Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #6: Point of Impact (9/6/98)
Nully: Look look!
Nully points ahead, exuding excitement.
Nully: Is that it up there?
Eliza certainly hopes so. She is totally sick of the gypsy lifestyle.
Ruby sits and looks at her 24 bags in despair. She can't believe that this is really happening.
Emerald is weeping upstairs and has refused to come out all day.
Ruby went through defiance, fear, rejection, excitement, hope, denial, and is now back to fear.
Wise Snake: Yes.
Nully jumps up and down in the saddle and kicks the horse's sides to make him go faster.
Wise Snake keeps Freelance to a walk, approaching the Householding at a dignified pace.
Wise Snake isn't sure what reaction the average Householding would have to a wild-eyed, wild-haired rogue Farris channel coming galloping into their front gate on a snorting and plunging black stallion, but she doesn't think now is the time to find out.
Wolfa walks over to where Rudy is waiting. She feels distress both on Ruby's behalf and on her own.
Wolfa: Ruby, your escort will be here shortly, why don't you come in and have a cup of tea while you wait? There is no need to wait out here.
Ruby ignores Wolfa for a moment, then turns a tragic face to her.
Ruby: I'll wait here, no one in there wants to see me anyway.
Wolfa sighs.
Wolfa: Please don't be like that. We can't help what has happened. It's probably for the best anyway. I'm sure that the Tecton will value your skills highly.
Wolfa feels totally incompetent.
Ruby nods mournfully.
Wise Snake rides through the gates.
Ruby looks up as her escort arrives.
Ruby really was expecting something a little more - well polished and a little less - well errrr....
Ruby stands up in confusion.
Wise Snake looks almost, but not quite, exactly unlike anything any responsible person would send as Ruby's escort.
Wise Snake nods to Ruby and pulls to a halt as everybody else comes riding in behind her.
Ruby looks at the motley crew and decides that this can't possibly be them. There is no wagon for her luggage!
Ruby: Are you lost?
Nully: We are here to see uncle Nubby!
Nully bounces in the saddle making his horse grunt.
Wise Snake: No, we are escorting these two young people to their new home here.
Wise Snake dismounts.
Wise Snake: Hello, I am Hajene Farris. Are you First Companion here?
Wolfa turns back from heading back inside when she feels the commotion at the gate.
Ruby: Yes, no, that is, I was.
Wise Snake blinks.
Wise Snake looks at all the bags.
Wise Snake: Ah... I see.
Ruby gets a tear in her eye.
Wise Snake: Well then, could you possibly show me to the Sectuib?
Wolfa rushes over.
Wise Snake squirms uncomfortably and backs off a little from the 1st Order Donor's unhappiness.
Wise Snake backs off a little farther as Wolfa rushes over.
Wolfa: Welcome to Naros. I'm Hajene Wolfa ambrov Naros. You are?
Wise Snake tells herself not to dwell on the conversation with Linn about whether all Householdings are disaster zones.
Wise Snake: Hajene Farris.
Wise Snake: And my Donor. [indicating Nick]
Wolfa blinks rapidly behind her glasses.
Wise Snake: We're escorting these two youngsters [Nully and Neffy] to see their Uncle here?
Wolfa looks the Farris up and down in disbelief.
Wolfa: You were attacked?
Wise Snake smoothes back her hair a bit nervously.
Wise Snake: I was?
Wolfa: You weren't?
Wise Snake: No!
Wise Snake: [frustrated]
Wolfa looks at the worn and in-need-of-repair clothing, the dirt and grime that covers the party, and the state of the animals.
Wolfa: Are you sure?
Wise Snake: I'm here to deliver these two young kids to their Uncle Nubby.
Wolfa: OH! I see!
Wise Snake is starting to get annoyed.
Wise Snake: ~~controlled~~
Wolfa tries to ignore Ruby's state long enough to smile at the kids.
Ruby sits down again to wait.
Wolfa: Well, please, come with me.
Wise Snake takes advantage of Wolfa's temporary distraction to quietly tell Griff, Linn and Bum Bum to find the stables and take all the horses there.
Wolfa: Will you be staying with us long, Hajene Farris?
Wise Snake: Eliza, Tanzarra, you come with us.
Wise Snake looks at Wolfa.
Wise Snake: We may.
Wise Snake studies Wolfa visually and nagerically.
Wolfa leads them into the main building.
Wolfa: I'm sure you would like to freshen up. I'll see that you have some rooms assigned. How many in your party?
Wise Snake: Thank you. We have seven. Four rooms ought to be enough.
Wolfa nods and runs through available accommodation.
Wise Snake stares and zlins at everything and everybody they pass.
Wise Snake gives the impression of somebody both starving for the input and somewhat pained by her surroundings.
Wolfa: I'll see to it that you have two guest cottages for the duration of your stay. I must say, Hajene Farris, that it is an honour to have you with us, and very kind of you to escort the children. I didn't know that the Tecton would send such a high class of escort for such a job!
Wise Snake: Actually, it was just a coincidence. We happened on them in the road while en route elsewhere.
Wise Snake is unaware that every detail she lets drop is fodder for the voracious gossip-appetites of the Narosians.
Wolfa wonders if Hajene Farris has heard any news about Ruby's possible assignment.
Wise Snake is unaware that Wolfa has "scored a big one" by being the first to run into Snake and co.
Wolfa: I don't suppose you have any news of where Ruby is being sent?
Wolfa: ~ curious ~
Mytag sits with Riyyh trying to be as supportive as possible during this awkward time.
Wise Snake: Ruby?
Wise Snake: The ex-First Companion?
Wise Snake deduces that the person with all the bags is leaving, hence possibly Ruby.
Riyyh: ~~depressed~~
Wolfa: Yes. She is being traded and we had word that they were picking her up today, but not who they were exchanging or where she was going.
Riyyh is staring at a huge stack of paperwork glumly.
Riyyh takes the top piece off and sighs.
Wolfa: It's a very difficult time.
Mytag: ~ cheerful ~
Mytag sharpens another pencil and puts it in the drawer.
Wise Snake's eyebrows raise in surprise.
Wise Snake wonders at Wolfa's choice of words.
Riyyh does his best to feel perkier, since Mytag is trying so hard.
Riyyh: Thank you Mytag, I feel so much better with you here to assist me. ~white lie~
Riyyh smiles tiredly at Mytag.
Wolfa: Have you come far?
Wise Snake: I am sorry, I know nothing of that.
Wise Snake: Yes, we have been travelling for some time.
Wolfa: From...?
Mytag: Riyyh, I don't expect to make you feel better. You have to expect to feel like shen for quite awhile.
Mytag: Just take one step at a time.
Wolfa wonders if perhaps Hajene Farris didn't hear her.
Wise Snake: East of here. Near the border.
Riyyh: Thank you, Mytag, of course you're right.
Wolfa: Well, here are the keys to the cottages. The dinning area is there [points] and there is a group lounge here [points]
Wolfa makes mental notes.
Wise Snake nods.
Wise Snake: Thank you.
Wise Snake accepts the keys.
Wolfa: I'll take you over to the cottages now.
Wolfa leads them back outside.
Wolfa: There are two, next to each other. I hope you will be comfortable there.
Wise Snake looks over the cottages approvingly.
Wolfa leads Snake up the garden path.
Riyyh reads and signs several requisition forms, lackadaisically.
Nully sees Snake and group heading towards the cottages and runs over to them.
Nully: Isn't it cool here? It's so big! We haven't seen Uncle Nubby yet. The stables are great and they have a mule!
Wolfa smiles at the youngsters and tries to remember ever being that excited over a mule.
Wise Snake: Nully, this is Hajene Wolfa. She lives here.
Wolfa: I'll leave you to get settled. I'll let Sectuib Riyyh know that you are here, I'm sure that he will be as excited as I am to have you stay with us.
Nully smiles at the woman and stares at her thick glasses.
Wise Snake goes into the nearer cottage leaving the others to sort themselves out.
Nully: Pleased ta meetcha.
Mytag thinks that it's going to be a long few weeks.
Eliza follows Snake. Tanzarra, by default, follows Eliza.
Wolfa returns to the administration building at a calm walk, until she is out of sight of the cottages when she breaks into an augmented and demented gallop.
Riyyh reads a letter having to do with a dispute between two nearby farmers who seem to expect the Householding to settle it.
Wolfa: Riyyh!!!!
Wolfa zooms into his room.
Wolfa: Riyyh! Guess what!
Riyyh is in the middle of signing his name when Wolfa's entrance causes him to break his pen.
Wolfa: There is a Hajene Farris here from all the way near the boarder!
Riyyh stares at the pen in horror, then looks up at Wolfa.
Riyyh: There is?
Wolfa: And she has a party of 9 with her. Although 2 of them seem to be kids she just picked up to deliver here.
Wolfa: Boy you should see them! They are a mess. I've given them two of the cottages to get cleaned up.
Riyyh puts his pen(s) down carefully.
Wolfa: I thought that would give you time to...
Wolfa can't quite say "pull yourself together"
Riyyh: Great... great. Thank you, Wolfa.
Riyyh looks a little numb.
Riyyh: I will check in on them in a few minutes, then, after they've had time to get comfortable.
Mytag: Has Ruby...?
Wolfa: No, she is still here.
Riyyh tenses noticeably.
Wolfa: I thought they might be here for her, but they don't know anything about it.
Wolfa: She has two other channels with her, though there is something a bit weird about them both.
Riyyh: Three channels?
Riyyh: Did they say why they'd come?
Riyyh looks nervous.
Riyyh: I sent in my quota.
Riyyh: Even a First.
Wolfa: No, she didn't say. I think they are just travelling through.
Wolfa: You know, now that I'm thinking about it, it all seems a bit odd.
Riyyh realizes he isn't projecting the image of a calm, together, friendly Sectuib type.
Riyyh leans back and closes his eyes, trying to take deep breaths.
Wolfa gazes off into space in reflection.
Mytag: ~ support, ease, calmness ~
Riyyh does a few mental exercises, reminding himself of how important, well-loved, cute virile and competent he is.
Eliza gazes around the cottage in adoration.
Riyyh rests on Mytag's nager.
Eliza: Oh this is just wonderful!
Eliza: A whole house! Just for us!
Wise Snake: Don't fall in love, Eliza, we're only here for a couple of days.
Wise Snake: [dryly]
Eliza dances in and out of the rooms and pokes into the cupboards.
Eliza: OOOhhhhh look at the bathroom!
Riyyh opens his eyes and stands up suddenly.
Riyyh: Let's get some air, Mytag. [suddenly full of vigor and energy and positive thinking]
Riyyh marches out of the office.
Wise Snake collapses on the couch in the living room and promptly goes to sleep, having gotten none whatsoever the night before.
Tictoc remembers to give Riyyh the newly developed, blue, football shaped, Viagra pills.
Eliza: Anyone want to use the bathroom?
Eliza waits at the door on tenterhooks, thinking of steaming hot water with affection.
Wise Snake fails to respond.
Eliza dashes back in when there is no answer from Snake and Tanzarra shakes her head.
Riyyh leaves the building and crosses the courtyard to the garden.
Mytag stays close behind him.
Wolfa jogs along as well.
Wolfa: And then they rode up - and I was sure that there had been an attack or something, they all zlinned so strange!
Riyyh: Look at this beautiful day.
Wolfa: Ruby was all upset of course, and she thought for a moment that they were here for her, the poor lamb.
Wolfa: But it turns out that they had come across Nubby's niece and nephew on the road and had decided to escort them here!
Riyyh winces with his whole body as Wolfa mentions Ruby.
Wolfa: I wonder how long they will stay?
Riyyh: Well, I don't know. Let's go have a talk with them, shall we?
Wolfa: Oh do you think we should?
Wolfa: shouldn't we give them more time to clean up?
Wolfa: Well, if you are sure that it's all right, then.
Riyyh frowns.
Riyyh: We can wait longer also, of course.
Wolfa follows eagerly.
Riyyh stops and stands in the middle of the garden, robbed of his purpose.
Mytag: Well, as Sectuib of course you should greet them....
Mytag wants to see these strange people for himself.
Wolfa: Yes, there is that.
Riyyh: There's always the beauty of this lovely summer afternoon to considered.
Riyyh looks around at the flowers, and then sighs.
Riyyh: You're right, of course, Mytag.
Riyyh has been saying that a lot, mostly because he can't bear to disagree with people.
Mytag knows that he is right. He is the Companion after all.
Wolfa: You are Sectuib. It's your duty to see them.
Eliza sings loudly in the bath.
Riyyh looks at Wolfa oddly as the other channel does an about-face in urgings.
Riyyh: Then we shall go there now.
Eliza: "This is the song that doesn't end, cause it goes on and on my friend...."
Riyyh: Which cottages did you say they were? These two over here? [pointing to the correct ones]
Wolfa: Hajene Farris is in the end one here.
Wolfa: Yes, that's right.
Riyyh walks up to the door of the cottage Wolfa points out.
Eliza: "Some people started singing it not knowing what it was...."
Riyyh pauses as he's about to signal, listening to the melody floating out of a window.
Riyyh feels uneasiness and a strange, deep sense of foreboding.
Mytag listens carefully and frowns, remembering something he just can't quite grasp.
Eliza: "And they'll continue singing it forever just because...."
Riyyh stops with his hand on the door and closes his eyes, trying to summon a positive attitude and a friendly, mellow exterior.
Riyyh reminds himself that a House with a depressed Sectuib is a depressed House, and his people don't deserve that.
Mytag: ~ support - keenness - curiosity ~
Riyyh straightens and signals at the door.
Eliza: "This is the song that doesn't end...."
Eliza wishes that she had chosen to sing something else.
Eliza: "A song of love is a sad song, hi lilly hi lilly hi low"
Eliza stops as she hears someone at the door, then figures that Snake or Tanzarra will get it.
Eliza: "A song of love is a song of woe, don't ask me how I know"
Wise Snake mutters in her sleep and rolls over, curling her head under her arm.
Wise Snake subsides again.
Eliza: "A song of love is a sad song, for I have loved and it's so..."
Linn opens the door.
Eliza: "I sit at the window and watch the rain, hi lilly hi lilly hi low"
Linn: Yes, who is it...?
Linn sees Mytag.
Eliza: "Tomorrow I'll probably love again hi lilly hi lilly hi low."
Linn: You!!
Riyyh turns on the charm.
Mytag: You!
Riyyh: Hello, .... ?!?
Eliza: "I sit at the window and watch the rain, hi lilly hi lilly hi low"
Mytag: Linn, isn't it? What are you doing here?
Riyyh grips the doorway.
Linn wonders if Mytag has come to drug the visitors.
Eliza: "If you need me, just hold out your arms and touch me..."
Riyyh thinks this is a very surreal moment; the two Donors staring shocked at each other, and that eerie singing.
Linn: ~~ still indignant over the Mickey ~~
Linn: I might ask the same thing. I thought you worked in Bender Cove?
Riyyh has had a lot of surreal moments since Ruby dumped him.
Riyyh carefully and prudently backs behind Mytag.
Linn has a very hazy view of how the Tecton works.
Mytag: No, I went to Bender Cove with Ison. I live, and work, here. But what are you doing here?
Linn: I'm with Snake, of course.
Riyyh has also felt rather out of control of affairs since the part where Ruby started throwing sharp objects and screaming about wanting (and not wanting, but that's not the point) his babies.
Mytag: I'm sorry, Riyyh, this is Linn, Linn umm I can't remember your name, this is Sectuib of Naros, Riyyh.
Wise Snake mutters restlessly, responding to the agitation in the ambient.
Mytag: Snake!???
Mytag: ~ SHOCK ~
Linn decides not to mention Bum Bum, after what happened the last time a Sime Center employee came in contact with him.
Eliza falls asleep in the bath.
Wise Snake leaps wildly off the couch.
Wise Snake: What
Wise Snake: What!!
Wise Snake: I'm awake!!
Mytag quickly gets himself under control again, and turns to apologize to Riyyh.
Wise Snake: I'm awake I'm awake who's dying!?!?
Wolfa takes a few shocked steps away.
Wise Snake looks wildly around, her hair as crazy as Freelance's mane, and her expression even crazier.
Mytag: Shen, I'm sorry Riyyh.
Riyyh: I'm sorry too.
Riyyh means that about a lot of things.
Mytag: [back to Linn] Snake's here? What is Snake doing here?
Riyyh: Can we just start this over again?
Riyyh eases past Mytag and addresses the wild-woman who zlins like a Farris.
Mytag: Sectuib, this is Linn, a donor from Bender Cove. Linn this is Riyyh, Sectuib of the Householding of Naros.
Mytag: Shen, and that is Snake.
Riyyh opens his mouth, then shuts it as Mytag starts talking.
Mytag hadn't seen her.
Mytag: Snake Farris.
Linn: Snake, it's all right.
Linn: ~~ concern ~~
Riyyh tries to be genial.
Riyyh: Mytag, you really should let me introduce myself and welcome them to the Householding. [kindly]
Linn looks for Nick, and gives up when she hears a snore from the easy chair.
Mytag is afraid that all of Bender Cove has come to Naros.
Wise Snake looks at Linn, then looks at the door, and is somewhat surprised to see Mytag among the people there.
Mytag: Snake, is your - cousin - with you? ~ nervous ~
Wise Snake pauses, then looks at Mytag in utter lack of comprehension.
Linn: Snake, this is Mytag, the one who drugged me when I tried to donate that time.
Wolfa stays at the doorway and makes a long neck to see past everyone.
Mytag thinks that if that other crazy Farris, the Donor, isn't here he might just be able to keep Riyyh alive.
Mytag: And we didn't drug you, we sedated you. You were hysterical.
Linn: Because I said that I'd been attacked by Simes in the lobby? I _was_.
Linn: ~~ indignation ~~
Mytag grits his teeth.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh pushes Mytag gently back.
Riyyh: This can be discussed later. These people are our guests!
Riyyh turns to Linn.
Riyyh: If any member of my House has offended you or harmed you in any way, I offer my deepest apologies.
Riyyh: Please let me know if there is any way I can make it up to you.
Riyyh: I am Riyyh, Sectuib in Naros.
Mytag grits his teeth harder
Mytag says nothing but lets Riyyh handle it.
Eliza sinks down until her nose is covered by the water then wakes up snorting.
Eliza: [splutter splutter]
Eliza catches her breath and decides that she is wrinkly enough to get out now.
Riyyh looks at Linn with all of the earnest, fatherly Sectuibly charm and benevolence he can muster, which under most circumstances is quite a lot.
Riyyh smiles encouragingly.
Linn has seen better efforts from Bum Bum.
Linn does thaw just a tad, though.
Riyyh is a little bit disheartened by her lack of response.
Linn: I really didn't think it was necessary, or polite, for him to slip a drug into my tea without telling me.
Riyyh: Of course not. I would like to offer my deepest and most sincere apologies for anything he may have done.
Wolfa thinks that Mytag probably knew what he was doing.
Mytag: If you will excuse me, I have some work to do.
Mytag turns and heads out the door.
Riyyh turns and looks after Mytag in dismay.
Mytag doesn't see why he should stand there and be discussed as if he weren't there.
Mytag also doesn't see why he shouldn't be backed up by his own Sectuib who should know him well enough to trust his professional judgment.
Riyyh wonders what has happened to Mytag that he would neither trust his Sectuib to greet newcomers or handle the difficult situation.
Riyyh recovers and looks back at Linn.
Linn: I'd settle for his apology. After all, he was the one who did it.
Riyyh: You will have it.
Riyyh: Again, I apologize on behalf of our House.
Nick harumphs and starts awake, a reflexive response to an awake Snake-nager.
Nick: Snake?
Nick sort of explodes to his feet, looking wildly around for Snake through his mussed up hair.
Wise Snake stands there watching this whole ridiculous scene with some disgust.
Wise Snake: I'm right here, Nick.
Nick has actually required a haircut for some time, but has evaded Linn's shears by pleading the necessity of looking after Snake.
Nick sees the strange channel and moves protectively close to his channel.
Nick: ~~support~~
Riyyh looks at Nick with some trepidation.
Riyyh backs off somewhat.
Nick: Who is this, Snake?
Riyyh: And now, to you all, welcome to Householding Naros. I do hope you find your stay here pleasant, as you travel to...? Or were we your destination...?
Riyyh wishes they had introduced themselves.
Nick: ~~ very high First Order Donor, groggy and short-tempered from lack of sleep ~~
Wise Snake: The Sectuib of this House.
Nick: Oh.
Wise Snake: Note the white on the cape.
Nick inspects Riyyh closely to see if he's as crazy as the Zeor one.
Nick: I see it.
Riyyh looks like a perfectly sane, if rather distraught, middle aged charming Sectuibly type.
Riyyh's hands and tentacles flutter nervously.
Nick waits to see if Snake sees fit to introduce him to the strange channel, or she'd prefer to keep him in the background.
Wise Snake: Yes, thank you for your hospitality.
Nick isn't sure just what Naros's connection with the Tecton is.
Wise Snake: I am Hajene Farris, and this is Nick, my Companion.
Nick nods in Riyyh's direction with guarded cordiality.
Riyyh , who isn't sure just what these peoples' connection with the Tecton is, looks noticeably relieved at the word "Companion".
Nick also gets his nager smoothly under control, as he wakes up more.
Nick: We were just passing through.
Riyyh: I see.
Riyyh: Well, you are welcome to stay for as long as you find necessary to aid in your journey, then.
Riyyh: Thank you also for bringing young Nully and Neffy to us. We have been awaiting them for some time.
Nick relaxes a bit at this cordiality, and is very glad that Bum Bum isn't around to be zlinned by this Sectuib.
Riyyh: Perhaps you'd like to join us in our communal dining hall for dinner?
Riyyh: It is served in three shifts, and you are welcome at any of them.
Nick's stomach starts growling at the mention of food.
Nick: ~~ embarrassment ~~
Wise Snake: Ummh... great.
Wise Snake: Thank you.
Riyyh: Now, I'm terribly sorry to rush off like this, but I must attend to some urgent business.
Riyyh: I do hope you'll be understanding?
Nick is relieved that Snake is willing to discuss food before work.
Nick: Of course. Thank you for your hospitality.
Wise Snake nods to the Sectuib.
Riyyh: Thank you. I will see you later, perhaps.
Riyyh turns and flees, almost running into Wolfa.
Wolfa is relieved that is all seems to have settled out amicably.
Riyyh: Excuse me. [absently]
Wolfa: If you need anything, please let me know.
Riyyh rushes after Mytag.
Linn looks after the fleeing Sectuib.
Linn: They do take their leave abruptly here, don't they?
Linn thinks this is an in-T custom with which she is not acquainted.
Ruby gets tired of waiting in the sun and gets someone to help her carry her bags back inside.
Linn still finds herself running into those with distressing frequency.
Wise Snake: I believe he was in pursuit of his Companion.
Linn: Ah.
Wise Snake frowns as she remembers there was a recent change of First Companion.
Wise Snake: Evidently not all is roses here in Naros.
Linn usually sees Nick trying to chase after Snake.
Nick looks at Snake sharply.
Wise Snake raises an eyebrow at Nick's look.
Nick: That's right. Mytag isn't his usual Companion, is he?
Wise Snake: No. That woman, Ruby, was. Up until fairly recently, I gather.
Wise Snake: If she's just leaving now.
Nick: That could be a nasty situation.
Wise Snake: She's definitely a higher-order Donor than he is.
Bum Bum worries about where Linn is as he lugs in a nearly endless supply of suitcases for the lady with the stupendously large nager.
Ruby: ~ depressed ~
Ruby is almost too depressed to even try to impress this male.
Nick: So he's used to being overcontrolled?
Ruby: [almost]
Wise Snake: Probably. Mytag ought to be a closer match for him.
Wise Snake: Ah well, it's none of our business.
Wise Snake memorizes the information, of course.
Wise Snake's definition of "none of our business" is, loosely, "worth checking into later, discreetly".
Nick devoutly hopes it stays "none of our business".
Nick has found that things have a tendency to become Snake's business very quickly.
Ruby: I thank you so much for helping me. [sighs]
Bum Bum: It's no problem.
Ruby: I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't happened along.
Ruby: No, I really appreciate it.
Bum Bum thinks, "I was already sweaty and disgusting and dusty and miserable from dealing with all those horses anyway, why not?"
Ruby: ~ gratitude ~
Ruby bats her eyelids at him.
Bum Bum softens a bit at Ruby's gratitude.
Bum Bum stiffens a bit at Ruby's eyelid-batting.
Bum Bum: Errr [stutters]
Linn notices that Bum Bum has wandered off again, and goes in search of him.
Bum Bum: Is there anything else I can do to help you?
Ruby flutters helplessly.
Ruby: I don't know. I just don't know what I am to do.
Ruby: ~ helpless female gen ~
Bum Bum finds himself consumed by an urge to help her. In any way necessary.
Linn is worried that Bum Bum might get into trouble, in such a different environment than his usual city streets.
Bum Bum draws closer to her.
Ruby: No one seems to want me around any more.
Bum Bum: Why not??
Ruby lets one tear trickle down her cheek.
Bum Bum: You are a lovely lady with a... a... truly stunning nager.
Ruby lets a small sob lose.
Linn tries the main building first, in case Bum Bum was looking for a snack.
Ruby: Oh, if only that were true.
Bum Bum zlins her and gets dizzy.
Bum Bum thrusts his arms behind his back.
Bum Bum: Ahhh.... but surely there is someone... some special man?
Bum Bum: A channel?
Bum Bum: Someone who treasures you?
Ruby: I have been traded off to the Tecton - and I just don't want to go!
Bum Bum: Oh... I'm sorry.
Ruby burst into tears and leans [carefully] on Bum Bum's dusty shoulder.
Ruby: To be cast off like this! After so many years of faithful service.
Bum Bum has always personally equated being "traded off to the Tecton" with certain, ugly death.
Ruby is viewing it in a very similar way at the moment.
Bum Bum is pretty sure it won't be like that for her, but it still doesn't seem she's very happy about it.
Bum Bum: I'm sorry.
Bum Bum embraces her hesitantly.
Bum Bum: ~~sympathy~~
Ruby's nager surrounds him.
Bum Bum is wondering if people in Householdings cry all over strangers all the time or if this lady is just particularly emotional.
Ruby, while partly involved in her sorrow, is also partly wondering just who this strange man is and what he is doing here and if there is some way, any way, that he can help.
Ruby wishes that Riyyh would just chance along at this moment....
Bum Bum is drawn hyperconscious and drifts in a state of limbo, unaware of his surroundings or the passage of time.
Ruby: I feel so much better with you.
Ruby ignores the dust and grime, just this once, on the off chance that this might be her saviour.
Ruby snuggles closer.
Linn chances along, instead.
Linn sees Bum Bum hugging an older woman.
Linn: Bum Bum, there you are.
Linn: I was wondering where you'd gotten to.
Bum Bum fails to notice Linn, whose nager is utterly obliterated by the surrounding field of the First.
Linn frowns as Bum Bum fails to answer, and goes closer.
Linn: Bum Bum, is something wrong?
Ruby lifts her head, but doesn't disengage her nager.
Ruby looks the travel worn Linn up and down and doesn't see any competition.
Linn frowns and moves closer, trying to offer ~~ support ~~.
Ruby wipes her eye gracefully.
Bum Bum seems to be zombified.
Ruby: You are travelling together?
Bum Bum has a slight, vacant smile and his eyes are glassy.
Ruby sighs as she realises that this probably doesn't look the best.
Ruby: ~ gradually letting go ~
Bum Bum blinks and comes duoconscious.
Bum Bum takes the transition well until he finally notices Linn's presence.
Linn frowns.
Linn: What have you done to him?
Bum Bum: Linn!!
Bum Bum jumps guiltily away from Ruby.
Bum Bum realizes Linn isn't angry at him and hurries to hide behind her.
Linn puts her hand on Bum Bum's shoulder, and pulls him behind her.
Linn: Bum Bum!
Ruby: He was kind enough to help me with my bags.
Ruby: Bum Bum????
Ruby is glad she didn't know that was his name before she thanked him.
Linn: What was she doing to you?
Ruby: I wasn't doing anything to him!
Ruby: ~ disdainfully ~
Linn frowns at Ruby.
Linn tries to find a way to warn this Gen to keep away from the junct channel, without admitting that Bum Bum has killed.
Bum Bum: I... I... she asked me to help her with her bags.
Bum Bum: Then when she thanked me, her nager... she's almost as good as Nick.
Linn: Look, just leave him along, please.
Bum Bum doesn't realize the extent of his exaggeration; to him, all Firsts have incredible nagers.
Ruby sniffs.
Ruby: I'm sorry, I didn't realise he "belonged" to you.
Linn finally realizes that Ruby is a Donor.
Ruby: Who is Nick?
Ruby: ~ interested ~
Linn: ~~ relief ~~
Linn: Nick Reckage, Snake's Donor.
Ruby: Snake?
Bum Bum: Trust me, you don't want to run into her.
Linn: Yes. Hajene Snake Farris.
Ruby: Oh? The people at the gate!
Ruby: ~ very interested in running into her ~
Ruby dusts herself off.
Ruby: Are you planing on staying long?
Bum Bum: No! [firmly]
Linn: That's up to Snake.
Linn looks at Bum Bum, a bit surprised at this vehemence.
Ruby decided to go visiting as she has nothing else to do while she waits.
Ruby: Have they given you good accommodation?
Bum Bum: I don't know.
Bum Bum looks to Linn.
Linn: We're in the cottages, over that way.
Linn points.
Bum Bum is practically glued to Linn's back, trying to avoid contacting the alluring nager of Ruby,
Bum Bum: (at least not where Linn can witness it)
Ruby smiles sweetly at Linn and [ugh] Bum Bum.
Ruby: I think I'll go down and say hello to Nick, from one First to another.
Linn: I'm sure he'd be glad to meet you.
Linn isn't sure of this at all, but she wants Ruby away from Bum Bum.
Ruby: Will you come and introduce me? Oh! I haven't introduced myself. I'm Rudy ambrov [choke] Naros.
Bum Bum: Rudy??
Bum Bum: Isn't that a boy's name?
Ruby: Ruby.
Ruby glares at him
Bum Bum: Ah.
Bum Bum wonders what has her so flustered.
Bum Bum sticks a tentacle in his ear to get out any ear wax that might be affecting his hearing.
Ruby sniffs disdainfully and wonders how she could have let herself fall so low as to actually hope that this creature could be of help.
Linn sees the friction between them, and remembers how afraid Bum Bum has been of Nick on occasion.
Linn: Why don't I go down with you, and we can let Bum Bum finish his walk?
Bum Bum starts to object to being separated from Linn, but then thinks the better of it.
Bum Bum: Sure!
Bum Bum turns and scurries off.
Ruby: Fine.
Ruby heads off towards the cabin.
Linn walks with Ruby.
Ruby has a particular figure 8 movement of her posterior which is enhanced by the 4 inch heels of her ruby red shoes.
Linn sniffs, wondering how Ruby manages to chase after her channel in them.
Riyyh finally manages to catch up to Mytag in the library.
Linn opens the door of the cabin.
Linn: Snake? Nick?
Ruby gathers her nager together along with her feminine charm and gets ready to hit on all fronts.
Linn pokes her head in the door and looks around.
Ruby wishes she had had time to spend with a mirror and a brush and her lipstick and the rest of her makeup kit first
Riyyh: Mytag... Mytag.
Riyyh hurries up to him.
Linn sees a cleaned-up Nick inside, looking quite debonair, in a slightly sleazy and red-eyed way.
Linn: Nick, this is Ruby, one of the Donors here.
Mytag takes pity on him and slows down.
Mytag: I'm sorry I left you like that, Riyyh.
Wise Snake is back on the couch, lying on her face.
Wise Snake is snoring faintly.
Ruby smiles at Nick.
Linn leaves Ruby and Nick to get acquainted, and goes off to find Bum Bum.
Ruby: I'm so pleased to meet you Nick [softly]
Ruby wafts a soft fragrance of perfume as she moves.
Riyyh: Oh Mytag. I know you're upset, but... these are such hard times.
Ruby: I'm sorry I wasn't in any condition to meet you professionally - before.
Nick: Can I help you?
Riyyh catches up to Mytag and fights the urge to cling to the Donor's arm.
Mytag: ~ guilt ~
Nick watches Ruby move, and wonders if that was the proper phrasing.
Ruby: This is just a social call, from one First to another. Unfortunately circumstances don't give me time to get to know you better.... [sighs]
Nick: Professionally?
Mytag: ~ support ~
Riyyh: So what was that all about? It must have been something awful, to have that effect on you.
Riyyh swoons into Mytag's soothing field.
Nick is rather wary of socializing with "real" Tecton Donors.
Riyyh: [ok he doesn't actually lose consciousness but he is very relieved physically]
Mytag: Riyyh, you be careful of those people. I don't know what their motive is for being here, but that Linn is dangerous to have around renSimes!
Wise Snake stirs faintly.
Nick: Pleased to meet you, I'm sure.
Wise Snake: Unnh... what a, ummhn.
Mytag: She is likely to go off in a panic at the slightest provocation. We have enough Simes trying to disjunct around here without having that sort of temptation around.
Riyyh: Linn? The Gen we just saw?
Riyyh: [concerned]
Ruby flutters her eyelids at him.
Mytag: Yes. Linn.
Nick: Which channel do you look after?
Ruby: Is that Hajene Snake? I'd like to pay my respects before I am forced to leave. This is still my home until then, after all.
Nick: Umm... She's sleeping now.
Riyyh nods slowly.
Nick: She didn't sleep at all, yesterday, so if you don't mind?
Riyyh: I appreciate your bringing this to my attention.
Ruby sighs dramatically.
Nick moves firmly between Ruby and Snake, projecting ~~ sleep ~~ at Snake.
Riyyh: I do wish you hadn't run off like that, or spoiled the introductions, though, Mytag. [slightly hurt but trying to be gentle about it]
Wise Snake slumps into oblivion.
Ruby: I was companion to Sectuib Riyyh until recently. The Tecton is determined to break up all Householdings, by the way they are going.
Ruby: ~ sorrow ~
Mytag: I'm sorry about that Riyyh, I was surprised to see them.
Nick: I would be happy to, but right now, I'm supervising Hajene Snake's rest. If you don't mind?
Ruby does mind, dreadfully.
Ruby: Then I suppose that we might never meet again. I'll probably be leaving in a few hours.
Ruby: But then, one never knows what the future might hold.
Nick: True. I'm sure Linn never thought to meet up with Mytag again.
Ruby feels like she might burst into tears at any moment.
Ruby: I'd best leave. I do hope that your rest here [sob] is a [sob] pleasant one!
Ruby turns and flees.
Nick: Thank you very much.
Nick closes the door, and sits back down in the easy chair.
Nick is snoring within seconds, and his nageric hold on Snake loosens accordingly.
Riyyh: Well, of course you were. That's understandable.
Riyyh touches Mytag's arm gently.
Riyyh: Will you be all right to have dinner with them, if I speak to Hajene Snake about this Linn?
Mytag is very uneasy about having Snake and company there.
Mytag: I think one of us should probably be guarding Linn no matter where she is.
Riyyh frowns.
Riyyh: I will certainly take that under consideration, Mytag.
Riyyh wonders how to go about requesting something like that without offending their guests.
Riyyh: May I ask, do you know Linn from Bender Cove?
Riyyh doesn't believe Mytag has ever been anywhere else besides Naros and there.
Mytag: Yes.
Mytag grits his teeth again.
Riyyh looks at Mytag in some concern.
Mytag: She should never have been allowed within a mile of that place.
Riyyh: Are you all right?
Riyyh: Really, you seem quite upset.
Mytag forces himself to relax.
Mytag: Yes, it was just a very very bad episode.
Riyyh: What happened?
Mytag: It was probably the one that led to my return.
Riyyh had thought Mytag had returned at the request of his Sectuib.
Mytag: Some moron jumped at her in the lobby [the cursed lobby] and she started screaming that Ison had attached her.
Mytag: Oh god, I hope she doesn't see Ison while she is here, just as well he is off at Jumkun at the moment.
Mytag: I tried to reason with her, but she was hysterical - and high field.
Riyyh's brow is furrowed in consternation.
Mytag: It was a recipe for disaster.
Mytag: So I knocked her out with a dose of tranquilizer.
Mytag: It was my professional opinion that she was a danger to herself and every Sime within zlinning distance.
Mytag: As a therapist hired by the Center it was my duty. I was backed up by the Controller, by the way.
Riyyh wonders why Mytag is so defensive.
Riyyh touches Mytag's arm soothingly.
Riyyh: It's all right. I'm not judging you.
Riyyh is, but that's not the effect he's after.
Mytag forces himself to relax once again.
Riyyh: Helping to know what happened makes it easier for me to handle the situation now.
Mytag nods.
Mytag still feels very wary of the situation.
Mytag: Snake is an odd one too, Riyyh
Mytag: I don't know if she gave you the impression that she is working for the Tecton or not.
Riyyh: Snake?
Mytag: But she sort of freelances.
Mytag: Hajene Farris.
Riyyh: Ah...
Riyyh: That is good.
Mytag: It is?
Riyyh: I had been concerned that the presence of a Farris here was related to Tecton business of a higher order.
Mytag: Oh! I see.
Mytag: I'm not sure that she is stable mentally either.
Mytag: ~ worry ~
Riyyh: Well, she is a Farris.
Mytag: I wouldn't encourage them to stay longer than necessary.
Riyyh: A certain amount of, er, eccentricity, shall we call it,
Riyyh studies Mytag.
Mytag blinks as he suddenly places the voice singing.
Mytag: Oh shen.
Riyyh's face becomes alarmed as he zlins Mytag's reaction.
Riyyh: What?
Mytag: Where is Mostan these days? I haven't seen him about lately.
Riyyh: Mostan? He's working on restoring some of the water damaged records, he's been doing it at home, why?
Mytag is failing miserably at keeping himself calm as he feels his beloved Householding is under attack by all the unstable characters from Bender Cove.
Mytag swallows.
Mytag: The voice singing? I think that would be Eliza Furdens. She and Mostan were - lovers I think you would call it.
Mytag: Actually - that might not be a problem.
Riyyh's eyebrows raise.
Mytag sighs.
Mytag: Well, we will just have to wait and see.
Mytag ponders whether to tell Mostan or not.
Riyyh: Could you possibly do me a favor, Mytag, and write me up a small memo of everything you know of these people? Just for my own peace of mind?
Riyyh: Perhaps it would reassure you, as well, that I am equipped with the knowledge to handle the situation correctly.
Riyyh: I do want you to trust me, your Sectuib.
Mytag: Eh? Of course I trust you Riyyh! You are my Sectuib!
Mytag: I'm sorry if I did anything to make you doubt my loyalty.
Mytag: ~ support, trust, fondness ~
Mytag: I'll write you a report if you wish.
Mytag: I'll have to find out who else is with her. I might not know of them. She didn't live at the Center.
Riyyh is somewhat reassured by Mytag's projection.
Riyyh: Go ahead and do whatever you have to. No more confrontations, though, eh?
Riyyh touches Mytag's shoulder.
Mytag: I certainly hope not.
Riyyh had meant for Mytag not to allow any more to occur.
Riyyh hesitates.
Riyyh: I meant... please. No more.
Mytag: Not through my doing Riyyh.
Mytag promises.
Riyyh smiles.
Riyyh: I'll be in my office. I have to get through that paperwork before Wolfa delivers another pile.
Riyyh: Thank you, Mytag.
Riyyh squeezes his Donor's shoulder and then turns and leaves the library, alone.