayor Fountaine of Vortex Lake."
Wise Snake turns the letter over and looks at what's left of the return address, which looks a little like Vortex Lake.
Nick: On the other hand, it appears that the Tecton has been ignoring the situation for some time.
Wise Snake notes they are leaving the others behind, and slows slightly.
Wise Snake: It ought to be worth going and checking it out at least for a day or two.
Linn looks at Snake and sighs.
Wise Snake: Sounds like they would be willing to, ah, keep an open mind at least in the matter of changeovers.
Linn: What makes you think that, Eliza?
Linn personally thinks that Snake has been so desperate for work that she hasn't noticed any of them in weeks, except when injured.
Nick: Perhaps.
Eliza: You mean, besides Snake whining and griping about everything?
Nick: And we could staff a small clinic with our group, to minimize the risk of seeming non-Tecton.
Linn: Whining and griping?
Wise Snake pulls out the map Linn had bought, and turns to the correct page, tucking the letter absently inside.
Eliza: She wants to take down my field, then she storms off. I try to help, but she won't tell me what's going on, so I always do the wrong thing!
Wise Snake: Ah yes... oh. Vortez, not Vortex.
Wise Snake sounds relieved.
Linn: Have you asked her to continue your training?
Wise Snake: It's about a half day's travel to the west of here.
Nick: Not far at all.
Wise Snake folds the map and looks at Nick.
Wise Snake: I think we should check it out.
Wise Snake nods.
Wise Snake is thinking with her laterals again, of course.
Nick: It might be good for a few days of work before questions start to be raised.
Wise Snake: Hell, we don't have to let any questions be raised at all.
Eliza: No, I haven't. Do you think I should?
Wise Snake: I'll just show up and tell them we're Tecton.
Nick is so wrapped up with trying to find work for a voracious Farris channel that he's willing to do just about anything for a ready supply.
Linn: It couldn't hurt.
Wise Snake: We can stop somewhere in here and pick up some nicer clothes, then say we were on personal holiday and were called in by special order of Hajene what's his name to be reassigned there.
Linn: You said she wanted to take your field down. Did you object, by any chance?
Nick: If they're as desperate as they sound, they'll want to work you first, and ask questions later.
Linn: Snake really gets annoyed if you object.
Linn should know, since she's triggered that annoyance more than once.
Wise Snake: That fits in well with my own goals. [avers]
Eliza: Yes. I objected.
Eliza: There was no reason why I couldn't have given Bumanuel transfer the last time!
Linn sighs.
Eliza: Snake just wanted to punish us.
Linn: Snake can't tolerate rebellion. Particularly if it deprives her of work.
Eliza pouts.
Eliza: Linn, would you talk to her for me?
Eliza: She respects you.
Nick takes the map from Snake and inspects it more closely.
Nick: Not very far at all.
Linn shakes her head.
Linn: Snake won't accept any request I make on your behalf.
Linn: If you talk with her yourself, though, chances are that she'll be willing to work with you.
Wise Snake is caught in a day dream of much workage.
Eliza: Oh.
Linn: It looks like she's in a good mood now. Why don't you try?
Eliza: Will you lead this horse? He can't hurry cause he is lame.
Nick is caught in a day dream of entran-free Snake.
Linn: Of course.
Wise Snake is wearing a dreamy smile, very unlike herself.
Linn takes the lead and smiles encouragingly at Eliza.
Eliza: Thank you Linn.
Eliza smiles back.
Linn: You're welcome.
Eliza kicks Flossie to a trot and catches up with Snake and Nick.
Eliza: Snake?
Wise Snake is distracted by Eliza's approach.
Wise Snake: Er... What?
Eliza: ~ hope ~
Wise Snake looks around to see what became of Trigger, and relaxes when she sees Linn has him.
Wise Snake: What can I do for you, Eliza?
Nick is also distracted from his day dream, and concentrates on Snake when he sees Eliza, not trusting her control.
Eliza: I was wondering if you and Nick could help me with some training or something?
Wise Snake: I did assign Nick to work with you on control.
Wise Snake looks at Nick.
Wise Snake: Haven't you two been working on control like I asked?
Eliza looks at Nick helplessly.
Wise Snake thinks it was only two weeks ago she asked, surely they couldn't have exhausted the topic already.
Eliza: It's been a bit, hectic, lately.
Nick: We've managed a few sessions, but they haven't been as productive as I'd have liked.
Wise Snake: Ummh.
Eliza: It was easier working with Shonie, cause she could tell me when I had it right or wrong.
Wise Snake: Well, the two of you work something out, then.
Wise Snake: I mean it. No asking then not doing.
Wise Snake darts a look at Nick letting him know she expects him to do it.
Wise Snake: [sort of an apologetic yet firm look]
Eliza: Nick?
Nick: I'll work with you, if you apply yourself to learning, instead of running off in the middle of the exercise.
Eliza can't remember running off in the middle of an exercise ever.
Eliza: Yes, Nick, whatever you say.
Eliza: Could we do something now?
Nick: Well, then, we can begin--as soon as Snake's lowered your field, so you don't annoy her when you practice.
Eliza: OK. Will you Snake?
Wise Snake glances at Eliza suspiciously.
Wise Snake: Do you plan on cooperating?
Eliza: [small voice] Yes.
Wise Snake zlins Eliza.
Eliza: ~ hopeful ~
Wise Snake nods.
Wise Snake: Fine. Let's stop here for a moment.
Wise Snake pulls Freelance over to the side of the road.
Eliza pulls up next to them.
Wise Snake dismounts and waits for Eliza.
Eliza slips off too and drapes the horse's reins over a branch.
Eliza walks to Snake and stands passive.
Eliza: You don't want me to do anything right?
Nick dismounts and stands in the optimal position to cope if something goes wrong.
Wise Snake: Nothing.
Wise Snake takes Eliza's arms and makes a 5th contact, drawing down her field.
Eliza does nothing.
Eliza stays passive.
Wise Snake makes sure Eliza is really, really low.
Wise Snake releases her when she's done.
Wise Snake: There.
Eliza sighs.
Eliza: Thank you Snake.
Wise Snake: It was my pleasure.
Nick assesses Snake's condition.
Wise Snake appears to be as sane as she ever gets, and has the entran well enough under control to retain the Farris "I'm fine, fine" stoicism.
Nick decides that Snake is in good enough condition to do without a Donor for a bit.
Nick: All right, then, Eliza. I expect part of your problem is that you never started at the beginning.
Trigger tugs at his lead rope, trying to go slower.
Eliza listens carefully.
Wise Snake mounts up again, and waits for them to do so also.
Nick gets on Pumpkin and motions for Eliza to mount as well.
Linn has tied the rope to her saddle, so Trigger has the choice of walking or being dragged.
Eliza jumps up on Flossie.
Nick guides Pumpkin behind Trigger.
Nick: We'll ride back here, where the others' nagers will block yours, and start with some basic exercises.
Eliza: Okay, Nick.
Nick has no idea that the exercises Snake taught him come direct from Zeor traditions, and are not available at any Tecton training camp.
Eliza: ~ open and willing ~
Nick: Let's start with centering. Close your eyes and turn your attention on a spot about two inches under your breastbone.
Nick: That's where your weight is centered.
Linn urges her horse to draw alongside Freelance.
Linn inspects Snake's mood.
Linn: You look better than you have in a while. More... hopeful.
Wise Snake looks at Linn.
Linn is glad that Snake is feeling better.
Wise Snake: Something to do with my life not being in immediate danger of ending, perhaps.
Eliza shuts her eyes and starts to concentrate.
Nick: Now, imagine a connection between that point and the ground, a connection so strong that no outside influence could possibly break it.
Eliza does, and almost falls off the horse.
Nick reaches out to catch Eliza.
Eliza opens her eyes and clutches at the horse's neck.
Eliza: Maybe I should wait for that one when I'm on the ground.
Nick sighs.
Nick: Well, it takes practice.
Nick: Let's try again.
Nick: This time, make the connection between you and the ground directly underneath you, so you don't get pulled to the side.
Eliza takes hold of the saddle and pulls herself deeper into the saddle, then closes her eyes and concentrates.