Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #13: The Crown of the Rabbit-King (9/14/98)
Riyyh is looking out the window of his infirmary room/prison.
Riyyh: ~worried/thinking~
Tictoc goes to check on her patient.
Tictoc: Good morning Riyyh, I see you are awake.
Riyyh turns around quickly as somebody comes to the door.
Riyyh: Hello, Tictoc!
Riyyh is desperate for attention; he hasn't been alone for so many hours in a row since the day he was born.
Tictoc takes him into transfer position in a precise and professional manner.
Riyyh: How is... [stops as she grabs him]
Riyyh allows her to do it.
Tictoc: Hmmm, you'll do for now.
Tictoc: How are you feeling about things now?
Riyyh: Something has to be done.
Tictoc goes to the cupboard and makes up a concoction which she hands Riyyh.
Tictoc: Drink this. Yes, I have been thinking about that and wanted to talk to you about it if you are up to it.
Riyyh: I don't know what, but with Ruby and Emerald only a half day's ride away, word is going to get out and people are going to guess...
Riyyh drinks it submissively.
Riyyh: Yes, I'll talk about it.
Tictoc: Tell me, what is your opinion, professional opinion, of the Farris Channel?
Riyyh's train of thought has definitely been thrown from the tracks.
Riyyh: Er...
Riyyh: ??
Riyyh thinks.
Riyyh: Well, any Farris has considerable potential as a channel.
Riyyh: I don't think she'll last too much longer under those conditions and in the care of those people.
Tictoc: I watched her work yesterday.
Riyyh lifts an eyebrow.
Riyyh: You did?
Tictoc: She is very rough around the edges - but is hungry for work and is young enough to learn quickly.
Tictoc nods.
Tictoc: I gave her your workload for the time being.
Tictoc: I'm working at getting her systems used to less work to stave off entran complications.
Riyyh frowns; it is very rare for Tictoc to compliment her vict-- er, assistants, even out of their hearing.
Tictoc: I agree with you. The lifestyle she has been living is slowly killing her.
Tictoc: The people she has working with her have no idea how to look after her.
Riyyh: I am told she shuns Zeor and the Tecton alike.
Tictoc sighs. "I'm not sure that is such a bad thing, really"
Riyyh: You aren't? [surprised]
Tictoc: Riyyh, have you considered your choice of an heir? I'm sorry to bring this up, but I think that it's very important - considering what you have told me.
Riyyh: Tictoc! [disbelief]
Tictoc: It seems that we have a larger choice of people then I had thought. But who is suitable?
Tictoc obviously has something in mind, although her field is confusingly, errr, confused.
Riyyh thinks it's perfectly obvious what Tictoc has in mind, and it's completely out of the question.
Riyyh: Probably none of them. However,
Riyyh is not blind to the fact that half his children inherited his vanity and the other half inherited his compassion, but no one inherited both in sufficient quantity to balance each other enough for leadership.
Tictoc: I have an idea I'd like you to consider. You might not like it on first hearing it, but please promise me that you will give it some thought and not just turn it flatly down.
Tictoc: I'd like you to consider adopting Wise Snake Farris.
Riyyh: Oh Tictoc, that just won't work.
Riyyh: ~anxious~
Tictoc: Lets look at the plus side.
Tictoc: She is a Farris.
Tictoc: She is young.
Tictoc: She has - new genes.
Riyyh: Tictoc...
Tictoc: She brings other young people with her - all talented in their way (and all with new genes).
Tictoc: She is a Farris.
Riyyh: You said that already, look....
Tictoc: Now let's look at the down side.
Tictoc thinks hard.
Riyyh sighs and waits.
Tictoc: What do you see as the down side?
Tictoc can't see any, but is willing to admit that she is prejudiced.
Riyyh: Tictoc, she scares the shen out of me, and everybody else here too if you hadn't noticed.
Tictoc shrugs. "She hasn't had much social intervention from what I can see. Most of her adult life has been spent trying to stay alive."
Riyyh: She's a drug addict, has a crime history so long it arrived in two packages (would you like to read it?) and furthermore, she's got enemies.
Tictoc: Ah. Yes.
Tictoc: The drugs I can deal with - that's just part of her trying to stay alive. As indeed is her "history of crime".
Riyyh frowns as it sounds like Tictoc is planning on being in charge of the young Sectuib-apparent herself.
Tictoc: As to enemies, Riyyh, think how many you are going to have when word gets out.
Riyyh blanches as Tictoc brings up the subject of word getting out.
Riyyh: I had thought, that with care,
Tictoc is certainly planning on being in charge of her physical well being - that's her job after all.
Riyyh: And the passage of a sufficient amount of time,
Tictoc: Pity you didn't think about taking care starting from 40 years ago really, isn't it?
Riyyh: Tictoc, really. ~hurt~
Tictoc: Sufficient amount of time? What, like when all your direct offspring are dead?
Riyyh: Tictoc, be reasonable.
Tictoc: Riyyh, think about this for a moment.
Tictoc: What's going to happen when word gets out?
Riyyh: Does it have to get out?
Riyyh regrets asking as soon as the words are out.
Tictoc: You can trust Mytag and I to stay silent - for the time being.
Tictoc: But the succession is already being questioned.
Tictoc: When people find out that that there is a chance that they are in line - what's going to happen then?
Riyyh: Look, I hardly think that's going to be the issue, Tictoc.
Tictoc: You don't? By the gods Riyyh, I even found myself considering myself for a brief period of time - before I came to my senses.
Riyyh: When every man in Naros learns that he is not the father of his children, and every daughter learns her mother shared her lover, Naros will rip itself apart.
Riyyh: There will be no question about a leader, because there will be no Householding.
Tictoc: You want that to happen?
Riyyh shakes his head.
Riyyh: No, but I think you are mistaken in thinking succession is going to be a high priority.
Riyyh: Shen, I'm not about to die anytime soon.
Riyyh: And...
Tictoc: Then you have to make an announcement that will change the way Naros thinks.
Tictoc: They will need something so startling that they won't consider anything else.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: Scandal to avert scandal?
Tictoc: You don't get it, do you Riyyh?
Tictoc: If you adopt Wise Snake Farris as your daughter she will be the highest order channel in Naros.
Riyyh: I do not want to adopt her in the first place!
Riyyh: ~frustration~
Tictoc waits for the meaning of that to sink in.
Riyyh: How many times do I have to tell you that!
Tictoc: Then Naros is finished. Unless you have something else up your sleeve?
Riyyh: Tictoc, we have to work together here, please.
Riyyh: You're talking about removing me from my position.
Riyyh: Installing a perfect stranger.
Riyyh: Naros isn't ready for that!
Riyyh: I'm not ready for that.
Tictoc looks at him with her lips jammed together tightly.
Riyyh lifts his chin slightly and meets her gaze steadily.
Riyyh: ~hurt/pride/determination~
Tictoc: Is Naros ready to learn that we have been inbred and linebred for the past 40 years?
Riyyh: No, it isn't.
Tictoc: Are you ready for the outcome of that?
Riyyh: That will have to remain secret.
Riyyh: It's the only way to save this.
Riyyh: And Ruby and Emerald will have to be found, and....
Tictoc: And what do I do when two people, half brother and sister, come in and tell me that they want to start a family?
Riyyh: They think it's just the two of them. If they can be distracted, they may never think further than that.
Tictoc: What are you suggesting!
Riyyh: I'll get Mytag to handle Ruby. He's done it before.
Riyyh: ~uncertain/defiant/worried~
Riyyh: And Emerald....
Tictoc: Riyyh - you are thinking of yourself, not of your Householding.
Riyyh: Shen, Tictoc, I'm thinking of both.
Riyyh: Naros needs me.
Tictoc: For once think like a Sectuib and not as a man!
Tictoc: Naros needs a strong Sectuib who can handle problems.
Riyyh is starting to get angry, an unfamiliar sensation.
Tictoc: I have work to do. I'll make sure that your Companion is here soon, Sectuib.
Riyyh closes his eyes and turns his back on Tictoc, telling himself that getting angry has never solved anyone's problems.
Tictoc: Now if you will excuse me.
Tictoc walks out.
Riyyh leans on the window sill, trembling.
Riyyh: Shen the woman.
Mytag walks in looking back over his shoulder.
Riyyh fumbles for a handkerchief and wipes his brow.
Mytag lets out a long slow whistle.
Riyyh turns quickly to face Mytag.
Mytag: Glad I'm not a Sime. Don't think I'd want to be able to zlin Tictoc at the moment!
Riyyh is afraid Mytag is about to light into him next.
Mytag: Shen! You look like twenty types of hell yourself.
Mytag: ~ support ~
Mytag: Here, come sit down.
Riyyh: ~~relief~~
Riyyh flies to Mytag.
Mytag puts his hand over Riyyh's arm gently.
Riyyh: Shen, Mytag, she...
Riyyh: She wants... she wants me out.
Mytag: Out?
Riyyh: She wants your Wise Snake as Sectuib.
Mytag is stunned.
Riyyh is shaking with the aftermath of adrenaline.
Mytag: Snake as Sectuib of Naros?
Riyyh: Yes. She said it straight out.
Mytag stops and thinks about it.
Mytag: Nah, wouldn't work. She wouldn't go for it.
Mytag: Snake doesn't like to be tied down.
Riyyh: Mytag! Forget her, what about me?
Riyyh: ~desperate~
Riyyh: I told Tictoc everything and she's turning on me!
Mytag: Riyyh, I'm sure Tictoc only wants what is best for you and for Naros.
Mytag isn't sure that that is the same thing any more.
Riyyh: Best for me??
Mytag: You are in for some bumpy times, I'm afraid. Time has come to pay for the sins of your youth and all that.
Riyyh: Mytag, haven't I protected Naros, kept its path straight, nurtured it?
Riyyh: I don't deserve this.
Riyyh: I love Naros.
Riyyh: ~pain~
Mytag: I thought you had - but apparently you had also been doing a bit of weeding as well that wasn't strictly necessary.
Mytag: Riyyh, face it. You aren't young any more and at the moment you aren't well. People have been unsettled and insecure about the succession for awhile. When the news of this gets out, and it is only a matter of time, Naros will tear itself apart.
Riyyh: We can stop it... we can stop it.
Mytag: We can? How?
Riyyh appears near a breakdown.
Mytag: ~ curious ~
Riyyh: We have to. We can suppress it. Only a small number know....
Riyyh: And it's ended, I told you, five years ago it ended.
Riyyh: As more time passes, it will matter less and less.
Riyyh: It can be undone, Mytag.
Riyyh: [pleading]
Riyyh: It doesn't have to be destruction, or upheaval, nature will take its course of its own.
Mytag: I think.... I think that you should start to look outside the Household for a successor.
Mytag: As a matter of fact I think you should start doing that right now.
Mytag: Let it be known that you are doing so. It will stop people thinking about - other things.
Mytag: I know that it's one of the things that is worrying Tictoc.
Riyyh: I will... I will, Mytag.
Riyyh: But not this Hajene Farris.
Riyyh: She's damaged, she's deranged. Naros can't have that as its future.
Mytag: No, definitely not Snake.
Mytag: Although it would be safe to say that you were considering it. Snake would never go for it anyway.
Riyyh: And... Mytag... I will not let go of my position, not now. I must serve until my natural time has come.
Riyyh: It's what I was born to do!
Riyyh: I've never done anything else.
Mytag hesitates a moment.
Mytag: Riyyh, I'm not sure that is the best idea [gently]
Riyyh bows his head to hide his expression.
Riyyh: ~~fear/anger/despair~~
Riyyh tells himself that now, more than ever, he must use what he was given, what made him a good Sectuib.
Riyyh tells himself that if he gives in to anger or hate, he wouldn't deserve Naros anyway.
Mytag gives him all the nageric support that he can.
Riyyh takes a deep breath.
Riyyh slowly looks up and meets Mytag's eyes, his expression very different now.
Mytag: ~ sympathy ~
Riyyh: Mytag....
Riyyh: Please.
Riyyh: For the love of Naros.
Riyyh: Help me.
Riyyh: I am not a demon.
Riyyh: I can't bear the thought of... of....
Riyyh: I can't.
Riyyh: Don't talk of me leaving, or being cast down, please don't.
Riyyh: Be strong for me.
Mytag: Riyyh I think we need time.
Mytag: It needn't be like that.
Mytag: Take small steps.
Mytag: Don't think of it as being cast down.
Mytag: Think of it as, as, doing the best you can for your Household.
Riyyh: Tictoc said....
Riyyh: [can't bear to say it]
Riyyh: ~extremely upset~
Riyyh clings to Mytag's arms.
Riyyh: It's as if....
Mytag: It's as if what, Riyyh?
Riyyh: It's as if I've been severed from everything I ever loved.
Riyyh: Look at this, I'm.... [looks around at the infirmary room]
Riyyh: I'm in quarantine.
Riyyh: Nobody even knows why, yet.
Mytag sits, offering silent support while he tries to think of something positive to say.
Mytag: You aren't a prisoner here, Riyyh. You can leave anytime you want. But don't you think it's safer to stay here until Tictoc says that you are entirely well?
Riyyh: But I'm not ill!
Riyyh: I....
Riyyh has enough pride to not want anybody to know how much Emerald's physical attack shook him.
Mytag: Your systems took a beating yesterday. Do you really feel up to going back to work? Facing everyone?
Riyyh: I belong here, Mytag.
Riyyh: The people look to me for direction.
Riyyh: I want to walk through the garden and have people smile and ask me if they're still on track.
Mytag is secretly glad that everyone doesn't follow everything that Riyyh seems to have done.
Riyyh: Nobody knows about this yet, Mytag.
Riyyh: If it were up to me they never would, but for now, they really don't.
Riyyh: My absence worries them.
Mytag: You don't think that people have a right to know?
Mytag: At least some of it?
Riyyh: Yes, yes they do, but not now, not all at once.
Riyyh: ~pained~
Mytag: All right, Riyyh.
Mytag: Whatever you think is best for Naros.
Riyyh's blood runs cold at those words.
Riyyh lets go of Mytag's hands quickly so he won't feel it, if it can be felt.
Riyyh: Then let us go.
Mytag trusts that Riyyh will do the right thing - as soon as he works out what that right thing is.
Mytag accompanies Riyyh out, with the sort of strong support one would give an invalid, a shen victim perhaps.
Riyyh uses Mytag's support and walks out toward the front of the building, making his face and nager a mask to his true feelings.
Riyyh feels his life has become completely surreal.
Riyyh smiles and nods at some of the people.
Riyyh: [his sons and daughters]
Riyyh: [his future enemies, or pledged to him for life?]
Riyyh walks out of the building and stops, feeling the warm sunshine.
Riyyh: You know, Mytag, that no matter what happens, there will never be anything more precious to me than Naros?
Mytag: I know Riyyh.
Mytag smiles at people as they pass and hopes that he is hiding his inner turmoil well enough.
Mytag: I'm sure you will find an answer, eventually.
Riyyh: But will I be given a chance to? [whispers, to keep it out of the ears of others]
Riyyh smiles and nods at a passerby.
Mytag: Well, I wouldn't waste much time if I were you.
Riyyh finally makes it across the grounds into the doorway of the administration building.
Riyyh is sweating, but now is sure he can maintain his Presence despite the problems behind the scenes.
Wolfa looks up from the pile of papers she is working on.
Riyyh touches Mytag's arm briefly in thanks, then strides towards his office.
Wolfa: Riyyh! I thought, I mean, I didn't expect you....
Riyyh: Hello, Wolfa.
Riyyh smiles at her.
Wolfa has a particularly soft shade of brown hair, not entirely unlike Riyyh's own.
Mytag looks at Wolfa's hair and then at Riyyh's and then at his shoes.
Mytag notices that his shoes need a good clean.
Mytag: Hello Wolfa.
Wolfa: How are you feeling? All recovered?
Wolfa zlins Riyyh hungrily.
Riyyh: Yes, thank you. Is this for me? [indicates the pile of letters and bills on the corner of Wolfa's desk.]
Riyyh: ~~physically not his best, nager not really up to spec either~~
Wolfa: No, no, don't worry about these, they are all taken care of.
Wolfa brushes them aside.
Wolfa: You just take it easy, don't let anything stress you. I'll take care of things until you feel up to it all again.
Wolfa: Shall I send for some tea?
Riyyh: Why, thank you, Wolfa.
Riyyh is touched by her consideration.
Riyyh gives her a particularly tender smile of gratitude.
Wolfa flusters at his smile.
Riyyh feels a lot better.
Wolfa: Well I, I should get these delivered to, to the couriers.
Riyyh: Thank you, Wolfa. I will be in my office.
Riyyh smiles and enters his office.
Wolfa organises the forms and parcels to be delivered and goes to make the tea.
Mytag: Wolfa's hair....
Riyyh looks up.
Mytag looks embarrassed.
Riyyh smoothes back his own, now-silvery, mane back self-consciously.
Mytag: Her mother... I mean... was she?
Riyyh: I'm sorry, Mytag.
Riyyh sags down into his chair.
Mytag is glad that his own asiatic features and blue-black hair stave off any such considerations on his own part.
Wolfa returns with four cups of trin.
Riyyh accepts a cup.
Riyyh: Thank you, Wolfa.
Riyyh projects the aura of a Genuine Sectuib, one might say almost a "fatherly" presence.
Riyyh: Ruby will not be joining us, I'm afraid.
Riyyh: My attempt to make up did not go as smoothly as one might have hoped.
Wolfa looks around and then down at the cups.
Wolfa: Oh dear! I thought that Rub....
Wolfa blushes crimson.
Wolfa: Well, maybe Hero will join us.
Wolfa is slightly bitter at how little time Hero is around and it's after turnover and she knows how Wolfa likes to know she is near after turnover..
Wolfa: I know - I ... heard.
Wolfa heard an awful lot but doesn't know how much to give credence to.
Riyyh: Ah... [slightly sheepish]
Riyyh: Well, Ruby is her own woman now.
Riyyh means that in every possible interpretation.
Wolfa: Will they be back?
Wolfa: I mean, Ruby and Emerald?
Riyyh meets Wolfa's eyes.
Riyyh: ~compassionate~
Riyyh: I hope so.
Wolfa: If Emerald doesn't come back, who will we put in charge of the stitch shop?
Riyyh blinks.
Wolfa fusses around, wishing she knew were Hero was.
Riyyh: Well, Mertricia has been under Emerald for nearly 20 years now. I think she might be interested in the position.
Riyyh is disturbed by this talk of replacements.
Wolfa: Yes.
Riyyh: I'll allow a week or two for any others who might be interested to step forward.
Wolfa gets up and wanders over to the window.
Riyyh gives Mytag an unreadable sideways glance, then sips his tea.
Wolfa strains to zlin any sign of Hero.
Hero bursts breathlessly in, making a mess of the ambient.
Hero: I'm back! Shedoni, what a... [gasp]
Hero sees the object of much gossip sitting in His chair where He was not supposed to be right now.
Wolfa gasps too.
Hero: ~~OOPS~~
Wolfa: Where have you been! You were gone so long!
Hero: Well, I went down to the inf... ~truth~ to the, um, dining hall, ~lie~ and somebody got me into a conversation ~true~ I just couldn't ~semi-truth~ seem to extricate myself from.
Hero: I mean people are such gossips ~the truth amen~
Hero darts a guilty glance at Riyyh.
Wolfa: Oh Hero.
Wolfa sighs.
Hero: I'm sorry I was late. ~truth~
Hero: ~penitent~
Hero moves closer, offering a nice field for Wolfa.
Wolfa notices that Hero, standing between Riyyh and the door that way, bears a rather striking resemblance to the Sectuib.
Mytag does his best to prevent the backwash from Hero's chaotic field from upsetting Riyyh.
Riyyh tries to keep his dignity as he sips his tea and imagines the rumors flying.
Hero is dying to talk about all this with Wolfa.
Wolfa: Well, never mind that now [brightly]. Would you have some trin with us Hero?
Hero: Sure!
Hero: ~bounce bounce~
Hero shoots curious looks at Riyyh, wondering if it's true that....
Riyyh thinks this is going to be even harder than he'd previously thought.
Wolfa smiles, though in truth it is a rather stretched smile.
Riyyh is sure he can do it though. He has to.
Riyyh levels a perfect smile at Hero, gauged to be 12% indulgent, 15% all-knowing, and 73% distant.
Wolfa drinks her tea as quickly as she can.
Riyyh: ~friendly but disinterested~
Hero sips her tea like a little mouse.
Wolfa: Well Hero, we have a lot to do [and even more to talk about]. When you have finished we had better get back to work.
Hero: OK. [wide eyed]
Hero gulps her tea, ignoring her burned palate.
Hero is still a bit wet behind the ears, Donor-wise.
Wolfa grimaces.
Mytag sips his tea and hopes for the best.
Riyyh decides it's now or never.
Riyyh: Wolfa, I was wondering if you'd like to join me for dinner tonight.
Wolfa: Tonight? Dinner? Oh Riyyh, I would love to of course, but my transfer is due in the morning and I'm not sure what sort of company I'd be tonight.
Wolfa: ~ distressed ~
Riyyh: Of course, if you'd rather be alone with your Donor, I understand.
Wolfa wishes he had asked her tomorrow night instead
Riyyh picks up a piece of paperwork and sees it's Ruby's transfer documents.
Riyyh studies them with a faint frown, then pulls an Amendment to Transfer of Personnel out of a drawer.
Riyyh quickly fills out the form, amending Ruby's orders to show she will be picked up at Bob's family's place instead of Naros.
Riyyh files two copies to be sent to the Tecton with all haste.
Hero sets down her teacup.
Wolfa stands up.
Wolfa: Well, if that's all....
Riyyh: Yes, Thank you Wolfa, Hero.
Wolfa picks up the empty cups and puts them on the tray.
Riyyh carefully files the originals to Ruby's amended orders, then ponders the problem of Emerald.
Wolfa: I'll be in my office if you need anything.
Riyyh: Thank you. [nods graciously]
Wolfa leaves, followed by Hero and wistful thoughts.
Riyyh's eyes follow Wolfa as she leaves.
Riyyh wears a thoughtful expression.
Wolfa waits until well out of earshot of the office.
Wolfa: Well? What did you want to tell me? You were just about bursting with it!
Hero: ~~bounce bounce giddy titillated exultant~~
Hero: Guess what!
Hero: I haven't told anybody this yet.
Hero: But I overheard Tictoc totally denying that Riyyh was the father of her son.
Hero: She was just like, "No!! It couldn't be!!" like she wondered if it was true.
Hero was lying during the bit about not having told anybody else.
Wolfa: You know what I heard?
Hero: What?
Wolfa: I heard that the real reason Emerald and Ruby left is because Riyyh told Emerald he couldn't marry Ruby because she was his granddaughter!
Riyyh decides that although his best chance of shutting up Emerald is to seduce her anew, going to Bob's family's place to try it would be sheer suicide.
Wolfa thinks that her news beats Hero's news.
Hero: I heard it was because Ruby is his daughter.
Wolfa: But wouldn't Emerald already know that?
Hero: Yeah I guess she would.
Wolfa: Why would Emerald leave then huh?
Hero: Maybe she was just mad it was out in the open.
Wolfa: Hero - you know, you look a lot, and I mean a lot like the Sectuib too....
Wolfa puts on an innocent air.
Hero: Anyway, my dad was out telling everybody that my cousins Nully and Neffy... I do!??!?!
Hero: I think he's sooooo handsome. I would just die to look like him.
Hero: ~truth~
Wolfa: Yes, and I mean you look nothing at all like your dad do you....
Wolfa wonders just how thick Hero is.
Hero: My mom never got to sleep with Sectuib Riyyh.
Hero: My dad would have turned ten kinds of purple.
Wolfa: Waaaa!???
Wolfa decides to drop the subject, just in case her "dad" hears about it.
Hero: Anyway, you look like him too.
Wolfa: Me???!!!!
Hero: If you take off these... [reaches for Wolfa's glasses]
Wolfa peers at her short sightedly.
Hero: Look.
Wolfa: Hero you are mad!
Hero pulls her over to a mirror and pushes her up close so she can see.
Wolfa looks - everything is a fuzzy blur.
Hero's and Wolfa's faces are side by side in the mirror.
Hero: Look.
Hero: No, look close.
Hero pushes her up into range.
Hero: See?
Hero: Except he doesn't squint as much.
Wolfa: Not really - can I have my glasses back?
Hero hands the glasses back.
Hero pouts.
Wolfa slips her glasses back on.
Hero: Anyway, why didn't you ask him if you could go out tomorrow night instead?
Wolfa: You do talk such rubbish sometimes.
Hero: I think he wanted you to.
Hero picks up Wolfa's hair and gathers it in her hands.
Wolfa blushes.
Wolfa: Well, that would have been a bit forward of me wouldn't it? Considering that tomorrow night I'll be....
Wolfa clears her throat.
Hero: You'll be lonely?
Wolfa: Really Hero!
Hero: What do you think he'd look like if his hair were done like this... [starts plaiting Wolfa's hair]
Wolfa slaps her hands away [gently of course]
Hero: I am sooo jealous that he even asked.
Hero: I'm going to tell all my friends you said no....
Wolfa: That's enough of that, thank you.
Hero stands back a couple of feet.
Hero: OK, Wolfa.
Wolfa: Now, I do have work to do. If you could just control that nager of yours so I can think clearly.
Hero: ~contrite~
Hero zlins almost exactly like Riyyh's contrition, quite unknowingly.
Wolfa: Thank you - that's better.
Wolfa winces.
Hero smiles apologetically.
Hero looks worried at the wince, and tries for ~meek contrition~ making it even worse.
Wolfa: I have to check on the visitors, come with me please. I don't think I could face the ambient over there by myself!
Hero: OK.
Hero follows Wolfa meekly and contritely.
Hero: [it can't last, of course]
Hero: I heard that, [once they are outside] that Sectuib Riyyh used to have a harem before Unity.
Hero: Can you imagine being alive before unity?
Hero goggles.
Wolfa: Hero, have some manners.
Wolfa: Of course people were alive before Unity. It wasn't that long ago!
Wolfa having been born not long after Unity.
Hero: It was like thirty years, that's forever.
Wolfa sighs.
Wolfa: You won't think that when you are older, of course.
Hero: Do you think that Snake lady was born before Unity?
Hero: I think she's a witch.
Hero: She wears black.
Wolfa: Hero!
Wolfa: Of course she wears black - she is a Farris.
Hero: Who ever heard of a Farris named Snake?
Wolfa: Please stop that! You are giving me a headache.
Hero: Do you think she rides a broo-- sorry.
Hero stops skipping, and projects ~gentle caring~
Wolfa: Now have some manners and watch them.
Wolfa: Remember that you are ambrov Naros and that these are our guests.
Hero: Actually, I heard a rumor Tictoc wants to make that Snake the next... OK.
Wolfa: ~ curious ~ The next what?
Hero: The next Sectuib.
Wolfa: Oh rubbish.
Hero: I would feel sooo sorry for Sectuib though, I mean Riyyh.
Hero actually fantasizes about soothing the tormented exile herself, as the dust clears.
Wolfa: Who told you that one?
Hero: You always call my good bits "rubbish". [pouts]
Hero: I heard it from Tinke in Medical Janitorial, he heard them talking through the duct.
Hero: I think it would be romantic.
Wolfa: How so "romantic"?
Hero: Do you think Riyyh would go for somebody my age, if he wasn't Sectuib anymore? [12 year old frankness]
Wolfa looks at her in horror. "Of course not!"
Hero: Why not? He took Ruby when she was only 13, and I'll be 13 in only 11 months.
Hero: And look, I'm growing.
Hero shows Wolfa her chest, which is flat as a pancake.
Wolfa shuts her eyes.
Hero: Anyway, I don't see how you could have said no to him, he is soooooo dreamy.
Wolfa: Hero, I've changed my mind. Do you think you could run back and see if Noris needs anything done while I'm checking on the visitors?
Hero's eyes widen.
Hero: OK Wolfa.
Hero: ~downcast~
Hero turns and drags her feet away.
Wolfa, less then 14 hours from transfer, wonders if it's too late to find someone to swap with.
Wolfa sighs and continues on towards the guest cottages.
Wolfa signals at the door of the first cottage, the one that the Farris channel is in.
Wise Snake: Come in!
Wolfa opens the door and sticks her head in.
Wise Snake is sprawled on the couch, reading a copy of "The Junct is a Delicate Soul" (one of Riyyh's earlier attempts, before he discovered you don't use exclamation points in reference works)
Wolfa: Hello? It's Wolfa, I was just wondering if there was anything you needed?
Wolfa takes a step inside.
Wise Snake: Er... happen to have any Tanufarbityl on you?
Wise Snake names a very restricted pharmaceutical usually locked in Tictoc's office.
Wise Snake doesn't really expect Wolfa to have any.
Wise Snake puts down the reference work and pushes herself more upright.
Wolfa: A what? I don't think so. Shall I get one for you? Where would I find it?
Wise Snake studies Wolfa through her tangled mane.
Wise Snake: Nevermind.
Wolfa: Oh ok....
Wise Snake: You're Riyyh's assistant aren't you? Or should I say, the one who does the brunt of his work?
Wise Snake has been through all their desks, and knows the answer to that.
Wise Snake bounces off the couch and glides over to Wolfa, studying her minutely.
Wolfa: Well, yes, I am his assistant.
Wolfa keeps an eye on the odd Farris, in case she bites or something.
Wolfa: Are you enjoying your stay in Naros?
Wise Snake: "Enjoy" is such a powerful word.
Wise Snake: Tell me, do you know Tictoc well?
Wise Snake holds up a small object, which had until moments ago resided in Wolfa's back pocket, and studies it curiously.
Wise Snake: She seems to have taken an interest in me.
Wise Snake: I have to confess, that usually raises a warning flag for me... what's the matter?
Wolfa: Errrr. Tictoc, yes, she has been the head medic here for many years. Can I have that back please?
Wolfa holds out her hand.
Wise Snake: Oh. Certainly.
Wise Snake places it in her hand, lingering long enough to get a far more thorough than usual zlin.
Wolfa goes her usual scarlet color.
Wise Snake withdraws.
Wise Snake: And the Sectuib? Has his health returned?
Wise Snake was not able to succeed in breaking into the medical center again the previous night, and then today she learned he was gone from there.
Wolfa: Sectuib Riyyh is well, thank you for asking.
Wolfa: Well, if you are happy and everything is in order...
Wise Snake: Of course.
Wise Snake: Thank you for stopping by.
Wise Snake smiles, looking like a weasel.
Wolfa wants desperately to check her pockets, but can't think of a polite way of doing it.
Wolfa: Please let me know if there is anything else you desire.
Wise Snake: You're most kind.
Wolfa smiles uncertainly and walks out.
Wise Snake picks up the book about juncts from where she'd let it fall on the floor, and sprawls on the couch once again, scratching her crazy hair.
Wolfa gets to the gate and looks back, shivering as if someone just walked over her grave.
Tictoc works and worries.
Wise Snake waits until Wolfa is gone and then puts the book down and reaches into her pockets studying all the various things she pickpocketed off Wolfa.
Wise Snake: Hmm. [opens a small locket and looks at the picture inside]
Wise Snake doesn't feel guilty at all because she plans to plant them around Wolfa's office when she sneaks in there yet again tonight.
Wise Snake picks up the interminable tome again and sighs, trying to focus on the meaning of the words and ignore the exclamation points.
Wise Snake: Shedoni, who writes this stuff??
Wise Snake looks at the cover.
Wise Snake: Oh.
Wise Snake tosses the book aside and rises.
Wise Snake decides to heck with Tictoc's schedule of "planned rests".
Wise Snake sets off to find herself some work.
Wise Snake cruises towards the infirmary.
Wise Snake can't afford to feel hurt by all the (mostly true, if embarrassing) rumors about her, so she enjoys people's stares instead.
Wise Snake stares back, freaking them with her white eyes.
People hurry on.
Wise Snake hasn't felt this alive since she'd just left Zeor.
Wise Snake walks into the infirmary, quite off-schedule.
Wise Snake moves like a predator on the hunt.
Tictoc hurries past and slides to a stop.
Wise Snake is out to find, and do, work. Or else.
Tictoc: Oh Hajene Farris! I wasn't expecting you in yet.
Tictoc: I'm glad you are here though, I was wanting to speak with you.
Tictoc: Do you have a few minutes to talk?
Wise Snake casts a wild look at Tictoc.
Wise Snake: Yeah, I suppose.
Tictoc beams at her. "That's wonderful, if you could come into my office?"
Wise Snake follows warily.
Wise Snake is rather interested in the office though, since she hadn't managed to get into it during her brief wee-hours visits - at least as of yet.
Tictoc leads Snake into the office and gives her a seat.
Tictoc: Do you mind if I call you Snake?
Wise Snake shrugs.
Wise Snake's too-bright eyes flick over the furnishings, the decorations, the tools and papers and other items.
Tictoc smiles at her in a friendly manner, practised for years at making patients trust her.
Wise Snake's eyes dart toward Tictoc as the other channel smiles.
Wise Snake gives Tictoc a long, slow zlin.
Tictoc coughs slightly at the personal intrusion but opens up for the other channel.
Wise Snake finishes zlinning her without comment.
Wise Snake: Snake is fine.
Tictoc: Can I get you some tea? Some juice? Anything else?
Wise Snake's eyes flick over the medicine cabinet.
Wise Snake: Tea is fine.
Tictoc moves gracefully over to the small area set aside for the making of tea.
Tictoc: I was wanting to chat to you about your future plans. As a physician I find myself concerned about your physical wellbeing.
Tictoc puts the tea into the mugs and waits for the water to boil.
Wise Snake stretches briefly, and unimpressively, then resumes her study of the desk surface's contents.
Wise Snake: Ummh.
Wise Snake picks up a paperweight shaped like a sailing ship and fingers its sharp edge.
Wise Snake: Well, the plans are a bit up in the air right now.
Tictoc pours the boiling water onto the trin in the mugs.
Wise Snake puts down the sailing ship and picks up an expensive pen.
Tictoc passes Snake her tea.
Tictoc: Have you considered settling down? At a Householding or something?
Wise Snake accepts the tea with what appears to be a vestigial nageric "thank you".
Wise Snake meets Tictoc's eyes.
Wise Snake: ~guarded~
Wise Snake: I am founding a Householding.
Wise Snake: The location is all that remains to be chosen.
Wise Snake thinks the location, and when.
Tictoc: Oh I see.
Tictoc: Had you considered an already established Householding?
Tictoc: Naros perhaps?
Wise Snake, who had just tasted the tea, nearly chokes.
Wise Snake: No!
Tictoc: No?
Wise Snake: I mean, yes, but only in the sense that I am ready to exploit any situation if it comes down to it.
Tictoc sips serenely at her tea
Tictoc: Exploit?
Tictoc: ~ questioning ~
Wise Snake: Well, one has to use one's surroundings.
Wise Snake: It is prudent to evaluate every possible ending to an encounter.
Wise Snake: I hadn't seriously considered it.
Tictoc: So. You consider yourself Sectuib material?
Wise Snake's pale eyes take on a slightly defensive, but undeniably fierce, glint.
Wise Snake: So what if I do?
Wise Snake: I'm essentially unemployable. I have to control. I need to be fully utilitized. What better place for me than as Sectuib of a House?
Wise Snake: My House [qualifies]
Tictoc: What qualification and special abilities do you offer to your future people?
Wise Snake is clearly affronted by these questions but answers them anyway.
Wise Snake: My physical qualifications would appear to be obvious. As for special abilities, aside from the usual ones for a Farris, I have a good deal of experience with the management of disparate people and the interface between the counterculture and the surrounding culture.
Tictoc: Oh?
Tictoc: Where did you gain this experience?
Wise Snake: In Bender Cove.
Wise Snake: On the streets.
Wise Snake's voice carries a hint of harshness.
Wise Snake: It should have been founded there.
Tictoc: Why wasn't it? ~surprise~
Wise Snake: I abandoned the city to save my own life.
Wise Snake: ~bitter~
Wise Snake: And that of one of my Companions.
Wise Snake: And a handful of other people who happened to be with us at the time.
Wise Snake: Shen, that was stupid.
Tictoc blinks.
Wise Snake: I should have taken the bull by the horns.
Tictoc: It was necessary to leave a city to save your life?
Wise Snake chews on her thumbnail, scowling, glaring at something only she can see.
Wise Snake: Yes. [shortly]
Tictoc wonders if Riyyh was right after all about this person's criminal record.
Tictoc: Who was threatening you?
Wise Snake: They were professionals from the private army of a man named Felun Armidez.
Wise Snake figures if Tictoc knows who Armidez was, then she knows. If she doesn't she doesn't.
Wise Snake is not interested in outlining the entire hierarchy of the Southern Continent drug trade.
Tictoc: Why were they after you?
Wise Snake: Armidez considered me a threat.
Wise Snake: He thought I would move on the government of Bender Cove, which he had in his pocket.
Tictoc thinks about this for a while while she finishes her tea.
Wise Snake shrugs.
Tictoc: Hajene Farris, Snake. Let me be frank with you.
Tictoc: You are the most promising young channel it has been my delight to zlin for many years.
Wise Snake: Thank you. [doubtfully]
Tictoc: I hate to see wasted talent.
Wise Snake: Ummmh.
Wise Snake stops fiddling with the fountain pen and picks up a sheaf of documents that were on the desk.
Tictoc: Our Sectuib, Riyyh is without an heir. ~ errr lie ~ and is unlikely to father one now. ~ truth ~
Tictoc: He is also - not in the best of health.
Wise Snake zlins the lie and truth and looks bored.
Wise Snake: Look, if you think I'm going to...
Wise Snake pauses.
Tictoc waits.
Wise Snake: Look, I can't pledge to him.
Wise Snake: I can't pretend to... to even come close to belonging here.
Tictoc: Do you know how the Sectuib of a Household is chosen?
Wise Snake: Yes, but I would be all wrong for this place.
Wise Snake: Any House that could be happy under Sectuib Riyyh would be frantic with me on board.
Tictoc: How do you know that?
Wise Snake: I'm not... I'm not nice, and I'm not polite, usually, and I can't deal with, with, all this farming stuff.
Wise Snake: I want to work, and I want to work hard.
Tictoc: Sometimes a House needs new blood to make it young and viable again. [thoughtfully]
Wise Snake: I want something big, and and serious, and challenging to struggle against.
Wise Snake: In Bender Cove, I was battling poverty.
Wise Snake: The poverty of the people I served.
Tictoc: The farming is the way we make our living. Our real work is with disjunctions. Do you think that is not hard work?
Tictoc: Once we were the major disjunction center for the entire northwest....
Wise Snake remembers how Tictoc made her use her field during the transfers, and hides a nageric grimace of distaste.
Wise Snake: It's not really my cup of tea.
Wise Snake: I don't like juncts.
Wise Snake: I have one of my own and he's done nothing but give me head aches.
Tictoc: Very well.
Tictoc: It must be getting close to your shift.
Tictoc: Thank you for your time.
Wise Snake rises warily, resentment and confusion nearly-hidden in her field.
Wise Snake: You're welcome.
Wise Snake starts to put the sheaf of papers down, then does a double take.
Tictoc pulls out a writing pad from her desk.
Wise Snake: Is... is this really true?
Tictoc looks up and looks at what Snake is holding.
Tictoc gently takes it off Snake.
Tictoc: Yes, I'm afraid it is.
Wise Snake: I had her pegged all wrong, I didn't know she was his daughter, I thought they were lovers.
Wise Snake: That just shows how out of my element I am.
Tictoc: They were.
Wise Snake: They were??
Wise Snake thinks that really shows how out of her element she is.
Wise Snake: Ummmh.
Wise Snake: Ah well.
Tictoc: Thank you for your time.
Wise Snake: Good bye.
Wise Snake turns and leaves the room.
Riyyh gives the letters to Wolfa to give to the courier.
Mytag yawns.
Mytag: I think we need some air.
Riyyh feels bad about Ruby, but the Tecton will shit if they don't get their long-awaited First.
Mytag means that he needs some air and he isn't letting Riyyh out of his sight.
Riyyh looks at Mytag.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: Of course, Mytag. You're right.
Riyyh puts down his pen and stands.
Mytag opens the door and heads outside.
Riyyh follows.
Mytag: Feel up to something to eat, Riyyh?
Riyyh doesn't.
Riyyh: Yes, Mytag, that sounds nice.
Mytag knows a lie when he hears one, but he is shenned hungry so ignores it.
Riyyh accompanies Mytag down toward the dining hall.
Mytag: Good, lets get something to eat. We can claim privacy in a booth if you like.
Riyyh: Whichever you prefer, Mytag.
Riyyh knows there is no use in trying to hide from the eyes of others; only by maintaining his presence as the Sectuib they know and love, can he hope retain their belief and trust.
Mytag orders a plate of nibblies which can be shared and heads for a walled off booth where they can eat without fear of being interrupted.
Riyyh trails after him.
Riyyh nods and smiles as needed, trying to appear "preoccupied" rather than "shattered".
Mytag: So, how long, errr, when did you start, I mean hmmmm.
Riyyh sits down near Mytag.
Riyyh: When did I...?
Riyyh: First sleep with a woman?
Mytag fidgets. "Well, that isn't exactly what I meant."
Mytag: I mean, didn't you feel that you ought to say something after the first baby that you thought was yours was born?
Riyyh: No.
Riyyh thinks that Murfy Carter would have clobbered him if he had.
Riyyh has been careful to avoid being clobbered throughout his long life, except for Emerald's surprise attack.
Mytag: How could you have possibly....
Mytag: I mean - if you knew that Emerald was likely to have been your daughter....
Mytag: Riyyh - how could you have done that?
Riyyh looks saddened.
Riyyh: Mytag... her husband was gone away, for several weeks.
Riyyh: She was desperately lonely.
Riyyh: You have to understand, I was young, she was young, she couldn't bear the pain of being separated from him.
Mytag: She was your daughter, Riyyh!
Riyyh: She begged me.
Mytag: Just how young were you?
Mytag tries to remember how old Aunty Emerald is and how old Riyyh is.
Riyyh: Well, ah,
Mytag: Shen Riyyh, have you no control?
Mytag is disgusted and not afraid to show it - the privacy booth means that they won't be zlinned either.
Riyyh: I can control myself physically. But I cannot control the effect of their unhappiness upon me.
Riyyh: Mytag,
Riyyh's voice makes clear the anguish Mytag's contempt causes him.
Riyyh: I'm sorry.
Mytag sighs.
Mytag: I'm sorry.
Mytag: Ah well.
Riyyh: I suppose it is the same part of me that accepts the juncts for who they are, that welcomes them.
Mytag: Genetically we have to do something.
Mytag: We have cousins marrying cousins - generations of it by the sound of it.
Riyyh looks incredibly depressed.
Riyyh: I think technically they're half-brothers and half-sisters.
Mytag groans.
Mytag: You realize how dangerous it would be for Ruby to marry a channel?
Mytag is glad that Ruby is so against having children.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: I know this, Mytag, it was the day that Wolfa first started making eyes at me that I went and told Hajene Gelif to do it.
Mytag: And I have no idea who I can marry and father children with and who I can't!
Mytag shudders.
Mytag: Why couldn't you just - say no?
Riyyh: I tried to, Mytag.
Mytag can't believe that Riyyh has so little control over his - errrr - nether tentacle.
Riyyh: I really tried. But they... they begged me.
Riyyh: And I, it wasn't that I wanted to take them so much as I wanted to be desired by them.
Riyyh: I would have been satisfied with that.
Riyyh: And shen, Mytag, more of them than you'd think actually wanted my baby!
Mytag sighs again.
Mytag: It's a mess Riyyh. You know that don't you?
Riyyh: Oh yes.
Riyyh: But, but we can pull through it.
Riyyh concentrates on the conviction he has slowly been growing, the belief in himself.
Nubby storms into the dining room.
Riyyh: I mean, we have to. There is no other choice.
Nubby looks around and sees the closed booth.
Nubby struggles with tradition.
Nubby finds that tradition wins - he can't broach the privacy of a booth - so he sits down to wait.
Mytag: There are other choices.
Mytag pulls out a small writing pad.
Mytag: While you were working, I looked up some possibilities from other Households.
Riyyh: Oh?
Mytag passes him the booklet.
Riyyh studies the notations on the pages.
Mytag: Here is a list of young channels who would possibly be suitable as [careful not to say replacements] heirs.
Mytag: That's not a full list - I didn't have that much time.
Mytag: But as you can see, there are choices.
Riyyh: I see.
Riyyh: Yes, well, this is very good.
Riyyh: Thank you, Mytag, I knew I could count on you.
Riyyh grips Mytag's wrist briefly.
Mytag: No Riyyh, don't just say those things. I know you don't mean them.
Mytag: You have to do this - for Naros.
Riyyh: Mytag, no, I mean it.
Riyyh looks at Mytag.
Riyyh: I do.
Mytag scratches his ear.
Riyyh: I has to be done....
Riyyh: And I knew I could count on you.
Mytag: Well, you are going to do something about it then? Maybe visit some of these Households?
Mytag: I'm sure that they would be interested in exchanges.
Riyyh: I will have to think about the best way to handle it.
Riyyh: But rest assured, your list will be put to use.
Riyyh: And if you can get me the rest of it, I would deeply appreciate it.
Mytag: Hmmm, all right Riyyh.
Mytag pushes the last bit of carrot over to Riyyh.
Riyyh picks it up and nibbles on it to please Mytag.
Mytag: Eat that and we can go.
Riyyh finishes the carrot.
Mytag opens the door and sees Nubby waiting.
Riyyh slips the list into his pocket.
Mytag slams the door, narrowly missing Riyyh's nose.
Mytag: Errrr....
Riyyh's heart pounds.
Riyyh: Mytag... what -
Mytag: He might just be here for dinner.
Riyyh: Who was it?
Mytag: Although it's an odd time for him.
Mytag: Or maybe he is waiting for someone?
Mytag: I mean, someone else.
Mytag is sweating.
Riyyh tries to zlin through the crack of the door.
Mytag: Nubby.
Riyyh turns to look at Mytag.
Riyyh: Do you think he...?
Riyyh: Oh dear.
Mytag: But don't panic. ~ panic ~
Riyyh prudently sidles around so Mytag is between him and the door.
Mytag: I'm sure he means nothing - I mean, you are his Sectuib.
Riyyh: Yes, I am.
Mytag: He probably wants to talk to you about farming or something. Yeah, that's it - farming.
Mytag: [like - linebreeding maybe]
Riyyh has broken out in a sweat, despite his best efforts to avoid being affected by Mytag's panic.
Riyyh: Take it easy, Mytag.
Mytag: What do you want to do, Sectuib?
Riyyh: Everything will be all right.
Mytag: Very well.
Riyyh: I'll... [stops, then says with conviction] I'll handle it.
Mytag opens the door and steps out.
Riyyh follows.
Nubby stands up, cap in hand.
Riyyh: Nubby. So good to see you.
Nubby: Sorry about the intrusion Sectuib, but I was wondering if I could have a few words, like.
Nubby: It's about my Hero, if you would be so kind.
Riyyh: Why yes, of course. [gentle, understanding]
Mytag stays in support [he has stopped panicking - for the moment]
Riyyh: A fine child, and she shows signs of becoming an excellent Donor one day.
Nubby: It's just that there are these rumours going around. Well, what's new hey? [forced laugh]
Riyyh smiles.
Riyyh: Yes, they have gotten bad lately, haven't they?
Nubby: But they say, they say you are her father Hajene.
Nubby: I mean, I don't believe everything I hear - but I'd feel better, you know, if I could hear it from you.
Riyyh: Nubby,
Nubby: Yes sir?
Riyyh strives for the perfect balance of compassion, gentle strength and wisdom.
Riyyh: [in appearance and zlinning that is]
Riyyh: I would be deeply, I say deeply honored to be Hero's father.
Riyyh: She is an intelligent, powerful young woman and she had an incredible future ahead of her.
Riyyh: But... your hand has fed her. Your hand has raised her. You are her father.
Mytag: Yes I see. But that doesn't answer the question does it?
Riyyh studies Nubby.
Nubby waits patiently.
Riyyh: I care for your family deeply, Nubby. You, your children, your wife, and Nully and Neffy.
Riyyh: I would not hurt you for anything.
Riyyh: It is... possible, yes.
Nubby: I see.
Nubby: Well then, begging your pardon of course.
Nubby floors Riyyh.
Riyyh finds the floor very hard and very suddenly.
Riyyh: [Nubby's fist also, although not in that order]
Mytag jumps out of the way
Riyyh: ~~stunned~~
Mytag: [oh that's got to hurt]
Nubby puts his cap back on and walks away with his dignity.
Mytag: Well, that went better then I thought it would.
Mytag helps Riyyh up.
Riyyh is holding the side of his face, looking stunned.
Riyyh: I suppose I deserved that. [weakly]
Riyyh is trying to get used to the idea that a lot of people really are going to feel that way.
Mytag: Let's see - how many more of those do you think you can expect?
Riyyh starts shaking as he starts getting frightened way too late to be helpful.
Riyyh: I don't... I don't know, I didn't think he'd....
Riyyh still can't believe Nubby actually hit him, with his fist, in the face, causing him to fall down, etc...
Riyyh: Judging from recent experience I'd say two out of five.
Riyyh: I have to sit down.
Riyyh gropes his way to a chair
Mytag helps him into a chair.
Mytag: I think maybe we ought to visit some of the other Householdings in person - get you away from here for awhile.
Riyyh: No!
Riyyh: ~horrified~
Riyyh: No, I'll lose everything!
Mytag: No? ~ confused ~
Riyyh: Don't you understand? This is my entire life. I have to be here.
Riyyh: If I leave, I'll come back and... and....
Mytag suspects that Riyyh will be assassinated if he stays.
Riyyh thinks of Tictoc and Hajene Farris and shudders.
Riyyh: Why are you looking at me like that?
Mytag: Errrr, no reason.
Mytag: You know - purple suits you. But we should probably get some ice on that eye anyway.
Riyyh: It hurts like....
Riyyh sighs.
Mytag: I'll get some ice. Wait here?
Riyyh nods.
Mytag heads off to the kitchen.
Riyyh sits looking at the table, shoulders slumped.
Freb storms into the diner.
Freb: Hey! You! I want a word with you.
Freb: Sectuib or no, did you touch my Nelly?
Riyyh gets up slowly.
Freb storms up and wraps his tentacles around Riyyh's shirt neck, helping him up rather faster.
Riyyh lets him do it.
Riyyh: Freb... this is a bit much, don't you think? [attempts]
Freb: Did you?
Riyyh: Please... let us speak of this in a reasonable manner.
Freb breaths threateningly in Riyyh's face.
Riyyh: I'll talk to you, if you will please let me go.
Freb: They warned me - they warned me when I transferred here. They said "Watch him with the women folk, Freb".
Freb: I should have listened!
Freb throws Riyyh away from him, breaking two tables and any intervening chairs.
Riyyh finds that both tables are very hard, very quickly.
Riyyh also finds that the chairs are harder to break than to sit on.
Riyyh: [not necessarily in that order]
Riyyh: And, finally, that the floor is still hard.
Freb: Well I can tell you this - we are gone - you hear me? Gone!
Freb takes off his household ring and throws it in Riyyh's general direction.
Mytag comes out of the kitchen.
Mytag: I have the ice.
Mytag: What are you doing over there?
Riyyh is curling up in a ball, thank you.
Mytag: What the shen did you do that for!
Mytag surveys the broken tables and chairs in confusion.
Mytag rushes over to Riyyh's side.
Mytag: ~ confusion ~
Riyyh has never felt so lost and alone.
Mytag: Here, sit here, no, that one's broken, try this one, no that's broken too.
Riyyh: Oh, Mytag. ~sorrow~
Mytag finds an unbroken chair and sits Riyyh on it.
Mytag: What happened? I turn my back for a minute....
Riyyh buries his head in his hands.
Mytag holds the ice in his hand, dripping it down Riyyh's neck without noticing.
Riyyh: They all hate me.. all of them. All of you.
Mytag: I'm sure not all of them hate you.
Mytag is sure not everyone has heard yet.
Riyyh doesn't understand how it could be his fault alone, when so many other people played equal part in it.
Riyyh starts crying.
Riyyh: I can't stay here, Mytag, you were right.
Lotta comes into the diner hesitantly.
Riyyh: Oh shen, it's over.
Lotta walks over to Riyyh and Mytag uncertainly.
Lotta: Excuse me, Sectuib.
Lotta: ~ uncertain ~
Lotta: I'm sorry to disturb you.
Lotta waits politely.
Riyyh looks up at Lotta, looking like a complete wreck.
Riyyh just waits for the next thing to happen to him since he can't seem to do anything about it.
Lotta: It's just that I have to ask you a question Sectuib - it's about Urdof.
Lotta twists her hands together.
Lotta: Is it true? Are you Urdof's father?
Riyyh looks up at her, utterly unable to answer out of fear of her reaction.
Riyyh: ~~despair~~
Riyyh: I... I'm sorry.
Riyyh: I'm so sorry.
Riyyh: I shouldn't have... oh, please forgive me.
Lotta: Oh.
Lotta: Are you my father too?
Riyyh: I don't know.
Riyyh can't stop sobbing.
Riyyh: Please, I can't, I can't do this.
Lotta: Oh. You don't know?
Mytag wishes that he had said that years ago.
Riyyh: It's possible.
Lotta: It's just that, we were to be married you see.
Lotta: ~ despair ~
Riyyh: I'm so sorry.
Lotta twists her hands together.
Lotta: I see.
Lotta: Well, thank you for answering me.
Lotta walks out, her nager and her whole body a pit of despair.
Mytag falls into a chair next to Riyyh.
Mytag: Here [holds out the dripping ice] put this on your eye - or wherever it hurts most.
Riyyh stares after her wearing an expression of total obliteration of hope.
Riyyh lets his head sink back down into his hands again.
Riyyh: Oh Mytag.
Riyyh: You were right, you were right.
Mytag pats him on the back. It's taking every ounce of his control to be able to offer his own Sectuib ~ support ~ and he doesn't like the feeling at all.
Riyyh fumbles for the pad of paper Mytag gave him.
Riyyh: I'll... I'll give this to Tictoc.
Riyyh: So she doesn't have to... to use that....
Riyyh gets up and stumbles out of the dining hall.
Mytag: The decision is yours, Riyyh.
Mytag: Not Tictoc's, not anyone else's.
Riyyh: I can't... I can't do this, nobody will want me to... somebody else has to do this.
Mytag follows him closely.
Mytag: It will be fine - let's just get you home.
Mytag is seriously worried.
Riyyh aims for the medical center.
Riyyh: Mytag, you're a good friend.
Mytag stays close, strengthening his support.
Tictoc: [as they approach the infirmary much activity can be heard/zlinned]
Riyyh manages to pull himself together enough to walk without tripping, using Mytag's support.
Mytag sees blood on the floor of the lobby and clutches Riyyh's arm convulsively.
Tictoc: Sectuib!
Riyyh stops, staring numbly at the red floor.
Tictoc walks over to him slowly. She has blood on her hands and clothing and looks stunned.
Tictoc: ~ disbelief/regret/horror ~
Tictoc: Riyyh, I couldn't save her, I'm sorry, I tried.
Tictoc pulls herself straighter.
Riyyh: W-who was it?
Tictoc: Sectuib, it is my sad [choke] duty to inform you of the death of one of your Household.
Tictoc: Lotta ambrov Naros took her own life [choke] I couldn't stop the bleeding - there was too much damage....
Riyyh: ~shock~
Tictoc breaks down and cries.
Mytag puts his arm around Riyyh's shoulder and physically hold him upright.
Mytag: Not here Riyyh. Tictoc - your office. Now.
Mytag reinforces the command nagerically.
Tictoc: Yes, yes, of course.
Tictoc stumbles into her office.
Riyyh clutches Mytag's list in a death grip.
Mytag looks for Tictoc's companion, can't see him and calls to another Gen.
Mytag: You! come here and support Hajene Tictoc.
Mytag gets Riyyh into the office and onto a chair.
Mytag: Tictoc - we need sedatives for you both - no arguments.
Tictoc rushes over to the cabinet and gets out a bottle of tablets.
Tictoc quickly takes one and hands the other to Mytag.
Riyyh looks like the proverbial deer caught in headlights, except a few minutes later.
Mytag: Riyyh, listen to me. This isn't your fault. It's not your fault! ~truth ~
Mytag: You didn't make her kill herself - she did that herself.
Mytag forces the tablet between Riyyh's lips.
Riyyh barely seems to realize Mytag is there.
Riyyh: This isn't going to end, is it. [wondering voice]
Riyyh: It's just going to keep on going.
Mytag: Yes, for awhile.
Mytag: It's going to take awhile for everything to settle.
Riyyh's hands and tentacles are wrapped whitely around the tablet of paper.
Riyyh: If I'm not here, they'll turn on each other. [still in that strange voice]
Riyyh: Husbands against wives....
Riyyh shudders.
Mytag: Riyyh....
Riyyh: I can see it.
Riyyh: Oh, it's awful Mytag.
Mytag: Yes - it is, swallow.
Riyyh: Do you think I could draw them, if I tried?
Riyyh: Draw their anger, their hate?
Mytag: Draw them?
Mytag: I think that you should sleep.
Mytag: I'll stay with you - all night.
Riyyh hasn't found Mytag to be of much help against physical attack.
Riyyh: And who will stay with the others?
Mytag: Riyyh, don't do this, not now.
Mytag: Please.
Mytag: We need clear heads.
Riyyh swallows the tablet Mytag had put in his mouth.
Mytag keeps him as buffered from the world as possible under the circumstances.
Tictoc sits down heavily next to Marcha.
Riyyh looks down at the list in his clutching hands.
Riyyh: Tictoc....
Tictoc: Ummm?
Riyyh fades out of consciousness.
Mytag: Marcha - take Tictoc and get her cleaned up and into bed, if you can get someone else to find her companion - don't leave her alone. Get someone to tell Wolfa - I'll need to see her.
Tictoc stumbles off with Marcha.
Mytag lifts Riyyh and places him on the floor next to the chair.
Riyyh looks like he's been punched out and used to break 2 tables and assorted chairs.
Mytag goes to the hall and calls for blankets and a pillow.
Go on to Episode #14: Spin Doctor to the Infirmary, STAT!
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