Sime~Gen Roleplaying: District Controller's Office Scenario
Episode #88: Call of the Nager (10/8/99)
Riyyh is enjoying a peaceful morning in his sunny hotel suite.
Riyyh's morning has consisted so far of 1) a leisurely bath and grooming session, 2) a late breakfast of very expensive room service, and 3) reading a fascinating book he picked up the other day, while lounging in the main room.
Tiarala enters the hotel where Riyyh is allegedly staying, dressed in casual but flattering civilian garb.
Tiarala is starting to wonder whether Riyyh actually is there, as he was absent the past two evenings.
Desk Clerk doesn't recognize Tiarala, as she doesn't work evenings.
Desk Clerk smiles.
Desk Clerk: May I help you?
Desk Clerk is dressed in a fine uniform as befits such an establishment.
Tiarala had to finagle a trade in her work schedule to free up the time for this third try.
Tiarala smiles pleasantly in return.
Tiarala: Hello. I am here to visit Sectuib Riyyh. I believe he's staying in the honeymoon suite?
Desk Clerk: Why, yes. Is he expecting you?
Tiarala is still wondering just why she has been ordered to get a good zlin of Riyyh, and who exactly gave those orders.
Tiarala: I'm an old friend of his. I heard he was in the area, and decided to drop by and see how he was doing.
Tiarala is pretty sure that the desk clerks are used to such happenings, Riyyh having been in town for a while.
Desk Clerk: I'll have someone show you up. [smiles]
Desk Clerk: Oh, Peeteer, would you? [to a nearby fellow wearing an even fancier uniform]
Tiarala smiles at Peeteer, trying to look like a large tipper.
Tiarala is therefore whisked to Riyyh's room with a minimum of delay.
Tiarala rewards Peeteer suitably, and signals at the door.
Riyyh looks up in surprise.
Riyyh: Now, who could that be? [to himself]
Riyyh puts down the book, his tea, removes the blanket from his knees, and finally makes it to the door to open it.
Tiarala smiles in relief as the door finally opens.
Riyyh: Tiarala!
Riyyh: ~~ surprise ~~
Tiarala: Riyyh! It's so good to zlin you again.
Riyyh looks and smells immaculately groomed... and looks and zlins like he's been partying non stop for 5 weeks and in hard need besides.
Tiarala steps gracefully through the door, and hugs Riyyh, suiting action to words.
Riyyh: Oh, my. It's so good to see you again.
Riyyh hugs her in return, keeping his field as pleasant as possible considering.
Riyyh thinks the zlin is a bit deep, but it doesn't occur to him to think it might be anything but concern or curiosity.
Tiarala: You look wonderful as always, my dear, but you are zlinning a bit... peaked.
Tiarala: You haven't been overdoing things, have you?
Tiarala: ~~ concern ~~
Riyyh: I'm due back in Naros the day after tomorrow, for transfer.
Riyyh: I'll be fine. [smiles kindly]
Riyyh: It is difficult to have no one to turn to, but soon Nick will be here.
Riyyh obviously has come to cling to that hope, in the last few days.
Tiarala: You can't think to travel all the way back to Naros, without a Donor!
Riyyh: It's only a day's ride. Two days, conservatively. 1
Riyyh is noticeably ~~ touched ~~ by her concern.
Riyyh: I'm afraid I've become all too used to riding, of late.
Riyyh: Please, sit down, have some tea.
Riyyh: I have hot water all ready.
Tiarala: Oh, I would love some tea. One of your own blends?
Riyyh hurries over to clear away the book and blanket and prepare a second cup of tea.
Riyyh: Of course. [smiles]
Riyyh is well stocked with samples and catalogs, to make as much use as possible out of his regrettable traveling lifestyle.
Tiarala: Such a treat.
Tiarala: ~~ light anticipation ~~
Riyyh has found that the combination of increased sales and the gift income generated by frenetic social activity has nearly compensated for the cost of this hotel and his other living expenses.
Riyyh just wishes it didn't take quite so much energy!
Riyyh serves Tiarala a cup of her current favorite.
Riyyh: Would you like some of this breakfast? I wasn't able to eat as much as I'd hoped. It's quite good.
Tiarala takes the cup and sits on the overstuffed sofa, patting the cushion next to her.
Tiarala: ~~ steady supportive field ~~
Riyyh immediately comes and sits beside her.
Riyyh makes use of the supportive field, gratefully.
Riyyh: Thank you. You've always been so kind.
Tiarala is naturally not as good at support as a Donor would be, but is much better than nothing.
Tiarala sips at her tea, then sets it aside.
Riyyh as always is very attentive.
Tiarala holds out her hands, tentacles extended.
Tiarala: Would you like me to see if I can do a bit more?
Riyyh: Why, I'd love to.
Riyyh: That is, if it isn't too much of an imposition...?
Tiarala: Not at all, my dear. How you have managed for so long without a Donor amazes me.
Riyyh's hands reach toward Tiarala's with pathetic neediness.
Riyyh: It's more the companionship than the actual work they do, usually.
Tiarala takes Riyyh's hands--not her least favorite thing to do, by any means--and extends her laterals.
Riyyh's laterals slip hotly about hers.
Riyyh: But it is so different when days pass with no help at all, and even though the work itself is easy enough, it's more than I've done in the past.
Tiarala: I know you can't do many of your usual duties, when you're away from home like this.
Tiarala starts to work some of the knots from Riyyh's nager, imitating a Donor as best she can.
Tiarala takes the opportunity to zlin Riyyh very deeply, of course.
Tiarala: Still, I admit that I wouldn't want to be without a Donor for so long.
Riyyh appears by all indications (well, heck, she can zlin them all!) to enjoy the attention and genuinely appreciate the help.
Riyyh: It will be much better when Nick comes.
Riyyh has been promising himself this for 2 weeks now.
Tiarala: He's coming to visit you this afternoon?
Tiarala: I would have thought that Wise Snake would occupy his time.
Riyyh: No, in a few days, when he's released from the Tecton. After their transfer.
Tiarala is well aware of the demanding habits of Farris channels.
Riyyh's heart betrays a ~ yearning ~ for the future.
Tiarala: You mean... permanently?
Riyyh: Probably not. [admits] But for at least a while.
Tiarala hadn't heard rumors that Nick was giving up on being Snake's Donor.
Riyyh: Until he decides....
Riyyh can't quite bring himself to articulate the thought.
Riyyh: Well. For as long as he wants.
Tiarala: Everybody has been wondering. Do you think he'll end up pledging the Tecton, or will he go rogue again? Or even pledge Naros?
Tiarala would like to know where to place her own bets, but has not been able to get enough insider information to be confident which side to back.
Riyyh: I can't know.
Riyyh: ~~ sadness ~~
Riyyh: He may wait until the decision is made for him.
Tiarala: Made for him?
Tiarala: By whom? Controller Arat?
Tiarala has heard rumors that Arat has been under immense pressure to get Nick pledged at any cost.
Riyyh: By time. Eventually the other options will close, due to circumstances, or other people's actions, or blind luck.
Riyyh considers.
Riyyh: Nick said that Arat has not tried to force him.
Riyyh: He zlins of truth when he says it.
Riyyh is aware that despite his being more sensitive than his capacity would suggest, he can't zlin through Nick if Nick doesn't want him to.
Tiarala is ~~ glad ~~
Tiarala: Too much pressure would be counterproductive.
Riyyh alas is far too deep into need to find that comment arousing.
Riyyh smiles anyway.
Tiarala realizes that Riyyh really doesn't want to talk at the moment.
see note 2
Alea signals at the door.
Jeniard jumps up to get it.
Alea hasn't seen much of Jeniard and has no idea what he wants with her or needs of her.
Jeniard: Ah... Alea. Good, good.
Jeniard looks a bit nervous but determined as he lets her in.
Alea nods her head.
Alea: Good day, Jeniard.
Jeniard: Thank you for coming. I realize this is your break time, but it's a matter of such importance....
Alea glides in and pauses to wait for Jeniard.
Jeniard waves vaguely at a number of chairs in the otherwise rather bare examining room.
Alea nods and crosses to an empty chair, lowering herself into it.
Jeniard: We're still expecting Nick.
Jeniard glances at the door, rubbing his hands together.
Alea crosses her hands and puts on a serene face.
Alea: Nick Reckage?
Jeniard: Yes.
Nick arrives a minute later, having had to get out of Snake's clutches, something he finds himself reluctant to do.
Alea glances at the door, wondering what he needs with two high order Donors.
Alea: ~~ mild curiosity ~~ [masking a bit more curiosity than she'd want them to see]
Jeniard notes Nick's signal and goes to let him in also.
Nick looks around the room, trying to figure out where the patient is.
Alea: Hello, Nick.
Alea smiles politely.
Jeniard: Thank you for coming. Please, sit down. This will only take a few minutes, I hope.
Nick: I hope so, too. Snake's rather short-tempered this morning.
Nick nods politely at Alea.
Alea would love to pop off with, "Seen my cousin lately?" but holds her tongue.
Jeniard: Um, yes.
Jeniard: Well, I'm sure you're wondering why I've asked you here.
Alea chuckles.
Alea: You might say that, yes, since you don't seem to be suffering from attrition.
Nick: Not for the usual, I see.
Nick indicates the empty examination table.
Jeniard blinks, confused by their responses.
Jeniard then shakes his head, as if to clear it.
Alea: So how may we help you, Jeniard?
Jeniard hesitates, then says bluntly, "I've been concerned about Arat since he's started working with Pylor."
Nick: The man's a walking menace.
Alea sobers.
Alea: That's an understatement as to how I feel [mutters]
Alea thinks at least she and Nick are in agreement on one thing.
Alea: ~~ pleased at Nick's words ~~
Jeniard: I want to go to Neptude about it.
Jeniard: I'd like you two to come with me.
Jeniard: He won't listen to me if I go alone. He never has.
Nick raises an eyebrow.
Alea studies Jeniard cautiously.
Alea: Go to Neptude... without Arat present? Without him knowing it? His permission?
Jeniard: Shen, no. You know what Arat would do to cover his butt where Neptude is concerned.
Alea knows this spells disaster in her mind for herself and any future transfers with the man and is relieved when he says that.
Alea: Actually, no. I don't know him well enough. ~~ yet ~~
Nick: Even let Pylor maul him?
Jeniard: He'd say everything was fine, and that he could handle Pylor.
Jeniard: And then not let Neptude zlin any different.
Jeniard: I realize I'm asking you both to go out on a limb, here.
Jeniard: But... I wouldn't do it if I wasn't genuinely worried.
Alea ~~ closes up totally unzlinnable ~~
Nick: It's a pity that Arat outrates Neptude. Isn't there another Farris channel who could overrule Neptude?
Jeniard: The World Controller.
Nick is under the illusion that Farris channels are always in charge.
Alea simply accepts that is must be a Farris channel since they are dealing with a Farris channel and doesn't contradict Nick in the least.
Jeniard: And there may be two or three others in town right at the moment, if we can locate them....
Jeniard: But the point is, it's not going to be possible to get Arat to go at all.
Nick: Oh.
Jeniard: We have to go ourselves if anyone's going to go at all!
Jeniard: You don't think I've tried to talk him into this himself many times?
Nick: There should be some way to get rid of Pylor.
Alea: Um...
Nick: Or at least persuade him to behave himself--he can do that, can't he?
Nick: If sufficiently motivated?
Alea: I hate to interrupt this... but this close to transfer that wouldn't be a good idea.
Jeniard looks at Alea.
Alea: We're two days from transfer. There is no way I can do that to my channel.
Alea wonders if Snake is up to a nighttime visit to Pylor and if they could sneak her out... nah....
Jeniard: Do what to him??
Alea: Betray him that way.
Jeniard groans.
Nick looks at Alea, a bit surprised.
Alea puts on her ~~ Farris stubborn ~~
Jeniard zlins that and thinks, oh shen.
Nick: Do you think it would be better to let Pylor keep at him?
Alea: As if teaching school children she begins, "A channel and their Donor have a special relationship, one built on trust through the month."
Alea: It is only acceptable to be able to trust that Companion with your life.
Alea: A Zeor Farris Donor would never betray that trust that might risk repercussions during the time of transfer developing adverse affects for the channel.
Nick: You have a responsibility to keep Arat in good condition, whether he cooperates or not.
Alea paused to look at Nick.
Alea: And I will do that, if you think it is that serious.
Alea: I still have a Companion's Call to make upon him.
Alea: But I cannot go behind his back this close to transfer.
Nick: You didn't see him collapse when Pylor dropped the fields.
Alea: More than once.
Jeniard waves his hands to forestall a Donor fight.
Jeniard: OK, so you'll do it if you can talk Arat into it?
Alea nods.
Nick looks at Alea skeptically, knowing how pigheaded Arat's daughter can be.
Nick then concludes that Alea is pigheaded herself, and that she might therefore be able to pull it off, given Arat's condition.
Nick has always found that channels are more accommodating when in hard need.
Jeniard: ... Now?
Alea knows Arat is close to transfer and isn't willing to risk anything messing him up since he's been so pig headed about Pylor. She thinks if she can only catch him alone....
Alea: Now what?
Jeniard: Shall we go talk to him now?
Alea glances at Jeniard having lost what he was referring to.
Jeniard: ~~ tense ~~
Alea: Ah, of course, Jeniard.
Alea glances at Nick.
Nick: Do you think a united front would be helpful?
Alea stands and smoothes her pink skirt waiting for Jeniard to give the okay.
Alea glances at Jeniard.
Nick isn't sure that Arat will defer to him as a Donor, given the current situation, even if he technically is one for two more days.
Alea: He's your friend.
Nick nods and stands.
Nick: Very well.
Jeniard: Let's do it.
Alea wonders if she should go change first, but doesn't trust anyone else with Arat.
Alea takes a deep breath after the trouble from earlier realizing she hasn't gotten to do what she was going to do... but heads toward the door and Arat's office anyway.
Alea figures if she really turns on the nager, he won't note what she is wearing.
Arat is emulating the proverbial "Little Train that Could" from the Ancient tale.
Pylor is currently desperately trying to master the additional precision required by Arat's need-generated spike in sensitivity.
Arat: ~~ I think I can I think I can I think I can...~~
Pylor is actually working with much better precision, but that does not quite make up for the increase in Arat's sensitivity.
Pylor: ~~ sort-of-support ~~
Pylor: How's that?
Arat is holding onto the desk with both hands, white-knuckle.
Arat: That's... very good, Pylor.
Arat has become more adept at the "praise" with practice.
Arat: Just keep trying your hardest.
Arat is genuine about that last.
Pylor manages to pretty much hold what he's got.
Pylor: Which direction am I off?
Pylor is pretty sure he is off, knowing full well that Arat doesn't clutch the desk like that when Alea or Nick is supporting him.
Arat misses Pylor's question as his attention drifts to trying not to fall off the planet, which doesn't go well with the train analogy.
Pylor holds his breath, and tries to nudge his nager just a bit in what he hopes is the right direction.
Pylor quite by accident hits the proper "pitch".
Pylor does not quite realize it, however, and starts to drift past.
Arat barely has time to notice as he suddenly zlins Alea coming up the hallway.
Arat straightens, and looks at the door like a dog whose heard his master's carriage approaching.
Alea strides to the door and pushes it open without signaling.
Alea: Hajene?
Alea allows her field to reach forward and mesh as she enters.
Alea: Hello, Pylor.
Pylor is watching Arat for clues as to how well he is doing, and so isn't caught completely by surprise this time.
Arat: Alea? Nick?
Pylor's field wobbles, but doesn't quite collapse.
Arat: What is going on? [as Jeniard enters also]
Alea moves forward and sits down next to Arat.
Alea: If you have time, Controller, Jeniard would like to place a proposal before you.
Nick gives Pylor a look of poorly-concealed disgust as he enters and check Arat for damage.
Arat: Pylor, that's enough. Don't fight her. [aside to Pylor]
Alea glances at Pylor and waits.
Pylor belatedly surrenders control to Alea.
Alea would love to shove his field aside but doesn't want to be picking up pieces of Arat.
Jeniard stops before the desk.
Alea instantly wraps Arat in a soothing comforting promise of protection and rest.
Pylor wonders why there always seem to be three or four interruptions during his sessions with Arat.
Jeniard: Arat, we... [glances at Pylor]
Alea waves off Jeniard.
Alea: Arat...
Nick stands next to Jeniard to provide a united front, not incidentally shielding him from Pylor.
Alea reaches out and touches his hand to gain his attention.
Alea: ~~ concern and caring ~~
Arat looks around at Alea instead.
Alea doesn't care that Pylor is in the room as she gains Arat's attention.
Alea: We're worried about you ~~ truth ~~
Arat is understandably bewildered about all this, but in typical Arat fashion is covering with irritation.
Arat: That isn't necessary....
Alea: Your transfer is only two days away, Hajene.
Alea allows a bit of her arrogance to show.
Alea: I'm a Farris Donor, Arat. Of course it matters.
Alea: You are a Farris. It matters.
Arat: We're in the middle of a session....
Alea: Your systems are not performing.
Alea sighs.
Arat doesn't seem to be making much headway in this conversation.
Alea: Pylor, leave please.
Pylor looks at Alea with ~~ resentment ~~
Alea: Your systems are a mess.
Alea: Do you know how much time each day is spent trying to make sure you're stabilized after finishing with Pylor?
Alea wonders where her tact went, and sighs.
Pylor thinks it's bad enough that he has to work with Arat to save his career, he doesn't require Alea being Farris as well.
Arat's lips press together in an annoyed line.
Arat can't come up with an immediate rebuttal to that, however.
Alea lays a hand over his arm, increasing her support.
Jeniard: Arat, we want you to come to Neptude with us, to discuss this.
Nick lets his ~~ concern ~~ be zlinned.
Alea: No one has noticed, Hajene. However, if it continues, someone will notice.
Jeniard: Pylor can come too, if necessary, but Alea is right. Things can't go on the way they have.
Alea: As Jeniard says, he wants us to go to Neptude and see if something more reasonable can't be worked out.
Nick: You had a very close call the other day. If I hadn't happened to drop by....
Alea nods to what Jeniard says.
Pylor is not at all happy about Neptude being dragged into this.
Arat looks very uncomfortable at the mention of the close call in question.
Alea: You're a wonderful channel, Arat.
Alea: One of the best in the area.
Alea knows she can say that truthfully, even though he isn't Zeor.
Pylor: I really don't think it's necessary to go to Neptude.
Alea doesn't take her gaze off Arat, keeping her nager carefully steady with promise and peace.
Jeniard: But it's Neptude that ordered it. That's the only reason Arat is doing it. [points out]
Jeniard is beyond tact as well, it seems.
Arat looks at Alea, unable to think of what to say.
Alea: We'd like to go discuss this with Neptude and see about possibly rescheduling or something.
Nick: He wouldn't have done it, if he'd know what it would do to you, Arat.
Alea nods.
Nick: He doesn't have your sensitivity. He can't possibly know what it's doing to you to have to work under these conditions.
Alea: Pylor has the ability to be a top Donor one day.
Alea: But until his fluctuations settle down, it might be best to have him with a nonFarris, or at least not as sensitive.
Arat suddenly realizes that it's been many years since he's been surrounded by so many people who actually cared about him as a person, rather than as some expensive and profitable animal, a racehorse or a sports hero.
Arat finds it disorienting.
Arat may have been somewhat disoriented already, though. It hasn't been a good day.
Alea: It's your decision, Hajene, but let me just say, if you continue this, it would be best if you wait until after transfer and only work with him during your pre-turnover days.
Pylor has been a working Donor for fifteen years, and is not accustomed to being viewed as a menace to channels.
Pylor: ~~ indignation ~~
Nick: Or perhaps Snake could spell you, occasionally.
Alea can only imagine what that would mean, having Snake spell him.
Nick is aware that Snake has been eager for the challenge, and he sincerely believes that she could do a lot more to whip the errant Donor into shape than Arat.
Pylor has the ~~ heebie jeebies ~~ at the mention of Snake.
Jeniard winces.
Pylor: She's insane!
Pylor: ~~ protest ~~
Jeniard: Pylor, could you keep it under control!
Alea glares at Pylor.
Alea increases her support of Arat.
Nick shrugs, having been well aware of that for some time.
Nick increases his shielding of Jeniard.
Alea: Arat, you haven't said much.
Alea wants to allow him his own say actually.
Jeniard glances at Nick with a nod of thanks.
Jeniard usually doesn't rate the services of a Donor of Nick's capabilities, and it's certainly pleasant, circumstances aside.
Arat looks at Alea.
Arat has never been one to say anything when he can't think of exactly the right words.
Alea tilts her head, waiting.
Arat: I am... flattered by your concern.
Arat looks at Jeniard and Nick also.
Arat: All of you.
Alea: I'm here to serve you, Hajene.
Arat: But this really isn't necessary.
Nick looks at Arat ~~ sternly ~~
Arat: Yes, it's true that Neptude asked me to work with Pylor, but Pylor has shown a genuine desire to improve, and....
Alea absently entangles her fingers with Arat's tentacles. stroking them, curling them around her fingers, etc.
Nick: Tell me that when you don't look like a complete wreck after each session with him, and I may believe it.
Alea ~~ caring concern ~~
Arat's clear line of defense becomes a bit muddy as his arms are manipulated.
Arat: I'm fine.
Arat falls back on the standard Farris quote.
Alea withdraws her complete support to let Arat see just how fine he is.
Arat turns white as a sheet.
Nick catches on, and lets Pylor's nager through--just a bit.
Pylor's nager is, needless to say, not under the best of control, even by his standards.
Alea grabs control again of Arat.
Alea: This is what it's going to be like in two days, if we don't do something again.
Alea nibbles her lip, her brow furrowing with her worry.
Arat looks horrified, both by what she just did and the results.
Alea strokes his arm working to soothe out the knots.
Alea: Forgive me please, Hajene ~~ truly repentant for her act ~~
Jeniard: Shen it, let's just go there now and get this over with!
Jeniard is torn apart to see Arat suffering, and starting to worry that they won't be able to talk him into it.
Alea: We should go, Hajene. Please give us your permission to seek an alternate plan.
Nick's Narosian blood sends him searching for a compromise.
Nick: At least postpone these training sessions [Nick almost said "torture sessions"] until after your transfer.
Nick: That's only two more days.
Arat opens his mouth to say something, can't seem to articulate anything, and ends up rubbing his forehead with his free hand, in a curiously Snakelike manner.
Nick reflexively looks around to confiscate any large blue horse tranquilizers that might be lying around.
Nick: I don't think Neptude would object.
Nick: ~~ reasonable ~~
Alea sighs.
Alea: Arat, there's really no choice. I can't allow any more sessions before your transfer.
Jeniard groans, because he knows that Arat will do anything to avoid bringing this to Neptude's attention.
Alea says this softly.
Alea: Allow Jeniard to handle this for you for the next two days.
Alea wonders just how Jeniard feels about being offered Pylor in a round about way as that.
Jeniard: It should be Snake. [mutters]
Jeniard would like to see Pylor terrified for 48 hours straight.
Alea: Or Snake. [adds]
Nick: She could handle it.
Nick is fairly sure that Snake wouldn't put up with the fumbling that is doing the damage to Arat, or he wouldn't offer.
Nick does have his priorities, after all.
Pylor hates being discussed as if he wasn't there.
Pylor: She's not fit for training or anything else.
Alea: I've served Snake many times. She could handle you easily and she has the elasticity that you couldn't kill her.
Alea winces at the word kill, realizing she has been OT too long and mixed up words.
Jeniard's eyes widen.
Pylor is not at all sure of the reverse, which is his main concern.
Nick is shocked at the grammatical error, but being more adept than Pylor, manages not to slap Arat and Jeniard with it.
Arat finally raises a hand in surrender.
Arat: All right, I will postpone the sessions until after my transfer.
Alea smiles ~~ joyful ~~
Alea beams with her joy, allowing her nager to fill with her feelings and radiate outward.
see note 3
Tiarala is now lounging beside Riyyh in the honeymoon suite's oversized bed.
Tiarala is very glad that she suggested a back-rub as a tension-moderator.
Tiarala thinks that Riyyh really does know his way around a back.
Tiarala: ~~ feline contentment ~~
Riyyh is feeling very, very mellow, and has achieved a good deal of success in pretending it isn't the time of the month that it is, mainly due to Tiarala's cooperation and helpfulness.
Tiarala: There now, you zlin much better.
Riyyh: You are very zlinful today, my dear.
Riyyh doesn't mind, though. He's flattered, really.
Riyyh continues his expert massage.
Tiarala: There's something a bit different about your nager.
Riyyh: Really? ~~ gentle amusement ~~
Tiarala zlins again, trying to pinpoint it.
Riyyh: Perhaps it's your presence filling my lonely day.
Riyyh's tentacles and fingers work the muscles of her calves.
Tiarala wiggles her toes in appreciation.
Tiarala: Oh, do that some more.
Riyyh smiles and intensifies his efforts.
Tiarala: ~~ pleasure ~~
Tiarala: I think you've experienced some growth since the last time I zlinned you.
Tiarala: More than I'd expect, for someone....
Tiarala thinks it would be tactless to say "as old as you".
Tiarala: ...for someone so mature.
Riyyh: Do you think so? [a little surprised, but not as surprised as someone who hadn't already suspected]
Tiarala: I'm almost sure.
Riyyh is ~~ thoughtful ~~
Riyyh works his way to the knee region.
Tiarala really appreciates the kneading.
Tiarala: Is it working with Nick that's done it?
Tiarala: ~~ curiosity ~~
Riyyh: I haven't worked with him that often. But the transfers I've had recently....
Riyyh pauses for a moment, really getting heavily into the memories.
Riyyh is very close to his due date, after all.
Tiarala: That mystery Donor you keep hidden away?
Riyyh: Some of them from Rapol, yes.
Riyyh pauses for a massage of his own arms.
Tiarala: And the others?
Tiarala thinks that information on Narosian Donors would fall under her general orders to get all relevant information from Riyyh.
Riyyh: Well, I am not entirely innocent of transfer with Nick. [shyly]
Tiarala: You lucky man.
Tiarala: I've wondered what it would be like to have a nager like that...
Riyyh: To be honest, it's been a while since I had transfer with a Gen I truly measured up to.
Riyyh doesn't sound unhappy about that at all, but a little wistful as if he is already missing it.
Tiarala: However did you manage that?
Riyyh: It just seems to have happened. [confesses]
Riyyh: While I enjoy it, I certainly could not have arranged for it on my own.
Riyyh: I've been very lucky.
Tiarala: Yes. There's always such a demand for the best Donors.
Tiarala: ~~ wistful ~~
Riyyh in fact may hold the post-Unity record for "getting lucky".
Tiarala: I don't suppose you'd share one of your Donors with me, if Nick comes to you?
Riyyh smiles gently.
Riyyh: You will have to ask Anmyn and Rapol.
Riyyh's sense of humor is somewhat impaired by his condition.
Tiarala understands this as the closest to "no" that Riyyh is capable of managing.
Tiarala is struck by a thought.
Tiarala: I wonder if other channels would show the sort of growth you do, if they were paired with Donors who outrated them for months.
Tiarala is quite ready to volunteer for the experiment.
Riyyh chuckles.
Riyyh: I daresay they would.
Riyyh: That is, if I've grown.
Riyyh: It really is noticeable, you say?
Riyyh is both vain enough, and cautious enough, to really want to know.
Riyyh of course hasn't had many opportunities to be zlinned by a channel high enough to be able to tell.
Tiarala: I'm almost sure you have. Although I admit that the last time I zlinned you this closely, I wasn't concentrating on measuring your selyn capacity.
Tiarala had a great deal of fun measuring other aspects of Riyyh's capacity, however.
Riyyh's eyes widen in a ridiculously innocent expression.
Riyyh: I will be back in Capitol for a few days after my transfer.
Tiarala gives a dazzling smile.
Tiarala: In that case, I can give you more of an answer.
Tiarala: It's always easier to make such comparisons at the same point in the cycle.
Tiarala has her own preferences for the portion of the cycle, at least where Riyyh is concerned.
Riyyh: I agree entirely.
Riyyh may mean any one of a number of things, all of which are eminently appropriate.
Tiarala smiles much like a kitty presented with a fresh sardine.
Tiarala: I'll make a point of dropping by when you return.
Notes:
1) This is a point upon which the game's background differs radically from Kaas Baichtal's writings. In Kaas' stories, Naros and New Othwol are within a day's ride of each other but about two weeks from Capitol by train. [return]
2) Meanwhile, back at the office.... [return]
3) Meanwhile, back at the hotel.... [return]