Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #14: Spin Doctor to the Infirmary, STAT! (9/15/98)
Mytag: I'm here, Riyyh
Mytag rushes over to his side.
Riyyh: I have to talk to them.
Riyyh is looking down at the crowd of people outside the medical center.
Riyyh: ~agitated~
Mytag hesitates.
Mytag: You don't have to. ~ yes you do ~
Riyyh hesitates, then says firmly, "I must. They deserve to hear it in my words and - and they have to stop what they're doing."
Riyyh is referring to the chaos that has ensued for the last 24 hours.
Mytag: ~ with you ~
Riyyh: People are obeying their wildest whims in the heat of the moment. We have people leaving, we have people shouting at one another, we have [rubs his chin] violence... this can't continue.
The crowd yells and throws things against the wall.
The crowd yells and throws people against the wall.
People complain.
Riyyh: I'll address them in the main assembly hall.
Mytag nods. "When?"
Riyyh: Today, it has to be today.
Riyyh: As soon as possible.
Riyyh clasps his hands together, a nervous gesture.
Riyyh: This has to stop. There has to be alternatives, they have to know their choices.
Riyyh: People have to stop and think. I mean, they can't really want to leave here, this has been their whole lives. They are pledged to Naros. Their loved ones live here. This is their home.
Riyyh: And those who do want to leave, they can't just be thrown to the winds, they must find their places in other good, quiet places, in other Householdings.
Riyyh: But most of all, the violence has to end. A fist or a knife has never fixed anything done ten or twenty or forty years ago.
Riyyh: People have to stop and think - how is hurting others going to ease their own pain?
Riyyh flinches as something large and heavy hits the window, fortunately not breaking it.
Riyyh prudently takes a few steps farther back into the room.
Riyyh: You know, I am beginning to fear Tictoc may be right.
Mytag: In which way?
Riyyh: We need that Farris.
Riyyh shudders as a smaller, but more sharply thrown, object leaves a small nick in the window's corner.
Mytag: Shen!
Mytag: You can't mean that.
Tictoc signals at the door.
Riyyh jumps and spins around.
Riyyh: Oh.. it's just Tictoc.
Riyyh rubs his chest nervously.
Riyyh: Come in!
Mytag: I'll get it.
Mytag moves over and opens the door.
Tictoc: Sectuib, Mytag.
Tictoc: Sectuib, I'm afraid you are going to have to do something - and soon.
Riyyh: I know. I know, Tictoc.
see note 1
Nick tiptoes over to the sleeping Snake.
Nick uses his nager to deepen her sleep.
Nick sneaks a hand into Snake's pockets, checks under her pillow and slides a hand under the mattress.
Nick: ~~ SLEEP ~~
Wise Snake snores louder as Nick's projection forces her farther under.
Nick widens his search to all the clothes hanging in the closet, the medicine satchel, and both sets of baggage.
Nick nods at the collection of horse tranquilizers, elephant-dose pain killers, and other illicit pharmaceuticals.
Nick puts the pills in a bag and hands them to Linn.
Nick: Drop these off at the infirmary, will you?
Nick returns to sit by Snake's bed, letting the power of his projection lighten to allow her to awaken naturally.
Nick: ~~ smug ~~
Nick hums cheerfully as he watches Snake sleep.
Wise Snake stirs faintly.
Nick: ~~ good cheer and rested ~~
Wise Snake rolls over feeling like she slept for about 12 hours.
Wise Snake: Uggh... what.
Wise Snake rubs her eyes.
Wise Snake: Nick?
Wise Snake squints up at him.
Wise Snake automatically feels her pockets and finds they have become empty.
Wise Snake: Are they still rioting?
Nick shrugs.
Nick: It's been quieter, this past half hour.
Wise Snake bounces off the couch.
Nick: Of course, it could just be that they're suffering from laryngitis from yelling so long.
Wise Snake: I wish they'd called me for that Lotta woman.
Wise Snake says this for the 10020th time.
Wise Snake: I could have saved her!
Wise Snake: Where did you put my pills.
Linn stumbles into the infirmary, looking almost as disheveled as Snake's usual.
Nick: The medicine satchel is ready to go.
Nick pats the bag in question, which is right beside his chair.
Linn's clothes are torn, her hair is mussed, and there are streaks of ronaplin on her dress.
Riyyh looks up in surprise.
Riyyh: Linn!
Riyyh is not looking great himself.
Riyyh's long silvery hair is not impeccably groomed, he's bruised and cut, he's got blood spatters on his robe and he looks as if he's in the middle of a nervous breakdown.
Nick: There are likely to be injuries in the crowd later on: trampled toes and so on. Why don't you wash the sleep out of your eyes so that you won't scare them off?
Wise Snake mutters something to herself and bangs through into the bathroom.
Wise Snake slams the door.
Linn: Riyyh! You look as bad as I.
Riyyh smiles ruefully.
Nick is glad that he cleared the downers from inside the toilet tank.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Linn holds out the bag of mixed pharmaceuticals.
Linn: Nick asked me to give these to you.
Wise Snake has been as easy to handle as a three headed bull wearing a thistle girdle since she stopped getting her tranquilizers.
Linn: They should go somewhere where Snake won't be able to find them.
Riyyh's eyebrows raise, then he reaches for the bag.
Riyyh: It is... a relief to know that some people's lives have not been affected by this.
Riyyh looks sad.
Linn very much approves of Nick's Snake-detoxification campaign.
Riyyh: I will lock them up at once.
Riyyh: How is Hajene Farris doing?
Linn: Snake has other problems to deal with.
Linn: It's too bad that her father....well, the less said about him, the better.
Riyyh winces.
Linn: She's been rather irritable, lately, but that's only to be expected.
Riyyh: Do you think you could persuade her to come here? I think I may have a bit of work for her, if she's interested.
Riyyh doesn't say it's channelling work.
Wise Snake lets out a howl of frustration as she finds her other stash, the underwater one she thought Nick would never think of, is gone.
Nick waits outside the bathroom.
Nick: ~~ CALM ~~
Linn: Snake is always interested in work, poor thing.
Wise Snake snarls and turns on the water to the shower.
Linn can't imagine any relative stranger wanting Snake for anything but channeling work, particularly when she's not in a good mood.
Nick's eyes widen at the noise.
Riyyh: This may be a bit of a challenge, but I am sure she is the right person for the job. Why don't you let her know I can see her anytime about it? The sooner the better, actually.
Wise Snake climbs into the shower and tries to scrub off the sensation of ants crawling all over the inside of her body, which seems to happen any time she gets outside of 20 feet of a blue pill.
Wise Snake: Shen Nick and his meddling.
Wise Snake grabs the Farris shampoo and massages her head, trying to get a coherent line of thought going.
Linn nods.
Linn: I will.
Linn looks around the infirmary.
Linn: I hadn't realized that there had been such trouble, that you would require Snake's help.
Riyyh gives her a tragic look.
Linn: This must be more serious than it appeared.
Riyyh: It's serious.
Linn wonders how many injured people are behind the doors.
Riyyh: Nothing like this has ever before happened here. It could tear the Householding apart. It's doing it now.
Nick takes a moment to make sure his nager is absolutely centered, calm, and soothing.
Nick feels that if he's denying Snake chemical tranquilizers, he's obligated to provide a nageric substitute while she's in withdrawal.
Linn: It's amazing what people will do, when provided with the opportunity.
Linn: Good and bad.
Linn: I mean, our ancestors survived the downfall of Ancient civilization, after all.
Riyyh: Maybe they caused it, too.
Riyyh: And maybe with the best of intentions.
Riyyh: ~~utter gloom~~
Riyyh: Thank you for seeing to this for me. I would approach her myself, but at this time... [gestures at the boarded windows]
Linn: I don't think that would be wise.
Linn: They were...rather upset, outside.
Riyyh: Yes.
Linn self-consciously tries to poke some stray strands back into her bun, then gives it up as hopeless.
Riyyh unconsciously rubs his throat where somebody had tried to strangle him, the incident that led to him holing up here in the medical center.
Riyyh: Would you like to clean up here?
Riyyh: There are things in the restroom over there.
Riyyh appreciates a person's desire to look their best.
Riyyh: It's the least I can offer you, after the trouble you were put through just trying to get here.
Linn: Thank you. Although I somehow suspect that I'll look just as sorry by the time I've made my way back through the crowd.
Nick frowns as Snake's shower seems to be taking an awfully long time.
Wise Snake finally emerges from the bathroom, looking like a waterlogged mouse, or maybe an underweight rat.
Wise Snake: ~foul-tempered~
Wise Snake drips all over the carpet as she stalks into the kitchen.
Riyyh: I'm sorry.
Nick follows, maintaining ~~ serenity ~~
Riyyh: This is... a hard time.
Nick: There is some very good tea, and Linn made apple turnovers.
Linn: I expect so.
Linn looks at Riyyh curiously.
Wise Snake sniffs the tea, realizes it has caffeine in it, and dumps it in the sink.
Wise Snake puts the water on to boil and starts digging in the tea collection for something labelled "soothing".
Linn: How did you manage to get yourself into such a muddle?
Riyyh sighs.
Nick realizes the mistake.
Nick goes over to a cabinet.
Nick: I think there's some chamomile in here.
Riyyh: I... I was weak.
Riyyh: I wanted women, and men also, to desire me.
Riyyh: I allowed them to.
Riyyh: It made me feel good when these women would come to me in their loneliest times.
Riyyh: I couldn't help myself. They... they wanted me, they adored me. And they needed the companionship.
Linn: That many of them were lonely and seeking adventure?
Riyyh: Solace, I think.
Riyyh: They knew I wouldn't talk.
Riyyh: Do you have any idea how much that is worth here in Naros? It's like, it's like diamonds.
Riyyh: And so many of them truly wanted the child of their Sectuib.
Riyyh: It's only natural, after all.
Riyyh: But of course they all thought there were only a few such children.
Linn: You wouldn't talk? I thought that was against the rules here.
Riyyh chuckles sadly.
Riyyh: It may as well be.
Riyyh: I didn't need the power knowing those truths gave me.
Riyyh: I am Sectuib, I had power enough already.
Nick digs the chamomile out and measures a proper dose into Snake's mug.
Riyyh: Gossip-games and social scoring happened beneath me, not to me.
Wise Snake sees that Nick is taking care of it and slouches in one of the chairs.
Wise Snake looks at, then reaches for, an apple turnover.
Wise Snake is having her own turnover so it seems apropos.
Linn: It looks as if that's ended. I don't think they've talked of anything else in days.
Riyyh: Ah, they've always talked. But I never had to do it myself unless I felt like it.
Riyyh: To tell you the truth, I've always enjoyed them speaking of me.
Riyyh rubs his throat again, thinking he could do without the physical violence though.
Nick sets the chamomile tea in front of Snake, picks up his own mug of trin, and sits down beside her.
Riyyh: Linn, my error was in giving in to them too many times.
Linn shakes her head.
Riyyh: I felt sorry for them. They begged me to spend nights with them, and my heart broke for them.
Riyyh: They could have begged something else of me and I would have done that too.
Linn: Riyyh, a Sectuib--or any public figure--must always act under the assumption that if he does something, the public will find out about it eventually.
Riyyh: I... yes, I know.
Linn: The only sure way to avoid embarrassment is to not do potentially embarrassing things in the first place.
Linn reconsiders.
Linn: Or not live in a community of inveterate gossips,.
Riyyh: I couldn't help it, Linn. I knew it was wrong.
Riyyh: And embarrassment was the farthest thing from my mind.
Linn: Obviously.
Riyyh: I didn't want to hurt anybody.
Linn is not overwhelmed with sympathy.
Riyyh zlins her lack of sympathy and his shoulders droop slightly lower.
Riyyh looks away.
Linn: Cheer up. They're more interested in hurting you than the women you...."comforted".
Riyyh: I know. There is that, at least.
Riyyh: ~total depression~
Riyyh: That's why I'm still here.
Linn wonders what they saw in Riyyh; he's not half as good looking as Verile.
Linn concedes that he's cuter than Bum Bum, and usually much cleaner than Griff.
Linn: Well, I will tell Snake that you have work for her. In the mood she's in, I expect she'll bounce right over.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Nick reaches for another turnover and starts a second breakfast.
Linn walks over to the window and peers out, trying to judge the location and mood of the mob.
Nick: ~~ appetite/serenity/soothing/calm ~~
Wise Snake nibbles at her turnover, seeming somewhat less crotchety at least for now.
Riyyh: Linn...
Riyyh: About you, and Bum Bum... I'm sorry.
Riyyh: I didn't know this was going to happen, when I made my offer.
Riyyh: I hope he didn't have his heart set on it.
Linn: I don't think he did.
Linn: He really prefers living in the city.
Nick notes Snake's improved mood with ~~ approval ~~
Nick: Have you given any thought to where we should go, when we leave here?
Linn is a bit apprehensive about braving the mob.
Wise Snake: I was thinking maybe keep going West. If we don't find anything soon, maybe to the coast.
Riyyh looks to Linn, zlinning her.
Riyyh: I wish I could offer myself as escort.
Riyyh however has figured out in the last 24 hours that A) he would only draw trouble to Linn if he accompanied her, and B) the trouble would pound the tar out of him, an unpleasant experience to say the least, and C) nobody standing nearby would lift a finger to help.
Linn: I don't think that would be wise.
Linn looks at the bruising around Riyyh's neck.
Riyyh sighs and looks away.
Riyyh: This is all so... so senseless.
Riyyh: The violence, the leaving, the hatred.
Nick: West? Do you have in mind to settle in one of the big port cities?
Linn looks at Riyyh severely.
Linn: They have good reason to be upset with you.
Riyyh looks up, wearing a pathetic expression.
Riyyh: Yes, I know, of course they do.
Riyyh: But this? This... destruction of their own home?
Linn: To call their anger "senseless" is to belittle the depth of their betrayal.
Riyyh struggles for control.
Riyyh: I... I acknowledge their anger and betrayal.
Riyyh: I must deserve it, even if I don't understand.
Linn: If there is anything of their home...the home they thought they had...worth saving, they will make the effort.
Riyyh: But the... [pauses at Linn's words]
Linn: But first, they must vent their anger, and decide as a community how to deal with you.
Riyyh fingers his throat again, staring despondently at the floor.
Riyyh: I suppose you must be right.
Nick: Given the amount of work you require, and the Tecton's tendency to...interfere, a large city seems like the best place to settle.
Wise Snake: Ummh.
Wise Snake has some more tea.
Linn: I expect they will require more than a simple apology... or even a complicated one.
Nick: And port cities tend to be more tolerant of... odd customs and nonconformers... than rural areas.
Riyyh: Oh, they'll get more than that.
Nick: I mean, look at all this fuss over Riyyh.
Wise Snake: True.
Linn: They may want you to step down as Sectuib, to prevent you from misusing your power again
Wise Snake personally thinks Riyyh's crime (now that her personal shock over the incident has abated) is a far gentler one than, say, that of her own unnamed father.
Nick: In Bender Cove, no one would have blinked an eye. Too many other, worse things to think about.
Riyyh: They may want that now.
Riyyh: I will prove myself to them again.
Riyyh: I am worthy of their pledge.
Riyyh: I made a mistake, but I can repair it, I must!
Riyyh looks back at Linn, desperation tingeing his expression.
Riyyh: The ones who must leave, I'll do all I can to place them in good Householdings.
Riyyh: I'll accept experienced farmers as settlers here.
Riyyh: I'll cooperate with the Tecton's requests for channel and Donor trading.
Linn: And if they decide that they all wish to stay, as long as you, yourself, leave for another House?
Linn wonders just how far Riyyh's contrition extends.
Riyyh stares at Linn with a broken-hearted look.
Linn: Would you step aside, if that's what is required to heal your House?
Linn: ~~ honest inquiry ~~
Riyyh: I belong here, Linn. I was born to it. I've lived here all my life. I can't do anything else.
Riyyh: ~helplessly~
Riyyh: If I have to change, to be what they want, then I have to change.
Riyyh: But I can't leave, I can't.
Riyyh: ~tormented~
Riyyh: And they are in no condition to make decisions as a community now.
Riyyh: People aren't talking, they're arguing.
Riyyh: That's why I have to go, to speak, in the Assembly hall.
Riyyh: They need to see leadership, and I've been silent too long.
Linn: Of course they're arguing. It's the best thing they can do. How else can they get past their anger and start to think rationally?
Nick takes another bite of turnover.
Nick: Besides, I don't like living on a farm.
Riyyh: They can let their anger go.
Riyyh: It isn't easy, but it can be done.
Riyyh should know, he's done it several times in the last couple of days.
Nick: Too many cows and chickens leaving messes, and rotten vegetables and things.
Wise Snake inspects a tentacle, then licks it.
Wise Snake: Yeah, and I'm almost out of allergy medicine.
Linn: Let them do it in their own time, and in their own way.
Linn: They're your people; trust them to find a solution they can live with.
Riyyh shakes his head; as disappointed as Tictoc and Mytag are in him, he would trust their advice over this stranger's.
Riyyh: I'm sorry, Linn.
Nick: Tictoc was going to order some for me. It was due yesterday, so it should be here before too long.
Riyyh: I must choose an heir and present the people with alternatives to their anger.
Riyyh: It is my duty as their Sectuib, even if it was I who caused their original anger.
Nick: There was a Farris medkit in the order, too.
Riyyh: I've known these people all their lives, Linn, all my life.
Linn wonders if all channels have such lack of faith in the sensibility of normal people.
Riyyh: They look to me for guidance.
Riyyh: That is why they are in such chaos now.
Riyyh: My mistake has shaken their faith in me.
Linn has not yet gotten into the habit of thinking of herself as Donor material.
Riyyh: I must make it up to them, and simply letting them dissolve into a mob is nothing but a further betrayal.
Linn: You can't expect to get anywhere if you insist on treating them like children.
Linn: Even if you did father most of them.
Riyyh: Linn, they are my children. Not because they literally are, but because I am their Sectuib and this is their House.
Riyyh: They expect me to be strong. I must be.
Riyyh: They don't want this... this violence and unrest, it's just what they do because they have no other way to express their betrayal.
Linn: You know them best, I'm sure.
Riyyh is sure, too.
Linn: However, if you treat them like children, they are likely to act like children.
Riyyh is not impressed by Linn's attempt at instructing him.
Riyyh: Linn, Linn.
Riyyh: Please, have faith in my experience as Sectuib. I've been here since before the Wars.
Riyyh: Yes, this is a calamity.
Riyyh: But I know these people, they made me as surely as I made them.
Linn doubts there is another person who could say that...literally...about such a large community.
Riyyh: For you, an outsider, it may be impossible to see how fundamentally and unbreakably we are linked.
Riyyh: And this assembly, my address to them, is the key to beginning to repair their trust.
Riyyh: The beginning of my repentance.
Riyyh: Your Hajene Farris, she is the key to this, I feel it.
Linn squares her shoulders.
Linn: Well, in that case, I'd best let her know that you require her assistance.
Riyyh: Yes.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Riyyh: Tell her I will be waiting here, I must speak with her as soon as she can find a time.
Linn: I will.
Linn slips out of the door and starts pushing her way through the mob.
Riyyh stares after her until the door has closed and the guards, all juncts and outsiders loyal to his program, have blocked it shut again.
Riyyh looks at his hands, and shivers.
see note 2
Linn eventually makes it back to the cottage.
Nick finishes his turnover.
Wise Snake is still staring into space at the kitchen table.
Nick: It could take a while, to reach the West Coast.
Nick delicately engages her nager, and thus hopefully her attention.
Wise Snake look quickly at Nick.
Wise Snake has been super alert since he started cruelly withholding her pills.
Nick: How much more contracted work do you have in town?
Linn opens the cottage door and slips in.
Linn is even more disheveled than before, because everybody kept trying to drag her off for "just a moment" for a detailed briefing on Riyyh.
Linn decides that a soothing cup of tea is in order, and makes her way to the kitchen.
Wise Snake: None.
Wise Snake: And I've deep zlinned every last one of those people in their sleep, and not one of them has a single thing wrong with them anymore.
Wise Snake: ~frustration~
Nick: Then there's not much to hold us here.
Wise Snake: Yeah, I'd like to get going maybe tomorrow morning.
Wise Snake: I have to get the final word from Bum Bum on whether he's staying here or coming with us.
Linn overhears this last exchange.
Linn: Well, for the moment, Sectuib Riyyh seems to have some work for you, Snake.
Linn: He's asked for you to come to the infirmary.
Linn looks like she's been through a semi-serious riot.
Wise Snake zlins linn to determine whether she's OK.
Wise Snake: Great.
Wise Snake: Nick?
Wise Snake gets up.
Nick gets up, smoothly grabbing the medicine satchel.
Nick stays very calm and centered.
Linn is basically unharmed, except for minor bruising from clutching hands, a fingernail cut smeared with ronaplin, and a stubbed toe.
Wise Snake strides out of the house.
Nick follows at a supportive distance.
Wise Snake digs her fingers and tentacles into her semi-wet hair and drags it out into something almost like a black Niagara Falls (if there were twice as much water and three times as many rocks)
Linn follows Snake and Nick anxiously.
Linn: Be careful, the people in front of the infirmary are very eager to get the latest news about their Sectuib.
Riyyh gets up carefully and walks into the other room where Tictoc and Mytag are conferring earnestly.
Riyyh clears his throat to announce himself, since he is pretty sure they wouldn't want him to eavesdrop.
Mytag: Riyyh.
Nick wonders if the Farris medkit and allergy medicine have been delivered to the main offices, since the infirmary is blocked.
Tictoc zlins him perfunctorily.
Riyyh: ~~exhausted, covered head to toe in cuts and bruises, but determined~~
Nick assesses the mob in front of the infirmary.
Nick: They don't look happy.
Wise Snake has seen worse.
Wise Snake: Uhhm.
Tictoc: Well, you don't seem any worse.
Wise Snake walks toward them.
Nick: Not as bad as Vortez Lake, though.
Mytag: ~ support ~
Wise Snake: ~Farris Nager Stand Back~
Mytag: You shouldn't have left the room.
Nick stays close, lending strength to Snake's efforts.
Riyyh: Tictoc, you were right. Hajene Snake is the key to this.
Riyyh: She's on her way here now.
Mytag groans.
Tictoc looks amazed, and not very pleased.
Tictoc: I'm not sure if that's enough now.
Riyyh: No, no, not as an heir. As a foil.
Tictoc: I'm not sure if that's enough now.
Tictoc: What?
Mytag: What?
Tictoc: What do you mean, a foil?
Riyyh: Who else to win people over, but a Farris?
Riyyh: If we place her as mediator, I will be able to carry out what I'll be promising at that Assembly.
Riyyh: Without fear of... disruption.
Mytag: Snake? Mediator? I think you have been hit on the head once too often.
Riyyh: Think about it, Mytag, she's perfect for it. They had riots all the time over in Bender Cove.
Mytag: Yes, but Snake usually wasn't around.
Mytag: Unless she was causing them!
Tictoc: Riyyh, did I zlin you right? Are you sure you aren't feverish?
Wise Snake augments to shove away a fighting Gen who can't zlin her and runs into her while moving backward.
Tictoc: ~ concern ~
Riyyh: No, I'm thinking clearly, very clearly.
Riyyh: What are the Farris's strengths?
Riyyh: We can use her, without accepting her as heir.
Mytag: Lets see - allergic to everything that moves and doesn't move, drug addiction, criminal activities, over sensitivities, constant entran....
Nick grunts as he is shoved from behind.
Mytag doubts very much if it would end up with Riyyh using Snake.
Riyyh: Tictoc, you know what I'm talking about...
Riyyh: [appeal]
Riyyh: The Farrises are natural leaders. She can convince them to stop and listen.
Riyyh: I have the plan to defuse this, to transfer out the people who cannot stay and to bring new people in.
Riyyh: I can choose an heir from another Householding.
Riyyh: I can do all of this, if only I have the time.
Nick checks to see how close they are to the door.
Tictoc nods, once, quickly.
Tictoc: If I can help you get the time - you've got it.
Tictoc: What do you want me to do?
Mytag gives up.
Riyyh: ~relief~
Riyyh: Tictoc, you're close to the Farris. Help me convince her.
Riyyh: Would she simply want to help, or do we have to convince her it's in her own best interest?
Tictoc: I.... Actually, I approached her on this yesterday.
Nick remains ~~ calm and steady ~~ even when his toes get trampled.
Tictoc: She didn't seem too keen.
Riyyh is taken aback.
Riyyh: You approached her... on this??
Tictoc: Yes.
Riyyh: But, but, what did she say?
Nick doesn't let that prevent him from forcefully removing the offender from his podal appendage, however.
Wise Snake arrives finally at the steps, where some junct renSimes are preventing anyone from entering.
Tictoc: She basically said that Naros was too small for her.
Riyyh stares at Tictoc in momentary lack of comprehension.
Nick's stance makes it clear that there will be Trouble if Snake is hindered in any way.
Riyyh finally figures out what she meant.
Riyyh: Tictoc! [appalled]
Riyyh: You didn't!
Riyyh: ~betrayal~
Tictoc looks defiant.
Wise Snake argues briefly at the top of her lungs (still can't be heard over the rioters though) with the guards, then they open the door grudgingly.
Tictoc: What did you want me to do? Wait until someone murdered you?
Riyyh: Tictoc, I appreciate your concern for my health, but to try to replace me? ~hurt~
Tictoc: For your good, and the good of Naros, Riyyh.
Nick follows Snake into the infirmary.
Riyyh: Please listen to me, I am not, not throwing down my oath to Naros.
Riyyh: I cannot!
Riyyh: It is my duty to see us all through this!
Tictoc: You can do better as the "Father" of Naros now, than the Sectuib [yelling]
Wise Snake follows the sound of shouting.
Wise Snake: Deserted here. [comments to Nick]
Wise Snake wonders where all the work is... maybe out around the grounds.
Nick is careful to ensure that his support is sufficient to prevent the anger from disturbing Snake too badly.
Riyyh: Tictoc, you have to trust me. How long have we known each other? I am still the same Riyyh!
Mytag attempts to calm them down.
Nick: Well, maybe that argument is over a reluctant patient.
Riyyh: Can't you see, I am still Naros' Sectuib. I can't be anything else.
Tictoc: Are you though? You aren't the man I thought I knew, the man I pledged to.
Riyyh: Tictoc... when you came to me, did you want me to turn you down?
Mytag: ~ calm - desperate calm ~
Riyyh: Did you?
Riyyh: Or were you in pain, and desperate, and alone?
Mytag: Please! Shusssh, hold on, calm down!
Riyyh: ~hurt~
Tictoc fights from adding more bruises to his face.
Nick shakes his head.
Nick: It doesn't sound like an argument over treatment. Maybe the patient is beyond their help?
Wise Snake stops in the doorway of the room that Mytag, Tictoc and Riyyh are in.
Wise Snake takes in the scene.
Riyyh: I am not the only one who did these things! [cries out]
Riyyh stops as he registers their presence.
Nick looks over Snake, and realizes that all three are in at least moderately good health.
Nick: Where's the patient?
Riyyh stops as he registers their presence.
Wise Snake looks at Tictoc, Riyyh and Mytag, then her eyes go back to Tictoc.
Wise Snake: I was called here?
Wise Snake picked Tictoc not for political reasons, but because she is the most likely one to have work to supply.
Nick notes Riyyh's bruises, and hopes that there is something more substantial in the offing, or Snake may go out and trigger a full-scale riot, just to heal the victims.
Tictoc: I believe that the Sectuib, here, wanted to see you.
Tictoc turns and gets busy over something totally inconsequential.
Riyyh tries to regain his composure.
Nick: Well, Snake, he may be the most that's available.
Riyyh still can't believe that there isn't a single person in the House who seems to believe anybody else participated in this crime but him.
Nick: At least until there are transfers.
Nick: ~~ determinedly optimistic ~~
Riyyh: Hajene Farris.
Riyyh: Thank you for coming.
Riyyh: Please, I must speak to you.
Mytag: ~ support ~
Riyyh grabs for and finds Mytag's arm, inutterably relieved by the show of at least nageric support.
Wise Snake does not miss the interplay between the three.
Wise Snake nods, then walks over in that direction.
Wise Snake: What is this about?
Mytag keeps a close eye on Nick, just in case.
Riyyh: I must ask for your assistance. We require your help, you are the only one with the skills to carry this off.
Riyyh: ~total truth, so far as he understands it~
Nick thinks that sounds promising.
Nick: Where is the patient, anyway?
Mytag hides his disgust.
Riyyh pauses, confused by the interruption.
Riyyh: I beg your pardon?
Wise Snake looks at Nick.
Nick: If the situation is that critical, there's no time to waste in gossip.
Nick tries to make this point with due respect for the Naros national pastime.
Riyyh: Yes, I agree entirely.
Riyyh looks back to Snake.
Nick: So if you could show us the way?
Riyyh: You see,
Riyyh stops, twitches visibly with frustration.
Riyyh: What! Are you talking about??
Riyyh is displaying something even remotely like anger for maybe the 3rd time in his life.
Riyyh: ~stressing out~
Mytag: ~ soothing ~
Nick can't understand what could possibly be ambiguous about his request.
Nick: We got a message that you had healing work for Snake?
Wise Snake looks upon this exchange with growing irritation.
Nick sees the storm clouds and beefs up the ~~ calm ~~
Riyyh: Ahh... no, I'm afraid the message must have been garbled.
Riyyh: The request I have of you involves politics rather than the medical.
Nick: Politics?
Wise Snake: Shedoni, I told Tictoc I wasn't interested.
Wise Snake: They want me as a replacement Sectuib. [to Nick] I already said no.
Wise Snake: Let's go.
Mytag: Snake wait... please.
Mytag: ~ please ~
Riyyh almost jumps forward to grab her, but holds himself back.
Riyyh: ~desperation combined with hurt at the reminder of what Tictoc had done~
Wise Snake stops, then turns slowly back.
Mytag: Please, hear him out.
Wise Snake looks from Riyyh to Mytag, studying them oddly.
Nick waits, offering support for whatever Snake decides.
Riyyh again grips Mytag's arm in silent thanks.
Mytag shows support for his Sectuib, and something oddly like desperation. [odd, coming from one usually so cool]
Riyyh: ~relief/thankfulness~
Riyyh: All I ask is that you help defuse this violence and destructivity.
Riyyh: Please, I know you are more experienced than we are in these things.
Riyyh: It would be easy for you, where it is impossible for us.
Nick thinks the key factor might be less Snake's experience than her lace of genetic ties to the House.
Riyyh: I have the plan, for how to straighten this out, how to give each family what they require in recompense, but it can't be carried out without time, without peace.
Riyyh: I can't even leave this building!
Wise Snake sighs.
Wise Snake: Ahh, this is a dirty trick.
Wise Snake: What am I supposed to do, say no thank you I'm not interested and walk away? When people are dying by their own hand because you have no decent channel's services?
Mytag in an attempt at his old cheerfulness "Well, you are a channel, you are supposed to live for being needed."
Nick looks at Mytag sternly.
Nick: Yes, but there are people requiring a channel in every town.
Wise Snake is appalled by having been trapped in this so slickly.
Nick: Snake has every right to pick where she bestows her services--even if it inconveniences Naros.
Nick: It's her choice, not yours, and not Riyyh's.
Mytag: You have no concept of the scale of this problem do you?
Riyyh zlins what he thinks is a struggle in Snake, and seizes hold of the hope.
Mytag: No one is forcing her to do anything.
Riyyh: Please, [to Snake] I beg of you. You can make a real difference. We need you. Not forever, just for as long as it takes for me to satisfy the most troubled of them.
Mytag: The Sectuib is asking - as one first to another, for help.
Nick wraps Snake in a bubble of privacy, where she can think without suffering nageric pleading.
Wise Snake, fortunately, is more resistant than Riyyh to the begging of others.
Wise Snake: [else she'd have a one-year old and a bun in the oven by now]
Wise Snake, however, does tend to have a bit of a responsibility complex.
Nick waits quietly for Snake to come to a decision.
Wise Snake: What exactly would I have to do? [suspiciously]
Mytag looks at Riyyh, wondering that also.
Riyyh is still trying to get a feel for what motivates Snake. He has managed to snare her sense of duty, but isn't precisely sure how he did it.
Riyyh: Talk to the people. Make them understand that their issues are being addressed and that everything will be resolved to their satisfaction within the month.
Riyyh: Ask them for no more violence, ask them to go back to work.
Riyyh: The harvest still has to be brought in, the tools still have to be mended.
Riyyh: I will show you the plan I have laid out.
Riyyh: I think it will satisfy everybody.
Nick doesn't think that picking rutabagas or mending hoes will avert entran.
Wise Snake looks restless and impatient.
Wise Snake: You're asking me to save your skin for you.
Wise Snake thinks the Sectuib is perfectly transparent.
Wise Snake: What makes you think I'd agree to something like that?
Wise Snake: Where I come from, this sort of thing would be a hell of a favor to ask.
Wise Snake doesn't doubt that she could do it if she tried.
Wise Snake: And, [adds] I was planning on leaving. Tomorrow morning if possible.
Nick: There isn't enough work here to prevent entran. Not unless there are suddenly a whole lot more transfers than usual.
Riyyh: I'll give up some of my work. I'll talk the others into it as well. We need you, Hajene Farris.
Riyyh: Look at these people, they need your help.
Riyyh: Please.
Nick: Ahh. Well, before Snake makes a final decision, perhaps you could draw up a schedule, so she can be informed about just how much work would be involved?
Wise Snake: Nick.
Wise Snake lays a hand gently on his forearm.
Tictoc: Entran needn't be a problem.
Riyyh looks over suddenly as Tictoc speaks for the first time.
Wise Snake looks at Tictoc too.
Tictoc looks uncomfortable, but she did promise to help him make time.
Tictoc: As I have been saying, we can bring the risk of entran down, with drugs and a carefully scheduled work load to help lower the amount of work necessary.
Nick subsides, willing to be quiet as long as Snake isn't being railroaded into a more unhealthy situation than is likely on the road.
Tictoc: I have already drawn up a chart, you actually started on it yesterday.
Wise Snake regards Tictoc, trying to gauge how the channel is feeling about Snake at the moment.
Nick is not happy at the mention of drugs, after his effort to get Snake detoxified.
Tictoc looks at Nick. "I am a qualified medic you know" she said quietly.
Riyyh takes a chance and eases a little closer to Snake.
Nick: Yes, but there are no Farrises here at Naros.
Nick: And Snake is often a law to herself, even among Farrises.
Nick's tone makes it clear that he's not criticising Tictoc's medical skills, only her familiarity with a particular patient.
Riyyh: Your every requirement will be met.
Riyyh: We desperately require your assistance.
Riyyh: You will see... I can fix this, with your help.
Riyyh: These people don't want their Householding to fall.
Nick moves closer to Snake, making sure that she isn't overwhelmed by Riyyh's nager.
Wise Snake: Look.
Wise Snake uses Nick's support and blocking.
Wise Snake: Tictoc, yesterday you were talking replacement Sectuib. Now, Sectuib Riyyh is talking, what, appointed partyline spokesperson?
Wise Snake: Social strong-arm?
Wise Snake: Spin control heavy?
Wise Snake: Are the two of you, the three of you [amends to include Mytag] or whoever is in charge here, all in agreement on this or do I have to wrangle the three of you as well as all those people?
Mytag: ~ uncertain ~
Mytag: I'm not sure you can do the job. I'm not sure anyone can. But I'll stick by my Sectuib.
Tictoc: I'm agreed.
Wise Snake looks between the three of them.
Wise Snake is zlinning them thinking "in a pig's eye!"
Wise Snake sighs.
Nick wonders how sincerely Tictoc agrees with her Sectuib, when she was ready to replace him the day before.
Wise Snake: All right. All right, I'll do it.
Wise Snake resigns herself to dealing with her own people at well, who are going to be upset for the most part.
Wise Snake: [of course it would never occur to her to ask them before making a decision like this]
Tictoc lets out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
Nick wonders whether the promised work will materialize.
Wise Snake: All right, I'll need some kind of an office.
Wise Snake: Preferably in the administration building on the first floor.
Wise Snake scratches her head.
Wise Snake: Better make it between Riyyh's office and the main entry.
Wise Snake: Who is that lady who does all the administrivia around here? Wolfa. I have to talk to her right away.
Wise Snake looks at Riyyh.
Wise Snake: Does Wolfa sign your signature?
Tictoc: I'll send someone to get her.
Nick wonders just a bit about Snake's interest in a fellow forger.
Riyyh: N - not usually.
Riyyh is numb with relief and a little bit overwhelmed by Snake's sudden energy.
Nick: So she does so on occasion?
Riyyh: Only in the case of emergencies.
Riyyh is afraid that Naros' usual definition of "emergency" has been blown completely out of the water by the events of the last few days.
Riyyh: I usually read over the prepared documents and add my signature.
Wise Snake: Tictoc, be sure to let myself or Nick know what my schedule will be in the infirmary. I'll schedule my other work around that.
Wise Snake: Can one of you two sit down with me and a list of the Householding's members and give me the run down on who's who?
Nick makes a mental note to be ready to make waves if he deems it inadequate.
Nick supposes that this will be good practice for Snake in running a House.
Mytag: No problem.
Wise Snake: Come on, Nick, we have to do something about this seige on the building. It's ridiculous, what are renSimes in need going to do?
Wise Snake looks at all of them, looks like she is about to say something else, then turns and strides out of the room.
Nick follows.
Riyyh looks at Mytag and Tictoc.
Riyyh: It'll work. You'll see. We can do this.
Riyyh: ~ we have to ~
Notes:
1) A short time passes between these two scenes. [return]
2) A few minutes passes between these two scenes. [return]
Go on to Episode #15: Bloodthirsty
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