Sime~Gen Roleplaying: District Controller's Office Scenario
Episode #127: Rogue Motel (1/2/00)
Neptude drops by the infirmary to check on Arat's condition.
Neptude had noted that the paperwork in Arat's office isn't quite up to its usual standard of pristine pre-readiness.
Neptude had hoped that he could get away for a week or more by just rubber-stamping Arat's previous decisions, but it is looking more and more like he is going to have to do some actual work.
Jeniard is sitting beside Arat's bed, holding his hand.
Neptude orders his nager carefully and signals at Arat's door.
Jeniard disengages gently and goes to open the door.
Jeniard: Hello, Neptude.
Neptude: How is he?
Jeniard: Well, he's not raring to go, but he's stabilized.
Jeniard considers Arat "not raring to go" to be in pretty serious condition.
Neptude: Good, good.
Neptude: Beni has been able to help, then?
Jeniard: Er....
Jeniard glances back to see how much attention Arat is paying.
Neptude peers past Jeniard at Arat's bed.
Jeniard: Look, he really requires a better Donor than that. Beni is OK for a healthy Farris, in a training setting, but Arat's been injured.
Neptude sighs.
Arat is staring listlessly at the ceiling and not particularly paying attention.
Neptude: I know. I've sent out screams for help to every Region within a hundred miles.
Neptude: But with this weather... well, it's going to be tight.
Neptude believe in keeping an optimistic face on the matter.
Jeniard: Tight??
Jeniard thinks that things have been worse than tight, they've been positively screwed.
Neptude: There are possibilities--it's a matter of whether the roads are clear enough.
Jeniard thinks about how late Tiarala has been in returning, and grimaces.
Jeniard thinks if a good manager like Tiarala can't even get a message through, there's little chance of a Donor getting through.
Tiarala is, in fact, in the process of returning at this very moment, at the head of a small group of reluctant semi-prisoners.
Neptude: Is Arat up to a visitor? There were a few matters on his desk which require clarification.
Jeniard looks at Neptude in disbelief. Does the Regional Controller really want to drive Arat to death?
Tiarala is aware that she has exceeded her orders just a bit, but figures that Arat won't be too angry when he gets a good zlin of her party--well, except for Riyyh, perhaps.
Jeniard: Well, maybe one or two, but it's important not to overdo it at this point!
Neptude: Of course. I won't ask him to make any difficult decisions--I just require a bit of background.
Neptude thinks that nothing clarifies Arat's condition over the past month more than the lack of notes.
Jeniard: OK.
Jeniard plans to monitor carefully to make sure neither Neptude or Arat tries to take it too far.
Tiarala turns to survey her little party as they enter the Sime Center.
Jeniard is making up, in triplicate, for his failure to motherhen enough in the last 6 weeks.
Neptude slips through the door and moves towards Arat's bed.
Neptude: Arat?
Arat looks at him.
Arat: Controller Neptude.
Arat seems tired, but not as weak as the day before.
Neptude: You're looking better.
Neptude: ~~ approval ~~
Arat nods.
Arat is aware of the state he left his affairs in, and will not be surprised if there are repercussions later.
Neptude: I was wondering if you could brief me on this business with Lortuen Records? There was a complaint on your desk from that idiot Ekwoo, but it made about as much sense as you'd expect, given the source.
Arat: I was told by one of their employees that a musician employed by them had been transfer burned and left untreated because it improved the band's marketability.
Tiarala herds her charges in the Center's front door and signals for the channel collection team members to watch them while she notifies the front desk of their arrival.
Neptude: Untreated? A transfer burn?
Arat: I sent a team to examine him, as he is currently traveling in Sime Territory.
Arat is sure he left detailed notes about Tiarala's being sent. Didn't he?
Arat finds the last two weeks in particular have gone a little bit blurry.
Neptude manages to keep his reaction to such neglect within at least semi-control.
Neptude: Well, then, I'm sure you've acted correctly.
Neptude: It's just like Ekwoo not to determine the facts.
Tiarala picks up the news about Arat from the clerk, and frowns.
Neptude: When your team gets back, I am sure we can clear the matter up.
Riyyh smiles reassuringly at Buggfa and Lalique, since the grand lobby of the giant 53rd District Offices can be a bit intimidating, particularly at noonday when there's a lot of foot traffic from the street.
Lalique adjusts her nager to her best Tecton standard neutral control configuration.
Lalique knows she is nearly high-field and steps closer to Nick, hoping he will distract any Simes zlinning their way.
Buggfa has been in plenty of large crowds and with the channel collection team there as security, he isn't particularly nervous about that.
Buggfa does however have several legitimate worries about how his bosses are going to take all of this.
Tiarala is not unaware of the lack of Farris-compatible Donors in the District, and what that means for Arat.
Tiarala is very glad that she decided to bring Nick back, quite apart from the way that let her enjoy Riyyh while they were snowbound.
Lalique smiles back at Riyyh, reassuring him that she is calm and in control.
Tiarala returns to her group, still frowning.
Tiarala: It appears that Arat is in the infirmary at the moment.
Nick is immediately ~~ consumed with worry ~~, then he controls it.
Riyyh looks naturally concerned, as does nearly every other Sime within a hundred yards of Nick during that momentary slip.
Nick: How badly is he hurt?
Nick: Will he be all right?
Nick: Who's looking after him?
Tiarala smiles to herself at Nick's reaction, but keeps her expression properly concerned.
Tiarala: Shall we go and see?
Lalique observes with detached interest.
Tiarala gestures to her teams to keep everyone together, and leads the way back into the depths of the building.
Tiarala passes her party through various checkpoints, and eventually arrives at Arat's room.
Tiarala signals at the door.
Lalique recognizes the signs of a Donor who is stuck on a channel.
Lalique drifts away from Nick and closer to Riyyh and Buggfa.
Nick is in fact peering at the door over Tiarala's head, although his nager is now under Farris-stringent control.
Lalique does not want to be anywhere near the spotlight.
Tiarala frowns as no one answers the door, and signals again.
Neptude looks at Jeniard, who seems to be completely absorbed in Arat, then sighs and goes to the door.
Tiarala blinks, having expected Jeniard to be the door-opener.
Arat's eyes fly open [and his laterals fly out] as he zlins the motley crew in the hallway.
Tiarala: Err... Controller Neptude?
Arat knows a desperate and shameless hope as he zlins Nick among them.
Tiarala: Is Arat up to visitors?
Nick is in no mood to wait while Tiarala and Neptude sort things out.
Nick slips deftly past them both, and rushes to Arat's bedside.
Arat starts to climb out of bed, and is pushed firmly back down by Jeniard.
Nick: Arat! What did that lorsh do to you?
Arat reaches up to Nick.
Jeniard: First, he was born. [tartly]
Jeniard: Then, he became a Donor....
Nick's nager reaches out of its own accord to lock onto Arat's.
Jeniard: Then he was assigned to Arat, which probably wasn't his fault.
Jeniard is not a fan of Pylor.
Riyyh realizes it is up to him to distract Tiarala and Neptude from Lalique and Buggfa.
Riyyh smiles prettily at Neptude.
Riyyh: Why, Neptude. What a pleasant surprise.
Nick is fortunately too busy assessing the damage to Arat's systems to pay much attention.
Neptude: Ah, Riyyh. Are you involved with this, too?
Riyyh: I am sorry to hear of the unfortunate circumstances, I do hope he will be all right.
Neptude: Well, that depends entirely on whether we can get a decent transfer into him.
Neptude looks at Riyyh shrewdly, and pulls him aside.
Neptude: I understand that Reckage has been working for Naros since he left?
Riyyh smoothly moves to keep the others out of Neptude's line of sight.
Riyyh: Why yes, he has. Or at least, he has been working with me personally.
Riyyh's nager makes it clear he has enjoyed every moment of said interaction.
Buggfa glances at Lalique.
Neptude: Has he shown any further signs of rogue activity?
Buggfa: Do you know what's going on? [whispers]
Riyyh: Rogue activity? Like what, pray tell?
Lalique smiles at Buggfa reassuringly.
Lalique: Controllers bargaining. Doesn't concern us.
Buggfa: Oh.
Neptude: Oh, trying to arrange for illegal transfers and the like. Lack of control. Anything that might indicate his rehabilitation has failed?
Neptude awaits Riyyh's answer with some urgency.
Riyyh looks frankly surprised.
Riyyh: He's never done any of that.
Riyyh thinks, even before he was "rehabilitated".
Riyyh: Nick is a very well-mannered Donor.
Neptude smiles in relief.
Neptude: Well, then, I was wondering if you would be willing to loan him to the Tecton for a bit?
Riyyh: It isn't really up to me, is it? [kindly]
Neptude looks over his shoulder at Arat's bed.
Neptude: Somehow, I can't see Reckage objecting.
Nick is, indeed, totally absorbed in Arat at the moment.
Neptude: I know it's a lot to ask, but with this weather, finding a Donor for Arat is going to be difficult.
Neptude: I would, of course, be happy to provide you with an alternative Donor for this month.
Riyyh: Thank you, but I shall return to Naros at once.
Riyyh plans to, anyway.
Neptude: Must you? In this weather? I'd heard you planned to be away until spring planting.
Neptude: Surely you'd rather remain here in comfort than risk another snowstorm?
Riyyh: Well, if I am to continue my work, I really should have a Donor who can travel with me. There are several young... well....
Riyyh has to admit going back out into the snowstorm for 2 days doesn't sound appealing.
Neptude: So close to your transfer, I'd think you'd prefer not to risk it.
Riyyh: We will see. [compromises, with a smile]
Riyyh: We will see what happens. Thank you for your concern.
Nick runs his hands down Arat's arms.
Nick: You're a mess.
Arat is shaking with relief.
Arat has nothing to say.
Arat: [his nager and expression say it all]
Nick notes the shaking, and steps up his ~~ reassurance ~~
Buggfa is used to being parked by the Powers that Be (whoever they are at any given time) and so just stands there, examining the lights overhead.
Neptude looks back at the rest of the party.
Lalique whispers to Buggfa "It looks like Nick is going to be reassigned to be Arat's Donor".
Neptude: So, Tiarala, I don't believe I've met the rest of your party.
Buggfa: That's what he wanted, right?
Buggfa: [whispers back]
Lalique: Yes.
Buggfa is glad somebody got what they wanted!
Buggfa suspects Nick will be the only one.
Tiarala: Err... Controller Neptude, this is Buggfa Lube, a singer who works for Lortuen Records.
Buggfa looks up as he realizes they are talking about him.
Neptude zlins Buggfa closely, or as closely as he can under the circumstances, rather.
Neptude: The young Gen who was burned and improperly treated?
Tiarala: Yes.
Buggfa is a short, young Gen wearing several sweaters under his leather jacket, who zlins physically healthy but has obvious nerve scarring from transfer burn.
Buggfa zlins somewhat nervous.
Buggfa smoothes back his hair, and wishes the sunglasses weren't with his saddlebags.
Neptude gives a creditable, professionally reassuring smile.
Riyyh hovers, trying not to be anxious.
Buggfa: I'm pleased to meet you.
Neptude: There's no reason to be distressed, young man. Your employers will not be allowed to neglect you any more.
Buggfa's eyes widen and his nervousness is replaced with heart thumping fear, unsuccessfully suppressed.
Neptude blinks at Buggfa's reaction.
Buggfa tries to do what Lalique showed him, combined with his own usual method for dealing with obnoxious fans.
Buggfa: Yeah... uh... appreciate it.
Buggfa: ~~ casual ~~
Buggfa hasn't had much chance to practice his new lessons on real people, hence the delayed reaction and incomplete results.
Neptude: Just how extensive is the damage, Tiarala?
Tiarala: Umm, Buggfa refused to allow himself to be examined for the record.
Neptude raises an eyebrow.
Buggfa wonders if they have a witness protection program for people like him.
Neptude: Refused? Whatever for?
Buggfa supposed it would have to be called something else, though.
Neptude: There's nothing to be alarmed about. A channel's examination doesn't hurt.
Neptude edges closer, trying to get a clearer zlin.
Tiarala: When I found Buggfa, Riyyh and Lalique here were working with him.
Riyyh interposes himself smoothly.
Riyyh: Buggfa is a very talented and willing young man.
Neptude: All the more reason that he should not be forced to continue in his present condition.
Riyyh is glad attention has been diverted from Lalique, temporarily.
Neptude: If you have been working with him, your insights will be invaluable.
Riyyh: Of course I will volunteer whatever information I may have gathered on him.
Neptude: Is this--Lalique, wasn't it?--one of yours?
Riyyh: Hmmm? Oh, yes, Lalique, meet Regional Controller Neptude.
Riyyh reaches around and puts his arm over Lalique's shoulder, mixing their fields incomprehensibly.
Riyyh is his usual extraordinarily friendly self, but his nager does tend to overpower a 2nd's.
Lalique: ~~ Tecton standard calm detachment ~~ Greetings, Controller.
Riyyh: Lalique is a musician, she's been able to connect with Buggfa on a personal level the rest of us haven't managed.
Neptude: I see.
Neptude sees that something is rather strange about Lalique, and that Riyyh hasn't answered his question about whether she is ambrov Naros.
Lalique: I am Lalique Vale, a singer and shiltpron performer.
Neptude: Shiltpron? Rather an unusual instrument, for a Gen, wouldn't you say?
Riyyh: Buggfa plays the shiltpron too. It makes for such interesting travel.
Neptude edges casually to one side, to get a clearer zlin of Lalique around Riyyh's field.
Lalique: Well, like Buggfa, under ideal circumstances I would sing with Sime backup musicians.
Lalique: But I can solo when required.
Riyyh tries to move to stop him, but will not go so far as to make it obvious he's interfering.
Riyyh knows that "Riyyh climbed all over her making it hard to zlin" would be difficult to hold up as evidence of bad intentions in court, at least with anybody who knows him.
Neptude is therefore able to get at least a rough estimate of Lalique's field strength and selyn production rate, and they don't exactly match a general-class donor's.
Neptude: You don't look Narosian, Lalique. Where exactly are you from?
Lalique lets a nuance of sensuous pleasure infiltrate her field at Riyyh's touch.
Buggfa wonders why this guy is jumping all over Lalique; Tiarala hasn't even said anything yet.
Buggfa crosses his arms and hangs back, surrounded by channel collection team members.
Neptude raises an eyebrow at the level of field control implied by Lalique's action.
Neptude looks at Tiarala and raises an eyebrow.
Tiarala: Lalique's control is quite extraordinary.
Riyyh can't say he doesn't enjoy it, whatever the reasons for it.
Neptude: Surely you've had Donor's training at some point, Lalique?
Neptude frowns at Riyyh, and gestures him back, away from Lalique.
Lalique: Yes, I was a Donor once.
Lalique: It is all in my file.
Lalique: My career ended with an unpleasant experience that even now I do not like to think about.
Neptude: Such traumas can be overcome.
Riyyh moves away from Lalique.
Neptude: What exactly happened?
Lalique: If you want the record of what occurred and the attempts made to rehabilitate me, please read my file.
Lalique: The memories are too painful to repeat that story again.
Riyyh goes into the room to see what is going on with Arat, Nick and Jeniard, and to say hello.
Riyyh is not abandoning Lalique so much as getting his nager out of Tiarala and Neptude's zlinning range so they can't tell he knows a lot more than he has let on.
Lalique: Especially in the presence of someone who is ill [nodding towards the doorway where Arat is].
Neptude knows misdirection when he zlins it.
Lalique: I am doing my best to keep my field in order.
Neptude: A commendable job you are doing, too.
Lalique: I have no wish to return again to the pain of those experiences.
Lalique: I have left that part of my life behind me.
Neptude: No one would ask you to suffer unnecessarily. Just where did you say you worked, before?
Nick is fussing over Arat even more than Jeniard, which is really saying something.
Lalique: In Gulf. In various places. Norlea. Lanta. Many others.
Neptude: Were you associated with Keon? Or perhaps Carre?
Lalique: No.
Neptude: Who did you work under, then?
Lalique: Truly, I do not wish to remember those times. It was long ago.
Buggfa watches suspiciously.
Neptude: You can't keep running from your past forever. It always catches up to you eventually, you know.
Lalique: The past is dead, and I have buried it.
Neptude: But it never stays buried. Who were you working under, at the time?
Lalique: ~~ attempt to maintain Tecton standard detachment beginning to be infiltrated by unbearable pain and sorrow ~~
Lalique: It is dead and I have mourned enough.
Lalique: Let it rest in peace.
Riyyh flies back out of the room and takes Lalique's shoulders, projecting concern and caring.
Riyyh: Really, she just requires a rest.
Riyyh: It has been such a long journey.
Neptude: More than just a rest, if you ask me.
Lalique: I have built a new life for myself.
Riyyh: Please, we have been traveling through blizzard conditions for two weeks.
Riyyh: Nobody is really at their best.
Lalique: Just let me be.
Riyyh wishes Lalique would stop digging herself in deeper.
Neptude: Of course. How thoughtless of me. I'll find accommodations for you here at the Center, at least until we can get things straightened out.
Riyyh: Nonsense, I would be glad to put up everybody at my hotel.
Riyyh: Well, except for Nick, of course.
Riyyh suspects Nick isn't going to be getting any sleep anyway.
Neptude: Oh, I can't ask that of you.
Neptude: Besides, it will be so much more convenient to have them available while we get everything straightened up.
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Neptude: The way the clouds were gathering earlier, there'll be more snow by sundown.
Riyyh's tentacles flutter in consternation.
Neptude: In fact, you'll probably want to stay here as well, at least tonight.
Neptude: Tiarala, would you see that they are given appropriate rooms, and that their luggage is delivered?
Tiarala: Of course.
Neptude looks over his shoulder at Nick and Arat.
Riyyh is not going to stay in a dorm room if he can help it.
Riyyh wrings his hands together.
Riyyh: Buggfa, Lalique, will the two of you be all right with me staying elsewhere?
Riyyh has been dreaming of a 5 hour long bubble bath for the last 2 weeks.
Lalique: I do not wish to stay here. I have on-stage commitments.
Neptude raises a skeptical eyebrow.
Neptude: Really? Here in Capitol?
Lalique: I am a performer.
Neptude: And a talented one, according to Sectuib Riyyh. I would be more than happy to send a messenger around, and explain that you will be delayed.
Neptude appears cordial but adamant.
Neptude: Just tell me where to send the message.
Lalique: I would rather carry on with my profession. If you wish me to have an escort, I will accept that.
Neptude: I'm afraid that's not possible, at the moment.
Lalique measures Neptude's implacable expression.
Neptude looks from Lalique to Buggfa, then Riyyh.
Lalique: Very well, I will send a message.
Buggfa looks on, eyes narrowed, trying to get a feel for what this means for his own treatment.
Buggfa is used to being a kidnappee, of course.
Neptude: I'll see that it's delivered promptly, weather permitting. But come, I'm sure you'd all like to rest a bit after your journey.
Riyyh: Nick knows where I can be reached when you require me.
Riyyh has done what he can for Lalique.
Riyyh hopes it will be enough.
Riyyh hopes that Nick will also alert him if his presence is required without Neptude's summoning.
Riyyh does suspect that Nick is going to be rather distracted for a while, though.
Lalique returns to her Tecton standard detachment.
Neptude: Actually, Riyyh, I'd very much appreciate it if you would give me a thorough report before you leave.
Neptude is well aware of Riyyh's ability to wriggle out of any report-writing which is not performed under strict supervision.
Neptude: Oh, I'm not a slave driver--by all means take some time to freshen up first, and grab a meal.
Riyyh: Oh.
Riyyh's tentacles wilt.
Riyyh: ... of course.
Neptude: Thank you so much. Believe me, I appreciate your cooperation.
Riyyh will write a thorough report... about Buggfa.
Neptude: Will you see that they get to their quarters? [to the channel collection teams]
Lalique: [to Buggfa, in a whisper] Didn't you have some idea about a lawyer?
Buggfa: They gave me the name of this lawyer to contact if I ever got arrested in Sime Territory. His office is in Capital.
Buggfa: [whispers back]
Lalique: [whispers back] Well, I think it is time to call him.
Buggfa would have to agree.