Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Two Roads Diverged Scenario
Episode #37: With Safety Like This, Who Needs Danger? (6/28/98)
Torrance methodically works his way through the paperwork.
Tanzarra arrives at the Town Hall for a new day of work and anything else that presents itself.
Torrance looks up as she enters
Torrance: Can I help you?
Tanzarra: Oh, good morning.
Torrance waits patiently.
Tanzarra: I'm Tanzarra, I work with Hajene Snake.
Torrance zlins her
Tanzarra: ~~ 2nd order Channel ~~
Torrance: Ah! Tanzarra [comes out from behind the desk] I'm Torrance la Manche, from the Tecton.
Tanzarra: ~~ startled ~~
Tanzarra: Greetings.
Torrance: I arrived this morning to help Hajene Farris until the Tecton can get a recovery team here.
Tanzarra tries not to show her alarm.
Tanzarra: Well If I may be of any assistance?
Torrance: She has been asked to stay here another week or two.
Tanzarra: ~~ control ~~
Torrance: Actually, I'm here to assist you.
Tanzarra: ~~ panic ~~
Torrance: Hajene Farris has shown me her report on you. I would like to offer my condolences.
Torrance: ~ sympathy ~
Tanzarra starts to pick at her fingers, and twiddle her tentacles.
Torrance: If there is anything I can do to help you, just let me know.
Torrance: In the mean time, there are some forms here that I would be grateful if you would fill out.
Torrance returns to his desk and pulls out several forms.
Torrance: The death of your Donor will have to be reported of course. The Donor shortage isn't getting any better. And I understand that you intend to continue on with Hajene Farris?
Torrance: ~ disapproving ~
Tanzarra: Yes, I have asked Hajene Farris if I could work with her.
Torrance: You do realise that you would have a better chance of surviving this tragedy if you were at a Tecton Sime Center, or even a Householding?
Tanzarra: I know. It's just that I don't feel I could go back.
Tanzarra: Not yet.
Tanzarra: ~~ sadness ~~
Torrance: I wish you the best then. As to business here [all business], Hajene Snake has gone for some well earned rest with her Donor. Would you be able to work here for now?
Torrance: Are you able to work without a Donor?
Tanzarra: ~~ panic and shock ~~
Tanzarra: What?
Torrance: Oh my dear Hajene, what is the problem?
Torrance: Please, sit down!
Torrance: ~ concern ~
Tanzarra starts looking around as if expecting to see someone, anyone.
Torrance puts his hand on her arm and leads her to a chair.
Torrance: What startled you so much?
Torrance is worried that maybe her mind has be affected by her loss.
Tanzarra allows herself to be led to the chair, while fighting to regain her control.
Tanzarra: Ah, sorry.
Tanzarra: ~~ control returns ~~
Tanzarra: When you said I would be without a Donor I just panicked.
Tanzarra: I wondered why I couldn't find Eliza, where has she gone?
Torrance: I'm so sorry, that was careless of me.
Torrance: Eliza? Oh yes, she went to deliver mail. I believe that the closest working post office is in the next town.
Torrance: She has been gone for longer then I expected. I'm sure she will be back soon.
Tanzarra: ~~ barely controlled worry ~~
Tanzarra: Did she leave any messages?
Torrance: No... she took my horse to the stables on her way.
Torrance: Are you all right? Can I get you anything?
Torrance: Tea? Fosebine? [horse tranquilizers?]
Tanzarra: Oh, well if there is no word by the time I finish my shift I might have to ask around to see if anyone's seen her.
Tanzarra: Umm, maybe I should have some tea, I have to take donations soon.
Torrance: I'm sure she is perfectly fine. Seemed to have a capable field.
Tanzarra thinks this should be fun without a Donor.
Torrance: Will you be all right while I fetch a cup for you?
Torrance hovers over her like a fussy mother cow.
Tanzarra: Yes... I'll be fine.
Tanzarra: ~~ not ~~
Torrance gets up and quickly looks for someone to make tea.
Tanzarra: ~~ loss confusion ~~
Torrance locates an old woman mopping the floor in the janitor's room. Oddly the janitor's room gleams like stainless steel while the rest of the building looks a bit worse for wear. Usually it's the other way around.
Tanzarra is feeling the loss of Soli deeper now that she knows Eliza is nowhere around.
Torrance quickly returns to the channel's side.
Groglie walks into the Hall and looks at the sign "Chanle in heer"
Groglie squints at it near sightedly.
Torrance: Tea will be here directly. Are you all right to continue? I could probably put off any but the most urgent transfers.
Groglie walks in and peers at the two shapes on the couch.
Groglie gives in and zlins instead.
Groglie: Ah, that's better.
Tanzarra: No. I will be fine, really.
Torrance stands up and takes a step towards the renSime.
Torrance: Can I help you there?
Groglie: Eh? What was that?
Torrance: I said, CAN I HELP YOU THERE?
Torrance stands up and takes a step towards the renSime.
Tanzarra tilts her head back as Torrance yells at the renSime.
Groglie: Where do you want to help me?
Torrance sighs.
Torrance: DO YOU NEED THE SERVICES OF A CHANNEL?
Groglie: YES OF COURSE I DO. Shen why do you think I'm here? Applying for a wedding licence?
Groglie: Stupid people yelling at me as if I were deaf.
Torrance turns back to Tanzarra.
Torrance: Are you up to dealing with this Hajene?
Tanzarra: Yes I am.
Groglie: What? What you say?
Groglie cocks his head
Groglie: Don't know what's wrong with everyone. Mumbling all the time.
Tanzarra: Would you like to come with me please?
Torrance: HAJENE TANZARRA WILL HELP YOU.
Groglie: Who?
Torrance: HAJENE TANZARRA
Groglie: Who?
Torrance gives up and points. "HER"
Tanzarra: ~~ frustrated ~~
Groglie: Oh, her. Thank you very much.
Tanzarra waves an arm to attract the renSime's attention.
Groglie walks over to Tanzarra.
Tanzarra: Follow me plea... FOLLOW ME PLEASE.
Torrance goes back to the piles of Snake's paperwork.
Groglie follows her into the office.
Tanzarra: Could I have your name please?
Groglie: No. Get your own.
Tanzarra: Ummm, no. Tell me your name please.
Tanzarra has the files ready so she can get this renSimes file out.
Tanzarra: Your name?
Groglie: My name? Oh Groglie Morance.
Groglie: Of the Beerwah Morances, not the Isa ones.
Groglie: My mother was one of the original Frestons.
Groglie: My Uncle, Wifron Freston, you probably recognise the name, is well known around these parts for the work he did during the war.
Tanzarra: Okay. What is it I can do for you?
Groglie: Well, it's kind of personal.
Groglie: I'm having trouble peeing.
Tanzarra: Oh.
Tanzarra stops rifling through the files as she realises what the renSime said.
Tanzarra: WHAT!!!
Groglie: I said I'M HAVING TROUBLE PEEING!
Torrance lifts his head and looks towards the office. He had thought it was insulated against sound as well.
Groglie: Shen girl, are you hard of hearing?
Tanzarra: Ok, just tell me what's wrong.
Tanzarra is not looking forward to zlinning this guy.
Groglie: I told you!
Groglie: I'M HAVING TROUBLE PEEING! WEEING! WETTING! PISSING!
Groglie: What part of that don't you understand!
Tanzarra: Okay, you don't have to yell.
Groglie: Young hugga mugga.
Tanzarra points to the couch.
Groglie looks at it and back at Tanzarra.
Tanzarra: Just take a seat and I'll zlin you to see what the problem could be.
Groglie sits on the couch.
Tanzarra sits on the couch facing Groglie.
Tanzarra: Can you give me your arms please?
Groglie looks at his arms in confusion as if he is expected to unscrew his arms and hand them to her.
Groglie: What?
Tanzarra: Put your arms out so I can hold them, so I can zlin you properly.
Groglie: Ah, right.
Groglie holds out his arms.
Groglie: Confused me there for a moment.
Tanzarra reaches out and takes Groglie's arms and entwines her tentacles with his.
Groglie wishes he were 10 years younger, or even 30 years younger.
Tanzarra laterals make contact with Groglie's as she leans into him for lip contact.
Tanzarra: ~~ control. support ~~
Tanzarra: Are you ready?
Groglie: I haven't been ready for years.
Groglie: Oh you mean for treatment? Sure.
Tanzarra: ~~ oh dear me ~~
Tanzarra: Yes.
Tanzarra makes lip contact and zlins the RenSime carefully, and as quickly as possible.
Groglie: ~ problems with the plumbing cause by an enlarged prostrate ~
Tanzarra breaks contact and sits back.
Tanzarra releases Groglie's arms and goes over to the desk.
Groglie: Well? Can you fix it?
Tanzarra is writing in Groglie's file, while trying to think of what could be done.
Tanzarra: Okay, what you have is an enlarged prostate.
Tanzarra: What you have to do is take the swelling down and that will relieve your... ummm problem.
Tanzarra goes to the medicine bag and pulls out a small bottle of pills.
Tanzarra: Now. Take one of these every night for a week and that should help.
Groglie: OK.
Groglie: Thank you very muchly. I greatly appreciate it.
Tanzarra hands the bottle of pills to Groglie.
Tanzarra: Is there anything else?
Groglie: No, that was enough thanks.
Groglie gets to his feet.
Tanzarra: Right then.
Tanzarra sees Groglie to the door.
Tanzarra: If you don't feel any better, just come back.
Tanzarra returns and slumps at the table, hoping the rest of the day will be easier.
Eliza rides home from delivering the mail at a leisurely pace
Eliza is, of course, singing.
Eliza: "All 'round my hat, I will wear the green willow"
Eliza: "And all 'round my hat, for a 12 month and a day."
Eliza: "And if anyone should ask me the reason why I'm wearing it"
Eliza: "It's all for my true love who's far far away."
Strell is riding back to the hidden camp when he zlins a Gen, alone.
Eliza: "Fair the well cold winter, and fair the well cold frost."
Eliza: "Nothing have I gained, but my own true love I've lost."
Eliza: "I'll sing and I'll be merry, when occasion I do see."
Strell is a junct renSime who, with a small group of others have had there supply of Gens cut off.
Strell follows the inviting field.
Eliza: "He's a false deluding young man, let him go, fairwell he."
Eliza: "All 'round my hat, I will wear the green willow"
Strell gets close enough to see, but remains hyper and draws his horse ever closer.
Eliza hears trotting hooves behind them, and so does Flossie. Both turn their heads to watch.
Flossie whinnies a greeting to the other horse.
Eliza sees the male Sime and realises that she is alone on a lonely stretch of road.
Eliza feels safer knowing there is someone else there.
Eliza: Looks like we have company, Floss.
Eliza stops singing so she won't scare him away.
Strell brings himself duo so he can see the Gen as well as zlin it.
Eliza: Hi there!
Strell slows his horse as the Gen speaks to him.
Strell: Uhh. Hi!
Eliza smiles at him, but is careful to keep her field under control. Snake'll skin her if she does anything to entice anyone!
Strell figures that this Gen just doesn't know he's junct.
Strell: So where are you going miz?
Eliza: Back to Vortez Lake, we are staying there. You?
Strell looks around nervously.
Strell: Oh, I'm staying with friends over that way. Are you travelling with anyone?
Strell points over his shoulder.
Eliza: Yes, with Snake and Nick and Linn and Griff.
Eliza: Oh you mean now, no. I just delivered some mail.
Strell: Oh.
Strell: ~~ hopeful ~~
Strell: So you're out here all alone?
Eliza hesitates.
Strell edges his horse till they are side by side.
Eliza moves Flossie sideways.
Eliza: ~ nervous ~
Strell: You know it's not safe to be out on your own.
Eliza: Actually, I'm late and Snake will be worried, so I better go a bit faster. See you around maybe.
Strell: ~~ exited at the Gen's reaction ~~
Eliza nudges Flossie to a canter.
Strell nudges his horse to match.
Strell: Maybe I could escort you to town.
Strell thinks, well not the same town.
Eliza: Errrr....
Eliza thinks maybe if she ignores him he will go away.
Strell: Ya know there's some pretty nasty people about.
Eliza asks Flossie to go a little faster.
Strell: Stop!!
Flossie obliges.
Eliza continues to ignore him.
Strell reaches out in augmentation and grabs the other horse's reins.
Eliza finally admits to herself there is something wrong here.
Eliza: Hey! Let go of my horse!
Strell: You can't go that way.
Strell: ~~ lie ~~
Flossie shakes her head at the sudden unaccustomed pressure.
Eliza: Why not?
Eliza: That's the way I came!
Strell: There's a group of Simes over the hill, I can zlin them from here.
Eliza: ~ uncertain ~
Eliza: So?
Strell: I think it might be safer if you went around the other way, they don't zlin very friendly. [and if you could zlin you'd know I don't either. tee hee.]
Eliza: ~ interested ~
Eliza: Junct?
Strell: I think so. if you like I could take you around the safe way and I can zlin to make sure they aren't following.
Strell: ~~ excitement ~~
Eliza wonders how to lose this bloke so she can sneak after the juncts and follow them back to camp, saving any Gens that might be there.
Eliza isn't very logical.
Strell turns his horse and pulls on the reins of the other.
Strell: Come on, before they get closer.
Eliza: Yeah, Snake probably wouldn't like it anyway. [cryptically]
Strell: Right. Come on then, don't dawdle.
Eliza thinks boy, is he bossy.
Eliza: OK, how do we get there from here then?
Strell getting edgy as his excitement builds.
Eliza sees him getting edgy, but puts it down to what he is zlinning. Well, she is sort of right.
Strell: This way.
Eliza: Are you sure?
Strell: Yes.
Eliza: Well, hmmm.
Strell pulls harder on the reins as he kicks his horse into a gallop.
Eliza has a funny feeling....
Eliza: Eeek!
Eliza grabs hold of Flossie's mane as Flossie breaks into a gallop after the other horse.
Eliza: Hey! What's the matter! What you doing! Slow down!
Eliza: Shen, a Gen could fall off and break her neck at this rate!
Strell starts off for the hill indicated earlier, then slowly changes direction.
Eliza: ~ fear ~
Strell: ~~ enjoyment ~~
Eliza thinks that just maybe she has captured one of the juncts after all.
Strell kicks his horse just a little harder.
Eliza concentrates on hanging on.
Eliza worries that maybe Flossie will hurt herself.
Flossie runs as if the demons of hell are behind her.
Strell decides that this other horse is too slow and eases his horse so they are side by side, then grabs the Gen and pulls her onto his horse.
Eliza shrieks.
Strell: ~~ excruciating excitement ~~
Strell thinks this is going to be a great kill this month.
Eliza thinks she is going to possibly be sea sick.
Eliza: ~ ill ~
Strell rides for several miles until the arrive at an isolated little town.
Eliza considers stunning him, but figures that she won't find their base if she does that.
Eliza comforts herself with the knowledge that Snake and Zarra are nowhere close, so if she does have to she can do so safely.
Eliza: [it hasn't occurred to her that there are other ways of dying.]
Eliza: [Snake has said that they can't kill her... therefore she can't die]
Eliza is a very lateral thinker.
Strell slows to a canter and rides down what was once the main road.
Strell comes to a small barn and enters.
Eliza is green by now.
Strell: Come on miz, you'll be safe here. [laughs]
Strell jumps down and pulls the Gen off his horse.
Eliza: ~ ill ~
Eliza gets giddy as the blood equalizes again.
Eliza: Whoooh.
Strell drags the Gen through a back door, down the hidden stairs and into a large room in the cellar with a cage in the far corner.
Strell: See I told you you'd be safe. No one....
Loth saw Strell ride back in like the hounds of the Tecton were after him.
Loth also zlinned that Strell had company.
Loth strides over to investigate.
Strell zlins Loth and crouches, holding tighter to the Gen.
Loth enters the barn.
Strell: She's mine!
Loth: I don't want your Gen you fool.
Loth is a junct 3rd order channel, and the boss of these here parts.
Strell snarls at the other Sime.
Eliza: Who's that?
Loth zlins the Gen.
Loth: You idiot! What are you trying to do? Bring the Tecton down on us?
Strell circles the other Sime and heads to a small unused cage.
Strell: Shut up. She was on her own. She's mine now.
Strell throws the Gen in the cage and locks it.
Loth: Can you zlin straight? You can't kill her.
Eliza: ~ ouch ~
Strell: Just watch me.
Loth: Hmmm. Can't let her go, she will bring the others back here.
Strell is not thinking very straight as he has been enjoying the Gen's fear too much.
Loth: This is another fine mess you got us into.
Loth attempts to adjust the fields. Not having any training means he isn't very successful.
Eliza watches them carefully and decides that the tall ugly one is probably a channel.
Strell: Yeah well she ain't goin' nowhere. You always get the good ones, well I got me a good one so leave it, all right.
Loth: Just make sure you DO kill her, one way or another. You understand me?
Strell goes and stares at the Gen and grins.
Eliza grins back.
Loth head off to get a posse to watch the area extra close for awhile.
Strell: Yeah, don't worry she'll be right. I'll have some fun first.
Eliza: ~ touch of fear ~
Strell turns and goes to the basement door and stops at the feel of fear.
Strell: ~~ tingles all through the body ~~
Eliza tries to work out how to get him to undo the lock.
Eliza: Don't leave me here alone.
Strell: Ahhh, that feels so good.
Strell: Why, scared of the dark?
Eliza: Please don't leave me here alone.
Strell turns to Loth and glares.
Strell: And don't you touch her.
Strell stops when he realises the other Sime has gone and that he was so caught up with the Gen he didn't even notice.
Eliza: Are there, others, like me here?
Eliza: Please can't I be with them?
Eliza: ~ fear ~
Strell: No, you're different.
Eliza really is afraid now. If he doesn't undo that lock she can't get out.
Strell: You're stronger. I like that in a Gen.
Eliza: Are you scared to let me out? Think that you can't handle me maybe?
Strell: ~~ indignant ~~
Eliza stands up to her full 5'2"
Strell: Me? Afraid of you?
Eliza: ~ enticing ~
Strell should be but is too excited and is fighting intil.
Strell: ~~ held by Gen's enticement ~~
Eliza: Please let me out?
Eliza: ~ soothing ~
Strell: I'm not ready for you yet.
Eliza: I really don't like being in a cage.
Eliza: Ah, but you could be.
Eliza: ~ here for you ~
Eliza: Why wait?
Strell: ~~ intil ~~
Eliza: ~ enticing ~
Eliza curses the fact that she is only mid field.
Strell moving closer to the cage.
Eliza shudders slightly at his approach and lets it show as ~ fear ~
Strell: I want to have fun first. I have another few hours and then....
Strell: ~~ thrill ~~
Eliza: F-fun?
Strell: Yeah. I like to feel a little pain with my fear.
Strell: What can I say?
Eliza: How little?
Eliza: ~ worried ~
Strell: Do you want to find out now, or do you want to wait?
Eliza swallows nervously. She is pretty confident that she can stop him if she has to. Pretty confident.
Eliza bites her thumbnail nervously.
Eliza thinks about it and bites her thumb.
Eliza: ~ pain ~
Strell holds onto the bars as the Gen bites her thumb.
Strell: ~~ ahhhh ecstasy ~~
Eliza stays back against the back of the cage, hoping it's deeper then his arms are long.
Strell is totally hyper and focused on the field in front of him.
Eliza: ~ enticing ~
Strell: ~~ intil - need - now ~~
Eliza considers her options if he doesn't open the cage.
Eliza could slam him, but that would leave her still in the cage.
Strell fumbles with the lock and flings the gate open and stands facing the Gen.
Eliza could give him transfer and hope that he would open it at a later time.
Strell: ~~ need ~~
Eliza breaths a sigh of relief.
Eliza: ~ here for you ~
Strell stalks the Gen field.
Strell: ~~ mine. All mine ~~
Eliza wishes she hadn't bitten her thumb so hard, now the damn thing is bleeding.
Eliza circles towards the door.
Eliza wonders if she can get out and lock the door without having to hurt him.
Strell augments and pushes the Gen up against the back wall as he clutches its arms with his tentacles.
Eliza ~ slams ~ him as hard as she can.
Strell: ~~ pain flashing, searing pain ~~
Eliza knees him in the groin for good measure.
Strell sees nothing but blackness.
Strell: ~~ mind screams, then dies ~~
Eliza lets him fall, then leans down to look at him.
Eliza: Are you OK?
Eliza pokes him.
Eliza: ~ shaken ~
Eliza steps out of the cage and locks the door.
Eliza: [better to be safe than sorry, after all]
Eliza quickly goes up the steps and pauses to see if anyone is about.
Eliza wishes she could zlin.
Eliza: They have to be underground, I guess in a basement, or basements.
Eliza peeks out a window at the other buildings.
Eliza: Shen, they could be anywhere!
Loth: ~~ Screech of nerves ~~
Eliza wishes the wooden wall was good unzlinnable stone.
Loth shivers and turns back to the basement and opens the door.