Sime~Gen Roleplaying on IRC: Snake River Dam Scenario
Episode #23: Tea with Snake II (8/4/00)
Arat is attempting to compose a report to the Regional Controller's office combining the census figures with his request for additional supplies.
Beni fidgets nervously, unable to keep from checking Arat every minute or two for symptoms of withdrawal.
Nick is outwardly calmer, having lived closer to disaster for most of his career as a Donor, but the vigil is wearing on him as well.
Nick finds his fingers itching for a nice cup of tea to sip, but he isn't about to consume any more of the tainted #3.
Nick would have stepped out to procure more of his supply, but doesn't want to leave Arat to face this alone.
Nick is also finding tea a rather sensitive subject just now.
Arat has been attempting, in fine Farris fashion, to pretend as if nothing is wrong. [as opposed to becoming hysterical, something he gave up years ago with great effort]
Arat has, however, been developing a bit of a fever, accompanied by a increased rate of selyn consumption.
Arat has been controlling the fever for some time, now, but it is beginning to become difficult to master, and of course there is nothing to be done about the selyn consumption.
Nick is not yet desperate enough to break out Snake's stock of stems and pieces.
Arat has just about reached the point of having to admit something is happening... but not quite.
Arat's denial threshold is pretty high.
Arat's denial threshold is never higher than when the stakes are high.
Nick reaches out once more to place a hand on Arat's neck.
Nick: You're warmer.
Arat glances at Nick.
Arat: The weather has warmed.
Nick is not convinced.
Nick: What's your selyn consumption rate?
Arat: It is higher than normal, but that could be explained by stress.
Nick: Maybe.
Nick: ~~ dubious ~~
Arat is certainly under stress.
Nick is well aware that two freaking-out Donors would result in stress, even without the threat of Xylexion.
Nick: Here, try relaxing for a few minutes, and see if your selyn consumption drops.
Nick takes a deep breath and lets it out, trying to assist Arat by relaxing himself.
Wise Snake walks into the hut used as an office by certain how-the-mighty-soon-will-be-fallen Tecton personnel.
Wise Snake has a bounce to her step, and seems cheerful. She has not seen any of them since Beni left her the day before; she's been out and about.
Nick's efforts flounder when he looks up and sees Snake.
Wise Snake: Hello, Father. Nick, Beni.
Wise Snake smiles in a way that most who know her well have come to know means terrible mischief.
Nick's nager tightens up, mostly concealing something that might be anger, or disappointment, or disillusionment.
Beni's control is much less exact.
Beni: What are you doing here?
Arat looks at Wise Snake without saying anything. His expression, while powerful, is difficult to describe: something between wariness and betrayal.
Beni: Shall I call your bodyguards to arrest her, Controller?
Beni is, perhaps, being a bit more pessimistic than Arat about the verdict of the experiment.
Wise Snake: Tut tut. Such violent thoughts, Beni.
Wise Snake: And of your own channel.
Wise Snake seems pleased by his reaction, however. By all of their reactions.
Wise Snake: Well. Your ex-channel.
Nick's nager grows a bit colder at Snake's evident delight in her mischief.
Wise Snake zlins Nick a bit more, seeming to find the change interesting, and then moves forward, nearer to Arat's trestle table full of papers, and Arat.
Nick has had ample opportunity to observe Snake's potential to wreak havoc, of course, but this is the first time she's done serious damage to someone he cares about.
Wise Snake: I'd advise against anything too drastic, of course. [comments]
Wise Snake: After all, you wouldn't want to, ah, burn any bridges.
Nick: You would really let your own father die?
Wise Snake: If I was imprisoned and could not meet my contacts, would I have any choice?
Wise Snake: [points out]
Wise Snake: Really, it needn't be so dramatic as all that. You go on with your lives, just as you have, and I will make sure things go... smoothly.
Wise Snake hitches a hip on the crate/chair in front of Arat's "desk", still facing them all.
Nick is trying hard to find something that makes Snake's actions excusable, but for the first time, he's failing.
Wise Snake: In exchange for certain assurances.
Nick: How about the assurance that he will serve you transfer, rather than letting you die of attrition?
Wise Snake smiles.
Wise Snake: I'm not worried about that.
Nick looks at the unusually quiet Arat, to see how he's taking this.
Arat is still staring at her, now looking rather more angry than he had before, possibly in response to Nick's and Beni's nagers.
Nick: You should be.
Wise Snake: Should I?
Wise Snake does not seem worried, but it is hard to tell with her.
Wise Snake rises, and begins to pace the hut's rough floorboards.
Wise Snake: What I want, is to have full consideration in matters of the project, and the disposition of the "extra" people, as all of you prefer to call them.
Wise Snake: It isn't too much to ask, I don't think - particularly compared to my other demands, which have in the past included being accorded the respect due a daughter, rather than a prisoner, and the freedom due a citizen of the Territory, rather than a slave to it.
Nick is struck by the complete, unnecessary futility of this entire situation.
Wise Snake studies Nick.
Nick recalls his efforts to convince Arat to reach out to his daughter, and how Arat had never really acted on the suggestion.
Nick does not consider this legitimate grounds for attempted murder, however.
Nick: So is that how this ends? Mutually assured destruction? Double suicide, in a particularly messy fashion?
Wise Snake: That is up to the three of you. [pleasantly, with an underlying cynicism]
Wise Snake: I have made the first move.
Wise Snake: How will you reply?
Beni thinks an appropriate response would be to lock Snake in a Last Year House and keep her on channel's transfer until she dies of it, but then, he's less committed to Arat's survival than either Nick or Arat.
Arat looks down at his report, fingering it. There is sweat on his forehead.
Arat: I... don't know how to reply to this.
Arat: This is completely outside the realm of civilized behavior.
Wise Snake's eyes slide over to Beni, thoughtfully.
Nick lays a gentle hand on Arat's arm.
Nick: You're fever is rising. Your selyn consumption is, too.
Nick: Shall I make you some... tea?
Arat cannot pretend any longer. He nods, defeated.
Go on to Episode #24: Caught with Pants Down
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