Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #16: They Didn't Cover This in Donor School (8/18/98)
Linn pokes her head into Riyyh's office.
Riyyh looks up.
Riyyh: Linn. [smiles]
Linn: I thought you might like to know that the stream of outraged Naros members has finally slowed to a trickle.
Riyyh looks kind of harried because he's been doing a massive amount of paperwork.
Riyyh: Has Hajene Farris been able to calm most of the people down successfully?
Linn is looking more than a little frazzled herself, although her bun is still lacquered in place, thanks to the egg yolk.
Linn: Well, some of them.
Linn: But only because she promised each and every one of them an appointment with you, to give them a chance to hear your detailed apology.
Riyyh, who took advantage of the shower off his office to clean up earlier, looks sympathetic at Linn's condition.
Riyyh: Ah, yes, she had said something about that.
Riyyh looks strained.
Riyyh: Of course, they deserve that, and more.
Linn notices the strain, and the mounds of paperwork.
Linn: Are you suffering from entran? Snake always does paperwork when she's fighting off entran.
Riyyh looks surprised by the question.
Linn: Should I call Mytag for you?
Riyyh: Why, thank you for asking, Linn. I'm quite all right, I was able to work this morning in the infirmary. Mytag should be along in a while, perhaps an hour or so.
Riyyh: I should be just fine.
Riyyh seems gratified by her concern.
Linn: Good.
Riyyh thinks it's only fair to return the kindness.
Riyyh: You're welcome to use this office if you require a rest, or to clean up, or anything.
Riyyh: This is a long day for us all.
Riyyh: And it's been quite peaceful up here, at least in the last hours.
Linn's skin crawls under the dirt, egg, sweat, and other nasty stuff.
Riyyh zlins the sensation and his skin crawls in sympathy.
Linn: It hasn't been so peaceful down the hall.
Linn: Fortunately, Snake likes a challenge.
Linn looks thoughtful.
Riyyh: An admirable Farris trait. [agrees]
Linn: Though she does prefer a challenge more related to healing or transfer.
Linn: Politics usually makes her very irritable.
Riyyh: I have the same difficulty. [confesses]
Linn remembers how snappish Snake got when the Zeor channel visited, and when she had to deal with the Bender Cove Sime Center staff.
Linn: You do?
Riyyh: Yes, there are times I wish I could do nothing but disjunctions and transfer pathologies.
Riyyh: But I suppose nobody gets to do one hundred percent what they want. [smiles ruefully]
Linn: True enough.
Linn: And you don't dislike it enough to seek a different life elsewhere.
Riyyh look surprised.
Riyyh: Oh, I couldn't do that.
Riyyh: Naros is my life.
Linn: I had a life like that, once.
Linn: ~~ wistful ~~
Linn: But that's over, now.
Riyyh realizes he is neglecting his manners.
Riyyh: Please, would you like a seat?
Riyyh gestures to the chairs near his desk.
Linn realizes that her feet are hurting from her long day running up and down the corridor.
Linn chooses a padded chair, and sighs with relief as she sits.
Riyyh: Has somebody seen to your head injury?
Linn: My head injury?
Riyyh is referring to the large lump where Linn was konged on the skull by a 4" diameter rutabaga during the riot.
Linn's hand goes to the lump, only to smear in half-rotted rutabaga pulp.
Linn: ~~ distaste ~~
Riyyh looks apologetic.
Riyyh: I assure you, Naros has never been like this before.
Riyyh: I am sure that things will calm down quickly.
Linn quickly drops her hand and wipes it on her mussed skirt.
Linn: I hope so. I don't think I could take too many more rutabaga riots.
Riyyh smiles sadly.
Riyyh: Well, as I say, you are welcome to the shower.
Riyyh: I believe I may have a dress of Ruby's around here somewhere, as well. It might fit you.
Linn: ~~ interest ~~
Riyyh picks up a stack of correspondence and moves it into the "do within the next 24 hours" pile.
Riyyh looks up again as he zlins Linn's interest.
Linn: You do? I admit, I'd be glad of a change.
Linn: There just hasn't been time.
Riyyh: It's in the closet I believe... let me look.
Riyyh gets up and starts looking through cupboards.
Riyyh: Ah.. here.
Riyyh withdraws some folded fabric carefully.
Riyyh: Ruby's mother made this.
Riyyh tries to suppress a pang of emotion.
Riyyh sighs and turns to give the dress to Linn.
Riyyh: I suppose she won't require it anymore.
Linn, who had been reaching for the dress, immediately withdraws her hand.
Linn: If her mother made it for her, she might not be interested in having it loaned to a stranger.
Riyyh looks at Linn, his expression difficult to read.
Riyyh: She and her mother left Naros when this... trouble began.
Riyyh sets the dress aside, on a filing cabinet.
Linn: Ah. I see.
Riyyh: Actually, you might say it was she and her mother who began it.
Riyyh: I confessed to Ruby in order to explain why I could not marry her.
Riyyh returns to his desk and sits down again with a sigh.
Riyyh: She was my Companion for fifteen years.
Linn starts to understand how this whole thing blew up so suddenly.
Linn: Ironic, isn't it, that you were being pressured to have a child.
Linn thinks that another child is the last thing that Riyyh requires.
Riyyh: Ah... yes. [attempts a wan chuckle, fails miserably]
Riyyh: I would have adopted eventually, but I wasn't ready yet.
Riyyh has been saying he wasn't ready yet for the past 25 years at least.
Riyyh probably wasn't.
Linn gets a thought.
Linn: Are any of your newly acknowledged sons or daughters potential Sectuib material?
Riyyh studies Linn.
Riyyh: I... normally wouldn't discuss something like this, because I wouldn't want to hurt anybody's feelings.
Riyyh: I suppose that seems ridiculous to you, under the circumstances....
Linn: If you could announce an heir when you speak to your members, that might calm some of the criticism.
Riyyh honestly believes that none of his "get" are remotely suitable for the position.
Riyyh: I do expect to have chosen an heir and obtained an agreement within the next couple of weeks.
Linn: You have some likely prospects?
Riyyh: Yes, I do.
Riyyh: I will list them when I speak. They are adult channels from other Householdings.
Linn: Good. The sooner that's settled, the better your chance of stabilizing your House.
Riyyh: Yes, that is probably true.
Linn: Have you determined if any of them are actually willing to take the job?
Riyyh: Actually the list has only been assembled in the last 24 hours. Letters have gone out but we will have to wait for the replies.
Linn: I see.
Riyyh: It is more than the simple taking of a job, however.
Linn: You did warn your candidates about the rutabagas, didn't you?
Riyyh pauses.
Riyyh: I beg your pardon?
Linn's hand involuntarily rises to almost touch her lump.
Linn: It's just that a person who disliked rutabagas would be very unhappy at meals here.
Riyyh looks very surprised.
Riyyh: What do you mean?
Linn, being Gen, has no clear conception about how little Simes care about the quality of meals.
Linn: There hasn't been one meal served in your cafeteria since we arrived that hasn't had at least one rutabaga dish, and usually more than that.
Eliza signals at the door, faintly nervous at the responsibility she has been given.
Linn's head turns at the signal.
Riyyh: Come.
Riyyh: It's just Eliza.
Riyyh: [to Linn]
Linn realizes that she has lost track of Eliza during the trouble.
Eliza opens the door and starts to walk in. "Sorry about the interruption Sectuib Riyyh, Hajene Snake sent me over to be with you seeing as how she has Mytag tied up at the moment. Oh, Linn."
Eliza stops, uncertain.
Riyyh's eyes widen slightly at the news that Hajene Farris has Mytag "tied up".
Eliza remembers what she is here for and thinks supporting type thoughts at the Sectuib.
Riyyh: Well, that's very kind of her, Eliza, and of you as well.
Linn: Have any more people come in to take with Snake?
Eliza looks at Linn in total miscomprehension.
Riyyh remembers suddenly he should warn Linn that the hot and cold water knobs are reversed in the shower, and makes a mental note to say something if she does start to go in there.
Eliza: Oh! To talk with Snake. I guess....
Eliza is concentrating really hard so that the Sectuib will have nothing to complain to Snake about her support.
Eliza: ~ SUPPORT ~
Linn: Is there a line outside again?
Eliza: Yes, no, maybe.
Linn blinks.
Riyyh is having trouble maintaining a coherent thought process between Linn's peculiar twist of conversation and Eliza's attempts at support.
Linn: Which?
Riyyh decides that the support is not too bad, for a 2nd who is being distracted by an egg yolk covered schoolteacher.
Riyyh: ~shudder~
Eliza: Which what?
Riyyh thinks he really does deserve the presence of his own Donor, despite his being in the doghouse.
Riyyh sighs sadly and picks up the next letter, trying to read it.
Linn manages to control her exasperation.
Linn: Is there a line of people trying to get appointments to talk to Snake, or do I have time to wash the raw rutabaga omelet out of my hair?
Riyyh does wonder what this fixation is with rutabagas; he remembers both Linn and Nick talking about them quite a bit at lunch one time.
Eliza: Oh, I think she has it all under control. She seemed happy.
Linn notes a bowl of sliced rutabaga snacks on the desk.
Linn's filthy skin crawls twice as badly at the hint of reprieve.
Eliza: You could have a shower if you like.
Linn looks longingly at Ruby's abandoned dress.
Riyyh picks up a piece of sliced pineapple out of the bowl on the desk and wonders why Linn is staring at it so.
Eliza notices that not only is the usually fastidious Linn covered in different types of food, but there is also more deeply ingrained dirt than usual, demonstrating just how long it has been since Linn had time to wash.
Linn: Riyyh, do you think that Ruby would mind...?
Riyyh: I am sure Ruby would not mind, even were she here. [to Linn]
Riyyh: She lent your Hajene Farris one just the other day.
Linn: Well, then, I think I will take shameless advantage of your offer and use your shower.
Riyyh: Please, go right ahead.
Riyyh: Pineapple, Eliza?
Riyyh pushes the bowl slightly toward her.
Linn takes the dress and heads for the shower.
Eliza: Pineapple? Is that what that is? Thank you - it's nice.
Eliza takes a slice and the juice runs down her arm
Eliza: It's juicy isn't it?
Eliza delicately licks the juice off her arm.
Riyyh finds the sight of this quite arresting.
Riyyh has always appreciated beauty, no matter where he was in his cycle.
Eliza: I think one of our neighbours had a pineapple tree when I was a kid. I can't remember it though.
Eliza, as usual when she stops remembering to try so hard, is doing a much neater job of being supportive.
Linn closes the bathroom door behind her and quickly strips out of her filthy clothing.
Riyyh: Oh really? We have pineapples here, in the greenhouses. Perhaps you'd like to see them sometime?
Riyyh remembers he was supposed to be remembering something.
Riyyh smiles indulgently at Eliza, relieved by the great support.
Linn pulls out the sticks holding her egg roll -- er, bun -- up and frowns when it remains glued in place.
Linn grits her teeth and tries to tease the mess apart.
Linn has only minimal success.
Linn remembers the rule about washing raw egg in cold water so it doesn't cook on, and sighs.
Riyyh: Oh!
Riyyh suddenly remembers.
Riyyh: Excuse me for a moment. [to Eliza]
Riyyh gets up and hurries around the corner.
Riyyh: Er, Linn?
Linn steps into the shower, puts a hand on the cold water tap, braces herself, and turns it on full blast to get it over with.
Eliza is stunned by the quick exit and wonders if it's something she has done wrong.
Riyyh hears the water come on and augments into the bathroom.
Linn: YEOW!!!
Riyyh: The cold one is on the----!!!
Riyyh augments into the shower and turns the cold water on too.
Linn tries to jump back out of the water, and slips.
Riyyh catches Linn before she falls.
Eliza realises that Riyyh has run into the shower with Linn and wonders if she should leave, or go and help him in there.
Linn: ~~ shock ~~
Hero comes bouncing into Riyyh's office.
Eliza jumps up, looks at Hero and looks ~ guilty ~
Riyyh holds her tightly as running water drenches them both (lukewarm, fortunately)
Riyyh: Linn... are you all right?
Riyyh zlins her.
Hero: Hi! Er, who are you?
Hero realizes that was the wrong thing to say... she just lost gossip brownie points.
Hero: I'm Hero.
Eliza: I'm Eliza.
Hero: Where's Sectuib?
Hero has a major crush on Sectuib Riyyh.
Eliza: Were you - were you looking for the Sectuib?
Linn: ~~ minor scalding here and there, scrambled egg in her hair, rutabaga lump on head, shouldn't have got out of bed ~~
Eliza: He is in the shower with Linn.
Eliza wishes she could have bitten off her tongue.
Hero's eyes widen.
Hero looks towards she shower where the sound of water running and quiet voices can be heard.
Hero: !!!
Hero: Wow!
Eliza: I mean... ~ oh shen ~
Hero breaks out in a surprised grin.
Eliza decides to blush instead which probably doesn't help any.
Riyyh: Oh dear, you are a mess, aren't you?
Eliza: I'm waiting for him. I mean I'm helping him. I mean when he has finished with Linn.
Riyyh: Allow me.
Riyyh runs his hands nearer to the scalding, using his need to encourage Linn's body toward healing.
Riyyh: [tenderly]
Hero goggles.
Hero: Wow.
Hero: Can I help too?
Hero: [giggles]
Hero is joking, although of course she would in an instant if anybody would let her.
Linn fights the urge to cry.
Linn thinks it's ridiculous to be so upset about bad plumbing, after all she's been through.
Riyyh: Poor Linn. [softly]
Riyyh: I think you've had a little too much.
Riyyh reaches for the shampoo and massages some into Linn's hair.
Riyyh doesn't think there's anything at all odd about this.
Hero plops down into a chair near Eliza.
Hero: I haven't even seen Sectuib Riyyh since before everything happened.
Eliza: I don't know - I'd have to ask Snake I guess.
Hero: I haven't even seen Wolfa since then... oh really?
Linn doesn't have the energy to protest.
Hero didn't realize Snake was in charge of who got to "help" Riyyh now, but it figures somebody has to regulate that.
Hero: Gosh.
Eliza is half listening to Hero's tirade and half wondering if "go support the Sectuib" included this scenario.
Linn winces as Riyyh attacks the rutabaga paste over the lump.
Riyyh: Shhh... I'll be as gentle as I can.
Riyyh: You've had quite a morning, haven't you? ~sympathetic~
Riyyh finishes working the stuff out of the hair and rinses the hair in the stream of water.
Linn manages to get control of her breathing, glad that the shower has washed away the tears she couldn't stop along with the scrambled egg.
Eliza has just about come to the conclusion that Snake didn't mean this and is about to flee.
Riyyh: That better?
Riyyh hands her the washcloth and soap, and then begins to massage her shoulders.
Linn: Much. Thank you.
Hero: Have you seen Wolfa around?
Hero: I haven't seen her since our transfer.
Hero: I wonder where she is??
Linn is starting to become embarrassed at being naked in the shower with a fully clothed, if sopping wet, near stranger.
Hero wonders if she found somebody who isn't related to Riyyh and is holed up with him somewhere living out a very long Post.
Hero isn't sure she is that good of a Donor yet, but it's always possible.
Eliza: Wolfa? Is she your channel?
Riyyh: Ssh, Linn, don't feel like that. [gentle chiding]
Riyyh: You were pushed too hard.
Linn: Really, I'm fine now.
Riyyh: Are you?
Riyyh zlins her, and decides she is probably right.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: Would you like to finish while I fetch Ruby's dress?
Hero: Yeah.
Hero: I haven't seen her since we had transfer, that was like forever.
Eliza: How old are you?
Hero: Twelve.
Hero: How old are you?
Eliza: ~ curious ~
Hero: ~curious~
Eliza: Twelve?! Wow! I'm 15, or maybe I'm 16 by now.
Eliza: You have a different calendar here then where I come from. I've lost track.
Hero: I Established six months ago but I was qualified two months ago.
Eliza: Qualified? What as?
Hero: A Second. What are you?
Eliza: But what do you mean you qualified as a Second?
Linn wonders how much "fetching" the dress requires, when it's hanging just outside, but nods anyway.
Linn decides that Riyyh must be facing entran after all, if he's sticking around in hopes she'll generate more healing work.
Hero: Oh, that means a Second Order channel took transfer from me, pushing me to fit the standards for a 2nd.
Linn does give Riyyh full credit for being more subtle about it than Snake.
Riyyh slips out of the shower and undresses, drying himself off with a nearby towel.
Linn quickly scrubs herself down.
Riyyh locates a new set of robes in the wardrobe and slips them on.
Riyyh retrieves Linn's dress and moves it nearer to the shower, along with a towel.
Eliza: Oh. I guess I'm a Second too. I mean, Bumanuel is a third, and Mos is a third, and recently I've had my field taken down a lot by Snake....
Riyyh then proceeds to start messing with his hair, something he hates to spend any less than an hour at.
Riyyh had just done that, so it's a rare treat to have 2 excuses in one day.
Eliza: Tanzarra is a Second, we don't know what John was.
Linn finishes rinsing and turns off the water.
Hero: Is Tanzarra your channel?
Linn peers around the curtain, looking for a towel.
Eliza: I guess. Although we haven't had transfer yet.
Eliza: Lately Snake's had me just looking after people, lots of different people at that.
Riyyh combs his silvery mane to a sheen, then studies the effect, adds a bit of styling lotion, and teases it with a different brush.
Riyyh: ~~studious concentration/enjoyment~~
Linn sees Riyyh safely occupied and snags a towel, taking it back into the shower stall.
Linn is not conversant enough with selyn-insulating technology to know how easy it is to zlin through shower curtains.
Hero: I guess you have to call yourself a 3rd until you have transfer with her then.
Eliza: Do I? Oh.
Hero: Maybe Sectuib Riyyh would let you have transfer with someone.
Hero is still pretty sure Riyyh is in charge over Snake.
Linn finishes drying and leans out again to exchange towel for dress.
Eliza can't remember what Jirelle was - and she can't remember what D'cor was - or whoever else she has had transfer with, for that matter.
Riyyh is practically purring.
Eliza looks uncomfortable.
Riyyh could easily do this all day instead of thinking about his problems, doing paperwork, etc.
Eliza: I don't know. I think I'd have to let Snake make that decision.
Hero: Wow.
Hero: I guess so, huh.
Hero: She is like your Sectuib isn't she.
Linn puts the dress on, discovering that the length is fine, but the other dimensions are... tight in spots.
Eliza: Yes, she is like my Sectuib.
Eliza: She is going to found a Householding, somewhere.
Eliza is still a little unsure of what exactly this means.
Linn decides that the dress is better than her own filthy clothes, at least if the buttons don't pop off.
Riyyh adjusts the fall of his robes and examines his total look critically.
Riyyh tells himself he does not look that old.
Riyyh: ["distinguished", maybe, but not that old]
Hero: Wow.
Hero: You mean like, start with nothing and just make one?
Linn pulls the shower curtain back and steps out.
Hero thought that was something people only did in books.
Hero: Doesn't that take hundreds of years?
Eliza: I don't know - I guess you have to start somewhere.
Hero turns to the subject more immediate in her mind.
Hero: I am soooooo jealous of her.
Hero: [referring to Linn]
Eliza: Of Snake?
Hero: No, Her.
Hero points at the shower.
Eliza: Linn????
Eliza: Why?
Linn looks at Riyyh primping with just a hint of amusement.
Hero: Sectuib Riyyh is sooo dreamy, don't you agree?
Eliza: ~ totally bamboozled ~
Hero: I think so.
Eliza: He is? I hadn't noticed.
Eliza: Isn't he dreadfully old?
Hero: Oh no!
Hero: Only a little bit.
Eliza makes a mental note to have a better look.
Linn finds a comb and starts trying to unsnarl her hair.
Eliza: Isn't he your father or something though?
Eliza was sure that she had heard that he was everyone's father. Although she wouldn't have thought that possible.
Riyyh stands aside slightly to let Linn have some mirror, though it takes considerable willpower.
Hero's face screws up.
Hero: Not really.
Hero: I mean, my dad says he is, but my mom says he isn't.
Hero: I figure my mom should know.
Linn combs cautiously around the lump.
Eliza: Well, I guess.
Eliza is uncertain about this.
Eliza is uncertain about most things at this time.
Hero: She said she tried to sleep with Sectuib Riyyh and he said no.
Hero: Or... she said no, or something.
Hero actually thought her mom was rather ambiguous on this point.
Eliza is only certain that she is uncertain - and that things don't seem to be getting any clearer as she gets older, despite what she was told when she was younger.
Hero would give anything to be able to zlin her mom.
Eliza: But what difference would sleeping with him make? Oh I see....
Eliza: That's another way you people have of saying having sex is it?
Linn finishes combing her hair, and returns the comb to its place.
Hero looks at Eliza.
Hero: You really aren't from around here are you?
Hero: [incredulous but delighted also]
Hero thinks she could have great fun telling Eliza everything she needed to know.
Eliza: No, I'm from a long long long way away, where there are no Simes.
Eliza: Well, no living ones anyway.
Eliza remembers seeing a stuffed one in a museum once.
Riyyh smiles at Linn.
Riyyh: Are you all right, now?
Riyyh: Ready to face the world?
Linn: Much better, thank you.
Riyyh looks much better too, now that he has temporarily forgotten about the paperwork.
Riyyh: [and everything else]
Linn: I'd better be. I've got to get back to work before things get out of hand.
Riyyh nods.
Linn looks more like a cocktail waitress than a traffic cop, with her hair down and the too-tight dress.
Riyyh: I'll have these returned to you? [indicates her old clothes]
Linn thinks that they might be salvageable, and she doesn't have much of a wardrobe.
Linn: Please. I can always wear them for traveling, if the stains won't come out.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh opens the bathroom door and allows Linn to leave first.
Eliza looks up in amazement as someone exits.
Linn steps through to the office.
Eliza: Linn???
Riyyh comes out after her, looking very refreshed and smiling gently.
Eliza: ~ surprise ~
Linn is a little surprised at the disbelief of the greeting.
Linn: I'm all right, Eliza.
Hero: That's Ruby's dress!!
Hero: ~astonished~
Hero thinks Riyyh sure has chutzpah.
Linn: Yes. My own clothes were past wearing.
Eliza: You look, different.
Hero: It makes you look all curvy.
Hero looks enviously at Linn's curves, such as they are.
Hero: [hey... hers are practically nonexistent as of yet]
Eliza isn't sure what Snake will say, but she is fairly sure what Bumanuel will think.
Riyyh thinks sadly that Emerald was always good for a curve-revealing outfit.
Riyyh sits down at his desk once again.
Linn: I couldn't wear them torn, could I?
Hero: I guess not.
Hero thinks anybody who would wear a dress that fits that tight and look good could probably wear clothes with holes in them and look even better.
Eliza: Well, no. Are you going back to get changed?
Linn checks the clock to see how much time has passed.
Linn: I should probably poke my head into Snake's office and make sure things are going smoothly there, first.
Hero gets up and slips out the door.
Eliza: Oh. Well, I'll be with the Sectuib if she needs me, I guess.
Hero is planning on telling everybody that Sectuib Riyyh and that Snake lady's Linn were in the shower together, and she came out wearing Ruby's dress.
Eliza still can't quite find the correct usage of the word "need".
Linn: I'll let her know.
Linn leaves Riyyh's office, blissfully unaware that her reputation is about to be... altered.
Eliza: ~ support ~
Riyyh looks up at Eliza.
Riyyh: Thank you, Eliza, that's very nice.
Eliza is a bit embarrassed, being alone with him after what just happened, or what she thinks just happened, between him and Linn.
Riyyh may be exaggerating, but it pays to be nice to people.
Riyyh frowns slightly to himself as he wonders, for the first time, if he should rethink that philosophy.
Nick is taking advantage of the break in complainants to work on Snake.
Wise Snake has her head on the desk.
Nick rubs her shoulders and offers ~~ support ~~
Wise Snake: Ugghh... that feels great.
Eliza blushes scarlet with the unaccustomed praise.
Wise Snake has been bludgeoned by angry people's nagers for hours.
Nick: How many more can there be, anyway?
Eliza: Thank you Sectuib, errr hajene.
Eliza isn't sure if she should call him Sectuib because he isn't really her Sectuib.
Nick: I mean, even Riyyh has to have slept sometime.
Nick hadn't thought it was possible to sire so many children.
Nick is both shocked at the scope of Riyyh's indiscretion, and just a bit admiring of the man's obviously polished seduction routine.
Wise Snake considers.
Wise Snake: Theoretically yes, a person couldn't have lived that long without sleeping at least a little.
Riyyh: A very interesting mixture of styles, have you had several teachers?
Riyyh wouldn't dream of doing paperwork if there was somebody there to be nice to and entertain.
Eliza nods dumbly.
Eliza gathers her courage together and speaks. "I guess."
Riyyh zlins Eliza's discomfort and smiles apologetically.
Riyyh: I don't mean to pry.
Riyyh picks up the top letter and squints at it, trying to make himself read it.
Eliza: That's okay. I don't think I have had any formal training. I mean, I have heard that there are schools and such.
Riyyh drops it with relief as Eliza speaks.
Eliza: I read a book... and of course the channels I'm working with tell me what they like and what they don't like.
Eliza: I'm reading "The way of the Nager" now.
Eliza falls silent again, sorry to have interrupted his work.
Riyyh folds his hands and tentacles across his work.
Riyyh: Have you ever considered training formally?
Riyyh recoils at the thought of this innocent young thing reading a book like "The Way of the Nager".
Eliza: Well, not if it meant I would have to leave Snake.
Riyyh: I see.
Riyyh: Well, I must say, loyalty to your Hajene Farris is certainly a common trait among you. Linn said much the same thing.
Riyyh: Of course, we weren't talking about Companion training.
Eliza: I'd like to be a better Companion, of course.
Eliza: 'Specially since Tanzarra has had such a bad time.
Linn signals outside the office door.
Wise Snake: Come in!
Linn comes into the office.
Wise Snake of course utterly does not notice what Linn is wearing.
Wise Snake: Ah, Linn, you zlin much better now.
Wise Snake: That break did you some good.
Nick, however, is anything but blind, and inclined to goggle.
Riyyh smiles at Eliza.
Riyyh: Your eagerness for self-improvement is a great asset, especially if you are unable to receive formal training.
Linn: Yes. Riyyh offered me the use of his office shower.
Riyyh: But tell me, Tanzarra has had difficulties?
Riyyh: ~concern~
Wise Snake: Ah, I didn't realize there was one up there.
Wise Snake makes a mental note to strike such a facility from any plans drawn up for the seat of her own eventual Householding.
Linn: Have any more people showed up wanting to lodge their complaints against Riyyh's behavior?
Eliza: Yes, her matchmate died, only she wasn't her matchmate really.
Eliza: And she killed her father and then she got afraid of hurting Gens so she couldn't take Gen transfer.
Eliza: That's why she thought that Soli was her matchmate, you see.
Wise Snake: Yes, a few, but we managed.
Wise Snake: The rush appears to be over, now everybody has appointments.
Wise Snake: I really have to get that list of the members from them though, so I can figure out who hasn't been talked to yet and go hunt them down.
Linn looks around.
Linn: Where's Mytag? Eliza implied he was here....
Linn: Under restraint?
Riyyh thinks that story sounds kind of cockeyed but he feels great compassion for this Tanzarra.
Riyyh: I hope you and Hajene Farris have been able to help her?
Wise Snake: Under restraint? [dubiously]
Wise Snake: No, I think he's talking to Tictoc in the infirmary.
Wise Snake can't vouch for whether he's under restraint there or not, however.
Linn: Ah. She must have been confused, then.
Wise Snake thinks, 'that makes two of you'.
Wise Snake nods.
Eliza: I think so. She seems better now then when we found her.
Wise Snake: Well, if Riyyh requires him, you may want to go fetch him.
Wise Snake: He is getting near to need, after all.
Linn: Perhaps I should. I suspect he'd be glad of a fully trained Donor.
Riyyh: If you ever... and I realize that this is difficult, with Hajene Farris involved... have any questions about this, or if Tanzarra does, I'd be more than happy to answer them.
Riyyh: I do specialize in transfer pathologies.
Linn ducks back out into the hall and heads for the infirmary.
Riyyh would not ordinarily presume to know more than a Farris, but he figures since it's his specialty and Snake is relatively inexperienced, he isn't sticking his neck out too far.
Eliza: Maybe you could help her then?
Eliza: I'm sure Snake would be pleased to have the benefit of your experience.
Riyyh smiles, delighted despite himself.
Eliza isn't sure of that at all, but he is the Sectuib - and you have to be nice to old people.
Riyyh: Why, that's kind of you to say, Eliza.
Riyyh doesn't believe that about Snake for a moment, but sincerely appreciates it when people try to be nice to him.
Riyyh: [especially lately]
Eliza smiles, pleased to have pleased him.
Linn goes into the infirmary, being careful to make enough noise that Mytag and Tictoc will notice her approach, if they are engaged in something they'd rather she didn't know about.
Eliza: ~ encouraging ~
Eliza: It's very pretty here at Naros too. I like it. It sort of reminds me of home.
Linn wouldn't normally take such precautions, but has recently learned more than she ever cared to about Naros's second favorite sport. (after gossip)
Riyyh: It does? Where are you from, Eliza?
Mytag is head down over some sheets of paper where he is calculating furiously.
Riyyh is very good at appearing genuinely interested and flatteringly attentive.
Eliza: Oh, a long way away.
Riyyh: Out-Territory... New Washington?
Eliza: In Gen Territory. I never even saw a Sime until my cousin changed over.
Linn: Mytag?
Riyyh tries to guess by her accent.
Eliza: No, a small farming community - you wouldn't have heard of it.
Riyyh nods.
Eliza: Wassabinkabunga
.Riyyh blinks.
Riyyh almost says "gesundheit" but then realizes that was the name of the town.
Riyyh: It sounds beautiful.
Riyyh: And how did you come to be in the company of Hajene Farris?
Riyyh remembers Bum Bum saying something about Eliza being snatched from the arms of the Tecton.
Eliza: I got tired of being pushed around in the Tecton Center at Bender Cove.
Eliza: So I asked if I could work for her.
Mytag: Hmmm?
Linn frowns as Mytag doesn't respond.
Mytag jots something down before looking up.
Mytag: Oh Linn. Linn?????
Mytag recognises the dress, of course.
Linn wonders why everybody is so surprised to see her.
Riyyh zlins that Eliza is telling the truth.
Riyyh smiles, genuinely relieved that Eliza hadn't been kidnapped.
Riyyh: That's wonderful. What strong initiative you've shown.
Mytag looks her up and down and whistles long and low.
Linn does realize that she hasn't looked herself since the eggs began to fly, but still...
Mytag: That is a rather new look for you isn't it?
Linn is mortally embarrassed.
Eliza: I have?
Eliza: I mean, oh, thank you.
Linn: Riyyh loaned me his shower and this dress, so I wouldn't have to go all the way to the cottage.
Eliza: I try to be useful.
Mytag: I seeeeee....
Linn: My own clothes had some rips in indiscreet places.
Mytag wonders how that could be more indiscreet then what she is wearing.
Mytag: Well, what can I do for you? I don't think you came here to show me the dress.
Linn: No. Riyyh could use your help.
Riyyh: I do believe that genuine compassion for one's charge, and a willingness to be made use of, is the most valuable trait a Donor or Companion can have.
Linn: Eliza's with him now.
Eliza: I wanted to help Bumanuel, but now that Linn is looking after him...
Riyyh looks at Eliza curiously.
Eliza: I'm helping Tanzarra, but she is a Second, and Hero said I'm a Third, so now I don't know.
Riyyh: This is the same man as Bum Bum?
Eliza: I helped Mostan when he was sick, before he came here.
Eliza blushes.
Eliza: Yes, they call him that, but he doesn't like it.
Riyyh had heard the bit about Mostan on the grape vine a while back.
Eliza: I mean, it's not a very nice name is it?
Riyyh looks surprised.
Riyyh: Oh! I had no idea.
Mytag: Oh, well he will just have to cope a bit longer.
Riyyh: I will not call him that anymore, then.
Riyyh thinks, except when Snake is there.
Mytag: We have to get these charts done. [holds up the genetic charts]
Eliza: His name is Bumanuel Altavista.
Riyyh: A troubled man.
Eliza: Yes... He can't help it though.
Eliza isn't sure about that really.
Linn: True.
Linn: Well, you'll have to decide what's most important.
Linn: I'm sure Eliza could use the practice.
Mytag: I'm sure he will cope.
Mytag is happy for Riyyh to practice all the control exercises that he obviously didn't practice before.
Linn: She hasn't had much chance to work with a fully trained channel, you know.
Mytag feels a twinge at that but resolutely puts it behind him.
Linn: And it's been quite a while since Eliza slammed a channel--at least two months.
Linn frowns.
Linn: Or was it more recently?
Riyyh: It is difficult for most juncts. How can it not be? They are criminals by their very existence.
Riyyh: Nobody can live in that environment without breaking.
Mytag: Oh damn it, all right then!
Mytag throws down the pen and storms out.
Mytag: I'm going, I'm going.
Linn goes over and peeks at the chart.
Hero intercepts Mytag halfway between the two buildings.
Hero: Mytag! Have you heard!?
Hero: ~delighted gossip-carrier~
Hero bounces up to him.
Linn's eyes widen at the ever-expanding list of Riyyh's progeny.
Mytag: Heard what?
Mytag keeps walking.
Hero: Your channel just had Wise Snake's Linn Haskins in the shower. And she came out wearing Ruby's dress.
Hero skips onward.
Mytag: I know about that Hero. And he didn't have her. Cripes why don't you think before you speak? He is only a week off need for goodness sake!
Hero stops.
Hero: Well... they were in the shower together... [doubtfully]
Hero shrugs.
Mytag regrets being so hard on her, but there is a limit.
Mytag: So?
Hero shrugs, feeling like she is shrinking to about a foot tall.
Hero: Nothing, Mytag.
Mytag: Right, well make sure you get a story right before spreading it!
Hero: [12-year-old brand temporary contrition]
Hero: Sorry, Mytag.
Eliza is uncomfortable talking about Bumanuel; she is so used to hiding him that having his condition known is a new feeling.
Mytag: Good.
Mytag keeps walking.
Riyyh zlins Eliza's discomfort.
Mytag opens the door to Riyyh's room.
Mytag: You all right in here, Riyyh?
Riyyh reaches out to touch Eliza's hand.
Riyyh looks up.
Riyyh: Ah, Mytag.
Riyyh jumps up and darts over to him.
Riyyh: ~~relief~~
Mytag stares at Eliza.
Riyyh: Where have you been? I was so worried.
Riyyh fusses about Mytag.
Eliza: Well, I guess if Mytag is here you don't need me any more?
Mytag chokes over her wording.
Mytag: I've been helping Tictoc with the genetic charts.
Eliza waits to be dismissed.
Mytag: She could probably use your help, too.
Riyyh: I have all this... well, this could wait.
Riyyh: Do you want me to go back with you?
Riyyh is eager to remain near Mytag as much as possible.
Riyyh however is used to Mytag not wanting him around during anything important like work.
Riyyh prefers to think of it as Mytag's great work ethic, rather than his own tendency to get underfoot.
Mytag scowls.
Riyyh automatically takes on a contrite body language.
Riyyh: What would you like, Mytag? [a little coaxingly]
Riyyh: I can be flexible, I really can.
Mytag: You should be with me. You have had a bad month [and it's not going to get better] and you aren't that far off need.
Mytag: And you can help.
Riyyh: ~~relief~~
Riyyh: Thank you.
Riyyh is glad Mytag cares about his health and comfort.
Riyyh always knew Mytag did, of course, but it is a relief to hear him say it in words.
Eliza: Ummm.... You finished with me then?
Eliza: ~ gentle reminder of her existence ~
Riyyh: Ah... yes, Eliza, I'm sorry.
Riyyh: I'm afraid Mytag's appearance had me a little distracted. [apologetically]
Riyyh: Go on back to Snake, and - thank you.
Eliza: That's OK.
Eliza: No problem. Thank you Sectuib, err Hajene, errr.... bye!
Riyyh smiles at her. [sincerely]
Eliza runs out the door.
Mytag: What moron put that child with you?
Riyyh blinks at Mytag.
Riyyh Mytag, so hard! [protests]
Riyyh: She was only trying to help.
Mytag: Did you know that she makes a habit of slamming Simes?
Mytag: I even heard that she killed one once!
Riyyh: Besides, it's good to get to know people a l... [gulp]
Mytag: Yeah well, she can just help someone else.
Riyyh: I am sure she's well beyond that now, Mytag, [voice trembling a little]
Mytag: You'd know best, I'm sure.
Riyyh edges closer to Mytag.
Riyyh: I do feel so nervous when you're not nearby.
Mytag keeps scowling. He isn't the happiest he has ever been, having had his concentration broken the way it was.
Riyyh feels rather nervous now too, come to think of it.
Riyyh: Please, Mytag, don't be angry with me. [pleads]
Mytag: Well, we have work to do. You coming to help? I'm sure you will be fascinated to find out just who is related to you and how closely.
Riyyh: I know you are very busy....
Riyyh recoils from Mytag.
Mytag: It's a bit hard Riyyh, when I have spent the morning finding out how closely I'm related to everyone!
Riyyh stares at Mytag, with a pained expression.
Mytag: Shen, there isn't one member of Naros whom it would be safe for me to marry!
Riyyh: Well, yes, I imagine that... yes, Mytag.
Eliza runs into the room Snakes in, a little out of breath.
Riyyh: I'm sorry.
Riyyh edges backward a little farther.
Mytag: I know, you keep saying that.
Mytag turns and heads back to the lab.
Riyyh: Yes, I do, I....
Riyyh stands there shaking.
Riyyh: Shedoni. [mutters to himself]
Riyyh procrastinates for a few moments, then nerves himself to follow Mytag, at a distance.
Riyyh keeps and eye and a zlin in all directions for danger.
Wise Snake: Ah, hello Eliza. Back so soon?
Nick adjusts his nager as a buffer... just in case.
Eliza: Yes... Mytag came and got him to help - or something.
Eliza: He seemed awfully angry.
Riyyh catches up with Mytag, that is to say, he's slinking only 10 feet behind instead of 50.
Riyyh tries to appear dignified and Sectuibly but is doing a better job of "cur at heel".
Mytag: We can continue on the... where are you?
Mytag turns around in confusion.
Mytag: Sectuib?
Riyyh zlins Mytag uncertainly, then comes nearer when he seems to be not angry anymore.
Riyyh: Yes, Mytag?
Wise Snake: Hmmm.
Mytag sighs.
Wise Snake: At Riyyh or just in general?
Mytag: I'm sorry. This whole thing is just....
Eliza: I don't know, I can't zlin!
Wise Snake nods.
Eliza: I thought he was angry at me.
Wise Snake: Oh?
Wise Snake: Had you done anything that might have angered him?
Riyyh looks downcast.
Eliza: But then, I always think people are angry at me.
Mytag: It will pass I guess.
Mytag: At least we know that we always have family to call on!
Mytag's humor sort of returns, somewhat flatly.
Riyyh recognizes Mytag's attempt at humor and tries to smile.
Riyyh: ~depression~
Riyyh: How is Tictoc?
Mytag: Tired.
Mytag: I don't know when she slept last.
Eliza: I don't think I did anything in particular.
Wise Snake: It's possible he is just on edge because of this scandal. He is Riyyh's Donor, after all.
Riyyh: Perhaps I should speak to her...?
Eliza: Yeah. Snake, am I a Second or a Third?
Mytag: I don't know, unless you are going to send her off to bed....
Riyyh: Surely four hours will not make a difference in these results.
Mytag: You could offer to do her work for that time.
Riyyh feels compassion for Tictoc, working herself to exhaustion during this time of crisis.
Riyyh nods.
Eliza: It's just that one of the Companions here was talking about qualifying.
Eliza: I don't remember hearing that term before.
Eliza: Maybe I wasn't paying attention.
Eliza knows that is a strong possibility.
Wise Snake: Qualifying is when an experienced channel takes transfer from you, to a level you haven't reached yet before.
Mytag goes back into the lab and picks up the charts he was working on.
Mytag: Here, you continue with these and I'll start a new line.
Riyyh: Let me speak to Tictoc. Please. She deserves a break.
Riyyh: It will only take a moment.
Mytag: Oh sure. I forgot.
Mytag takes back the forms and sits down.
Wise Snake: Normally a young Gen in training to become a Donor receives his or her first transfer from an experienced channel and this is called being qualified for TN-3.
Eliza: Then when does it stop? I mean, could I give you transfer one day?
Wise Snake: No.
Wise Snake: While theoretically any Gen could be developed indefinitely, in reality the vast majority of Gens never realize any potential at all, much less the maximum.
Eliza: Why don't they?
Wise Snake: Very few Gens can tolerate the draw speed of a Farris channel, whatever their capacity. [adds]
Wise Snake: Well, I suppose it is because a Gen's time of greatest flexibility is in the year after Establishment and many Gens do not begin training until later than that.
Riyyh goes off in search of Tictoc.
Riyyh comes up behind Tictoc cautiously.
Tictoc snores gently over a culture in a petri dish.
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh uses his nager to very delicately nudge her awake.
Riyyh: Tictoc? [quietly]
Tictoc: Errr what? Yes, I'm awake!
Tictoc sits up straight.
Tictoc: Oh, Sectuib.
Tictoc: I'm sorry, I must have dozed off.
Wise Snake: You, for example, sacrificed months of your best growth period to your cousin, who was not working and so wasn't growing himself, and couldn't push you to grow.
Wise Snake: It was only when you came to the Sime Center that you began to develop capacity quickly.
Eliza: Oh.
Wise Snake: But then, you have come farther than most Gens ever do.
Tictoc rubs her eyes, which are bloodshot.
Tictoc: What's wrong, Riyyh?
Riyyh tries to disguise the effects of Mytag's anger on him.
Riyyh: Nothing, I'm fine.
Riyyh: I just thought... maybe you should go home, Tictoc, and get three or four hour's sleep.
Tictoc thinks that Riyyh must be using a definition of "fine" that she hasn't come across before.
Riyyh can see she's not fooled.
Tictoc: That's probably a good idea, and as soon as I get some time I'll do just that.
Riyyh: Mytag was... a little abrupt, that's all, it caught me a little off guard.
Riyyh: You were taking a little time, just now. [points out]
Riyyh: I woke you because I thought you might like to take it on a pillow instead of a lab sample.
Tictoc: I guess I dropped off.
Riyyh: Come... let me take you home.
Tictoc wipes agar out of her hair.
Riyyh: [gently/firmly]
Tictoc thinks that Riyyh escorting her home is exactly not really the image to portray just now.
Riyyh: You are one of our greatest strengths. We require you in perfect working condition.
Riyyh: ~~utterly pure intentions~~
Riyyh always has utterly pure intentions, though.
Tictoc: I think I could probably make it by myself Riyyh, if you would take over here, or help Mytag....
Tictoc: Actually - helping Mytag is probably the best idea.
Riyyh: All right, Tictoc.
Tictoc knows where Riyyh is in his cycle and that his intentions were pure. She also knows that logic and rational never yet stopped rumour.
Hero rushes out of one friends' house across the street into another house.
Tictoc stumbles off towards home.
Riyyh follows her long enough to make sure she really leaves, then returns to Mytag with a heavy heart.
Tictoc worries about the state of her test samples after four hours of Riyyh.
Riyyh stops a moment to collect himself, trying to avoid projecting whatever Tictoc picked up on so Mytag can see it.
Riyyh approaches Mytag.
Riyyh: She's gone home.
Mytag: Right, here then, you work on these and I'll start the next line.
Mytag pushes the charts over to an empty space.
Mytag: You know, I have to hand it to you Riyyh. I don't know how you did it.
Riyyh sits down and resigns himself to..
Riyyh pauses and looks up.
Riyyh: ?
Riyyh: Mytag?
Mytag indicates the charts.
Riyyh: Well, I, did this, the way it's usually done.
Mytag: You know we have worked out that you have over 70 children and up to a further 50 grandchildren?
Mytag: Of course there is some overlap.
Riyyh doesn't look too surprised.
Riyyh: I know, for the most part I have kept track of them.
Mytag isn't sure if he wanted to hear that or not.
Mytag: Well, anyway. I'm sure that there are many men who would envy you.
Riyyh looks at Mytag.
Riyyh: I didn't do it for myself.
Mytag isn't one of them.
Riyyh does not fail to pick up on that detail
Mytag: The "why" isn't really an issue, Riyyh.
Mytag: I'm talking about the "how".
Riyyh: You are?
Mytag: Well yeah. I mean, it's amazing you had time to run this place.
Mytag: And when you consider how gossip flies around here...
Riyyh: Really, Mytag. I didn't spend so much time at it.
Riyyh has just boasted a tremendous success average.
Riyyh: After all, I am only a Sime.
Mytag: That's hard to believe.
Mytag pulls out some more files.
Riyyh pulls the charts to him and starts going over the first one.
Riyyh: And anyway, I hardly sought these women out.
Riyyh: Just every once in a while, somebody would approach me.
Riyyh: Or, it would just happen.
Mytag: Somebody? Looks like everyone to me.
Riyyh: Well, yes, it was nearly everybody.
Mytag: So what is it? Magnetic attraction? A scent you wear? The fact that you are a sectuib?
Riyyh: I seem to recall some times you've come to me like that too.
Riyyh: Granted, it never came to sex, but only because that was impossible.
Mytag: What?
Mytag: What are you talking about, Riyyh?
Riyyh: Mytag. ~hurt~
Riyyh: Surely you remember.
Riyyh: The time your girlfriend left you at the Harvest dance.
Riyyh: When Ison was told he'd be going to Bender Cove.
Riyyh: You came to me, for guidance and comfort.
Riyyh: And I gave you what you asked for.
Riyyh: I eased your mind and your heart.
Mytag: I came to you as my Sectuib and friend!
Riyyh: Yes, you did.
Mytag: Are you saying that these women came to you for comfort and you screwed them?
Mytag: Riyyh!
Mytag: You couldn't think of another way of being comforting?
Riyyh: Yes, I did think of other ways.
Riyyh: Do you think these women hadn't come to me other times, before and since?
Mytag doesn't know what to think, he just knows that going to Riyyh for Sectuibly advice will never be the same again.
Riyyh: Look, Mytag, what is important is that during their time of greatest turmoil, they came away from me at peace.
Riyyh: As did you.
Mytag shakes his head.
Riyyh: I did everything they asked.
Mytag: Riyyh, I think this is one you are going to have to judge by the results.
Mytag indicates the charts.
Riyyh looks at the charts.
Riyyh: I should have gotten sterilized sooner.
Mytag: That would have been one way.
Mytag: Saying "no" might have been less dramatic.
Riyyh: Let me ask you something, Mytag.
Riyyh looks searchingly at his Donor.
Mytag sighs and puts the charts down. "Sure, what is it Riyyh?"
Riyyh: Have you talked to any member of Naros, male or female, who was turned away from seeking me, without exactly what they'd asked for?
Riyyh: Are any of these people angry because of what they themselves received?
Riyyh: Or are they angry about what the others got?
Mytag: I haven't had time to talk to anyone. But I can name two who aren't happy. Emerald and Ruby.
Riyyh: Emerald is angry because of her mother. Not because of what I did for her.
Riyyh: And Ruby - [pauses a moment, obviously feeling a pang]
Mytag: I can't talk to you about this, Riyyh. You just can't see it.
Riyyh nods, slowly.
Riyyh: Very well, Mytag.
Riyyh looks down.
Mytag puts his head down and tries to concentrate on the charts.
Riyyh looks at the charts and tries to remember his genetics internship which he did about 43 years before.
Go on to Episode #17: I Didn't Want to Know That!
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