Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #17: I Didn't Want to Know That! (9/19/98)
Linn makes her way towards the cottage in the now-rumpled borrowed dress, glad that at least it doesn't have omelet on it.
Linn is dog tired, but glad that things seem to be settling down in Naros.
Linn opens the door to the cottage and steps through.
Bum Bum has just gotten back to the infirmary after a day of serving transfers and taking donations, and is sitting in the living room.
Bum Bum looks rather disturbed.
Linn sees Bum Bum.
Linn: Hello, Bum Bum.
Bum Bum stares at Linn.
Bum Bum: Hello..! [alarm]
Linn lets her nager slide automatically towards support, too tired to miss doing the math.
Bum Bum: What happened?
Linn actually does much better than her first attempts at non-calculated support.
Linn: You mean, besides the riot?
Bum Bum: No, I mean what happened... [looks at the dress again]... over in the admin building.
Bum Bum: In...
Bum Bum can't quite dare say "in the shower".
Bum Bum: I heard you'd been... [sheepishly uncomfortable] ... in trouble.
Linn: Well, it did get a little alarming there, when the rutabagas started flying.
Bum Bum: Rutabagas?
Bum Bum thinks this Sectuib Riyyh must be even more of a kink-meister than the rumors let on.
Bum Bum: Are you all right?
Bum Bum gets up and zlins her carefully.
Linn lifts a hand and feels the lingering tenderness on her head where the rutabaga hit.
Bum Bum: Did he hurt you?
Bum Bum zlins Linn's bump.
Bum Bum: Shen!
Linn naturally enough fails to identify the proper "he".
Linn: Yes, but I think he was trying to hit Snake instead.
Linn: They were all so angry....
Linn: Personally, I think the bit with the eggs was worse.
Linn shudders, remembering her bun lacquered in place.
Bum Bum looks appalled.
Bum Bum projects a healing field at the lump.
Bum Bum: Animal! [mutters to himself, taken aback]
Linn lets her field mesh closer with Bum Bum's.
Linn: Thank you, Bum Bum.
Linn: Well, I can't blame them for being so upset, what with discovering they're all related.
Bum Bum: Who cares about that? This bit with the eggs... what was that all about?
Bum Bum is starting to get upset.
Bum Bum: This guy is a pervert!!
Bum Bum: And I'd like to see him try to hit Snake.
Bum Bum: She'd rip his face off.
Linn: Well, it was a woman with the eggs, actually.
Bum Bum: What!
Bum Bum: What did she have against you?
Linn: I think she was upset at someone trying to prevent her from getting in to see Riyyh.
Bum Bum: ...OH.
Bum Bum winces.
Bum Bum: Look, I just have to ask you -
Linn: Well, Snake made them all talk to her first, and then make an appointment.
Bum Bum hesitates at Linn's explanation.
Bum Bum shakes his head.
Bum Bum: Snake is absolutely the greediest person I have ever met.
Bum Bum: Who else would think of cashing in on a market like this?
Linn: Well, actually, I understand it was Riyyh's idea.
Bum Bum: I mean, it makes a certain amount of sense... they want product, she controls access to product, why not profit?
Bum Bum: But still...
Bum Bum: It was his idea?
Bum Bum hadn't thought that mouse capable of coming up with anything so imminently practical.
Bum Bum: But Linn,
Bum Bum: Shen, I had heard he attacked you physically.
Bum Bum: Now it sounds like... well I mean...
Bum Bum: Did Snake charge you?
Bum Bum seems made really uncomfortable by all this.
Bum Bum has recently realized he had Linn pegged completely wrong.
Bum Bum had figured her for the prim, proper, schoolteacherly type and had been treating her accordingly.
Linn: And Riyyh did promise Snake a Farris-sized workload for as long as it takes her to get this straightened out.
Bum Bum: I'll bet!
Bum Bum: [snorts]
Bum Bum: She handles the deals, she gets free services. No problem, that's fairly standard.
Bum Bum: Linn, I thought you abhorred prostitution!
Bum Bum: Where is the lady who ran away and hid in the food tent at the fair??
Bum Bum feels like he has not only been barking up the wrong tree, but has been barking at a skunk instead of a cat.
Linn is bewildered.
Linn: What does Snake asking me to organize the line of people wanting to register their grievances with Riyyh have to do with prostitution?
Linn: And what is this about Riyyh attacking me?
Bum Bum looks suspicious at Linn's complete change of her previous descriptions of what's been going on.
Bum Bum looks especially suspicious considering what Linn is wearing.
Bum Bum: I heard that Riyyh had snatched you in the shower... his shower in his office. And that you're wearing a dress that belonged to his Companion! His Companion who's gone now.
Bum Bum would be terrified of losing Linn to Riyyh for transfer as well, if the concept of a 1st taking transfer off Linn weren't such a joke even someone in need could appreciate it.
Bum Bum: Actually I heard that you liked it, but I thought that part couldn't be right!
Bum Bum looks betrayed.
Bum Bum: Won't you just tell me what's going on?
Linn: Bum Bum, whatever has gotten you so upset?
Bum Bum: What's gotten me so upset? What's gotten me so upset?!?
Bum Bum is aware he sounds like Snake.
Bum Bum tries to calm down.
Linn: I was covered in raw eggs and rotten rutabaga from the rioting Naros members trying to get in to talk to Riyyh.
Bum Bum wonders why Linn made it sound like she got covered with this stuff in an orgy in Riyyh's office.
Linn: There wasn't time for me to come back here and change, so Riyyh very kindly offered me the use of his shower and a change of clothes.
Bum Bum: Why didn't you just say that?
Bum Bum's eyes narrow.
Bum Bum: I heard that the two of you were in there together!!
Bum Bum: From three different people. [adds]
Bum Bum: They all came in and interrupted me at work just to tell me.
Linn rolls her eyes in exasperation.
Linn: Trust Narosites to make a mountain out of a molehill.
Bum Bum grimaces at the saying.
Linn: I scalded myself in the shower; the plumbing is connected all wrong.
Linn: Riyyh healed me.
Linn: That's all there was to it.
Bum Bum thinks Linn is telling the truth but it's so hard to zlin.
Bum Bum: But... [doesn't know what to think; still upset but she has explained away all his reasons to be]
Linn sees Bum Bum's skepticism.
Bum Bum: But you look like a hooker in that dress.
Bum Bum: [complains]
Linn looks down at the outfit.
Bum Bum thinks it screws up his system if the woman he is trying to impress with his sincere admiration, and treat like a lady and a school teacher in all respects, is prancing around dressed like a trollop.
Bum Bum: Look.
Bum Bum brings Linn over to a mirror and shows her.
Bum Bum: What are people going to think?
Bum Bum: Especially with stories like that making the rounds?
Linn frowns at the mirror, then at Bum Bum.
Linn: I'm not responsible for the local penchant for gossip.
Linn: My own clothes were ripped and covered with things best left unmentioned.
Linn: This was the only alternative.
Linn: Would you rather I'd gone naked?
Linn: That would surely have started tongues wagging.
Bum Bum looks let down.
Bum Bum: You could have sent somebody to get some.
Bum Bum: I would have done it, if nobody else would.
Linn frankly can't wait to get out of the shedoni-doomed dress, which pinches.
Bum Bum realizes he isn't going to win.
Bum Bum doesn't think Linn ever really cares what he thinks, anyway, and besides he's digging his own grave by criticising her.
Linn: I know you would have, but you were in the infirmary, and then I had to find Mytag for Riyyh, and when I got back there were another two dozen people wanting to have their complaints heard right then, and....
Bum Bum: I'm sorry.
Bum Bum: I shouldn't have said anything.
Linn shrugs helplessly.
Linn smiles at Bum Bum.
Bum Bum looks depressed.
Linn: It's not your fault.
Bum Bum wishes there was some way he could tell Linn how frantic he'd been when he'd heard the stories, and assuming that Linn could never have done those things willingly and would have to've been forced.
Bum Bum: [and then to see her come back wearing that dress]
Linn: The people here are experts at creative speculation.
Linn: I expect they enjoyed watching you squirm as they led you on.
Bum Bum looks unhappy.
Linn: I can't understand why anybody would want to live like that.
Bum Bum wishes he could tell Linn how frantic the thought of it makes him even if it happened the way she described.
Linn decides a change of topic is in order.
Linn: How did your shift in the infirmary go?
Bum Bum: It was strange. The place was practically deserted.
Bum Bum: People were coming in for some kind of tests.
Bum Bum: I was doing practically all of the transfers and donations, except for the juncts.
Linn: ~~ concern ~~
Linn: Did they find a Donor to help you? Snake snatched me away to handle the crowd control without so much as a by-your-leave.
Bum Bum: Yeah, they found somebody.
Bum Bum: But I didn't require help for most of it.
Bum Bum: It was pretty standard stuff.
Linn: Still, I'm glad they had the courtesy to find you somebody.
Bum Bum thinks it was more like they were trying to keep an eye on him.
Linn is just slightly jealous of that other Gen, working with what she's come to see as her channel.
Bum Bum zlins the slight jealousy and glances at Linn, more than a little surprised.
Linn: Did he do a good job for you?
Bum Bum: Well, she, was OK.
Bum Bum: I never worked with a tecton-trained Donor before.
Bum Bum found it creepy... like looking over to say something to what you thought was a person, and constantly being surprised by seeing a reflection of a person instead.
Bum Bum: I like you better.
Linn is relieved that the substitute was 1) competent and 2) apparently not good enough to interest Bum Bum in a repeat performance.
Linn smiles, physically and nagerically.
Linn: I'm sure she knows a great deal more than I do about helping channels.
Linn is trying to be fair.
Bum Bum: I guess so.
Bum Bum: All I know is what I like.
Bum Bum returns her smile, hesitantly.
Linn: I can't even manage basic support properly, you know. Not without calculating what it should be.
Linn: I'm sure any properly trained Donor would do better.
Bum Bum: Yes, but... you're [my only hope for life]... special to me.
Bum Bum: And I don't mean special like how the Naros people mean it.
Linn experiences internal meltdown.
Linn: ~~ awwwwww ~~
Bum Bum smiles more freely, mostly out of relief.
Nick stops in front of Riyyh's office and signals.
Riyyh zlins first.
Riyyh: Come in. ~relief~
Riyyh would hate to have to climb out a window because the wrong person is trying to enter, but has been prepared to do so if necessary.
Nick enters the office and looks around.
Riyyh is seated at his desk, surrounded by an amazing quantity of paperwork.
Nick: Where's your Donor?
Riyyh: He's busy in the infirmary.
Nick slips into Farris-standard ~~ support ~~
Nick: You shouldn't be alone.
Riyyh figures Nick doesn't have to know that Mytag is also very angry at him and tends to find him an underfoot nuisance in work situations.
Nick: Wasn't Eliza supposed to be helping you when he couldn't?
Riyyh sighs as Nick's nager envelops him.
Riyyh: You're really good at that.
Riyyh: So far as I am aware, Eliza was simply sent to look after me the one time.
Riyyh: I appreciated that. [adds]
Nick frowns.
Nick: Snake must not have been clear enough.
Nick: You should send for her when Mytag is too busy to help you.
Nick: Or for one of the other Naros Donors.
Nick: Look at you. You're a mess.
Riyyh looks worried.
Riyyh: I am?
Riyyh puts down his pen.
Riyyh smoothes back his hair self-consciously.
Nick goes closer and starts to straighten out the kinks in Riyyh's nager.
Riyyh closes his eyes as Nick does some really amazing things with his field.
Nick: All tied up in knots... haven't you been using relaxation exercises?
Riyyh: Yes, yes, of course.
Riyyh would avoid doing them, however, if it meant he could get more of this.
Riyyh: Ah, Nick, you're quite talented.
Riyyh: It is a privilege to be looked in on by you.
Riyyh leans back to enjoy it while it lasts.
Riyyh has learned recently that life has a way of jumping up and biting you in the rear, and the moments in between such surprises are precious.
Nick: When did you eat last?
Riyyh opens his eyes and looks up at Nick.
Riyyh: I'm sure it was this morning.
Riyyh: Around dawn?
Nick: I'll have Linn bring some of the supper we ordered down here for you.
Riyyh: Thank you. [grateful smile]
Nick intends to make sure that the rutabagas end up in Riyyh's portion.
Riyyh: I do appreciate all you and your compatriots are doing for us here.
Riyyh: [especially covering Riyyh's own ass and keeping people from clobbering him]
Nick doesn't mind zucchini bread, much, but the rutabaga bread was an unpleasant surprise.
Nick: Now, then, this afternoon Snake has scheduled you to meet with some of your members.
Riyyh nods, looking maybe just a bit anxious.
Nick: You will be meeting with more, on an individual basis, for the remainder of the week.
Riyyh: I understand.
Nick: I'll see that you get a copy of the schedule, and the specific concerns of each person.
Riyyh is pretty sure he knows exactly what each person's concerns are.
Riyyh: Thank you, I appreciate it.
Nick: I suggest that you make a strong effort to make sure that you stick to the schedule.
Riyyh: You're right, Nick, of course, that would be a good idea.
Nick: These people have already waited through one long line.
Riyyh wonders why Nick is going on so about people being kept waiting.
Riyyh: Of course.
Nick: However, it is also important that each person feel like you have taken the time to fully address their particular concerns.
Riyyh feels a flash of irritation as Nick attempts to instruct him, Riyyh, in the giving of interpersonal attention.
Riyyh smiles.
Riyyh: Thank you, Nick, for your guidance.
Riyyh: I am sure that, with all of us working together, these problems can be overcome.
Nick: We will take care to ensure that nobody smuggles raw eggs or rotten rutabagas in.
Riyyh, who has thus far avoided being fooded, nods.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Nick decides that Riyyh is now stabilized, and goes back to normal support.
Riyyh sighs internally at the loss.
Nick: Have you been having problems with entran?
Riyyh: Not much, as of yet. I did work yesterday morning.
Nick really has no conception that entran isn't a major, daily problem for most channels.
Riyyh: There are no more juncts due until day after tomorrow. I should be fine until then.
Riyyh is not exactly thrilled at being restrained to serving only his program-members, but is grateful for getting them at least.
Riyyh thinks at least most of those would rather hug him than strangle him.
Nick: Good. Perhaps this will work, after all.
Nick: Do be sure and let someone know if you start getting entran.
Nick: You can't persuade people that you're truly sorry if all you want is to run for the nearest infirmary.
Nick doesn't mention the problems that would ensue if Riyyh were forced to try Snake's methods of climbing in windows to burgle healing, and got caught.
Riyyh: You are correct, of course.
Riyyh: I will be sure to let somebody know immediately if I feel any discomfort whatsoever.
Riyyh: [graciously]
Nick: Good. Mytag should be able to help you as much as you require, but don't hesitate to let Snake know if he's not available.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Nick: With any luck, some of your nonjunct members will be willing to use your services in a week or two, and the danger will be over.
Riyyh: Please have somebody drop off that schedule, when they get a chance.
Nick: I will.
Nick: Do you know how Mytag is getting along with his genealogy study?
Riyyh frowns.
Riyyh: I have a fair understanding of the situation, yes.
Riyyh knows who is related to him and how, and doesn't require the charts to find out.
Riyyh: The work has been frustrating at times, but he and Tictoc have been making progress.
Nick: Good. The sooner people know, the sooner they can start dealing with it.
Riyyh: Yes, your Hajene Farris says that the people are more likely to believe the results of the study than my simple word.
Nick: I hope there isn't more trouble when the results are known.
Riyyh doesn't feel too bitter about that last; he had wanted to avoid admitting the precision of his knowledge if at all possible.
Riyyh: There shouldn't be too many major surprises.
Riyyh thinks most of his children look very like him, with one or two notable exceptions, Mytag and Ruby among them.
Nick: Yes, but it'll be different when they know for sure. About themselves, and the rest of the House, as well.
Riyyh: Most of their mothers have known all along... at least about their own children.
Riyyh: After all, many of them were intentionally mine.
Nick: But the children haven't--nor have their husbands.
Riyyh: Yes, true.
Riyyh thinks also most of the mothers were unaware of their own actual parentage.
Nick: And most of the young people are upset at the possibility that their sweethearts may actually be their siblings.
Nick thinks that for most, it's a bit more than a possibility.
Riyyh appears noncommittal on that particular topic.
Nick: At the moment, every outsider is being mobbed with... offers, because people can be sure they're not related.
Nick kind of wishes he'd had the time to take some of the volunteers up on their offers.
Riyyh: Once it has been determined who will be moving and who will be staying, it will be possible to begin a search for new members.
Riyyh: However, it is a time-consuming process, and they will just have to wait for at least two or three weeks.
Riyyh: It will be a hardship, but not a fatal one.
Riyyh thinks that the overabundant supply of gossip should help make up for the difficulty of obtaining a lay... besides, he is not convinced that being related is going to stop most of the members once the shock of the scandal has worn off.
Riyyh thinks, after all, they are all related to him.
Nick: I hope so.
Nick disengages from his support..
Nick: I really should be getting back to Snake.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: Thank you for your assistance.
Nick: You're welcome.
Nick leaves the office.
Eliza pokes holes in a piece of paper and wonders how, with everyone so busy, she can be so bored.
Hero bounces into the room.
Hero: Hi!!!!
Hero is glad to find someone who isn't working on something really serious and heady that they can't have her around underfoot for.
Hero has full access to the admin areas due to being Wolfa's Donor, but with Wolfa post she hasn't really been wanted much, so....
Hero: What are you doing? [looks at the paper]
Eliza jumps, tearing the sheet of paper in two.
Hero giggles
Hero: I'm sorry, did I startle you?
Eliza: Shen!
Eliza: No, not at all. I was just, ummmm....
Hero is at that awkward age where a 12 year old is neither a kid or an adult exactly.
Eliza picks up a book.
Eliza: Reading.
Hero: What are you reading?
Hero looks at the title.
Eliza looks at the title too.
Eliza: [Three Little Donors From School - The Purpose and Advisability of Training Gens within a Household Environment. by Riyyh ambrov Naros]
Eliza: Errrr. This.
Hero: Wow.
Hero: I haven't read that one yet.
Hero: My favorite book of all time is the "Founding of Naros: Volume 23", but my mom caught me reading it and blew up.
Hero: She lets me read Volumes 1 and 5 though. They're fairly clean.
Hero hops down into a chair next to Eliza.
Hero: So what do you want to do?
Eliza: I don't know. Tanzarra is working with some of the channels here, Snake is busy with - well she is busy.
Hero: I thought maybe we could go down to the gallery and pick up conversations.
Hero smiles impishly.
Eliza: What do you mean by that?
Eliza: ~ confused ~
Hero: You know those galleries of pillars surrounding the courtyard?
Hero: Up on the 2nd and 3rd floors of that you can catch echoes from the entire Householding.
Hero: Why do you think Riyyh's office is up there?
Hero: You have to be quiet as a mouse though.
Hero grins mischievously.
Hero: Otherwise they hear you too.
Eliza: You mean you listen to what people are saying?
Eliza: Why would you want to do that?
Hero: But that's how you find out all the good news!
Hero: [scandalized by Eliza's ignorance]
Hero looks at the book again and wonders if it's really fascinating or something and that's why Eliza is reluctant to go.
Hero thinks it sounds awfully dry, but sometimes they give them dry names to fool the kids.
Eliza: It is?
Hero: Yeah... or does Snake tell you everything directly?
Hero: For me, I never find out anything on time unless I find it out myself.
Hero grins
Eliza: Oh no! Snake doesn't tell me much at all, I don't think.
Eliza: But if I spied on her she would kill me!
Eliza still hasn't got a grasp of some of the abject meanings of in-Territory words.
Hero's eyes widen.
Hero: You're exaggerating!
Hero bursts into giggles.
Hero: Snake isn't even junct.
Eliza: Well, maybe a little, but.... no of course she isn't!
Hero: Even if she does act like one.
Eliza opens her eyes wide.
Eliza: What do you mean, she acts like one?
Eliza finds this young person the most confusing person she has ever met.
Hero: Well, she's so mean and cruel to everybody. And she acts like you should be scared of her.
Hero: Also, she... [leans in close]... likes Gen pain.
Hero is proud of this particular bit of intelligence.
Eliza: She is not! She does not! Well, yes.
Eliza: But not in great amounts!
Hero: Eliza! Isn't any amount you know, well,
Hero: Also, she says she hates juncts.
Eliza thinks about it.
Hero: I think she is uncomfortable around them because they remind her of herself!
Hero picked up that little phrase from her ma.
Eliza: Well - she hates the idea of juncts. I'm sure she doesn't hate them as people.
Eliza: ~ uncomfortable ~
Hero: Oh.
Hero: If you don't want to go to the galleries maybe we can go over to the medical.
Hero hasn't had much luck getting in there but hopes with Eliza along they could Bogart their way in.
Eliza: You have to understand Snake, she doesn't really have a way of making friends, if you know what I mean.
Hero: They're doing Secret Experiments in there.
Hero: To see who's Riyyh's kid. [grins]
Eliza: People are either put off by her appearance, or they are in awe of her as a Farris channel.
Eliza: Oh?
Hero: Everybody is dying to get some of the results early.
Eliza: Yes, that would make sense.
Eliza: I mean, you'd want to know, wouldn't you?
Hero: I'm not his kid.
Hero: My mother says she never been with Riyyh.
Hero sighs; she thinks it would be more romantic if she was.
Hero: Maybe I could have one of his kids. [adds wistfully]
Hero: I'm almost old enough.
Eliza: What!
Hero looks like she's at least 50% and maybe 75% Riyyh.
Eliza: You want kids?
Hero: Oh yes, don't you?
Eliza is still doubtful on the honesty of Hero's mother.
Eliza: No way!
Hero: Why not? I think it would be so much fun to dress them, and take care of them, and it would be sort of like having a channel except they couldn't run off or tell you to go away, and they'd always love you.
Eliza shudders.
Eliza: Well, first there is the pregnancy, then the birth, and then if you live through that there is the looking after them and always having to have them with you and never being free for years and years.
Eliza: Then they grow up and go away and leave you.
Hero: Gosh! Aren't you the gloomy one.
Hero: ~~cheer-up cheer-up my-little-one~~
Hero: It isn't so bad.
Eliza: I just don't ever want kids.
Hero: I just adore the little babies of my aunts, and you know, they let me take care of them all the time.
Eliza thinks that anyone who does must be a bit barmy.
Hero looks at Eliza.
Hero: Well, that's OK for you, but I want a baby.
Hero: Maybe even his baby. I mean, he gave one to everybody else...
Eliza: You have to grow up a bit first - you aren't much more then a baby yourself.
Eliza: Give yourself time!
Hero: I'm 12 and I'm a Gen. ~indignantly~
Hero: Anyway, who wants to be an old bag with little babies?
Eliza: 12 is still awfully young.
Eliza: Where I come from that is still a child.
Hero: Where in the world do you come from??
Eliza: It's deep in Gen Territory, you wouldn't have heard of it.
Eliza: There aren't even any Simes there - they kill them when they change over.
Hero recoils.
Hero: Eww....
Hero: What a nasty place.
Eliza: Yeah. When my cousin changed over we ran away.
Hero: Have you seen Wolfa around?
Hero feels her Donoring instincts come alive after that talk of dead Simes.
Eliza: I don't think I have met Wolfa.
Eliza: You asked me yesterday.
Hero: Oh, right.
Hero: Maybe Sectuib knows where she is. [brightly]
Hero: I think I'll go ask.
Eliza: Oh, all right.
Eliza: Maybe I could come too?
Hero: OK.
Hero doesn't mind because Eliza appears to be no competition for the attentions of the oh so dreamy Riyyh.
Eliza doesn't want to go back to poking holes in paper and she is fairly certain that "Three Little Donors from School" will be an utter waste.
Hero anyway cultivates the idea that she can show Eliza the ropes of the Householding if they spend more time together.
Eliza: Where would the Sectuib be?
Hero: He's probably up in his office, feeling all lonely.
Hero: Let's go comfort him.
Hero grins.
Eliza: All right.
Hero harbors the fantasy that after Riyyh falls from his position as Sectuib (which he doesn't deserve to have happen at all) Hero will be the only one left to comfort him.
Hero: [which she would do with great joy]
Hero sighs romantically.
Eliza doesn't catch onto the subtle undertones of Hero's statement - she doesn't even catch onto the blatant overtones of Hero's statement - she must be tone deaf.
Riyyh is sitting in his office, finally back to his paperwork after Nick's visit.
Eliza hopes that they won't be intruding.
Hero grabs Eliza's hand and bounces out the door.
Eliza bounces too, unable to do anything else with Hero dragging her.
Hero leads Eliza to Riyyh's office and bursts inside, making a hash of the ambient.
Hero: Hi!!
Eliza does what she can to sooth things.
Eliza: I'm sorry Sectuib Riyyh. We can come back if you are busy.
Eliza is mortally embarrassed.
Riyyh looks rather taken aback.
Riyyh: Ah.... Hero, Eliza. How good to see you both. [weakly]
Eliza: ~ soothing ~
Eliza pulls her hand from Hero's grip.
Riyyh casts Eliza a look of undeniable gratitude.
Hero looks at her hand, then at Riyyh, then at Eliza, and thinks "this is war!"
Riyyh: How can I help you two today?
Riyyh tries to be kind and accommodating, as always.
Eliza isn't sure that Riyyh should be alone. She is sure that Snake said that someone should stay with him.
Hero: Oh.. yes, [giggles and moves directly in front of Eliza]
Hero: I was wondering, do you happen to know where Wolfa is? [batting eyelashes]
Eliza keeps support despite the interference of Hero - who is admittedly low field after her transfer with Wolfa recently.
Riyyh: I believe she's in her office.
Riyyh: [mildly]
Riyyh: Have you checked there?
Hero turns bright red.
Eliza: Sectuib, Hajene, should you be alone? Would you like me to stay with you until your Don... Companion returns?
Eliza: ~ concern ~
Eliza looks earnestly caring.
Hero starts to sputter as Eliza horns in on her Sectuib.
Riyyh: Why thank you, Eliza, it is considerate of you to offer.
Hero: Hmmph!!
Hero turns and flounces out (her nager too).
Eliza is uncertain what to do with the praise so decides to blush and ignore it.
Riyyh smiles at Eliza, then looks after the departed Hero.
Eliza: Oh, she didn't say goodbye.
Eliza: I guess she was worried about her channel.
Riyyh sighs and looks back to what he'd been in the middle of writing, trying to decide whether it's salvageable after the distortion caused in his writing by Hero and Eliza's entrance.
Riyyh puts his pen down.
Eliza: She must be a good Don... Companion for all that she is so young.
Riyyh: Yes, Hero is very young, but she has excellent potential.
Riyyh: She has shown quite an improvement in the last weeks. [adds]
Eliza: How are you feeling today Sectuib Riyyh?
Eliza: ~ soothing ~
Riyyh smiles gratefully at her.
Riyyh: I'm feeling much better, thank you.
Riyyh: Everybody has been so kind and helpful.
Eliza: I hope that my field doesn't disturb you too much. Shouldn't you be with your Companion? He seemed quite adamant yesterday about it.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: Poor Mytag, he tries to put up with me, but it isn't always easy.
Riyyh: I'm afraid that he is going through a struggle regarding me.
Riyyh: On the one hand, he wants to be loyal, but on the other hand, he feels betrayed and appalled, as the other members of the house do.
Eliza would prefer not to think of the cause of the problems in Naros, but can't help it when it's constantly pushed in front of her.
Eliza examines Riyyh closely, trying to imagine him fathering all those children.
Riyyh was probably devastatingly handsome in his youth; now he is aging gracefully.
Eliza blushes at some of her more lurid imaginings and looks away.
Eliza: I'm sure he will be all right. He seemed a very strong person when I knew him at Bender Cove.
Riyyh: Yes, Mytag will no doubt survive this; he just requires time to work it out in his own mind and heart.
Riyyh smiles reassuringly at her.
Riyyh kind of wishes Mytag could embrace Riyyh as his Sectuib and his channel on a more consistent basis while he's working it out, but that is probably asking too much.
Riyyh sighs to himself.
Riyyh: How have you been doing, Eliza?
Riyyh: I realize this must be very hard on all of you, to find yourselves in the middle of such an uproar.
Riyyh: [kindly]
Riyyh: And your channel... how is she?
Eliza: She is fine. She is working with your channels in the infirmary.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: I am sorry you and she are required to spend so much time apart.
Eliza: Well, she sort of seems a bit uncomfortable around me anyway. I think she keeps wanting me to be Soli, her matchmate - well not matchmate, who died.
Riyyh zlins Eliza.
Riyyh: How does that make you feel?
Eliza: ~ underneath loneliness ~
Eliza shrugs.
Eliza: I don't know really. Whenever I have worked with a channel before they usually liked me around.
Eliza: Except for D'cor - he couldn't stand me.
Riyyh frowns, sympathetically.
Riyyh: Perhaps Tanzarra's attachment to you will grow over time.
Riyyh: Has Hajene Farris assigned you permanently?
Eliza: She said yes, but that was before we came here.
Eliza: I don't know if that will change anything.
Riyyh frowns.
Riyyh: [this time it is a lot more personally motivated]
Riyyh: I don't see how it could.
Riyyh: So... Eliza, are you seriously concerned about this problem?
Riyyh: Perhaps you should speak to Hajene Farris.
Riyyh: Remember, a channel cannot function correctly if she and her Companion are not in perfect harmony before their transfer.
Riyyh: Or, [adds significantly] if they are avoiding each other.
Eliza: Oh we aren't having transfer.
Riyyh: But you would like to, yes?
Eliza: Well, I'd like to have transfer with someone. ~ wistful ~
Riyyh's sympathy for her problem is plain.
Eliza: I mean, I haven't had a real transfer in months.
Riyyh: Well, perhaps once these difficulties are over, and I have a chance to look at the schedule, if you are still here...
Riyyh: [thinks, if anybody lets him get his hands on the channel scheduling responsibilities again]
Riyyh: Perhaps I could arrange for you to take transfer with somebody of Naros.
Riyyh: But perhaps your Tanzarra just requires time to become accustomed to her loss and to welcome you as a Companion.
Eliza: Oh! I wouldn't be able to do anything without Snake's OK. Although that is really nice of you.
Riyyh thought that bit about Snake was really unnecessary.
Riyyh sighs.
Eliza: Yes, although Snake said it will be a long time before she is ready to have Gen transfer.
Eliza looks thoughtful.
Riyyh: That may be a factor as well [agrees].
Riyyh hasn't really met or zlinned Tanzarra so it is not easy for him to judge.
Eliza: You specialize in people who have problems with Gen transfer don't you? Only the other way around?
Riyyh: I work with many different types of transfer difficulties, usually those of a long term nature.
Riyyh 's critics claim that the 'long term' bit is because Riyyh's program of treatment is too slow, but his track record is proven so he's not about to listen to them.
Eliza: She has trouble taking transfer from a Gen because she is scared of causing pain.
Eliza: Maybe you could help her?
Riyyh: It's possible.
Riyyh: Of course, I would be more than willing to speak to Tanzarra and to Hajene Farris, if necessary.
Riyyh: [smiles kindly]
Riyyh is not optimistic that Tanzarra would want to stick around with Snake leaving, though... at least none of Snake's other people were.
Eliza: That would be wonderful.
Eliza: I could go and get her now if you like. [remembers that he isn't suppose to be alone] or you could come... or something.
Riyyh: I think it would be better if I stayed here. I'm sorry.
Riyyh is genuinely apologetic, but also genuinely not interested in being strangled or beaten.
Riyyh: But I would be pleased to speak with her whenever she is able to come here.
Eliza: We could send a note or something..
Eliza is keen to have them meet, now that Riyyh has said that he might be able to help.
Riyyh: Go on and tell her. I will be fine by myself for a little while.
Eliza: ~ uncertain ~
Eliza: are you sure?
Riyyh wants Eliza to be happy, and has become a little more comfortable about the office as the hours pass with no invasions.
Riyyh: [aside from Hero's regrettable entrance]
Riyyh smiles at her.
Riyyh: Yes. I am sure. Thank you.
Eliza: OK, I'll be as quick as I can.
Riyyh smiles fondly after her.
Riyyh wishes Eliza could be happier, and sympathizes with her tough situation.
Riyyh tentatively thinks he wouldn't have permanently assigned together two people who'd never succeeded in taking transfer together, but concedes that it might be different with as few people as Snake had available to work with.
Eliza smiles back and hurries out and towards the infirmary where Tanzarra is working.
Riyyh shakes his head and goes back to his paperwork.
Tanzarra takes a quick break and finishes the paperwork for the last person.
Eliza pokes her head in a few doors, but after interrupting something which definitely isn't a transfer decides that she should be more circumspect.
Tanzarra wonders how the others are doing.
Eliza signals at the next door and waits.
Eliza waits a bit longer before deciding the room is empty and moving on.
Tanzarra goes to answer the door, wishing that she could have more than five minutes to recoup.
Tanzarra opens the door and zlins Eliza heading down the hall.
Tanzarra: Eliza!
Eliza spins around.
Tanzarra looks around to see if anyone else may have been signaling.
Eliza: There you are! Sectuib Riyyh wants to see you. Can you come and see him?
Tanzarra: Yes I could, I 'd be glad to get away for a while.
Eliza: ~ support ~ ~ errr no support ~ ~ uncertain support ~
Eliza: ~ ah well, just Gen ~
Tanzarra: ~~ confused ~~
Tanzarra: Are you all right, Eliza?
Eliza: OK. [takes her hand] He said he would be pleased to help you with your problem with Gen transfer.
Eliza: They sort of specialize in that here
Tanzarra: Oh!
Tanzarra wonders how.
Tanzarra goes with Eliza to Riyyh's office and signals.
Riyyh zlins Eliza and Tanzarra there and smiles.
Riyyh: Come in.
Riyyh carefully places some papers regarding juncts underneath some other papers.
Tanzarra follows Eliza into Riyyh's office.
Riyyh: Hello, you must be Hajene Tanzarra.
Riyyh: ~~warm, sincere, open~~
Riyyh: I'm so glad we have a chance to finally meet.
Tanzarra: You wanted to see me Sectuib?
Tanzarra: Yes, me too.
Riyyh: Please, have a seat.
Riyyh indicates for Eliza and Tanzarra to pick from the chairs near his desk.
Tanzarra sits.
Tanzarra looks at all the paperwork on his desk and doesn't envy his workload.
Riyyh: I hope the work in the infirmary is enjoyable for you?
Riyyh keeps his nager ~~open/easy/friendly~~
Riyyh doesn't find that difficult as it's a fairly natural state for him.
Tanzarra: Yes, it has been quite busy.
Tanzarra is nonetheless glad for the break.
Riyyh: I apologize for all of the uproar. I'm sure it hasn't made your stay here easy.
Riyyh: Naros is ordinarily a very quiet and orderly society.
Riyyh laughs a little.
Riyyh: I'm sure you will get a taste of that, too, before you leave.
Riyyh hopes so, anyway.
Tanzarra: Oh it hasn't been that bad, really.
Tanzarra remembers the Torn by Tentacles concert.
Riyyh smiles.
Riyyh: I'm glad to hear that.
Riyyh: I hope you don't mind that I have been discussing your transfer difficulties with Eliza.
Riyyh: She does care a good deal for you, you know. She is concerned for you.
Tanzarra: No, I don't mind.
Riyyh: Would you like to talk about it with me directly?
Riyyh: [gently]
Tanzarra: My troubles aren't just with Eliza, but I guess she explained that.
Riyyh: Yes... go on.
Riyyh is skilled at presenting a compassionate and attentive audience for anyone he speaks to.
Tanzarra: Well... I... um... killed my father in First Need.
Tanzarra still has trouble thinking about that.
Riyyh conveys his ~sympathy/support/acceptance~ with his nager.
Tanzarra: When ever I've taken transfer from a Gen I have sensed discomfort and pain and I abort, thinking I'm hurting them.
Tanzarra: Recently I've come to realise that it has been my perception of pain and not the Gen's at all.
Riyyh: May I ask, did you sense pain and discomfort the first time, with your father?
Tanzarra: Yes.
Tanzarra: I didn't want to.
Tanzarra: ~~ sad, guilt ~~
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: Please... continue.
Tanzarra: I didn't realise that I had kil... killed him. I thought he had fainted.
Tanzarra: It wasn't till the doctor saw me with dad laying on the bed that I knew.
Tanzarra sighs deeply.
Tanzarra: It felt so good, until I realized he was dead.
Riyyh wonders about the contradiction between Tanzarra's report of having felt her father's pain and discomfort, yet not realized he'd been killed.
Tanzarra lets her head fall forward and stares at her hands as her tentacles wrap tightly around her hands and fingers.
Riyyh: I'm sorry.
Riyyh: ~sympathy~
Riyyh: It is a very difficult thing to have killed at all, much less one's own parent.
Riyyh: You were Tecton trained, is that true?
Riyyh can tell this by the way she handles her nager.
Tanzarra: Yes.
Riyyh: How did you come to the Tecton from the bed where the doctor found you and your father?
Riyyh winces internally at how that came out.
Tanzarra: I ran away. Mum had gone to get the gun and I jumped out the window and fled. I almost waited, but I ran instead.
Tanzarra: I almost got caught in a barn, but i managed to escape and made my wat to the border and a Sime Center.
Riyyh also wonders if it is possible her father was not dead at all.
Riyyh thinks it odd that a Sime, even a brand new one, would not be able to tell a Gen was dead.
Riyyh wonders if her torments are not caused by a psychological problem at all, but instead by some subconscious knowledge that her father, and his pain, still may live.
Riyyh would never dream of mentioning these thoughts to anybody, of course.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: You were lucky.
Tanzarra shrugs her shoulders.
Tanzarra: Sometimes I wonder about that, then other times I think I am.
Tanzarra: I'm not the only one who has killed in first transfer, but it is still hard to accept.
Riyyh: Yes. A kill can never be forgotten, least of all by the one who did it.
Riyyh: Tanzarra, your pain is real.
Riyyh: You may be very old before you can accept what happened.
Riyyh: I'm sorry.
Riyyh: ~~support/sincerity~~
Tanzarra thinks that she may not get to be very old but doesn't say so.
Riyyh doesn't miss the feelings that pass through Tanzarra's nager.
Riyyh: Please, continue. You arrived at... which Sime Center did you say it was?
Tanzarra: It was in a small border town called Iscam.
Riyyh listens.
Tanzarra: They sent me to the Tecton and I went through disjunction.
Riyyh: It is very unusual to see a disjunct channel working these days.
Riyyh easily remembers the days when disjunct channels were not uncommon, but he is not proud of this fact.
Riyyh: They must have felt you had something unusual or admirable to contribute to society, that they made an exception for you.
Riyyh smiles at her.
Riyyh: Yet... how is it that you succeeded in making it through disjunction when you could not take transfer from Gens?
Riyyh: Surely not with channels...
Tanzarra: After that I started having the problems with Gen transfer.
Tanzarra isn't sure how Riyyh would react to her having a dependency with Soli. Well a possible dependency.
Tanzarra: It didn't happen right away.
Riyyh: ~curious~
Riyyh: So you succeeded in accepting transfer from Gens throughout your disjunction... curious.
Riyyh: Go on.
Riyyh: ~courteous attention/interest~
Tanzarra is going to have to tell him about Soli, she can see no way out of it.
Tanzarra: Not really, I would abort and a Channel would have to force transfer. They didn't expect me to get through it.
Tanzarra: Somehow though I did. I guess I've always been persistent.
Tanzarra: ~~ attempt at humour ~~
Riyyh: How did they handle your disjunction crisis, then?
Riyyh: Was a Gen present?
Riyyh thinks this sounds like a disaster.
Tanzarra: Yes, there was.
Riyyh: Well, you appear to be disjunct.
Riyyh thinks it's a miracle it worked out under the circumstances.
Riyyh: However, it also appears you have never been forced to choose between a Gen you can hurt and a Gen you can't hurt.
Tanzarra looks at Riyyh confused.
Riyyh: Have you?
Riyyh: [gently]
Tanzarra: I doubt they'd let me work if I wasn't.
Tanzarra has to think about that, she is sure that she had. She would have aborted with either.
Riyyh waits for an answer, studying Tanzarra with concern. ~gentle/caring~
Tanzarra: Yes I have, But I felt I was hurting the Gen I turned to and aborted the transfer anyway.
Tanzarra: A channel had to intervene, but not until after I had made the choice.
Riyyh: I see.
Riyyh: ~relief~
Riyyh: So it would appear to be simply a lack of fundamental faith that there is a truly unkillable Gen?
Riyyh: That type of problem is much easier to deal with than a botched disjunction would have been.
Riyyh: ~reassurance~
Tanzarra: There was one.
Tanzarra: ~~ sadness ~~
Riyyh: Soli.
Riyyh: Tell me about your first transfer with Soli.
Riyyh: What happened?
Tanzarra remembers her discussion with Snake about the problem being hers, and not in the Gens feeling actual pain.
Tanzarra: I'm not really sure. We were a match, and they were so worried about me they risked assigning her to me.
Tanzarra: I was anxious like usual during transfer, but there was no discomfort and no sense of pain. it was amazing.
Tanzarra: She was assigned to me the next month as well and there was no difficulty again.
Tanzarra: I thought things were getting better, but when they assigned another gen the next month it happened again.
Riyyh: Ah... Eliza had said you were not matchmates.
Riyyh glances at Eliza.
Tanzarra: Well, we were never officially declared as matchmates, but we were very close.
Tanzarra: We thought we were, and we thought, and felt, that we had formed a dependency.
Riyyh: Let's go back to your first transfer with Soli.
Riyyh: How well did you know her?
Riyyh keeps his voice gentle, his nager carefully open and caring.
Riyyh: ~~supportive~~
Tanzarra: Umm, The Tecton assigned her to me. Maybe they thought our being close matches would help.
Tanzarra: Soli was convinced that we were matchmates and I thought we were as well. She was the only Gen I could complete a transfer with.
Tanzarra: Snake seemed to think that it may have been more psychological than physical.
Tanzarra has been confused about that ever since.
Tanzarra: ~~ unsure and confused ~~
Riyyh considers.
Riyyh: How much did you work with Soli before your first transfer together?
Tanzarra: Just over a month, she arrived a day before I had transfer with my assigned Donor. She stayed with me from then until our transfer.
Riyyh: Were you and Soli aware of your nageric similarity, and did you discuss it, during that month?
Tanzarra: Yes we did. I was a little concerned but I was running out of options, and she didn't mind at all.
Riyyh: And you were aware of this closeness, this "match" before you were assigned? It had been discussed with you?
Tanzarra: Yes.
Tanzarra: We thought that two transfers wouldn't be a problem, and they weren't, but after the third being with someone else I felt I had to have her again.
Riyyh ponders.
Riyyh: Did you notice a powerful difference in Soli's nager right away, or did you only become aware that she was different after two or three weeks?
Tanzarra: I didn't notice it right away, and I'm not sure when I did.
Tanzarra: There was just an awareness that crept up on me, there was no sudden realization.
Riyyh places his hands on the desk and laces his tentacles over his fingers.
Riyyh: Well, then you need have no fear that she was your matchmate.
Riyyh: Your survival of her death would have suggested that anyway. But if you and she were matchmates, you would have been floored by her presence the first time you entered a room together.
Riyyh smiles at Tanzarra.
Tanzarra: ~~ pleased, but saddened ~~
Tanzarra tries to smile.
Riyyh: ~~sympathy/support/genuine caring~~
Tanzarra: So Snake is right?
Tanzarra: I guess I knew somewhere deep down, I just couldn't accept it.
Riyyh: What did Hajene Farris say about it?
Riyyh: I have not discussed it with her at all.
Tanzarra is grateful for Eliza's support during this.
Tanzarra: When they decided to reassign Soli I panicked.
Tanzarra: I couldn't face not having her there.
Tanzarra: Do you think Snake was right about the dependency being more psychological?
Riyyh considers.
Riyyh: If you were physically close, close enough to be a cause for concern, and you had each other in transfer for more than two months in a row, the dependency would have at least some physical component as well.
Riyyh: However, it would have been breakable.
Riyyh: If handled correctly, of course.
Tanzarra: So it wasn't a locked dependency.
Tanzarra and Soli thought that it had been.
Riyyh: No. However, as I say, it would have to be handled carefully. Particularly if many months of transfers had occurred.
Riyyh: Have you ever aborted off channels?
Tanzarra: Yes, when they projected Gen.
Riyyh nods.
Tanzarra: The first time Snake gave me transfer I aborted and she had to force transfer.
Tanzarra: Eliza has been working with me, and I think things are going all right.
Tanzarra thinks and hopes so anyway.
Tanzarra: Although It may be some time before....
Tanzarra: ~~ anxious ~~
Riyyh: Have you ever received a Gen transfer from a Gen that was not projecting Gen?
Tanzarra: Ummm. No.
Tanzarra wonders how a Gen can not project Gen.
Riyyh: Have you ever received a transfer from a First Order Gen?
Tanzarra: Once, but the same thing happened.
Riyyh: When was that?
Tanzarra: Every one said that they felt no pain and no discomfort, yet I perceived it in all but Soli.
Riyyh has become so absorbed in the problem that he has utterly forgot himself and fallen into a clinical, precise state of mind which Mytag and Tictoc would have been proud of.
Tanzarra: A few months before Soli came, they thought it wouldn't happen with a First.
Tanzarra: If it is psychological then it wouldn't have mattered who it was. I don't know why it didn't happen with Soli though.
Riyyh decides a change of tack is in order.
Riyyh leans back, smiling reassuringly at Tanzarra.
Riyyh: You're doing fine. This is very good information.
Riyyh: ~~willingness to help~~
Riyyh: You say you are from Gen Territory... what did you know of channels before you changed over?
Tanzarra: Nothing much. The only thing I knew was that they could tell people if their children Established and that they prevented other Simes from killing.
Tanzarra: There wasn't any Center near us.
Tanzarra: I lived deep in Gen Territory, and I was sixteen when I changed over. Everyone had assumed I was Gen already.
Tanzarra: Our town wasn't very Sime friendly.
Tanzarra sighs.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: ~~support and attentiveness~~
Riyyh: Did you know about Donors?
Tanzarra: I'd heard of gens that willingly went to Channels, but it was frowned upon and if anyone from town did it they kept it secret.
Tanzarra: I think the family down the way might have, they went on regular trips out of town.
Riyyh: I see.
Riyyh: I actually meant Donors, not donors. [gently]
Tanzarra: Oh! No, I thought that any Gen that went to a Channel was the same.
Tanzarra: I don't think I really thought much about it, especially once I thought I'd Established.
Tanzarra: It wasn't something discussed either, it was as if out of sight out of mind.
Riyyh: I see.
Tanzarra: Looking back, it was as if we tried to live as though Simes didn't exist.
Riyyh: When is the first time somebody ever told you about matchmates?
Riyyh: Was it Soli? Or had you heard of them before?
Tanzarra: I had heard of them, but it was Soli who explained it properly.
Tanzarra: When she was the only one I could take transfer from with out aborting, I thought it was for that reason.
Riyyh: Where had you heard of them? When?
Tanzarra: At the first Center, I heard someone talking about how some people match each other. I didn't fully understand it at the time.
Riyyh: Soli... what was she like?
Riyyh: How did she treat you?
Tanzarra: She was... well... she didn't like being sent to different places all the time. She said that it wasn't good to swap and change. She treated me well, she always made sure I was all right.
Tanzarra: Why?
Tanzarra: ~~ nervous ~~
Riyyh zlins Tanzarra curiously.
Riyyh: ~~reassurance~~
Riyyh: You can trust me, Tanzarra.
Riyyh: I can do neither you or Soli any harm. I would like to help you, in fact, if I can.
Tanzarra looks at Eliza, who is remaining quiet yet supportive.
Riyyh: Eliza thought I could help you. [adds, seeing Tanzarra's glance]
Riyyh: The reason I ask is this:
Riyyh: Assuming that the First Order Donor was asked to control you in the transfer, and you aborted anyway, that strongly suggests that your reasons for aborting were not nageric in nature.
Riyyh: Yet, you seem sure that your difficulty was not psychological.
Tanzarra: I don't know any more.
Tanzarra: I know that they wouldn't have let me work if I was really hurting people.
Riyyh: I am asking you these questions to determine whether some of the... less likely possibilities... might be considered as alternatives.
Tanzarra: Like?
Riyyh is reluctant to discuss the possibilities with somebody who may be very susceptible to suggestion.
Tanzarra: ~~ scared ~~
Riyyh: Tanzarra... Tanzarra. Please. ~~soothing~~
Riyyh comes around the desk to where Tanzarra is sitting, the better to help her nagerically.
Riyyh: Don't be alarmed.
Riyyh: If you don't want to talk about this, we don't have to.
Riyyh: ~~friendly/soothing/caring~~
Riyyh: I can tell you if you do want to know, or we can go back to a less troublesome line of discussion. It is up to you.
Tanzarra: No! I'd rather you tell me.
Tanzarra just isn't sure if she wants to face it.
Tanzarra has been thinking a lot about Soli and their leaving the Tecton, since discussing it with Snake.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: Very well.
Tanzarra: I take it you know that Soli and I ran away from the Tecton?
Riyyh pulls up another chair so he is sitting close to Tanzarra.
Riyyh: That is the rumor, I hadn't heard it from the horse's mouth so to speak.
Tanzarra takes a deep breath and lets it out in an attempt to relax.
Riyyh smiles encouragingly at Tanzarra.
Riyyh: ~~harmless/caring~~
Tanzarra: They were going to separate us.
Tanzarra: We were scared, and Soli was terrified they would send her all over the place again, so we ran away.
Riyyh listens attentively.
Tanzarra: I couldn't face going through the troubles she seemed to be able to override, I know it was wrong, but....
Riyyh looks down when Tanzarra doesn't finish the thought.
Riyyh looks up at her again, studying her face and nager.
Tanzarra: ~~ sadness ~~
Tanzarra: I guess that doesn't matter so much any more now that she is...dead.
Tanzarra is again remembering that awful day.
Tanzarra looks up at Riyyh.
Riyyh: What doesn't matter so much anymore? [softly]
Tanzarra: The reasons we left.
Tanzarra: Whether we were right or wrong in doing so. It doesn't matter now. Even the Tecton has decided to let me be. I don't think they have much hope, or use of my now.
Riyyh: It sounds as if it is you who hasn't much hope.
Riyyh: Is it?
Riyyh: ~~caring/concern~~
Tanzarra: For a while afterwards I didn't, but I keep hoping that I'll make it, somehow.
Tanzarra: It was a Tecton official who told me that they had decided not to take action against me, he sounded like they had given up.
Riyyh: There is no reason to assume you won't. [firmly but kindly]
Tanzarra: I try to keep telling myself that.
Riyyh: But this has to be done by you... not to you.
Riyyh: I can offer you advice, and Hajene Farris can give you transfers, but you are, ultimately, the one who must learn to take Gen transfers or languish into illness.
Tanzarra: I know.
Riyyh: Don't despair. ~~support/encouragement~~
Riyyh: Working for your own survival is better than hoping for it... do you see what I mean?
Tanzarra: I have been spending as much time as possible working with Eliza.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: That is good.
Riyyh: Now, will you allow me to make a couple of suggestions?
Tanzarra: Yes, of course.
Tanzarra: ~~ willingness for the assistance ~~
Tanzarra: ~~ slightly tense ~~
Riyyh modulates his ~~support/encouragement~~ to also include ~~soothing~~
Riyyh: I've been working with renSimes and channels with transfer problems for over 40 years. You don't have to worry about my advice being bad.
Riyyh smiles a little
Riyyh: All right?
Tanzarra: All right.
Tanzarra: ~~ tentative trust ~~
Riyyh: ~~reassurance~~
Riyyh: You're a very valuable and important person. Your contribution to all around you is valuable and irreplaceable.
Riyyh: This may sound ridiculous, but you must remember it during your darkest moments.
Riyyh: When you miss Soli, don't imagine that you are worthless without her.
Riyyh: When you think of the Tecton, don't think they threw you away.
Tanzarra listens thoughtfully.
Riyyh: Instead, think of yourself as a, as a point of light. Shining in a dark, maybe even lonely place.
Riyyh: And as you're shining, you're rising higher, and burning brighter and sharper.
Riyyh: That is you growing older and learning things you never knew before.
Riyyh: Maybe Soli carried you part of that way upward.
Riyyh: You shouldn't forget that, you should always cherish her memory.
Tanzarra: Yes, she said she wanted me to go on.
Riyyh: When you think of your father, don't think that you betrayed him, or that he feared you or was hurt by you in his last moments.
Riyyh: Think of him as he loved you. His daughter. His descendent.
Riyyh: You are what is left of him on this earth.
Riyyh: His selyn made you alive.
Riyyh: Just as his seed did when you were conceived.
Tanzarra: It's hard not to remember that last moment, and in my taking it he died.
Riyyh: It was a profound moment.
Tanzarra nods.
Riyyh: Now I want you to think about your future a little.
Riyyh: Right now, you are travelling with a channel with no home and no future, not even family.
Riyyh: For now, she is a haven.
Riyyh: She can serve your transfers and even defend you from the Tecton.
Riyyh: But you are a special and influential person in your own right.
Riyyh: You must consider what your needs really are.
Riyyh: Are you the kind of person who should live in one place, as Soli was?
Riyyh: Or does the wandering life suit you?
Riyyh: Are you the kind of person who must have a single Companion, or would you feel safer if you had no dependencies?
Riyyh: With questions this basic unresolved, with your lifestyle unexamined, it is impossible for you to throw yourself one hundred percent into your own recovery from this.
Riyyh: Your basic needs as a human being must be met or the diagnosis and resolution of your difficulties become not only impossible, but irrelevant.
Tanzarra considers what Riyyh has asked and said.
Tanzarra: Well, I never considered single Companion until Soli.
Tanzarra: And I was more for staying in one place, but if I stayed there they would have separated us.
Tanzarra has never thought of herself as influential, but doesn't express that to Riyyh.
Riyyh: Do you understand why I am asking you these things? I do not have to know myself, I would like you to find these answers for you.
Tanzarra: I guess I haven't thought much of my future. I've been having enough trouble with the here and now, but you are right.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: If you have time before you leave Naros, and you would like to talk to me again, [thinks... and if I am still here myself ~shudder~], then I hope you will feel secure in coming to me again.
Tanzarra: Yes I would like that. You have given me a lot to think about.
Riyyh smiles at Tanzarra.
Riyyh: I wish you the best of luck.
Riyyh: I will send Eliza back to you just as soon as Mytag is freed up.
Tanzarra smiles back a little nervously.
Riyyh: ~~reassurance/kindness~~
Tanzarra: Thank you for you time and advice.
Riyyh reaches out and touches her hand lightly, then stands and walks back around his desk.
Riyyh: You're welcome.
Tanzarra rises.
Riyyh: Any time.
Tanzarra: Then if you'll excuse me I should get back to the infirmary.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: Of course.
Riyyh sits and begins shuffling papers once again.
Tanzarra thanks Eliza for her support and leaves Riyyh's office, with some things to think about.
Go on to Episode #18: Indiscretion (Warning: sex scene included intact)
Return to the Index of Episodes