Sime~Gen Roleplaying: District Controller's Office Scenario
Episode #102: Pillar of Wrath (11/7/99)
Beni brings Arat a fresh cup of tea.
Beni: ~~ soothing ~~
Beni is hoping against hope that Neptude will relent on the Pylor sessions eventually, even though there has been marginal improvement since the sensitivity training.
Beni hopes that the rest of the day will be a bit easier, at least until Pylor's evening session.
Arat takes the tea, finishing off the last of his report on the Pylor session.
Arat has found that the main improvement since Pylor's "sensitivity" training is that he doesn't have to exert as much imagination in finding new ways to describe insolent malice.
Beni checks Arat critically for damage.
Arat seems to be recovering well enough, at least to a Gen's senses. (And most Simes', for that matter)
Beni had learned to take nothing for granted, where Arat is concerned.
Beni: Are you all right?
Arat: Yes. [shortly]
Arat notes that his current appointment, on the other hand, is becoming seriously late.
Arat flips through his main schedule to double check the time, even though he rarely makes a mistake about that sort of thing.
Beni has especially learned not to take Arat's statements of health at face value, and so scoots his chair a bit closer, just in case.
Beni: ~~ support ~~
Homer signals at the door.
Beni glances at Arat, then gets up to open the door.
Homer enters.
Arat: Hajene Homer.
Homer bows to Beni, then to Arat.
Beni sits back down again, a bit surprised.
Homer: Homer Hawke, Second Order Channel, reporting as assigned.
Arat gestures with a tentacle that Homer may take a seat in front of his desk.
Homer sits.
Beni doesn't know whether to be more surprised at Homer's temerity at entering Arat's office without invitation, or that Homer would insult Arat by greeting Beni first.
Homer studies Arat intently, attempting to zlin without appearing impolite.
Homer thinks that this is the stern one that Darrel told him about.
Beni figures that either way, Arat's going to be annoyed, and tries to remedy that with a ~~ calm/soothing ~~ projection.
Arat is a tall (or would be if standing), thin high order channel with black eyes and black hair braided neatly down his back.
Homer wonders if Arat will try to bridle and ride him the way Controller Felps did.
Homer studies Beni.
Beni looks back at Homer, noting with surprise his dark hair and eyes.
Homer relaxes at the soothing projection and wonders who really runs this Sime Center.
Arat's nager is nearly impervious to zlinning, and what's available is clearly intended for display: Dignity and reservation.
Beni thinks, could it be?
Beni looks back at Arat, comparing features carefully.
Arat's eyes narrow slightly as Beni and Homer play nager games.
Arat is going to become extremely angry if Beni messes up with Homer the way he messed up with Darrel.
Arat waits for Homer's attention to make its way back to him.
Arat's nager hints subtly at impatience.
Homer's facial features do not resemble Arat's.
Beni thinks, Naaah, couldn't be, and settles back in his chair.
Homer senses Arat's impatience and returns his attention to the Sime.
Arat moves Homer's folder to the middle of his desk, but does not open it.
Arat: I am Controller Arat Farris. This is my Donor, Sosu Beni.
Beni nods gravely at Homer.
Homer: Greeting to you both.
Arat: You come well recommended by Controller Pierce.
Arat had received a letter from Pierce which actually pre-dated his own knowledge of Homer and his assignment here by about 3 days.
Homer: Hajene Pierce was my teacher. He is a man of great wisdom.
Homer: ~~ truth ~~
Arat is surprised that Homer doesn't show more affection for the man. This rearranges his previous notion of their relationship.
Arat nods.
Homer thinks 'And there's no one in the Tecton who could hold a candle to him.'
Arat also zlins the emotion that goes with the afterthought, and although he doesn't know what prompted it, he doesn't like it.
Homer remembers Pierce with deep respect.
Beni sips his tea and observes with interest.
Beni has found his success rate in the office betting pools has increased hugely since he started working so regularly with Arat.
Arat: As you know, your record since working with him has been less than positive.
Homer feels alone and abandoned, but quickly subdues the emotion, replacing it with stoic calm.
Arat follows the succession of changing emotions automatically. He looks somewhat distant, as his attention is divided.
Arat: I would like to hear your explanation for it.
Arat has read the Tecton's side of it in Homer's file, of course.
Homer: What do you want to know?
Arat: You have developed a history of insubordination and poor procedure. Why is that?
Arat is in his intense-probing-interest mode, as opposed to his towering-pillar-of-wrath mode. Most people prefer the former.
Homer thinks typical Tecton, obsessing about stuff written on paper.
Homer thinks both these questions and the zlinning are extremely impolite.
Beni considers approaching some of those who have been maintaining Arat would eat Homer for breakfast for some friendly action.
Homer reminds himself that Nivet citizens cannot be expected to understand civilized manners.
Homer: One cannot be insubordinate to a person who has no authority.
Homer: Poor is a judgment and one cannot take seriously the judgments of a fool.
Arat's expression changes, becoming less distant and also colder.
Homer can see this response did not go over well.
Homer maintains calm stoicism.
Homer understands he is here to be crucified and steels himself to endure it.
Arat: Is it your goal to fail as a Tecton channel?
Homer: I am not a Tecton channel.
Homer: However the Matriarch has instructed me to come here and follow your customs, so I shall do so.
Arat has not been very impressed so far.
Arat's expressive Farris features show this subtly, despite his attempt to hide it.
Arat: Did your Matriarch instruct you to go through the motions of it, then?
Arat: That was not the impression I had received.
Homer: The Matriarch approved my assignment here.
Homer: I accept that I have behaved foolishly.
Homer: I have brought trouble to my people and must make restitution.
Homer: So I acknowledge myself your captive and will obey your orders.
Arat clearly finds this extremely tedious.
Arat has no difficulty whatsoever in respecting the beliefs of others, but he does not suffer fools gladly, and Homer has nearly driven the fool-o-meter off the scale.
Beni checks Arat's expression again, and reevaluates his betting posture.
Beni: ~~ calm support ~~
Homer is pleased that Arat is bored with him.
Arat can tell that Homer is enjoying being a fool.
Homer remembers stories about the old days and what Raider bands did with captive channels.
Arat: Why do you wish to pre-define how I must treat you?
Homer: I would not dream of it.
Homer: I am only expressing own understanding.
Homer: I affirm that I will follow your orders.
Homer: ~~ absolutely in earnest ~~
Arat: Do you know why the Tecton wanted you here? It has nothing to do with punishment.
Homer: My understanding is that I was being punished for trying to take different Gen than the Controller assigned.
Homer: And that the Tecton considers this a crime.
Homer: But they could not try me because it would trouble between the Nivet and Arrizz governments.
Homer: So they sent me here
Arat: I cannot use a non-Tecton channel who refuses the spirit of what the Tecton does.
Homer: Then send me home.
Homer wonders why the Controller in Flag was so insistent that he spend 4 days on the train going to Capitol if they do not want him.
Homer wonders if there is actually some way to talk himself out of having to work for the Tecton.
Arat: Nor can I use laziness, an overall contempt for humans you are not genetically similar to, or criminal-mindedness... all of which could be inferred from your record.
Homer: You will of course think what you choose.
Arat: What I can use is a hard working, compassionate Second who maintains his personal dignity without stooping to insulting others, learns while he has an opportunity to, and goes home with his head high when his time is done.
Homer: I do not think I have insulted any one in your presence.
Arat: To the contrary. You have insulted me twice. First by placing a wall between us and closing your mind to me as your jailer; and secondly, by your assumption that your own behavior has no reflection upon yourself.
Arat: If you think I do not understand, implicitly, what you are going through and the entirety of the politics behind it, you are wrong.
Homer: You are my jailer and that is the truth.
Homer: That does not mean I have closed my mind to you or what you represent.
Arat thinks that sure is what it sounds like.
Homer: And I have already admitted that my own behavior was foolish and is the reason I am here.
Homer: And that I accept the obligation to make restitution for my poor judgment.
Arat: You desire punishment, yes. You think I desire it for you too, whereas I am more interested in improving your judgment. That is where the wall lies.
Homer wonders if Arat doesn't want him, will he be sent back to Flag or sentenced to death by attrition.
Homer: I do not desire punishment, but I will accept it if it is required. If you wish to help me improve my judgment, I will accept that too.
Arat in fact is interested in returning Homer in precisely the condition described in the lengthy memo handed down to him from above, to whit: One Second Order Channel, Tecton-trained, with a good attitude and at least 3 months with no negative reports on his record.
Homer thinks "provided your judgment is better than mine, which has yet to be proven."
Arat zlins the qualification and thinks this is going nowhere.
Arat is not fond of conversations that go nowhere.
Homer is rather impressed by Arat, however; he has the dignity proper for a shaman.
Arat sets Homer's folder aside and opens his scheduling ledger instead.
Arat: I see you are assigned to Hajene Tiarala's pediatrics ward.
Homer: Yes.
Arat: You may not have worked with her much directly, but Hajene Tiarala is a good manager, an excellent judge of character, and also [adds significantly] somebody I speak to on nearly a daily basis.
Homer thinks he has not met her yet.
Arat: If you have problems with another employee, please do not hesitate to turn to her for mediation or advice.
Homer: I understand.
Homer thinks well it doesn't look like he is going to send me home after all.
Homer thinks but at least he isn't sending me to prison and cheers up a bit.
Arat hopes this will forestall more confrontations with fellow employees, but suspect it's going to be a long process.
Homer: This week I have been working, healing children. You wish me to continue?
Arat: Continue to do exactly as you have been scheduled to do, unless otherwise notified. [nods]
Homer: Very well.
Arat: Generally departmental assignments are done on a monthly basis, so you should not expect a change until your transfer, and then only if you are required elsewhere.
Arat: So far, reports from Sosu Leta have been fairly positive.
Arat: That is good, and will help in establishing you among the others.
Homer: Sosu Leta is very kind.
Arat nods.
Homer: ~~ gratitude that he will be able to keep Sosu Leta and not deprived of a Gen ~~
Arat has no idea where that came from.
Homer: Am I excused, then?
Arat: When we first began, I asked you why there has been a history of insubordination and failure to follow procedure in your past. You responded, 'One cannot be insubordinate to a person who has no authority', and 'Poor is a judgment and one cannot take seriously the judgments of a fool'.
Homer nods.
Homer was hoping to make a good escape but sees that he has not succeeded.
Arat: Might we assume, for the duration of your stay here, that in the context of the Tecton, the Tecton rankings confer levels of authority, into which you must fit yourself for the purpose of avoiding unpleasant repercussions?
Arat: I do not ask you to sublimate your own judgment or to think any differently than you think; only to externally obey and be courteous.
Homer: I understand that this is your custom.
Homer: And I have been charged by the Matriarch to honor your customs.
Homer: So I shall indeed obey and be courteous, at your request.
Homer bows.
Arat: In that case, yes, you may go.
Homer: Good day, sir.
Homer leaves.
Arat wonders if that will stick, or if there will be a new wrestling match when it wears off.