Sime~Gen Roleplaying: District Controller's Office Scenario
Episode #45: Magical Styles (6/28/99)
Pylor returns to Arat's office after a break: a shorter one than he had been taking.
Arat is pacing back and forth in an agitated manner, but stops when the door opens, and goes back to his seat.
Pylor inspects Arat's condition carefully as he helps himself to tea.
Pylor: You want some, too?
Arat pretends he hadn't been pacing in an agitated manner just moments before.
Arat: Yes! [snaps]
Arat: Why do you always ask me that?
Arat: Nobody cares whether I want any or not. They just want to bring me some.
Arat: Just bring it!
Arat has been rather tense recently.
Pylor finds the pretense just a bit annoying, and the outburst much more so, but brings the tea without commenting further--at least verbally.
Pylor deposits the fresh cup on Arat's desk, forcefully enough that it slops over a bit.
Pylor: There.
Pylor does not, of course, anticipate any sort of thanks for the favor.
Arat stares at the tea on his papers.
Pylor sits down.
Arat after a suitable pause picks up the tea and drinks some.
Pylor: You should eat something, as well.
Arat: Should I?
Pylor: You skimped on breakfast this morning.
Pylor's nager is as completely neutral as he can make it.
Pylor is aware, however, that this is not sufficient to grant him emotional privacy in Arat's presence.
Pylor is perhaps fortunately no longer nursing any false hopes that Arat might be a channel he could actually enjoy helping.
Pylor is therefore doing his best to see Arat as a professional challenge--and a temporary one, at that.
Pylor finds this less and less of a consolation as Arat's temper sharpens with his need.
Arat: I'm not hungry.
Pylor: Eat anyway.
Arat scowls.
Arat: I'll go with you if that is what you want.
Pylor takes an apple out of his pocket and rolls it onto Arat's papers.
Arat hadn't counted on Pylor being so prepared.
Pylor: If you want to keep working, you can munch on that.
Arat's hand freezes for a moment, and then he picks up the apple with ill grace.
Arat: Thanks. [sourly]
Pylor isn't going to take the chance that Arat will get sidetracked on the way to the cafeteria.
Pylor nods shortly, and returns to his tea.
Arat returns to his work, which consists of writing an extremely nasty letter to the Maintenance department regarding a problem with the ventilators in the hospital wing.
Arat's extremely nasty letters are usually technically polite, but nasty nonetheless.
Clerfia runs down the hall towards Arat's office, unconcerned about the effects of her nager, since at nine years old she doesn't have much of one yet.
Clerfia is of medium height, with black hair and a largish nose.
Clerfia bangs her hand against the door signal with pre-adolescent enthusiasm.
Arat jumps as the noise rattles his nerves.
Clerfia doesn't wait for an answer, but flings the door open.
Clerfia: Papa Arat!
Clerfia skips inside.
Arat, who had jerked back at the door's sudden movement, wilts slightly.
Arat: Clerfia.
Arat offers her the apple, since it's handy.
Clerfia bounces over to Arat's desk, and takes the apple.
Clerfia: Thanks, Papa Arat.
Pylor scowls as the apple leaves its intended recipient.
Arat: This is an unexpected surprise. Is your mother here as well?
Clerfia shakes her head.
Clerfia: She's gone shopping with Aunt Jiril.
Arat: I see.
Clerfia cocks her head at Arat.
Arat puts down his pen, since writing extremely nasty letters is wholly incompatible with entertaining one's children in such a way as not to scare the bejesus out of them.
Clerfia: Aunt Jiril says I have a new sister, but she's bigger than me.
Clerfia: Which is silly, because everybody knows babies are little.
Arat sighs.
Arat: That's true. You do.
Clerfia: What??
Clerfia frowns.
Clerfia: You're teasing me.
Clerfia: ~~ indignation ~~
Arat leans back in his chair, stretching his cramped hands.
Arat: Sit down, Clerfia. I can tell you the entire story, if you want to know more about her.
Clerfia sits on the edge of the chair, swinging her legs, which don't quite reach the ground yet.
Clerfia: So tell, already.
Clerfia takes a large bite of apple.
Arat does gracefully tolerate being stiffed with one of the kids for a very short time on a very occasional basis.
Arat does usually like a little more warning than this, however.
Arat: Your new sister's name is Wise Snake.
Clerfia: Wise Snake? That's a funny name.
Clerfia giggles.
Pylor sees how Arat is making the effort to be pleasant to the child, and wishes sourly that Arat would bother to give his own Donor the same courtesy.
Arat: She grew up in Bender Cove, which is a city northeast of here, on the border.
Arat: But she's only come here, to Capitol, now after she's already grown up.
Clerfia: She's grown up already?
Clerfia: ~~ disappointment ~~
Arat: Yes, she's fifteen years old and already changed over. She's a channel, like you'll be.
Clerfia: It's no fun having a sister, if she's too old to play with me.
Arat has no comment on that score; it's not his fault the various mothers of his children don't bring them together as brothers and sisters, and there isn't much he can do about it either.
Arat: [or so he thinks, anyway]
Clerfia: I asked my mother for a sister, but she said she wouldn't give me one.
Arat nods.
Clerfia: Although if she did, it would be a baby for just about forever.
Arat: I was an only child myself. Did you know that?
Arat comes about as close as he can to openly sympathizing.
Clerfia: Yeah. That's why I don't have any Farris aunts or uncles or cousins to play with.
Clerfia clearly sees this as an unfair imposition of Arat's.
Clerfia: Does Wise Snake look like you and me?
Arat: She looks a little bit like me, or so I am told.
Arat thinks, except a bit bloodier around the jaws and a bit wilder around the eyes and hair.
Clerfia's First Year, obviously, will not result in a significant increase in curiosity; it's impossible to spend more than 100% of one's time asking questions.
Clerfia cocks her head, inspecting Arat's face closely.
Clerfia: That's good. You're handsome.
Clerfia: If she's all grown up, does she have a boyfriend?
Clerfia thinks that boyfriends lead to rug rats, which could eventually become playmates.
Arat: No, not right at the moment. She does have friends, though.
Clerfia: What sort of friends?
Arat: Mostly business associates, from what I have been able to gather.
Arat was never good at childish conversation, even as a child.
Clerfia has not yet been able to figure out why adults claim to be interested in friends, as they don't play.
Clerfia: Oh. That's boring.
Clerfia: Doesn't she have any regular friends?
Arat: Perhaps. But they probably live back in Bender Cove, where she grew up. She has come a long way from home.
Clerfia: Oh.
Arat thinks of the missing half-brother.
Clerfia: Why did she leave?
Clerfia: Is she on vacation?
Arat: No, Clerfia, she isn't on vacation.
Arat: She has come to live here for a long time.
Clerfia: Really?
Arat: Yes.
Clerfia: I want to meet her.
Arat: Perhaps you can, then. We will have to ask your mother, first.
Clerfia pouts.
Clerfia: But she's out shopping, and tomorrow we go back home.
Clerfia: Pleeeeeeeze.
Clerfia: She is my sister.
Arat tends to be a bit on the conservative side, safety-wise, like most Tecton bureaucrats.
Arat: Then be sure to ask her as soon as she is finished shopping, and maybe she will let you visit either tonight or in the morning.
Arat of course is completely immune to whining.
Arat: [at least from kids]
Clerfia: Why do I have to ask my mother? You're my papa, after all.
Clerfia sounds just a touch uncertain.
Arat's expressive Farris features betray his disapproval.
Clerfia: When my friend Hallie wants to do something, she can ask either her mama or her papa.
Arat: When two parents live together, quite often the responsibility for children is shared. However, because you live with your mother, she has the primary responsibility for you.
Arat: Are you concerned that she will say no to your request?
Clerfia's expressive mouth starts to quiver as her eyes tear.
Clerfia: No, but she and Aunt Jiril will be out all day, and she said we'll have to leave early.
Clerfia: So if I wait for her, I won't ever get to meet my sister.
Clerfia: She told me I was big enough to find something to do while she was busy.
Arat frowns.
Clerfia: And I did! I came here to see you and my sister.
Clerfia has conveniently forgotten that ten minutes ago, she was unsure of said sister's existence.
Arat: She dropped you off here?
Clerfia: Yeah.
Arat is not, of course, incapable of telling when a child is being less than truthful.
Clerfia: She said I could play in the park, maybe, and that I should tell you if I wanted something..
Clerfia: And I want to see my sister!
Clerfia feels this is a perfectly reasonable request, as she has missed out or misunderstood most of the Snake rumors.
Arat: That is enough. [annoyed]
Arat: I will not watch you debase yourself by begging.
Arat: You will be able to see her if your mother approves; in the meantime, I would suggest you think of something else you might like to do.
Arat intends to have a word with Clerfia's mother about dropping a 9 year old girl off alone, downtown in a major city.
Clerfia scrubs at her rapidly dampening face.
Clerfia: You want to keep my sister all to yourself!
Pylor is starting to feel a totally unaccustomed ~ sympathy ~ for Arat.
Arat simply watches her, unmoved by her spoilt whining.
Beni signals at the door.
Arat flicks a tentacle at Pylor to get the door.
Arat: It's Beni.
Beni nods thanks as Pylor opens the door.
Arat: Sosu Beni.
Beni: Controller Arat, I was wondering if you have any special instructions for Snake this afternoon?
Arat: I think you've met my daughter, Cler... [pauses]
Beni has found it a bit more difficult finding times when Pylor isn't around to work with Arat, and checks Arat over carefully to see how urgent it has become.
Arat: Clerfia Farris. Clerfia, Sosu Beni. [finishes]
Arat: He is my Donor some times.
Clerfia's mother has drilled her in basic courtesy, improbable as it appears.
Clerfia therefore gets to her feet.
Clerfia: Pleased to meet you, Sosu Beni.
Arat appears to be stressed out big time.
Beni: Hello, Clerfia.
Arat also appears to be somewhat worn out and frazzled, due to not having had a very good month.
Beni turns his attention back to Arat.
Beni: About Snake?
Arat: Beni, this isn't a good time. How about do some more of the exercises, and see if any of the psychologists would like to speak to her. We'll get started again tomorrow.
Beni: She's been restless lately--perhaps a change in her routine would do her some good.
Beni: Well, think about it.
Arat fosters a secret hope that his rogue daughter's manners will offend the last of the OT specialists so badly they'll go home.
Arat possibly hasn't considered that they might become so fascinated as to extend their stay further.
Clerfia perked up at the repeated mention of Snake's name.
Clerfia: Is my sister sick?
Arat supposes there isn't a person in the room besides himself who really caught the part where he said "this isn't a good time".
Arat sighs.
Arat: Excuse me, Beni.
Beni nods politely.
Arat: Clerfia, [quietly] it is important to not interrupt when adults are speaking about business.
Arat: When Beni is done, then we will continue our conversation.
Clerfia pouts, but shuts up--it is Arat disciplining her, after all.
Arat is aware of the contradiction of chastising her when Beni barged in and blurted out his question on top of their conversation, but most children can - and, in Arat's opinion, should - handle the distinction between adults interrupting and children interrupting.
Arat turns back to Beni.
Beni thinks Clerfia is kind of cute, but then, he isn't her parent, and has no personal stake in her behavior.
Arat isn't particularly pleased by the hint of disagreement in Beni's nager, but has no choice but to let it pass.
Beni has not yet succumbed to the Tecton's pressure to start a family of his own.
Arat: Yes, find out if any of the visiting psychologists want to interview her.
Beni: All right.
Beni: I'll tell you how it went this evening.
Arat nods.
Beni intends to pick a suitable time for his "report", when Pylor isn't around to be offended.
Beni ducks out.
Arat watches the door close, and suddenly notices how much more bleak the room seems without Beni's presence.
Arat squares his shoulders and turns back to Clerfia.
Pylor is busy with his tea, and doesn't notice Arat's reaction to Beni's absence.
Arat: Now then. Is there something else you would like to do today, while your mother is out shopping?
Clerfia is not inclined to be diverted from her quest, having inherited the Farris pig-headedness in full measure.
Arat thinks if she mentions visiting Snake again, he is going to assign some underling to babysit her for the rest of the day.
Clerfia is, however, old enough to understand the immovable object concept, at least after suitable head-battering has taken place.
Clerfia: I want to see the Sime Center.
Clerfia: ~~ slightly grudging and unhappy at having to accept second best ~~
Arat: I see.
Arat: Do you want to eat lunch, first?
Clerfia is, of course, easier diverted by some methods than others.
Clerfia: Can I have ice cream for dessert?
Arat: Of course.
Arat like all channels knows that encouraging channels to develop dessert addictions as children makes them easier to manipulate at the table in later life.
Clerfia considers, then nods, accepting the bribe.
Clerfia: All right.
Arat regretfully abandons his letter on the desk.
Pylor gets to his own feet, determined that Arat will eat as well.
Pylor is well aware that the apple went down the wrong throat.
Beni slips into Snake's cell.
Beni: Snake?
Wise Snake: Who else would it be?
Wise Snake looks up from her inspection of a small string protruding from her mattress.
Beni: You have a visitor, if you're interested.
Beni zlins just a touch ~ uncertain ~
Wise Snake: Let me guess. My exalted father?
Wise Snake has been waiting for Arat to make a repeat performance of his face to face visit of the other day, but no such luck so far.
Beni: No. He's a visitor from out-Territory. Some sort of psychological expert, I'm told.
Wise Snake: Oh great. A shrink.
Wise Snake: Sure, send him in, the amusement value of messing with his head might make the day worthwhile.
Beni looks a bit concerned.
Wise Snake is, of course, not inexperienced at being interviewed by psychologists.
Beni: From what I've heard, the man is a bit... odd.
Wise Snake: Oh?
Wise Snake waits for him to elaborate.
Beni: He seems to have some rather peculiar idea about zlinning, among other things.
Wise Snake: Ummh.
Wise Snake has no idea what to think, since Beni is being so vague.
Beni: He's part of a special exchange program, and the Diplomatic Office has asked us to make sure that his visit is fruitful.
Wise Snake: Well, whatever. Send him in.
Beni really wishes that one of the other visitors had volunteered when he mentioned the opportunity.
Beni has been kicking himself all the way to the security wing for mentioning the opportunity in Roosle's presence.
Wise Snake grunts and leans back to study the piece of string again while she waits.
Wise Snake pauses and, after a moment's consideration, pulls up her shirt and studies her navel instead.
Beni opens the door and waves Roosle in.
Dr. Roosle bustles through the door.
Wise Snake looks him over, then stares at her navel some more while zlinning him for good measure.
Dr. Roosle: I'm Doctor Roosle, and I'm very pleased to have the opportunity to meet you today, Hajene Farri....
Dr. Roosle breaks off, observing Snake observe her navel.
Dr. Roosle: Ah, yes! Do you find that the circle increases your powers? Does the symbolism assist you?
Wise Snake: Hummah... wha? [distracted]
Wise Snake looks up at him.
Dr. Roosle is ~~ delighted ~~ at having such a good insight so soon into the interview.
Wise Snake finds him to be a rather cheerful fellow.
Wise Snake sits up.
Wise Snake: I guess so.
Dr. Roosle: The circle has been used to contain power, or as a focus, you know.
Wise Snake can't actually remember having done much with circles.
Dr. Roosle: Do you use a mantra during such meditations?
Wise Snake: No.
Wise Snake: Well, sometimes... no.
Wise Snake shakes her head.
Dr. Roosle: There are variations on the circle... do you use other focal points to raise power?
Dr. Roosle: Are there certain forms that work best for different purposes?
Wise Snake: Power? [muses]
Dr. Roosle: ~~ eagerness ~~
Wise Snake really doesn't have any idea of what he is talking about, but that shouldn't stop her from having a little amusement at his expense.
Wise Snake: Well... yes and no.
Dr. Roosle: I've been studying various rituals used to raise power.
Wise Snake: I mean, it really depends on how you define "best"... oh?
Dr. Roosle: Many of them seem to require two people. Or even more.
Dr. Roosle: Do your efforts work better when you use a partner?
Wise Snake: Definitely not.
Wise Snake: Oh, well, it depends on what kind of efforts we're talking about. [adds]
Dr. Roosle: What school do you belong to?
Dr. Roosle: Do you raise power through joy and pleasure, or through physical ordeal?
Dr. Roosle kind of hopes that Snake doesn't go in for the Prunida school of sex magik.
Wise Snake ponders that.
Wise Snake: Ummh... well, I suppose I just kind of like power, you know, and I'll do whatever.
Wise Snake: I like to improvise.
Dr. Roosle: An improvisational school!
Dr. Roosle's nager lights up with the joy of an academic who has just landed a new chapter in his book.
Dr. Roosle: Could you give me an example?
Beni leans against the wall, close to Snake, watching warily for signs of trouble.
Wise Snake lolls, seemingly quite relaxed.
Beni is not totally averse to Snake having some fun with Roosle, as long as it doesn't get out of hand.
Wise Snake: Example? Er, sure, well, there was the time - well, I can't tell you about that one.
Dr. Roosle: Oh.
Dr. Roosle: ~~ disappointment ~~
Wise Snake: No! Wait, I think the statute of limitations has run out on that one.
Beni: ~~ subtle warning ~~
Wise Snake looks considerably more bored as Beni kicks into warning mode.
Wise Snake sighs.
Wise Snake: Well, what kind of example were you looking for?
Dr. Roosle: Do you require tools for your power rituals?
Wise Snake: Um... no, I don't think so.
Wise Snake: I'm not really into rituals at all.
Wise Snake thinks that much is true.
Dr. Roosle: You did say you improvised a lot.
Dr. Roosle: Still, there must be common factors.
Wise Snake: Yeah, usually I do.
Wise Snake: Maybe....
Dr. Roosle: Elements that you use to trigger the desired response...
Dr. Roosle: Like the circle.
Dr. Roosle's attention rests for a moment on Snake's navel.
Wise Snake: Well, I'm not really that into... unless you count this.
Wise Snake produces a Zeor crest ring.
Beni reaches out a hand.
Beni: Is that.....?
Dr. Roosle: Do you use it as a focus to aid concentration?
Wise Snake: I don't know about that, but there's few who wouldn't count it as a power ring.
Wise Snake: Especially around here. [adds, as an afterthought]
Dr. Roosle: What does it symbolize?
Dr. Roosle is very big on symbols.
Wise Snake: Umm... well, this is just my own interpretation, you understand....
Dr. Roosle: Of course.
Dr. Roosle leans forward, so as not to miss a word.
Wise Snake: Well, for me this little circle here [running finger around the inner curve of the ring] symbolizes danger. Like the open jaws of a fur trap.
Dr. Roosle: Danger.
Dr. Roosle pulls out his notebook and pen and starts scribbling notes.
Wise Snake: But the outside, [indicates the crest] this means protection.
Beni pays attention, wondering if this session might be valuable after all.
Dr. Roosle: So the protection contains the danger?
Wise Snake: Well, sort of like that.
Wise Snake: Only it's more like the danger lies within the protection.
Dr. Roosle: What?
Dr. Roosle: ~~ confused ~~
Wise Snake: It is safe for me to carry the ring, but I should not wear it.
Wise Snake: To wear it is a trap. To show it to others is protection.
Beni thinks that it is a bit sad that Snake feels that way about her House.
Dr. Roosle: That's rather different from the traditional view, that an amulet must be worn before it can protect.
Wise Snake has actually been pondering the whole Zeor thing a lot lately, now that she has learned that the Farris who sired her was never admitted to that House.
Wise Snake shrugs.
Dr. Roosle has already drafted about half a chapter.
Wise Snake: Like I say, I like to improvise.
Wise Snake: In fact, there are some situations where improvisation is the only thing that will work.
Dr. Roosle: Really? Like what?
Wise Snake: Well, say for example if I find myself in a situation where the rules aren't clear. Where - well, for example, where there is a kind of "Power" present whose definition I am not sure of.
Dr. Roosle: You can set up a ritual to divine its nature?
Wise Snake: That's too simple.
Wise Snake: I mean, I suppose I could, but that would take all the fun out of it, wouldn't it?
Wise Snake: That kind of ritual is like, well, it's like having a conversation or something.
Dr. Roosle: Ah, you prefer to work indirectly?
Wise Snake: Sometimes.
Wise Snake: At other times, directly.
Dr. Roosle: What about clothes?
Wise Snake: Pardon me?
Wise Snake: [caught off guard]
Dr. Roosle noticed that many Narosian rituals appeared to center around donning elaborate clothing, and then taking it off.
Dr. Roosle: Do you usually work clothed, or do you prefer a more natural state?
Wise Snake: Work? [looks at him oddly]
Wise Snake: Clothed, of course.
Dr. Roosle: It always struck me as a rather difficult task, to work rituals fully clothed.
Dr. Roosle ~~ admires ~~ Snake's alleged skills.
Wise Snake is really beginning to wonder what this guy is on about, though.
Wise Snake: It's nothing, really.
Dr. Roosle: Are you familiar with the Narosian methods?
Wise Snake: The Narosian methods of what?
Dr. Roosle: Raising power, of course.
Wise Snake snorts.
Dr. Roosle: I spent a few weeks studying there, you know, and they were kind enough to show me some of the basics of their methods.
Wise Snake: Oh really? Do tell.
Dr. Roosle: They really were... invigorating.
Dr. Roosle: Although there was one senior practitioner who used... darker methods.
Wise Snake frowns suspiciously, looking not unlike a small, wiry, milky-eyed Arat.
Wise Snake: [not a pretty sight, by the way]
Wise Snake: Like what kind of darker methods?
Dr. Roosle frowns, and a shiver of fear runs through his nager, perhaps at the memory, perhaps not.
Wise Snake waits somewhat patiently for some information.
Wise Snake's interest in the conversation is waning as it becomes less and less sensible.
Dr. Roosle: Well, she liked a physical reinforcement for binding you into the ritual space.
Dr. Roosle: And Adept Prunida used tools.
Wise Snake: Adept Prunida???
Wise Snake: [incredulous]
Dr. Roosle: Yes. She was visiting Naros at the time, although she seems to use another school.
Dr. Roosle: I confess, some of her methods were... a bit much.
Dr. Roosle: ~~ remembered discomfort ~~
Wise Snake: Wait a minute... physical reinforcement for binding you into the ritual space... are you talking about sex?
Wise Snake: [dumbfounded]
Wise Snake of course knows perfectly well what Prunida's game was, as the rumors were all over Naros.
Dr. Roosle: Of course.
Wise Snake: Egads!
Dr. Roosle: I'm writing a book on its ritual uses.
Dr. Roosle: It will be a sensation!
Wise Snake straightens up in annoyance.
Wise Snake: I'll bet.
Wise Snake: Well if I find any reference to me in it, I'm going to come and break your neck, you got it?
Dr. Roosle pauses.
Dr. Roosle: Is that an alternative method to raise power?
Wise Snake: And you better make damned sure none of the bits about Naros mention Nick Reckage, either.
Dr. Roosle nods quickly, eager to reassure.
Beni tries to ensure that Snake remains too ~~ calm ~~ to put her threats into effect.
Dr. Roosle: Adept Prunida didn't seem to think he was much of a practitioner, anyway.
Wise Snake: I should hope not, he's her own grandson.
Dr. Roosle: He is? So the tradition hasn't been passed on down the family?
Wise Snake starts to put the ring back in her pocket, then stops, staring at it for a moment in confusion, wondering what context Dr. Roosle attached to her reference to its tiny aperture as a trap.
Wise Snake: Bloody shen, man, you don't make a single bit of sense, do you know that?
Beni steps between Snake and Roosle.
Wise Snake pushes the ring deep into her pocket with a tentacle.
Beni: I think it is time to let Snake rest.
Dr. Roosle: But....
Dr. Roosle: ~ protest ~
Beni: Perhaps another day.
Beni starts moving Roosle firmly towards the door.
Wise Snake: You remember what I said about that book! [shouts after him as the door closes]
Wise Snake mutters something to herself about lunatics and the Border.
Beni reenters before too much longer.
Beni: I'm sorry, Snake.
Wise Snake: Who was that fruitcake?
Beni: He's a Very Important Guest, and the Diplomatic types ordered that he and his colleagues are to be given all professional courtesy.
Wise Snake: Now you tell me.
Beni: The rest of them aren't so bad.
Wise Snake: Ummmh.
Wise Snake: And here I thought Controller Arat ran a tight ship.
Wise Snake had supposed every ship has a leak or two, but Dr. Roosle is a veritable geyser.
Beni: He thought you might find it interesting to talk to one of the saner ones, but when I asked, Roosle was the one who volunteered.
Wise Snake: Has anybody thought to check whether he left Gen Territory willingly?
Wise Snake: Perhaps he was exiled.
Beni: ~~ apology ~~
Wise Snake grunts in acknowledgment of the apologetic nager.
Beni: Well, personally, I expect his university was glad to get rid of him for a while, but I don't think he sees it that way.
Beni: His fellow visitors try to avoid him as much as possible.
Wise Snake raises an eyebrow, nodding in understanding.
Beni: Thank you for not being too hard on him.
Wise Snake changes the subject.
Wise Snake: So, how is Sosu Sorry treating my father?
Beni frowns.
Wise Snake sounds as if she is expressing idle academic interest, although in fact it is rather more than that.
Beni: Not well, as far as I can tell.
Wise Snake: [shouldn't go so far as to say she is genuinely concerned, though; probably halfway between that and cynical enjoyment of the situation]
Beni: Pylor did make him sleep a bit, which helped a little.
Beni: But he's not in good shape at all.
Wise Snake: Pylor can't handle Arat, you can zlin it instantly just looking at them.
Beni nods.
Wise Snake ignores the mixed senses in her sentence.
Wise Snake has never been a real stickler for grammar.
Beni: I can't either. Not really.
Wise Snake: He's on the bottom of the totem pole because he's not Zeor.
Wise Snake: Probably about where I'd be if I was dumb enough to get entangled in the Tecton for as long as he's been.
Beni: When I first got here, he was in better shape than I'd ever seen him.
Wise Snake: Probably because Nick, unlike Pylor, can find his ass with both hands and a road map.
Beni chuckles.
Wise Snake: Don't get me wrong, Pylor seems to have the capacity. He just doesn't have any focus.
Wise Snake: And besides, he hates Arat's guts. It's perfectly obvious.
Beni: I wish Neptude had been able to find someone else for Arat.
Wise Snake: Tell me about this guy, Neptude.
Beni considers.
Wise Snake takes advantage of the fact that the normal coterie of watchers have temporarily disappeared from behind the glass to go deal with the disgruntled and bewildered Dr. Roosle.
Beni: He's not too bad, though sometimes I don't understand his actions.
Wise Snake: Oh?
Wise Snake doesn't imagine it's that unusual for an underling to be in the dark about a Controller's motivations.
Beni: He's been very worried about Arat's Donor problem.
Wise Snake: What Donor problem?
Wise Snake's previous knowledge of Arat wasn't that specific, and needless to say she hasn't gained a lot of gossip while locked up here.
Wise Snake: Something besides never being assigned anybody decent?
Beni: Controller Arat has...difficulty getting along with his Donors.
Wise Snake finds Beni always gives much vaguer answers than she really wants.
Wise Snake: Ummmh.
Beni: It's gotten bad enough that none of the higher-rated Donors in the District are willing to work with him.
Wise Snake: Ah....
Wise Snake finds it an interesting problem.
Wise Snake: But Nick, of course, being very well trained and quite flexible,
Wise Snake: I see.
Beni: He was the first Donor that Arat's actually gotten along with in years.
Wise Snake wouldn't think of the possibility that Nick succeeded with Arat simply because Snake is much more difficult to work with than even Arat is.
Wise Snake: Hence the attempted exclusive.
Wise Snake: He does plan to try to change that to an exclusive only for him, eventually?
Wise Snake of course wouldn't dream of allowing such a thing to occur, but it is a somewhat entertaining notion.
Beni: An exclusive guaranteed to cause an unnecessary dependency? I doubt it.
Beni: The exclusive rotation between Arat and Deah Tigue is only for a while, until Nick has settled into the Tecton life.
Wise Snake: Oh, you think so?
Beni is, of course, confident that that will happen.
Beni: He's too valuable to keep out of rotation any longer than absolutely necessary.
Wise Snake: So they won't allow it, no matter what Arat wants.
Wise Snake: That ought to be an interesting showdown, when it finally happens.
Wise Snake of course is operating on the principle that Nick is so desirable that Arat will succumb to obsession and try to take him for himself - it seems perfectly natural, that's what Snake would do.
Beni: Arat really can't afford to try such a thing, with his questionable background.
Wise Snake: Yeah, I suppose not. Unless... he went rogue?
Wise Snake can't really see it happening, but speculates anyway just to see how Beni will react.
Beni: Arat? A rogue?
Beni: ~~ astonishment ~~
Wise Snake: Stranger things have happened.
Wise Snake can't think of any off the top of her head, but....
Wise Snake: Think about it.
Wise Snake: Channel, trapped in a ungratifying post in the wrong town, unable to get along with his Donors, suddenly meets the Donor of his dreams... who is a rogue.
Wise Snake: Unpledged, as it happens....
Beni: I don't think he could survive that way. Not even as long as you did.
Wise Snake: That doesn't stop some people. [points out]
Wise Snake: If it becomes even odds on the survival point, a person might choose either way.
Beni finds the prospect profoundly unnerving.
Beni: Surely it won't come to that.
Beni: ~~ worried ~~
Wise Snake: I don't know... [thoughtfully]
Wise Snake: How long has he been this unhappy?
Beni: It's been very bad this month, with Pylor.
Beni: Still, he's been turning to Hajene Jeniard for years.
Wise Snake: Jeniard... where is he, by the way?
Wise Snake: I haven't seen him in days.
Beni: He and Arat had a falling out.
Wise Snake: Did they? Serious?
Beni: They haven't spoken since Arat learned that you are his daughter.
Wise Snake: Really.
Beni: Well, at least not in a collegial fashion.
Beni supposes the screaming bouts don't count.
Wise Snake: Who will he turn to now, I wonder?
Beni: I've been helping a little bit.
Wise Snake: I've noticed. [dryly]
Beni: But I think what's keeping him going is the hope that Nick will be back before he self-destructs.
Wise Snake: Five weeks.
Wise Snake actually has a different plan for Nick, which she hopes to implement as soon as she is allowed out of her cell for any reason.
Beni: I don't know if he'll be able to manage a transfer from Pylor.
Wise Snake: Why don't you talk him into giving me Pylor?
Wise Snake: You probably could.
Wise Snake is unaware of just how stiff Arat's dignity can get.
Wise Snake has rarely had the opportunity to stand on hers much.
Beni: It's important to him that you have the best available.
Wise Snake: I'd enjoy stretching Pylor out a bit and teaching him some manners.
Beni looks at Snake, a touch severely.
Wise Snake would, of course, enjoy even more getting Nick back the following month, and has several ideas of how to do so.
Beni: You'd eat him alive.
Wise Snake's white eyes meet Beni's coolly.
Beni: Didn't you see how afraid he was of you?
Beni: Besides, he's not a match for you at all.
Wise Snake: He'd live. And he'd be better for it.
Wise Snake: Don't tell me he matches Arat better.
Wise Snake: I've actually zlinned them side by side.
Beni: I know the match is bad, but Arat has years of experience dealing with lesser Donors.
Beni: And he started the month healthy.
Wise Snake: Ummmh.
Wise Snake may not have years of experience dealing with lesser Donors, but she does know how to push a person to their limits in a transfer without killing them.
Beni is well aware that at the current time, many would say that Snake was healthier.
Wise Snake: Well, since he's due after I am, I thought it'd be prudent. But if you'd rather be low field when he takes Pylor, by all means....
Beni winces.
Beni: It's not that much of a lag. Do you think we could....
Beni hates to ask for a delay, knowing Snake has already lost her regular Donor.
Wise Snake: Then again, it might be nice to give Arat a big fat channel's transfer just like he stuffed down my craw last month.
Wise Snake smiles at the thought.
Beni: ~~ alarm ~~
Beni: That would break every regulation in the books.
Beni: And neither one of you can afford that, just now.
Wise Snake: Oh don't be silly, I've served channel's transfer many times before.
Beni: It's not your skill that worries me. It's the other consequences.
Wise Snake mainly would like to see the look on Arat's face when he realizes what has him by the arms.
Wise Snake: I suppose Pylor would be left high field. That would certainly count as a negative.
Wise Snake thinks, although the average Sime wouldn't know any better.
Beni shakes his head.
Beni: Please, Snake. I know it's hard to believe, but Pylor has some powerful friends.
Wise Snake: He has friends?
Wise Snake: That does complicate matters.
Wise Snake: Ah well, I suppose we will have to stick with the schedule as it is written, and simply hope all comes out well.
Wise Snake affects a casual attitude about the possible outcomes.
Beni nods glumly.
Beni: I just wish there was another Farris-trained Donor around.
Wise Snake: Well, there's... ummm.
Beni nods.
Beni: You see the difficulty.
Wise Snake: What if something were to befall either you or Pylor before the end of the month?
Wise Snake: Surely they wouldn't begrudge another Donor sent from elsewhere.
Beni: For that sort of emergency, they'd shuffle the schedule around, but...
Beni shrugs.
Wise Snake's eyes shine.
Beni: The Controllers try very hard not to let that sort of situation arise.
Wise Snake: Of course.
Wise Snake seems very pleased by an idea she has just had.
Beni: Because it would mean depriving another channel, in some other District.
Wise Snake nods.
Beni: And there might not be enough time to send someone else in, anyway.
Beni doesn't know Snake all that well, and thus assumes the pleasure is due to her greater understanding of Tecton life.
Wise Snake lets him think whatever he likes.