Sime~Gen Roleplaying: District Controller's Office Scenario
Episode #118: Rescue-Abduction (12/19/99)
Nick steers Rhonda's Rose after Vanity.
Nick has gotten much better at this task, but still finds himself longing for Pumpkin on occasion.
Riyyh sighs at the range of rolling foothills ahead of them.
Riyyh finds travel ever so much less grueling when he can see his destination.
Lalique wraps her cape tighter against the cold, as her horse Pussywillow brings up the rear.
Riyyh looks back and feels somewhat guilty for buying Lalique such a slow horse.
Riyyh had been thinking mainly of finances, appearances, and health of the beast at the time, and hadn't had a lot of chance to test ride over long distances prior to actual purchase.
Riyyh feels he could have done better than 2 out of 3 on the main objectives though.
Lalique wishes she had a cup of something hot. Trin, or coffee, which she is definitely acquiring a taste for.
Buggfa rides along daydreaming about a song idea he had recently.
Buggfa's daydream is mainly about how his masters would be so enamored of the song that they'd let him perform it unedited and it would become a smash hit anyway.
Buggfa's song is, unfortunately, about what a drag it is to be told what to do all the time.
Tiarala leads a team of specialists in hot pursuit of Riyyh's group.
Tiarala tops a hill and zlins her quarry just ahead.
Tiarala: There they are!
Riyyh does a double take, causing Vanity to spin about merrily.
Nick grabs inelegantly for the mane as Rhonda's Rose follows suit.
Tiarala nudges her horse to a trot, with due respect for slick spots on the road.
Tiarala waves merrily.
Pair of Thirds follow Tiarala, spurring their horses into a trot as well.
Tiarala: Why, Riyyh, darling! So nice to see you again.
Channel-Donor Pair bring up the rear, saving their boldness for later.
Riyyh: Tiarala??
Tiarala gives the rest of the party a sharp zlin.
Tiarala: Of course.
Buggfa pulls his horse to a halt easily enough, then turns himself around to see since his horse has a terrible turn ratio.
Lalique holds her field neutral and uninviting.
Riyyh: But... well, this is such a surprise!
Riyyh's tentacles flutter about, indicating it as least as nervewracking as it is surprising.
Riyyh smiles nonetheless.
Nick wonders, with carefully controlled unease, why the Tecton is after Riyyh just now.
Riyyh hadn't thought Arat would go so far as to go after Nick and snatch him back.
Lalique is always cautious in the presence of channels, and she can sense Tiarala is one of some power.
Pair of Thirds stand off a short distance from the group.
Tiarala nudges her horse closer to Riyyh, inspecting his outfit closely.
Channel-Donor Pair's channel eyes Lalique. They are both 2nds.
Tiarala: Not a bad cape, dear, but there's one in the winter catalog that would be ever so elegant on you.
Riyyh: Oh really?
Lalique is relieved right now that last month Riyyh only took a legal donation from her, so her field is as it should be.
Tiarala: I happen to have a copy in my pack. Perhaps we can look at it later, after taking care of business?
Riyyh thinks he's lucky to have gotten away with as much as "not bad", considering how much road wear the cape has gotten recently.
Riyyh: Of course. [smiles]
Riyyh braces himself for the "business".
Tiarala: But first, you must introduce me to the rest of your party.
Riyyh's tension transmits itself to Vanity, who starts tossing his head and lifting his forefeet.
Tiarala smiles with practiced charm.
Riyyh: Oh... why, forgive me.
Lalique eavesdrops on the discussion of clothing with interest. She notes Tiarala dresses in a style she would adopt if she could afford to.
Riyyh: This is Nick Reckage, but surely you already know him?
Nick reinforces his grip on Rhonda's Rose's mane, just in case he tries to follow Vanity's example.
Tiarala: Of course. How have you been doing, Nick?
Nick nods an uneasy greeting.
Nick is mostly uneasy because he can't quite decide whether he wants Tiarala's business to be stealing him back for Arat, or not.
Riyyh: And here is Buggfa Lube, renowned musician.
Riyyh: He's quite popular with the kids these days, you know.
Tiarala turns her attention on Buggfa, nudging her horse a bit farther from Nick so she can get a clear zlin.
Tiarala: Why, yes, I've heard. And who is this?
Riyyh: Lalique.
Riyyh decides the less he says about her, the better.
Tiarala: One of yours?
Tiarala thinks that she doesn't look or zlin related.
Riyyh won't be able to get a lie past Tiarala of all people, and sighs.
Tiarala thinks that this errand might prove more interesting than she'd thought.
Riyyh: We met her upon the road several weeks ago. A charming lady, and a talented musician as well.
Lalique smiles.
Riyyh: She has been most helpful, actually.
Riyyh: I don't know what I'd do without her.
Lalique: Lalique Vale. I am a singer and shiltpron player.
Tiarala: And that's not all, or I miss my zlin.
Lalique: ~~ professional on-stage nager ~~
Tiarala has, of course, caught on that Lalique's nager is a bit stronger than a general-class donor's should be.
Tiarala: You've had some training somewhere, right, dear?
Pair of Thirds walk their horses about near the periphery of the group, keeping them alert.
Pair of Thirds make comments quietly to each other, while listening in.
Buggfa wants to ask Riyyh who these people are, but won't do it in front of them. He's been trained to keep his mouth shut around anybody who might be important, unless otherwise instructed.
Lalique: I was a Donor once. But I was released from service for disability, and had to find a new profession.
Nick eyes the actions of Tiarala's party with some uneasiness.
Nick can't help but notice that Riyyh's party has been discretely but efficiently surrounded.
Tiarala: Really? What sort of disability?
Tiarala appears perfectly friendly, but is openly zlinning for the truthfulness of Lalique's story.
Lalique: ~~ tight field control that does not conceal reluctance to discuss this subject ~~
Lalique: Emotional instability.
Lalique: It's all in my file.
Tiarala compares the supposed "emotional instability" diagnosis with Lalique's demonstrated control, and raises an eyebrow.
Lalique: ~~ the last statement zlins true ~~
Tiarala: Such things can be treated, my dear.
Tiarala: And it's amazing what healing time can bring.
Lalique: If you read my file, you will see that the channels who dealt with me did not think I could be trusted to function reliably.
Lalique: ~~ true ~~
Tiarala knows an evasion when it's presented to her; that's why she is Arat's preferred agent for dealing with Riyyh.
Tiarala: My dear, I can't help wondering how accurate that diagnosis was.
Tiarala: Perhaps you should get a competent second opinion.
Riyyh, who still doesn't know what Lalique's full story is, tucks his fingers under his arms for warmth and looks at Nick instead.
Riyyh wonders how long Tiarala is going to wait before dropping the bomb on what she's really there for.
Lalique: I prefer not to think about the past. It is very painful.
Riyyh wouldn't dream of rushing her, of course.
Tiarala has put more than enough BS into her own reports over the year to be suitably skeptical of entries that don't match the nager.
Lalique: I have made a new life for myself and I would prefer to keep things as they are.
Nick meets Riyyh's gaze, and lets a bit of his ~ uneasiness ~ show.
Lalique would definitely prefer not to spend the rest of her life in prison.
Lalique lets a bit of her ~~ fear ~~ show.
Channel-Donor Pair exchange a glance with each other.
Tiarala wonders what Lalique is trying to hide, and decides not to let her out of zlinning range until she has the full story.
Tiarala knows that Riyyh isn't above harboring a rogue Donor, or at least, being browbeaten by a rogue Donor into offering refuge.
Buggfa checks his horse for signs of life, then wonders what this is all about and if they will have to go back to the previous town.
Buggfa notices his horse is asleep and taps its shoulder surreptitiously.
Tiarala: Well, my dear, we'll have to see. It would be a pity to settle for "adequate", based on a mistake.
Lalique wonders whether she dares pull her usual panicking Gen performance on Tiarala if the channel tries to deep zlin her.
Lalique knows this is quite effective in terrifying Thirds into shooing her out of the office, but Tiarala feels much higher order. 1
Tiarala: Speaking of mistakes....
Tiarala nudges her horse closer to Riyyh's.
Riyyh looks dreadfully innocent in preparation for... whatever is about to come next.
Tiarala smiles in appreciation of Riyyh's "innocent" act, not that she would dream of believing it, of course.
Buggfa looks at Lalique questioningly, hoping she is OK. He doesn't know what just happened there, but can tell she didn't like it.
Tiarala: Arat, the poor man, he's been having a dreadful time of it lately.
Riyyh knew it was something like this.
Riyyh sighs.
Nick can't help but feel a tiny bit ~ guilty ~ at the thought that he left Arat at Beni's mercy.
Riyyh doesn't suppose anybody will believe he didn't actually seduce Nick, Nick came to him of his own accord.
Nick would be feeling quite a bit more than a tiny bit guilty if he knew that Arat was currently assigned to Pylor, of course.
Tiarala: Arat sent me out here on a mission of mercy.
Riyyh looks at Tiarala in astonishment.
Riyyh knows he hasn't been channel enough for Nick, not in most respects, but he wouldn't consider it a situation requiring mercy!
Tiarala: It seems that there is reason to believe that the employers of Mr. Lube, here....
Tiarala smiles charmingly at Buggfa.
Tiarala: ...may have been guilty of negligence in a few minor matters.
Buggfa realizes they are actually talking about him now.
Buggfa gives a start.
Tiarala notes Buggfa's jumpiness.
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Riyyh: Well, I must agree with you there, at least on one or two points.
Tiarala: There is some question as to which statutes may have been violated, and so a closer examination of the, er, evidence is required.
Buggfa realizes that the "evidence" in question is, once again, himself.
Tiarala tries to look harmless enough not to alarm Buggfa, while being firm enough to override any objections Riyyh might come up with.
Tiarala: Here's a copy of the order.
Buggfa tries not to look too alarmed as he realizes what they are talking about is something that The Powers that Be will not like at all.
Buggfa doesn't find channels frightening (he knows the difference between rogues and legitimate channels) but he does find the thought of angry bosses very ominous indeed.
Tiarala conjures a neat packet of orders from the inner pocket of her cape and passes it to Riyyh.
Riyyh catches it, suppresses a shudder at the familiar handwriting on the front, then opens it.
Buggfa: Er....
Tiarala smiles at Buggfa reassuringly, having caught his nervousness.
Buggfa: What's going on?
Tiarala: A few things that ought not to have, I understand.
Channel-Donor Pair turn their horses out to exchange a few words with the Thirds who had been pacing about.
Tiarala: But that will not be permitted to go on any longer.
Buggfa decides enough is enough.
Buggfa: I have a right to an attorney.
Buggfa: And to contact my employers.
Buggfa: [that isn't Buggfa's story, it's what his bosses trained him to say. But he'll stick with it regardless]
Buggfa's bosses had coached him for situations where he was at fault, of course.
Tiarala: Now, now, you're not facing any charges.
Tiarala: And your employers were the ones who sparked this investigation, so I have every reason to believe they are aware of the situation.
Tiarala does not, of course, go so far as to say that they approve.
Buggfa thinks that's even worse.
Buggfa needs their instructions and also to let them know that he is doing what they want. Or at least, has now started doing what they want.
Buggfa realizes that he is going to be in neck deep no matter what, because of having 'run off with' Nick, Lalique and Riyyh.
Buggfa sits there looking uncomfortable and trapped.
Tiarala nudges her horse a bit closer and pats Buggfa on the knee.
Tiarala: Now, now, as I said, you're not in trouble.
Buggfa thinks that's easy for Tiarala to say, she doesn't have to answer to the big cheeses (and the intermediate cheeses) at Lortuen Records.
Tiarala thinks she does "comforting" rather well.
Lalique frowns at Tiarala.
Tiarala sneaks another zlin at Lalique.
Riyyh is still wading through the paperwork.
Riyyh's many faults include a tendency to read every word of the fine print, a characteristic which his various clerical assistants have long bemoaned as it often prevents him from ever getting around to signing.
Nick nudges Rhonda's Rose a bit closer, trying to read over Riyyh's shoulder.
Nick: ...Border detainment order?
Lalique edges closer to Buggfa's other side to provide moral support.
Nick wonders how that fits in with Buggfa "not being at fault".
Lalique wishes she could help with more than an encouraging smile.
Tiarala looks at Nick reprovingly, wishing he hadn't read that bit aloud.
Tiarala: Well, yes. But that's only until the situation is cleared up.
Lalique: Buggfa, honey, you're an out-T citizen. They can't make you do anything you don't agree to.
Lalique unfortunately knows how easily Buggfa can be pressured to agree to almost anything.
Tiarala shoots Lalique an admonitory look.
Buggfa wisely keeps his mouth shut.
Tiarala checks Riyyh to see if he's made it through the order yet, knowing that he's the one most likely to be willing and able to cause trouble in this instance.
Buggfa: ~~ stubborn and not a little scared ~~
Tiarala at least assumes that Nick would go along with Arat's plans in this instance, seeing as how the order was drawn up largely on the basis of Nick's report to Arat on Buggfa's condition.
Riyyh finally gets to the end of the wee text at the bottom talking about indemnifications and interTerritorial law and such.
Riyyh refolds the order thoughtfully.
Riyyh of course won't feel like he's fully understood all the ramifications until he's read it seven or eight more times and had a couple of weeks to ponder it.
Tiarala has no intention of waiting that long, of course.
Riyyh normally uses this procedure by default when dealing with paperwork from Capital.
Riyyh glances at Tiarala, who is obviously waiting for a reaction out of him.
Tiarala is, of course, well aware of Riyyh's tendency to dawdle.
Riyyh: Well, I must admit, I am quite surprised.
Riyyh: It is true that there has been some negligence in the area of Buggfa's nageric health, though.
Riyyh: Nick and Lalique and I have been working with him on it, that is why he is with us.
Tiarala: How very kind of you, to step in and offer assistance.
Tiarala has not overlooked the mention of Lalique as part of the treatment team, which piques her curiosity about the "emotionally unstable" Gen even more.
Riyyh: Buggfa, this order says only that Tiarala is to examine you and verify that the damage done to you by that renSime has never been healed. She is not going to take you anywhere.
Riyyh doesn't mention the bit where it says "except if in the channel's judgment a case can be made that the Subject will not be trustworthy as to public safety".
Tiarala: It won't take long, dear.
Tiarala pats Buggfa's knee again.
Buggfa: You want to examine me?
Tiarala: Yes, for the records. That will allow Controller Arat to determine what steps, if any, should be taken with regards to your employer's negligence.
Buggfa's eyes widen.
Buggfa crosses his arms firmly.
Buggfa: I have a right to an attorney and to contact my employer.
Buggfa is not prepared to lose his job over the issue of his nager, something his label figured out long ago.
Tiarala: Why, of course you do, dear. You can do that as soon as you reach... where were you headed, Riyyh dear?
Riyyh: Zane Heights.
Riyyh names a town so far off the beaten track even the postal deliveries have trouble remembering where it is.
Tiarala: As soon as you reach Zane Heights, then.
Tiarala: That is, assuming that they have a lawyer there?
Tiarala: And a mail service?
Tiarala looks at Riyyh in question.
Riyyh looks apologetic.
Riyyh: In season.
Riyyh means they have lawyers (on vacation) during hunting season, and mail service when it's not snow season.
Tiarala: Well, I'm sure that you'll be able to make arrangements for an attorney, whenever you get someplace large enough to have one.
Tiarala: In the mean time, though, my orders are rather specific.
Tiarala appears apologetic but firm, and zlins frankly curious.
Buggfa is pretty sure she can't just force him to acquiesce without repercussions of her own.
Buggfa looks, and zlins, about as stubborn as a 17 year old can, which is very.
Tiarala has dealt with teenagers before, and understands the symptoms.
Tiarala has been wondering for the entire ride out from Capitol just what about this case got Arat so eager that he would send her on this quest.
Tiarala: Come now, I promise not to detain you any more than strictly necessary.
Riyyh pulls his cloak more snugly around him and wonders why nobody else is freezing their tentacles off. He automatically avoids considering the possibility it's because he's an old wimp and they're all either young or tough or both.
Riyyh sighs and augments slightly to warm back up again.
Buggfa realizes he's got the better of the situation; she is starting to repeat herself out of lack of ability to escalate.
Tiarala: However, until I can confirm that you're not a danger to either yourself or to the Simes around you, my orders require that I assume you are such a danger, and I must act accordingly.
Buggfa's relief dies stillborn.
Buggfa: What does that mean??
Tiarala had hoped to do this peacefully, as that makes any zlin-based examination more pleasant for all concerned.
Riyyh: Oh, dear. [to himself]
Tiarala: Why, my dear, it means that if you refuse me a closer examination, I'll have to make a judgment based on what I can zlin from here.
Tiarala: And frankly, I'm afraid that would require me to take you back to Capitol.
Riyyh is not about to step between the Tecton and the examination of a person who is not even a member of his Household. His sense of self-preservation is too well developed. However, he does feel a good deal of sympathy for Buggfa's situation.
Tiarala checks to see if the rest of her team is in position, in case Buggfa bolts.
Riyyh's ~ distress ~ is obvious on a low level.
Channel-Donor Pair and the Thirds are all paying attention.
Lalique: Oh, heavens, he is low-field. What possible danger could he be?
Nick notes the dithering tentacles, however, and offers what ~~ support and comfort ~~ he can.
Tiarala looks at Lalique, even more skeptical of her story with regards to her "retirement from the Tecton".
Buggfa glances at Lalique, even as he tries to decide which the label would want him to do, allow himself to be seized or allow himself to be examined.
Tiarala: My dear, I'm sure you know that at least as well as I do.
Riyyh: Tiarala, I have been working with him. Perhaps I could provide the information you require?
Riyyh's generosity and soft spot for people in trouble get the better of his sense of self-preservation... again.
Tiarala: Oh, your report would be most appreciated. However, for legal purposes, I'm afraid the official examination has to be done by a Tecton channel.
Tiarala: ~~ apologetic ~~
Lalique doesn't care if the Tecton smashes Buggfa's disgustingly greedy managers, but she objects to people being zlinned and carted off by bureaucrats.
Tiarala: You wouldn't want to have to hang around Capitol indefinitely to testify in a lawsuit, would you?
Lalique muses sourly that she will probably be next, the way things are going.
Riyyh winces.
Buggfa has had some time to think about the differences in being kidnapped by the different sorts of people.
Buggfa has had some experience in the matter, after all.
Lalique conveniently by-passes the concept that being zlinned and carried off by non-bureaucrats is quite as much of an imposition.
Buggfa has come to the conclusion that it is better to be kidnapped by somebody who knows who you are and assigns some value to you, than by the other kind.
Buggfa has started to enjoy being with Riyyh and Nick and Lalique, particularly since they helped him find a way to rationalize that he is actually making himself more valuable and marketable by adding required skills.
Buggfa however also can see that being unwillingly seized by the Tecton will look better to his bosses than willingly letting them zlin what his bosses don't want them to zlin.
Riyyh: Could you perhaps give him some time to consider it? A week or two, perhaps?
Riyyh has found that a week or two can easily become a year or two, in the right hands.
Riyyh finds it much easier to work around the Tecton when the Tecton isn't standing right there waiting, as well.
Tiarala tuts unhappily.
Tiarala: Well, I really should insist that he come back to Capitol immediately.
Tiarala: However, I did find you rather sooner than we had anticipated.
Riyyh hears the "I really should" and senses an opening.
Riyyh smiles his prettiest smile.
Riyyh: Do you think something might be worked out, then, short term?
Pair of Thirds wonder if they're going to come back empty handed. They have found this never results in a good performance review.
Channel-Donor Pair are wondering the same thing, but have heard more of the rumors about how difficult collections are when dealing with this particular House.
Tiarala: Well, under the circumstances, I could allow all of you to accompany Mr. Lube back to Capitol.
Tiarala: To ensure that his rights aren't violated in any way.
Tiarala: More than that, however, would not be practical.
Tiarala: Controller Arat has been a bit... shall we say, short-tempered?... since Sosu Pylor was assigned to him.
Nick: Pylor?!?!?!?!
Nick: ~~ shock ~~
Nick: He'll murder Arat!
Riyyh winces at the shout, then loses his composure completely as Nick's attention shifts from him to a channel many dozens of miles away.
Riyyh waves his hands helplessly.
Riyyh: Oh, my.
Riyyh: This was entirely unforeseen.
Nick: They can't do that!
Tiarala notes Nick's reaction, and smiles secretly.
Tiarala: Perhaps it would be more pleasant to resolve this in civilized surroundings.
Buggfa wonders if he heard correctly: Tiarala is going to kidnap all of them?
Tiarala: For which category, it appears, Zane Heights does not qualify.
Buggfa: ~ dismay, somewhat lost among everybody else's nagers ~
Riyyh: But I can't... I have business....
Riyyh: [uncertainly]
Riyyh's definitely off his footing after effectively losing his Donor for the rest of the winter.
Nick: It will wait. Besides, you wouldn't want to be snowed in all winter in Zane Heights, would you? I doubt they have a proper hotel in such a place.
Lalique wishes she could support Riyyh, but not with Tiarala zlinning it.
Riyyh looks very unhappy.
Lalique quickly suppresses the thought and maintains a neutral field.
Nick: You did say that you only put the Zane Heights program on our itinerary because we had to be out this way anyway.
Buggfa has figured out that he has made a lot of trouble for his new friends, and between that and knowing what his label will think of all this, he feels about as low as a worm's belly.
Buggfa looks at his saddle horn.
Tiarala zlins Buggfa's depression and pats his knee a third time.
Riyyh definitely can't risk being snowed in at Zane Heights sans Donor, regardless of anything else.
Tiarala: Now, now, of course your friends are concerned for you.
Tiarala: I'm sure they'll do what's required to assume themselves that you are safe.
Tiarala is already anticipating the points she will win from Arat for bringing back not only Buggfa, but Lalique and Nick as well.
Tiarala figures Riyyh will be accepted as a necessary consequence.
Riyyh will have to return to Naros for at least a while, and he knows that it would be unforgivable to not accompany Nick and Buggfa back to Capitol for at least a while, to say nothing of Lalique's situation.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: Very well, if the rest of you wish to return to Capital, I see no reason why we could not do that.
Nick is eager enough to return to Capitol to outshine the others' reluctance.
Riyyh of course knows that only Nick actually wants to return, but he likes to try to look at the positive side of things. If there is no positive side of things, he tries to look at the best side and think positive thoughts.
Tiarala: There! I'm sure it will be a pleasant trip for us all.
Lalique considers whether she could simply say she is going somewhere else and be allowed to leave, as no one has filed any charges on her... yet.
Lalique decides this would be a bad move in the presence of a collection team.
Channel-Donor Pair's channel, who had been studying Lalique from about 15 feet away, gives her a discreet thumbs-up as he detects her resignation to the situation.
Tiarala: Perhaps we can find some time this evening to go over Imil's spring catalog. I happen to have an advance copy with me.
Tiarala figures it's worth buttering Riyyh up, before he starts to whine at the inevitable travel discomforts.
Lalique decides to play it cool.
Riyyh: That is very kind of you. [a bit weakly]
Tiarala: It will be delightful.
Tiarala checks to make sure that her team is spread out to prevent anyone from lagging behind and becoming "lost".
Lalique picks up her ears. Despite the circumstances, she is not immune to the lure of an advance spring catalog.
Tiarala then turns her horse back the way she came..
Tiarala: If we make good time, we should reach Orlen Springs by this evening. They have an inn there that serves the most delightful leek soup.
Riyyh thinks it started out such a good morning, too.
Notes:
1) According to canon, a 2nd Order Donor should not be able to sense this. [return]