Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #10: Guesswork (9/10/98)
Linn looks at Bum Bum.
Linn: Bum Bum, I had a chat with Snake, yesterday.
Linn is not entirely happy about its outcome.
Linn looks at Bum Bum.
Bum Bum is a little worried about how Linn is zlinning.
Bum Bum: What did she say?
Linn: She....wants me to stop trying to calculate the nageric interactions when we're working together.
Bum Bum has no idea what Linn just said.
Linn: She seems to think that will make me a better Donor, eventually.
Bum Bum: Oh... it will?
Bum Bum: Isn't that good?
Bum Bum: ~worry~
Linn: I admit, I don't see why guesswork should be the preferred method.
Bum Bum: Guesswork?
Linn: Well, that's what it seems like, to me.
Bum Bum realizes he should have found out what Linn was talking about right away.
Bum Bum: I'm sorry, what exactly did she tell you to do?
Bum Bum reaches for Linn's hands, hoping to gain some reassurance from her touch.
Bum Bum doesn't like the sound of the word "guesswork".
Linn tries to manage ~~ support ~~ without running the equation, and it comes out skewed.
Linn frowns.
Linn: Is that right?
Bum Bum manages, with difficulty, to avoid wincing.
Bum Bum: Linn, could you please tell me what is going on?
Bum Bum: [pleading]
Linn: Snake said I should be able to manage support and other basic things without doing the calculations.
Bum Bum: Okay. [still not understanding]
Linn sees that Bum Bum isn't relaxing.
Bum Bum searches Linn's nager in the hopes that it really is OK.
Bum Bum wants, actually, for Linn to not be so unhappy.
Linn: But I don't think I'm getting it right, am I?
Linn: I should be....
Bum Bum's hands clutch Linn's as if the nice feelings could be squeezed out by brute force.
Linn decides that it really is important for Bum Bum to know the problem, so he can help her work on it.
Bum Bum: Well, you're doing something kind of different....
Linn runs the equations.
Bum Bum doesn't want to insult her nager, so he tries to be careful how he says it.
Linn: ...about 3.35 lower, like this.
Linn adjusts her nager to the proper configuration.
Linn smiles weakly.
Linn: ~~ apology ~~
Bum Bum smiles rather genuinely.
Bum Bum: You don't have to be sorry....
Bum Bum: ~~relief~~
Linn: I'm afraid it's going to be rather uncomfortable until I get the hang of it.
Linn: If I do.
Linn: Will you help me learn?
Bum Bum: Of course I will, Linn. I -
Bum Bum bites off the rest of his sentence.
Bum Bum: Of course I will.
Linn's smile gains strength.
Bum Bum still doesn't understand what she is trying to learn, but the answer would be 'yes' no matter what.
Linn: All right, then.
Linn looks around to make sure that nobody is close enough to be upset by nageric upsets.
Linn: Are you up to a practice session?
Bum Bum: Okay.
Bum Bum nods obediently.
Linn dissolves her support and steps back.
Bum Bum wilts.
Bum Bum figures this is part of the practicing, and tries to wait patiently.
Bum Bum tells himself he is lucky to have any Gen at all, and should welcome Linn's experiments for what they are: attention.
Linn: Why don't we start with something simple. You give me some variations within your usual range of fluctuation, and I'll see if I can manage to find the right way to support without calculating it.
Linn tends to assume that Bum Bum has had at least as much training as she has.
Bum Bum looks blank.
Bum Bum: OK, how do I do that?
Bum Bum hopes Linn will be able to tell which way is the "right way", in any case.
Linn realizes her mistake, and switches her instructions from technical to common terms.
Linn: When I try to support you, I have to adjust my nager according to your condition.
Bum Bum: OK.
Linn: It depends on where you are in your need cycle, how tired you are, your mood, and so on.
Linn tries to determine whether that is an "I understand" OK, or a "I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about" OK.
Bum Bum: [it's an "I really want you to know that I'm very interested in you and your projects, and willing to do anything in my power to make your day go well." OK.]
Linn: I want you to give me a variety of showfields covering your normal range, so I can practice trying to get my part right without knowing exactly what it should be.
Bum Bum listens to her instructions, and tries not to look completely confused.
Bum Bum doesn't think of himself as a dummy and doesn't want Linn to, either.
Bum Bum: Variety of normal showfields... getting it right without knowing... OK. [repeats dutifully]
Bum Bum wonders how Linn is going to know if she is doing it right if she doesn't know what she should be doing.
Linn decides "confused" is as good a starting place as any, and tries to find the proper way to ~~ support ~~ it.
Bum Bum wonders how he is going to know if she is doing it right if he doesn't know what she doesn't know she should be doing.
Linn: How's that? Comfortable? Or am I off?
Bum Bum tries to decide if she is doing what she doesn't know she should be doing.
Bum Bum: That feels nice. [offers]
Bum Bum has found in the past that Linn doesn't really just want him to be nice to her, however.
Linn: Is it as comfortable as it was earlier?
Bum Bum wonders if Nick had any idea just how strange Linn was when he ordered Bum Bum to make her know how he felt about her as a person.
Bum Bum is pretty sure Linn never tried these kinds of experiments on Nick.
Bum Bum thinks about that, then feels slightly flattered.
Bum Bum: Well, it's, yes and no.
Linn: How so? The more specific you can be, the better I'll be able to tell where I'm going wrong.
Bum Bum: Well... [thinks carefully]
Linn waits with academic patience for Bum Bum to think the problem over.
Bum Bum is glad Linn finally told him what would make her happy.
Bum Bum however finds it difficult to be very specific about that which he doesn't comprehend.
Bum Bum ponders the concept of "comfort", which he considers to be an extremely relative term.
Linn makes a mental note to see if Naros's library has an introductory text on selyn field mechanics.
Bum Bum somehow doesn't think Linn wants to know he's a lot more comfortable now than he was when she said "I had a talk with Snake" and hadn't said anything else yet.
Bum Bum: Well, I think that it feels pretty good, but....
Bum Bum is stumped when the only description he can come up with is "annoying" and he doesn't want to say anything negative.
Linn tries to look encouraging.
Bum Bum is encouraged by Linn's look.
Bum Bum: There is one little thing that could be better, it's not very important or anything though.
Linn: What is it?
Bum Bum frowns.
Bum Bum tries to think of how to describe this to a Gen.
Bum Bum: [and knowing no technical names for any of this himself]
Bum Bum: It's sort of a, a sparkle.
Bum Bum: In your left arm.
Linn: A sparkle?
Bum Bum tries to think of a better word.
Bum Bum: An itch?
Bum Bum: A fluctuation....
Bum Bum: A little buzzing.
Linn runs the equations, and the fluctuation stops.
Linn: How's that?
Bum Bum: It's gone.
Bum Bum: You're learning already!
Bum Bum: ~pleased he could help her~
Linn makes a mental note of her mistake.
Linn: No, I had to run the math to find my mistake.
Bum Bum's mind processes that sentence and draws a total blank on her meaning.
Linn: ~~ moderate disappointment ~~
Bum Bum's mind in fact delivers a blank on any sentence that contains the word math or any concept contained therein that greater concept, so much of his conversation with Linn is spent nodding and smiling.
Bum Bum nods, but doesn't smile as he notes Linn's disappointment.
Bum Bum: I'm sorry... ~worried~
Bum Bum: I'll try to do better. Let me try again.
Linn: Give me another showfield, please.
Bum Bum projects Gen.
Bum Bum: ~~Gen relieved at being given a 2nd chance~~
Bum Bum: Am I supposed to tell you what I'm doing?
Bum Bum is still a little worried about the idea of Linn trying to do something she doesn't know what it is.
Linn: No, I'm supposed to be able to feel it.
Bum Bum: Feel it? ~dubious but trying valiantly to hide it~
Linn: Or at least, Snake says that's what Nick does.
Bum Bum starts to question Linn's comparing herself in any way to Nick, then stops before he puts his foot completely into his mouth.
Linn doesn't stop to consider that Snake may not be an authority on the abilities and working methods of Third Order Donors.
Bum Bum: Er, oh.
Bum Bum: OK.
Bum Bum: [that is the "My great and undying caring for you as a person utterly overcomes my very real concern that you are deluding yourself." type of OK]
Linn tries to come up with a method for getting a more specific answer.
Linn: Does it feel better or worse than last time?
Bum Bum almost blurts "Does what feel better?" but manages to avoid that trap as well.
Bum Bum hesitates like a rabbit caught between a fox and a roadway.
Bum Bum: Better?
Bum Bum knows she wants specifics.
Bum Bum: There's nothing funny about your left arm now.
Linn: That's good. What about the rest?
Bum Bum: You... [tries to think of a tactful way to note that Linn has to go to the bathroom, and is also hungry]
Bum Bum: You ready for a break? [brightly]
Linn can see that Bum Bum is ready for a break, in any case.
Linn: That's not a bad idea. I think they're serving lunch in the cafeteria.
Bum Bum looks incredibly relieved and grateful.
Bum Bum is mostly glad they are going to return to the sort of situation he feels on solid ground during.
Bum Bum: Did you learn anything?
Linn makes a face.
Linn: Most that I'm a much better Donor when I do the calculations.
Riyyh walks into the cafeteria at an odd hour, and finding nobody there, sighs and sits down by himself with a small vegetable plate.
Riyyh, unwitnessed, allows himself to feel and look ~~depressed~~
Bum Bum: Oh.
Nick hurries into the cafeteria, intent on taking advantage of the half hour break that Snake gave him.
Bum Bum decides Linn was displeased with the discovery and tries to look appropriately sober.
Riyyh looks down at the veggies and notices that several specimens are undersized.
Nick piles a plate full of unidentified edibles from the pots marked "Gen-safe".
Riyyh looks up as Nick enters, then hastily rearranges his expression.
Nick looks around for a table, and spots Riyyh sitting by himself.
Nick wanders over.
Riyyh tries to appear charming, talented, and easy-going.
Riyyh fortunately has plenty of practice at this.
Nick: Where's Mytag? Shouldn't he be with you?
Riyyh: Hello, Nick. ~friendly~
Riyyh: ~ouch~
Riyyh: Well, he is his own man, I believe he had some work in the library and the stock room.
Linn steps into the ladies' room for a quick break as they enter the building.
Riyyh: Mytag does like to keep busy, after all.
Bum Bum continues on into the cafeteria, then stops short as he zlins the Sectuib inside.
Nick decides that he does have a duty to see that the channel actually consumes those veggies.
Nick: Mind if I join you?
Bum Bum prudently backs out and hides in a nearby corridor, where he can see when Linn exits the Ladies'.
Riyyh: Please do.
Riyyh gestures at a chair in a welcoming fashion.
Linn leaves the Ladies and looks around for Bum Bum.
Riyyh seems faintly distracted [he had just zlinned Bum Bum pop in and out again]
Bum Bum walks up to Linn.
Bum Bum looks nervous.
Linn: There you are.
Bum Bum: I was just... waiting... you know. For you.
Bum Bum looks over his shoulder a couple of times.
Bum Bum: Nick is in there.
Linn slips her arm through Bum Bum's and makes for the cafeteria with the single-mindedness of a hungry Gen.
Linn: Ahh, good. Snake must have decided to take a break.
Bum Bum tries to suppress his fear as he is dragged in after Linn.
Nick sits across from Riyyh and picks up his fork.
Nick: ~~ hungry Donor ~~
Riyyh smiles wryly.
Riyyh: You do have a talent, don't you?
Linn goes to the serving line and starts loading her plate.
Nick: ~~ innocence ~~
Nick: Of course. That's why I'm a Donor.
Riyyh picks up a runted vegetable, makes a mental note to have a word with the crop manager, and bites off the end.
Riyyh studies Linn and Bum Bum without actually zlinning them openly, that would be rude.
Nick smiles blandly and puts a forkful of something into his mouth.
Bum Bum crowds Linn for safety, and ends up taking way too much food because of being so close to her nager.
Bum Bum: He's looking at me! [whispers to Linn]
Nick: Tell me, Sectuib Riyyh, does your kitchen often serve Rutabaga Parmesan?
Riyyh looks up.
Linn finishes filling her place and leads the way to the dining area.
Riyyh: Sometimes, I believe. Is it a favorite of yours?
Nick: Not exactly. It's a little... strong.
Nick passes over the rest of the rutabaga and sticks to the mashed potatoes instead.
Linn sees Nick and Riyyh.
Linn: Oh, there's Nick!
Linn makes a beeline for the pair.
Riyyh looks up as the infamous Linn, maligned by Mytag but defended by Snake, puts in a precipitous appearance.
Linn's nager is much more naturally Gen, now that she's no longer trying to control it.
Riyyh smiles.
Riyyh: Hello, Linn. And is this the elusive Bum Bum?
Linn remembers what Snake said about Riyyh losing his Donor, and that for some reason this is a major crisis, even with another Donor available.
Bum Bum sticks close to Linn.
Linn: Hello, Sectuib Riyyh. Yes, this is Bum Bum.
Bum Bum bridles at yet another total stranger using his hated nickname.
Linn: How are you today?
Linn has decided to be more diplomatic today.
Bum Bum decides that Linn doesn't want to hear any complaints out of him, and tries to wear a smile instead.
Bum Bum: ~queasy hate/cowardice~
Riyyh: Pleased to meet you. [a little taken aback by Bum Bum's reaction]
Riyyh is glad for the distraction of Linn's question.
Riyyh: Very well, thank you. And how are you?
Linn sees Bum Bum's uneasiness, and tries to send him ~~ encouragement ~~ , without doing the math, but it comes out a perfect ~~ support ~~ instead.
Linn: We're enjoying your hospitality.
Linn sets her tray down next to Nick.
Riyyh: Oh... excellent.
Riyyh seems genuinely pleased.
Nick sees Riyyh's interest in Bum Bum, and "accidentally" adjusts his nager to fuzz the Sectuib's perceptions, to prevent him getting a solid reading.
Bum Bum sits next to Linn, keeping a wary eye on both the Sectuib and on Nick, who he has never trusted and who is now doing sneaky things with his nager.
Linn: Tell me, are those tomatoes in the rutabaga soup?
Riyyh is puzzled as to why Nick is interfering, but too polite to say anything.
Riyyh: Why no, those are red tiki-peppers.
Riyyh: They're very nice, aren't they? Very mild, but well-flavored.
Riyyh: We've been growing them experimentally for two years now, but only in small quantities.
Nick is glad that Riyyh fails to mention Bum Bum's junctedness, and hopes he blurred in time.
Bum Bum wonders why Linn is talking to that Other Sime.
Bum Bum: ~suppressed jealousy~
Linn: I'm not sure I'd use such a mild pepper with rutabaga--it's strong enough to carry something stronger.
Riyyh: You evidently haven't found one of these yet.
Riyyh reaches over and prods a tiny, 1/2" long whole green pepper with the tip of a tentacle.
Bum Bum 's hair nearly stands on end at the proximity of Riyyh's tentacle to Linn.
Bum Bum moves closer, protectively.
Bum Bum: ~animosity/fear~
Linn looks at the tentacle in her soup and sighs.
Bum Bum has been thrown for a loop by the choice of topic... he knows about as much about farming and vegetables as he does about math.
Bum Bum is feeling insecure and upset.
Riyyh looks at Linn, then withdraws his hand and studiously goes back to his veggie plate.
Riyyh was trying to ignore it, but now he is very sure there is something rather unpleasant going on at this table.
Bum Bum: You can have mine. [whispers to Linn, as he pushes his bowl over]
Nick thinks that Linn must be the only person outside of Naros who would actually like rutabaga-pepper soup.
Riyyh shivers at the ambient and tries to change the subject.
Riyyh: So, where are you all headed? Hajene Farris didn't mention it.
Linn notices that Bum Bum isn't eating.
Linn: Try the fried rutabaga, Bum Bum.
Nick: We're headed west.
Nick thinks that sounds reasonable, while allowing him to avoid admitting that he doesn't heave the faintest idea.
Riyyh: West? Really, for pleasure or business?
Bum Bum eats because he knows it'll make Linn happy, and also her hunger is affecting him.
Nick: It seemed like the thing to do.
Nick hopes that doesn't give the gossips too much to go on.
Nick is trying very hard to present a bland nager, and thus necessarily slips up on his fuzzing of Bum Bum's nager.
Riyyh is wondering why Nick is acting so oddly.
Riyyh hesitates.
Bum Bum gulps as Nick's protection evaporates like pants of seafoam.
Bum Bum chokes on a particularly large lump of fried vegetables, and grabs for his glass of water.
Riyyh sighs.
Nick is not really sure how to deal with an insular community, since he's been a semi-loner most of his adult life.
Riyyh: Really, I must confess I am at a loss as to why you are all so uncomfortable around me. [finally confesses]
Riyyh looks at them all.
Riyyh: People usually adore me.
Linn gives Bum Bum a firm swat between the shoulders.
Riyyh is not exaggerating; they do, mostly because he's worked hard at making them do it.
Bum Bum cringes as Linn starts hitting him.
Riyyh watches in disbelief as Linn and Bum Bum utterly ignore him.
Linn looks at Bum Bum to make sure the obstruction is gone.
Bum Bum: I'm fine! Stop it!
Bum Bum finally manages to fend her off.
Bum Bum: I'm fine.
Bum Bum gathers the shreds of his dignity.
Bum Bum: Thank you. [adds belatedly]
Linn decides that Bum Bum isn't in immediate danger of internal strangulation, and turns back to Riyyh.
Linn: We are a rather....private....group, I'm afraid.
Linn: We don't have much contact with outsiders, usually.
Riyyh's eyebrows raise as he attempts to consider the case of a "private" group who glom a person while he's sitting alone at lunch.
Riyyh nods thoughtfully.
Riyyh: I see.
Linn hopes this will be an acceptable answer for Naros, which is an insular group if she's ever seen one.
Riyyh studies Nick, then Bum Bum, still not sure what was going on there.
Linn decides a diversion is definitely in order.
Riyyh of course has memorized every detail in case it turns out to be useful later on.
Linn: Tell me, Sectuib Riyyh, have you ever had grilled, stuffed rutabaga?
Riyyh is somewhat amazed by these people's seemingly boundless interest in rutabagas.
Riyyh: Why, yes, I have.
Riyyh: Although to be fair I should say it was open-pit broiled, rather than grilled.
Linn: An open pit? I usually reserve that for larger dishes.
Riyyh's eyes stray across the table, then linger on Nick's ringless fingers.
Linn: Like those 4 foot zucchini one always finds after a vacation.
Riyyh: Four feet?
Linn: Eastcove has a lot of rain during the summer.
Riyyh tries to figure out how to find out how many transfers Nick has had with Hajene Farris.
Nick follows Riyyh's gaze, and wonders if he has dirt under his fingernails.
Riyyh smiles at Nick.
Nick: Is something wrong?
Riyyh: I noticed you don't have a ring. You are not ambrov Zeor as Hajene Farris is?
Nick: No, I'm not.
Riyyh: Have you been invited to pledge?
Nick's nager displays the sort of control that only Zeor disciplines enforced by a Farris will build into a Donor.
Riyyh: You and Hajene Farris appear to have become a team.
Nick: No. I'm not sure that Zeor even knows I exist, actually.
Riyyh: Oh really?
Riyyh's curious and pleasant tone invites further explanation.
Nick really is kind of naive about the way gossip can travel among Householders.
Nick: Yes.
Riyyh: I sometimes feel that way myself.
Riyyh chuckles.
Riyyh: So how is it, then, that you are not Tecton, and yet not Zeor, and Companion to a Zeor channel?
Riyyh is taking a calculated risk in using the word "Companion", since he only ever heard Snake use the word once.
Nick thinks that could be a very dangerous question.
Nick: Just lucky?
Nick: ~~ mild humor ~~
Riyyh smiles good-naturedly, doing a very good job of appearing perfectly harmless.
Riyyh: I'd say it was she who is the lucky one.
Riyyh: the Tecton tries to take all the good ones.
Riyyh: [he means, all the good Donor material]
Nick shrugs.
Nick: They decided they could make do without me, I suppose.
Bum Bum tries to decide whether he should be annoyed at Riyyh for having scared him silly then proven to be a harmless fool, or pleased at the man for asking Nick uncomfortable questions.
Riyyh: And you, Linn and Bum Bum, how came you to be travelling in the company of Zeor?
Riyyh: ~mild curiosity~
Linn is pretty sure that "we were kidnapped" wouldn't be a good answer to that question.
Linn: It seemed like a good idea, at the time.
Riyyh , having heard this same answer only a short time before from Nick, sighs as he realizes they are being deliberately uninformative.
Bum Bum: I'll tell you what happened.
Bum Bum: [suddenly]
Linn: ~~ surprise ~~
Linn hopes that Bum Bum knows what he's doing, then realizes that a full confession would put him in the Tecton's power, and get Snake really mad at him.
Linn settles back to hear what Bum Bum will say.
Bum Bum has decided Riyyh is incapable of doing anybody any damage whatsoever, and besides the circumstances of their leaving is a pet peeve of his.
Riyyh looks pleased.
Riyyh: Please do.
Nick looks at Bum Bum warily, not really trusting him.
Bum Bum: Well I, for one, am not here willingly. Snake has been keeping me as little better than a slave for literally months now.
Bum Bum: As for Linn, well, she has it even worse. Snake snatched her right off the street! She's just lucky she has Donor potential.
Bum Bum frowns.
Bum Bum avoids further thought along those lines and pushes on.
Nick throws Bum Bum a "Shut up!" glare.
Riyyh looks astonished.
Riyyh: [as much at the three people's conflicting emotions as at Bum Bum's words]
Linn is utterly astonished at Bum Bum's confession.
Bum Bum: As far as I understand it, Nick is a gem Snake picked out of the Tecton's rubbish pile and polished up better than new.
Bum Bum: Now he prances around like he's Mr. Farris himself.
Nick tries to figure out if that was an insult or a compliment.
Bum Bum: Tanzarra is, well, the less said about her, the better.
Bum Bum: And Eliza was snatched from the Tecton itself.. she worked for the Sime Center in Bender Cove before Snake plucked her from their grasp.
Riyyh looks really amazed.
Riyyh: I say. [at a loss for words, especially since it would seem that Bum Bum zlins of the truth]
Bum Bum: It's all a big farce. The founding of a Householding, the training up of channels and Donors for her own little herd, it's a crock!
Nick: You must forgive Bum Bum. He tends to get...carried away.
Bum Bum: Don't you talk over me, you, you 4-foot Zucchini of a Donor!
Bum Bum looks irritated, although it's even odds as to which irritated him more, Nick's comment or his own ambiguous attempt at insult.
Nick is glad that Bum Bum acknowledges both his nageric and... physical... dimensions are superior.
Bum Bum: What do I care what you think?
Bum Bum: And why should I keep my mouth shut?
Bum Bum: All I'm doing anyway is waiting for the right person to come along and bump me off.
Bum Bum: ~bitter~
Riyyh blinks.
Bum Bum: I mean, what chance do I have anyway?
Bum Bum gets up and storms out of the cafeteria.
Nick: Any time you want to go and turn yourself in to the Tecton, that's fine with me.
Linn looks after Bum Bum, astonished, then gets to her feet and runs after him.
Riyyh watches them both leave, stares after them for a moment, then looks to Nick for an explanation.
Nick looks at Riyyh, trying to figure out how much of Bum Bum's tirade he believed.
Riyyh studies Nick, then smiles gently.
Nick: My apologies. Bum Bum tends to get a bit...overexcited.
Riyyh: Many juncts do, [admits]
Riyyh: It is a difficult position to be in, after all.
Riyyh: Did you know we specialize in disjunction here?
Riyyh: We also have several members who have pledged to live out their Last Year here.
Nick: Bum Bum is too old to disjunct, and Snake has told him that she will personally see to it that he never kills again.
Riyyh shrugs minutely.
Riyyh: Even so, perhaps it would be kinder, if, when you move on....
Nick: What? That we leave him here to die?
Nick: Snake might agree to that, if Bum Bum wanted it, but he doesn't.
Nick: He wants to live, and so far, Linn is his best chance to do that.
Riyyh: Allow them to both stay, then. We could accommodate Linn as well.
Riyyh: Couldn't you hear the anguish in his voice? The torment?
Nick: I don't think Linn would agree to leave Snake.
Riyyh appears to feel genuinely sorry for Bum Bum.
Riyyh: Perhaps you would at least put the question to them?
Nick: I will convey your offer to Snake. You must understand that the final decision is hers.
Riyyh studies Nick.
Nick has been with Snake for too long to think that it might be Linn's or Bum Bum's decision that counts.
Riyyh: He was telling the truth. I zlinned as much.
Nick considers.
Nick: He was telling a truth.
Riyyh's eyebrows raise.
Riyyh: My dear Nick, whatever do you mean?
Nick: Only that while specific events can be "true" or "false", their meanings are often more ambiguous.
Riyyh: Unless you are prepared to offer another explanation, I will have to trust the evidence of my senses. [points out]
Nick shrugs.
Nick: Snake always has reasons for what she does.
Nick: And they're seldom the obvious ones.
Riyyh: Oh?
Riyyh: Do go on.
Riyyh delicately stabs a turnip-and-rutabaga fritter with his fork.
Nick considers Riyyh.
Nick: I think it might be best if you asked Snake herself.
Riyyh: Oh, I could never.
Nick: Why not?
Riyyh: Well, she's far too intimidating.
Riyyh doesn't try to shake hands with stampeding beer-wagons either.
Nick shrugs.
Nick: Then I suppose you'll have to leave your curiosity unsatisfied.
Nick: Although truly, Snake doesn't bite.
Nick is pretty sure that nageric slams and other such tricks can't be considered "bites", strictly speaking.
Riyyh: Well, perhaps there is one question you would be willing to answer?
Nick: You're welcome to ask, although I don't promise to answer.
Riyyh frowns slightly, then deliberately eradicates the expression.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Riyyh: Might I inquire as to how much longer the group of you might be our welcome guests?
Riyyh hopes it's not too much longer, because if their effect on Mytag ruins his transfer, he is going to have a lousy following 4 weeks.
Nick smiles wryly.
Nick: I'm afraid that's one question I really can't answer. Snake is rather close-mouthed about our itinerary.
Riyyh looks at a loss for words.
Nick: I'm sure she'll let you know when she's decided, though.
Nick collects his dishes and stands.
Nick: My compliments to your cooking staff on an....interesting meal.
Riyyh looks up at him, appearing depressed.
Riyyh: Thank you, I will tell them.
Nick: And if you don't mind my offering a....professional recommendation?
Riyyh: Please? [looking as if he'd rather anything but]
Nick wonders if Riyyh has decided that he's no good as a Donor, because he never finished Tecton training.
Nick: You would be much more comfortable if you were with Mytag.
Nick: You really shouldn't leave him, so close to need.
Riyyh is not about to admit that Mytag doesn't like him around when he's busy.
Riyyh is not proud of certain aspects of his image and tries not to think about them.
Riyyh: You're right, of course.
Riyyh: I'll look for him straight away.
Nick's idea of how much support a channel actually requires during need has been skewed a bit by Snake's Donor paranoia.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Nick: Good. I'm sure he'll be relieved to see you.
Nick: You're welcome.
Nick busses his dishes.
Riyyh is sure Mytag will be exasperated to see him, but that would be welcome after these alien and cold people.