Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #22: Amazing Powers (9/25/98)
Linn is occupying a slow moment in the infirmary by dealing with the boxes of supplies and other packages which have been dumped by a freight wagon.
Linn keeps part of her attention on Bum Bum as she works.
Linn: Bum Bum?
Bum Bum is filling out a form.
Linn: Do you know where these go?
Bum Bum looks up to see what Linn has.
Linn holds up several boxes of assorted bandages.
Linn: They're not in the usual sizes.
Bum Bum: Maybe someone requisitioned them specially?
Bum Bum frowns.
Linn checks the packing slip.
Bum Bum: All receiving is supposed to be handled through the gatehouse. Mytag is in charge of it.
Bum Bum: Why'd they dump that here?
Linn: I suppose with all the trouble, things have gotten a bit disorganized.
Linn: The packing slip says "attention Wolfa".
Linn: I'll just set them aside until she can deal with them.
Linn: ~~ mild satisfaction at the problem solved ~~
Bum Bum is a little worried that the usually very together Linn is being so sloppy about something like paperwork.
Linn goes on to the next box.
Bum Bum lets his own paperwork fall off the desk as he gets up and goes to Linn.
Bum Bum: Linn, are you all right?
Bum Bum: ~concern~
Linn looks up at Bum Bum.
Bum Bum has been more than a little worried, in general, ever since the bit about Riyyh getting Linn in the shower.
Linn: I'm well enough, though it has been a week to remember.
Linn: I was wondering, though....
Bum Bum: Yes?
Linn: With all the trouble, did Riyyh have a chance to talk to you about his program for juncts?
Linn tries to keep her nager both neutral and supportive.
Sethan is chopping wood.
Bum Bum: Not one-on-one, no.
Bum Bum looks a little nervous.
Linn: He told me that if you wanted to join Naros, he thinks he can find a Donor for you.
Linn: I know you don't like Snake....
Sethan steadily splits big pieces into small ones.
Bum Bum: You're not going to leave me, are you?
Linn's voice trails off as she looks carefully at Bum Bum to judge his reaction.
Bum Bum: ~in need and very nervous~
Linn tries to project ~~ reassurance ~~
Sethan finally runs out of wood.
Linn: I will be your Donor, as long as Snake is here, and afterwards, if you decide to travel on with us.
Linn: But I wanted you to know that you have another choice, another way to survive, if you want it.
Linn finds herself hoping that Bum Bum will choose to stay with her, which surprises her.
Sethan stacks up the wood and puts the axe away.
Bum Bum looks up at Linn as her nager meshes with his perfectly for a few moments.
Bum Bum zlins her.
Linn: ~~ hopeful waiting ~~
Bum Bum: I... I don't know.
Sethan wipes at his sweaty forehead and walks towards the infirmary.
Bum Bum: I guess I should talk to him about it, shouldn't I?
Linn tries not to feel disappointed.
Linn: It would be a chance for a more... regular lifestyle.
Bum Bum: Or... or not.
Bum Bum tries to make the disappointment go away now that he realizes he picked the wrong one.
Bum Bum: I mean, I would love to continue on with you.
Linn: You would?
Sethan stops at the door to clean off his boots.
Linn: ~~ happiness ~~
Bum Bum: Well, yes, of course I would.
Bum Bum: [more firmly]
Bum Bum smiles at Linn, to the best of his ability considering the time of the month.
Linn ducks back over the box and begins removing packing materials.
Linn: I wonder what this is? It weighs a ton.
Bum Bum: Linn, don't you think you had better tell Mytag about these boxes instead of opening them?
Bum Bum: ~concern increasing~
Linn: He's busy with the genetics study.
Bum Bum: Well shouldn't you at least be doing this in the receiving shed?
Bum Bum doesn't want to get in trouble with Tictoc or Mytag, especially since he always seems to be in trouble with Snake.
Linn: There's no point in taking the boxes to the shed, unpacking them there, and then hauling most of it back here.
Bum Bum realizes that, of course, Linn is always right whether she's right or not.
Bum Bum: OK.
Linn pulls a peculiar, sinister looking machine out.
Bum Bum smiles at her and goes to pick up his form off the floor.
Linn: Whatever could this be?
Linn finds an instruction manual at the bottom of the box.
Linn: A measuring device for ordering retainers?
Sethan signals at the door.
Linn: Why would Naros want such a thing? I didn't think the people here ever went farther than the nearest town.
Bum Bum picks up the form and reseats himself.
Bum Bum: I don't know... maybe they make business trips or something?
Linn: I suppose. Nasty looking device, isn't it.
Linn looks up at the signal.
Bum Bum attempts to write "Prescription 10 cc Fyliabene twice daily, do not refill without channel's bla bla bla bla"
Bum Bum deliberately makes his handwriting fade into distortion to resemble a Tecton channel's.
Linn goes to the door and opens it.
Sethan: Hello.
Linn: Good morning. How can we assist you today?
Sethan: I'm Sethan. [tentacle gesture]
Bum Bum sets the prescription aside and looks up at the disjunct renSime.
Linn: Pleased to meet you. I'm Linn, and this is Hajene Bum Bum.
Bum Bum winces habitually.
Bum Bum: Hello.
Sethan: I was supposed to be measured for retainers.
Linn steps back to let Sethan into the room.
Sethan nods to Linn and Bum Bum
Sethan comes in, staying clear of Linn.
Linn moves closer to Bum Bum, letting her nager link with his.
Linn thinks she's starting to get the hang of this non-mathematical technique.
Bum Bum hopes nobody is planning on trying to talk him into touching the retainer-fitting machine.
Bum Bum counts never having to wear, or think about, retainers again in his life as one of the few good points about being dragged away from Bender Cove.
Sethan looks around.
Bum Bum: Did you have an appointment with anybody in specific or...?
Sethan is still sweaty but his breathing has almost returned to normal.
Sethan: No. Is it difficult?
Sethan: I have to go out-T.
Bum Bum pauses.
Bum Bum: Is what difficult?
Bum Bum wonders if Sethan means wearing ungodly sweaty, painful torture devices over his laterals, or maybe putting up with all those Gens staring at you.
Linn leaves this to Bum Bum to answer, since she has no idea how retainers are fitted.
Sethan: Measuring me for retainers.
Bum Bum thinks that, all in all, pretty much everything associated with retainers is pretty difficult, both physically and emotionally. So....
Bum Bum: "Yes, I'm afraid so."
Bum Bum: Want to have a seat here?
Bum Bum gets up and goes over to the box with the device inside.
Bum Bum: I'll be just a moment.
Bum Bum pulls out the instruction manual and opens it to the first page.
Linn tries to reassure Sethan.
Sethan: Of course.
Sethan sits down.
Bum Bum reads "List of contents: Please verify before attempting assembly"
Bum Bum: Hmmm.
Sethan is glad it isn't Riyyh doing this.
Linn: Hajene Bum Bum is really very competent.
Bum Bum: Oh, shen.
Bum Bum starts pulling out bags and small boxes and setting them beside the main unit.
Linn: What's the matter...?
Bum Bum: Nothing... nothing.
Bum Bum has noticed that the "list of contents" is 200 items long.
Linn: Oh, I see.
Bum Bum: You two just... fill out some paperwork, or something....
Linn remains confident in Bum Bum's ability to handle the assembly.
Bum Bum tries to conceal his need-fed nervousness from Sethan as he digs through the straw packing trying to find the contents of a bag that had broken open.
Linn: That's right, there is some paperwork involved in traveling across the border.
Linn thinks, at least there was, coming the opposite direction.
Linn checks the filing cabinet drawer labeled "travel".
Linn: Sethan, is your trip for business or personal reasons?
Sethan: Personal. Very Personal.
Bum Bum: "Insert tab "A" into slot "B".... hmmm."
Bum Bum holds 18 parts at once and tries to follow the complex simultaneous-insertion diagram on page 15 of the instructions.
Sethan: I've never gone out-T before.
Bum Bum: "Repeat until all slots are filled."
Linn: Well, it's... very different.
Sethan reddens as he realizes that that is rather obvious if he doesn't have retainers.
Linn: I'm afraid that you may run into some hostility, particularly if you're planning to go far from the border?
Bum Bum wonders why they didn't just ship all the parts for the retainers themselves, and let people build their own, if it's going to to be this much trouble.
Bum Bum: Bloody shen, this can't be right! [under his breath]
Bum Bum turns his assembly upside down, then backward, trying to make it look like the drawing.
Linn discovers that the "travel" drawer is full of completed expense sheets for trips to town and to the nearest city.
Sethan: Yes. A rural area.
Sethan: Quite far from the nearest city.
Linn takes a chance and dives into the stacks of forms on the infirmary's reception desk.
Linn sorts through a whole stack of folders, forms, and notes, and finally comes up with a paperclipped set of forms with Sethan's name on the front.
Linn: Ah, here we are.
Linn: Travel expense sheet, visa application, Gen Territory travel request, affidavit of preturnover status....
Linn hands the stack to Sethan, along with a pen.
Sethan: Yeah, I've been augmenting to accelerate my cycle.
Linn: Well, that will help. The out-Territory authorities will be nervous enough about having a Sime around at all; it will make things easier if they know you're not close to need.
Bum Bum is suspiciously quiet over there.
Linn looks to see how Bum Bum is coming along, confident that he's making good progress.
Sethan: True. I was assuming that I'd be more comfortable that way too.
Bum Bum has 164 parts scattered around him and is wrestling with a tiny screw the size of an ant's foreleg.
Bum Bum: Come on you bastard, get in the hole! It's not going to bite you! [to the screw, under his breath]
Linn blinks at Bum Bum's language, then projects ~~ calm confidence ~~
Linn: You will be.
Linn: [to Sethan]
Bum Bum thinks they should have a warning label that says "do not attempt to assemble if within a week of hard need".
Linn draws closer to Bum Bum to increase the effect of her projection.
Linn surrounds Bum Bum with Genness.
Bum Bum feels a little calmer and more confident with Linn's projection... too bad she can't project competence and uncanny ability to interpret cryptic instructions as well....
Bum Bum: Thank you, Linn.
Bum Bum turns to page 44.
Bum Bum: This will just be a little longer. [to Sethan]
Linn is looking over the machine.
Sethan: It's all right.
Sethan works his way through the forms.
Linn thinks that it looks even worse than some of the torture devices in her optometrist's office.
Sethan tries to remember his mother's maiden name.
Sethan: Helwalyn? Herbin?
Sethan snorts and then scowls.
Bum Bum feels like he's finally getting somewhere. [mostly due to the support]
Linn looks over Bum Bum's shoulder at Page 44.
Linn: What language is that written in?
Linn: Some strange dialect of Simelan?
Bum Bum: Let's see... "Make the left, upper connection and sandwich E and F side plates within convex nut 66F and Barcher link #33."
Bum Bum looks all around him, trying to find the pile of convex nuts.
Sethan mutters. "Naros can save time by ordering forms with 'father' already filled in, I suppose."
Linn points.
Sethan: 'No bad without some good' like mother used to say....
Linn: Is that what you're looking for?
Linn looks over her shoulder at Sethan.
Sethan: What the shen is a "Selyn trade balance itemization"?
Linn: A what?
Riyyh can be heard down the hallway talking to some of the staff.
Linn has seen enough Tecton paperwork to know that the selyn trade is very itemized, but doesn't see what that has to do with travel.
Riyyh: [some of the real staff, that is]
Sethan holds up a form. "Something about declaring the selyn capacity and current level of both my systems."
Bum Bum turns to page 46.
Linn: Both....?
Sethan: Do I just put 0 and 0 for the "Secondary System" section?
Bum Bum looks around for something suitable for use as a screwdriver.
Linn sees Bum Bum holding a screw, and digs in her pocket for her knife.
Linn: Here. There's a screwdriver blade on it.
Linn takes a step or two closer to Sethan, in order to see the form.
Sethan holds out the clipboard towards her with his dorsals.
Linn: Oh, that's a form to tell the local Sime Center the status of any channel coming through.
Sethan: Oh.
Sethan: I don't require it then, do I?
Linn: I don't know why it was given to you.
Linn: Unless... Will you be staying at the local Sime Center?
Sethan: Only in transit. There isn't one there.
Linn: Oh.
Linn frowns.
Riyyh can now be heard just outside the door of the room they are in.
Linn: I thought it was illegal to remove retainers out-Territory except at a Sime Center or posted Tecton area?
Riyyh is chatting about a harvest festival or some such, with a couple of the janitorial staff.
Linn: Bum Bum, how long is it possible to wear retainers, anyway?
Bum Bum: Define "possible".
Linn: Without serious injury. Isn't the damage cumulative?
Bum Bum: The annoyance definitely is.
Bum Bum: Aha!
Sethan: I know.
Bum Bum: ~triumph~
Sethan: I'll manage somehow.
Bum Bum snaps pins 1 through 100 into Socket W.
Sethan: ~~ resolve ~~
Riyyh pops into the room, starts to hand Linn a sheaf of transfer assignments for Bum Bum, then shies away as he realizes Sethan is there too.
Riyyh: Oh! Hello.
Bum Bum looks up.
Linn: Ah, Sectuib Riyyh can clear the matter up, I'm sure.
Sethan looks over at him. "Hajene."
Riyyh zlins them all and looks rather like he wishes he hadn't popped in on them.
Linn: There was some confusion over Sethan's travel forms. Perhaps you could help clarify them?
Riyyh: Of course, Linn, was there some difficulty?
Riyyh: His travel forms?
Riyyh looks to see what Linn is talking about.
Sethan: ~~ tired from exertion ~~
Linn: There was a form asking for the statue of the traveler's primary and secondary systems... I think it's for channels only?
Riyyh: Oh. These... actually I had prepared a special package for him.
Riyyh: I'm sorry, you wouldn't have known that.
Linn: Ah, that explains it.
Bum Bum becomes silently, but increasingly, frustrated as Linn's attention is diverted.
Bum Bum curses and sucks a bruised tentacle-tip.
Linn goes back over to Bum Bum.
Linn: Are you all right?
Riyyh turns to Sethan.
Sethan turns to zlin Bum Bum and Linn.
Riyyh realizes Sethan is deliberately ignoring him and sighs.
Linn takes Bum Bum's tentacle to inspect it for damage.
Bum Bum: It's nothing. It's just.. shen, this thing is frustrating.
Linn grins crookedly.
Sethan turns back.
Riyyh figures there's no point in reminding Sethan that getting the correct paperwork filled out is only in Sethan's best interest.
Linn: Look at it this way. At least you won't be the one wearing retainers.
Riyyh: ~gloom~
Sethan looks flatly at Riyyh.
Sethan: Did you want something from me?
Bum Bum: I wouldn't have to, if I have no tentacles left by the time I'm finished.
Linn is encouraged by the greatly reduced pile of parts.
Riyyh backs off a little from Sethan.
Linn: It looks like you've gotten most of it together.
Riyyh: No, not as such, if you don't want the correct paperwork now, that is.
Riyyh zlins like he would rather not be there but can't bring himself to leave.
Sethan sighs. "OK". What am I supposed to put down on this one?
Riyyh edges closer to Sethan and looks down at the form with him.
Riyyh: "This is for a channel."
Riyyh: "What you require is Form 3366B, Variance on Restriction 3A for renSimes."
Sethan: Oh.
Linn actually thinks Bum Bum is quite mechanically adept to have made so much progress so fast.
Riyyh: I really have assembled all of this for you, I told you I would.
Linn: ~~ approval ~~
Sethan: Do I just leave some parts blank, or do I require the renSime form?
Sethan nods.
Sethan: Will we have one here?
Riyyh shakes his head.
Riyyh: It's all in my office. Come there with me, and I'll give it to you.
Riyyh has no idea where these ones came from.
Bum Bum works faster, invigorated by Linn's approval.
Sethan: All right.
Sethan gets up.
Riyyh: Have you been fitted yet?
Sethan: No, I asked, but he had that thing to assemble, whatever it is.
Riyyh glances at Bum Bum and Linn's project.
Linn: It's almost finished..
Riyyh: Here, I can do this by hand, it'll just take a moment. [to Sethan]
Riyyh: I'm afraid it'll take us so long to learn to use the new toy that you'll never get out-Territory.
Bum Bum wonders if he could secure Linn for life by becoming a mechanic.
Linn wishes Riyyh had made that offer before Bum Bum had to spend so much time assembling the derned thing.
Bum Bum didn't hear that, fortunately.
Sethan sits back down to wait.
Riyyh looks at Sethan uncertainly.
Linn looks at Bum Bum and smiles a bit ironically.
Linn: Well, it looks like we're not required for this after all.
Bum Bum: We're not?
Linn: How about sneaking out for some tea?
Linn has been in-Territory long enough to have acquired faith in the efficacy of trin tea for calming frustrated channels.
Bum Bum looks up in confusion.
Linn nods to where Riyyh is preparing to measure Sethan for retainers.
Linn: Or do you want to watch and zlin how it's done?
Riyyh reaches for one of Sethan's hands.
Riyyh: May I?
Riyyh: ~gentle/businesslike~
Sethan: Yes.
Sethan holds it out.
Riyyh takes the hand in both of his, then uses fingers and tentacles to manipulate Sethan's, comparing the lengths and movement ranges to his own, and making notes on a small piece of paper.
Riyyh seems to have had a lot of practice at this, but maybe he just has a lot of practice fondling people's hands.
Bum Bum finally comprehends.
Bum Bum: You mean... I put all this together for nothing?
Bum Bum: ~dismay~
Linn: I'm sure they'll find a use for it.
Bum Bum would like to find the gadget hound who bought this piece of junk and show him a thing or two.
Linn thinks that "use" may be limited to scaring children into behaving, but still, that's better than nothing.
Linn: And it does look... impressive.
Sethan is ~~ confused ~~
Riyyh: You have such large hands, they're OT hands.
Sethan: [to Bum Bum] What is that you're working on there, anyway?
Riyyh lets go of Sethan and makes some final notes.
Sethan: [to Riyyh] Yeah. "With hands like that, you're sure to be human."
Sethan: Famous last words.
Linn remembers hearing her students in Eastcove say things like that.
Riyyh laughs a little.
Riyyh: [sort of]
Bum Bum: I think it is supposed to be some kind of hydraulic arm-measuring apparatus.
Bum Bum pauses, then looks at the documentation more closely.
Bum Bum: I'm sorry.... Hydraulic "Ram" measuring apparatus.
Bum Bum: Whatever that is.
Linn: A hydraulic ram?
Bum Bum: Either that or a calibration unit for one.
Bum Bum thinks the point is moot, now.
Riyyh: There, I have all the measurements.
Sethan: Why are you working on irrigation equipment here?
Linn: I think I heard someone talking about using a hydraulic something to dig a new well.
Riyyh folds the paper and places it in a pocket of his robe.
Sethan takes his hands back. "Ah. Good."
Riyyh: I'll just take these and send them to.... [pauses as he sees the stuff all over the floor, and the other boxes]
Linn: It was misdelivered here..
Riyyh: Is this the shipment from Farmacious Equipment Corp?
Linn checks the invoice.
Sethan walks over and look at some of the instructions.
Linn: Well, it's a little smeared, but it could be that.
Bum Bum: Great, I could get a job working as a be-shenned irrigation maintenance worker. [mutters]
Riyyh: Ah, Mytag will be so pleased.
Riyyh is glad he has some kind of good news to tell Mytag... it's getting so he's afraid to go near his Donor unless he has good news that has nothing to do with genetics.
Linn puts a calming hand on Bum Bum.
Riyyh: I really must be going, I do have appointments.
Linn: I think you'd be good at anything you tried to do.
Sethan: Father always said a man should know two trades.
Bum Bum: Yeah I suppose so, but..
Sethan: ~~ good ~~
Sethan: Oh, what about those forms?
Bum Bum had never figured himself for the plumbing type. Pimp, maybe. Plumber, no.
Riyyh: Please come by when you would like to fill out those forms, Sethan.
Riyyh: I have them all ready for you.
Sethan nods. "All right."
Riyyh: Linn, Bum Bum.
Riyyh nods to them and leaves.
Linn looks at Bum Bum apologetically.
Sethan: Thank you for you help, Hajene and Sosu.
Bum Bum gets to his feet, suddenly very embarrassed by the whole hydraulic ram incident.
Linn: I should have read the manual more carefully. I still find Simelan grammar confusing occasionally.
Sethan: Yeah. I had to learn it after First Year. It's confusing.
Bum Bum: We're sorry to have delayed you.
Bum Bum: ~sincerely!~
Bum Bum: I hope you have a good time in, er,
Bum Bum tries to imagine any Sime having a good time anywhere in OT and fails miserably.
Bum Bum: Well, I hope everything works out.
Sethan: Thank you.
Sethan: I hope so too.
Sethan: Well, I should get going. Have to augment some more.
Sethan goes over to the door.
Bum Bum thinks the augmenting part ought to be fun, anyway.
Sethan goes out.
Nick is in the cafeteria, staring down into a bowl of stew.
Nick picks up his spoon, takes a small bite, and swallows without tasting.
Nick: ~~ deep depression ~~
Nick puts the spoon down and goes back to staring.
Mostan gets off a shift in the collectorium.
Mostan rubs his eyes with his dorsals.
Mostan says to the empty hall, "I could use some tea."
Povkhia is watering garden boxes around the Medical Center.
Mostan heads for the cafeteria.
Povkhia spots Mostan leaving the building and drops everything to rush after him.
Povkhia: Oh... Mostan!
Mostan zlins an approach and turns.
Mostan: Povkhia!
Povkhia: ~glad to see you~
Nick tries to remember why he bothered getting out of bed this morning.
Mostan smiles.
Riyyh enters the dining hall, something he only started daring to do again recently.
Riyyh hurries to the line and tries to pick up some tea and a pastry without looking at anybody, zlinning anybody, or offending anybody [not an easy combination]
Nick finds himself unable to find a reason.
Nick considers eating another mouthful of stew, but it seems like too much trouble.
Riyyh starts to leave with his food, then can't help but notice the overwhelmingly depressed Nick.
Riyyh: Oh... [disappointment warring with need-to-help]
Riyyh hesitates between the door and Nick.
Povkhia: How are you doing? I haven't seen you since the party.
Povkhia: ~shyly~
Mostan: I've been doing OK. Just busy with work.
Riyyh's soft spot wins out over his sense of self-preservation (again) and he approaches Nick cautiously.
Riyyh: Nick? [gently]
Nick blinks and slowly looks up.
Riyyh: Are you all right?
Nick: Riyyh. [flatly]
Riyyh flinches as yet another person greets him in that tone of voice.
Nick dutifully tries to bring his field into some sort of order.
Riyyh has no idea what he might have done to offend Nick of all people, though.
Mostan: Did you get all that confetti cleaned up?
Povkhia giggles.
Nick remembers that one is supposed to make conversation at meals.
Povkhia: I'm still finding it EVERYwhere.
Povkhia: I'm really glad you came.
Povkhia: ~truth~
Povkhia: We all had a really good time.
Nick: How are you?
Riyyh notices Nick hasn't answered his question.
Mostan: EVERYwhere? [ grins ]
Mostan: Yes I enjoyed it a lot.
Riyyh realizes this might take a while, and sits down next to Nick, placing his cup and plate on the table.
Riyyh: Well, things have certainly been better, but on the whole, I'd say, [that my life is falling to pieces and I am completely out of control] that everything is going fairly well.
Riyyh smiles kindly at Nick.
Riyyh: You seem blue.
Riyyh: More problems with Hajene Farris?
Povkhia laughs.
Nick: No. I haven't seen her since... well, since our transfer.
Povkhia pushes back her light brown hair.
Povkhia: I was wondering, you know, if you'd like to have lunch with me.
Nick misses Snake.
Povkhia: ~shy/nervous~
Riyyh zlins Nick's feelings of missing her.
Mostan watches her hand and the sun on her hair.
Nick: She stayed out all night.
Mostan: Y-yes, I would like that.
Mostan: I was just thinking of getting some tea.
Povkhia smiles, physically and nagerically.
Nick wonders if Snake was just sleeping elsewhere.
Riyyh: It must be hard. ~sympathetically~
Mostan points back at the Medical Center. "When I came out, I mean."
Nick feels the stabbing pain of loss.
Povkhia: Maybe you read my mind?
Riyyh thinks that not only must it be hard, it must hurt as well.
Riyyh tries not to zlin quite so much as he was before.
Mostan waggles a ventral at her. "Now, Now, that's just a myth from out-Territory. We can't read minds."
Nick: Do you... know where she's been staying?
Mostan: [mock sternness] "You weren't paying attention in that class, were you?"
Povkhia: Of course I was! [mock surprise]
Povkhia: Which class do you mean?
Povkhia giggles and pushes Mostan slightly.
Nick braces himself for the answer.
Riyyh: Last night she was in the infirmary all night with Tictoc.
Riyyh: And the night before last... wasn't she in town again?
Mostan: "Cultural Comparatives 207, of course."
Riyyh hates to appear unknowledgeable about what goes on in his own Householding, but conditions have certainly made it difficult to spend much quality time on information-gathering.
Nick: You mean... she wasn't with you?
Nick: ~~ hope ~~
Mostan offers his arm to her. "Shall we?"
Povkhia: Yes... [grins]
Povkhia takes his arm.
Riyyh: With me? No....
Mostan begins walking towards the cafeteria in a stately manner.
Nick: ~~ relief ~~
Riyyh: I've been meeting with the members, [explains] it has taken up most of my time.
Nick: Oh.
Riyyh also has been avoiding Snake whenever possible, but he isn't going to say that to Nick.
Riyyh wonders why Nick is so relieved.
Povkhia accompanies Mostan.
Povkhia: ~happy~
Nick realizes that Snake's failure to seduce Riyyh might well have been due to lack of time on his part, not a change of heart on her's.
Nick: She said...
Mostan: [pretentiously] "As the free informational pamphlets available free at your friendly neighborhood Sime Center will tell you, Simes can not read minds."
Nick: ~~ pain ~~
Nick: She said she... wanted to try you.
Povkhia: Oh yeah? Then what I am I thinking right now? ~~puppy love~~
Nick: Because you were more experienced than me.
Riyyh looks briefly confused, and then surprised.
Riyyh: She did?
Riyyh thinks he meant for transfer.
Riyyh: But, er, a Farris channel... Oh!
Mostan: I of course don't know. I can only zlin your emotions, not your thoughts inspiring them.
Riyyh finally connects this with his previous conversation with Nick.
Nick: And if I c..can't satisfy her.....
Riyyh actually blushes slightly, something which has rarely been seen ever.
Nick: Well, I hope you can.
Povkhia: I bet I can make you read my mind.
Povkhia: [mischievous]
Nick manages not to cry again, barely.
Riyyh looks like the cat that has just jumped into the nice warm bathtub and found the plug had not been pulled a few minutes ago.
Riyyh: Nick!
Riyyh: I feel for you, Nick, I really do.
Riyyh: Don't torment yourself over this, she hasn't even approached me.
Riyyh: I'm sure it must all be some sort of misunderstanding.
Mostan: [pompous] Nonsense! Hrumph!
Riyyh was under the impression Snake viewed him as somewhat of a cross between a worm's belly and a ship's figurehead.
Nick: No, she was very sure that she wanted someone... better... than me.
Povkhia tugs Mostan in the direction of the food.
Povkhia: OK what am I thinking of now?
Povkhia stares at a chocolate dessert and feels ~the stirrings of desire~
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: Nick... really, it's probably just a phase she's going through.
Riyyh places a cautious hand on Nick's shoulder.
Riyyh: I'm sure if you wait it out... perhaps two to six months? Your patience will win out.
Mostan: You're hungry, right?
Povkhia: Oh, yes, I am!
Povkhia: ~delight~
Povkhia clings to Mostan's arm.
Povkhia: I want that one. [attention on the one]
Mostan reaches out and scoops up the the dessert and holds it out to her.
Nick: Riyyh, I don't want her to turn to me just because she's afraid of the CDs and I'm the only male convenient.
Nick: From what she said, she viewed what we did as a necessary evil.
Nick: What is there in that to bring her back?
Nick wonders what Riyyh's learned that makes women actually eager for his attentions.
Povkhia takes it in her hands and smiles up at him.
Povkhia: Thank you.
Mostan bobs his head.
Povkhia: Do you miss the Tecton?
Mostan moves over to get them two trays.
Mostan: No, not especially.
Riyyh: It is hard for me to judge without having spoken to her about it as well, [confesses]
Riyyh: But perhaps it would help if you were to analyze your own motives.
Riyyh: As she can zlin that which maybe you don't even realize you are feeling?
Mostan: I haven't spent that much time there anyway.
Riyyh: Surely, if you have the best of intentions, she will know.
Nick: My motives?
Riyyh places a lot of value, perhaps too much value, on having "the best of intentions".
Riyyh: Do you love her?
Riyyh: As a woman?
Povkhia: I've never been outside of Naros for longer than a few days.
Povkhia: What's it like, working for Them?
Povkhia holds the dessert like a prize as she follows Mostan.
Mostan: You haven't? Oh, you should sometime. travel gives you perspective.
Nick: How do you define "love"?
Nick: To me, she's woman, and channel, and the one person my life revolves around....
Mostan gets himself some tea and fruit.
Nick: I can't vouch for love, but I know that after our transfer, I didn't want any other woman.
Mostan: Lots of paperwork. And they treat you like a cogwheel in a machine.
Riyyh considers the definition of love.
Riyyh: Do you feel love the way a Sime would zlin you and know you felt love?
Riyyh: Or is it... something that might be interpreted as less passionate?
Riyyh: Loyalty, perhaps?
Riyyh: Dedication?
Povkhia: Ew.
Nick wonders how he's supposed to know how love zlins.
Povkhia finds this description considerably less romantic than she'd hoped.
Nick: Aren't loyalty and dedication also aspects of love?
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: Nick....
Riyyh: Yes, they are.
Riyyh: But aspects... not the entirety of it.
Nick finds the distinction confusing.
Mostan: Did you want anything else?
Riyyh: Nick, she may think of you in a context so different from how you think of her, that your loyalty and dedication may seem not love, to her, but simply competence.
Nick: Well, it doesn't really matter, because however you define it, Snake doesn't want me.
Povkhia looks up to Mostan.
Povkhia: Oh, no... thank you, Mostan.
Mostan is looking over the food selection.
Mostan: Ah. OK.
Nick: Competence. And "service" when there isn't anybody else handy.
Nick still can't say the word "service" without flinching.
Mostan looks over at the tables. "Where should we sit?"
Povkhia: How about over there?
Povkhia 'points' with her attention.
Mostan: Sure.
Mostan leads the way over to the table.
Riyyh: Nick, please.
Nick: Although apparently I'm not "competent" in that category.
Mostan puts the trays down and pulls out a chair for Povkhia.
Riyyh: I feel your pain, but your bitterness cannot help you in this.
Riyyh: Do you wish to regain this channel as your lover?
Nick: She's never been my lover.
Riyyh: She hasn't?
Nick: Not in her eyes, at least.
Riyyh: Ah....
Povkhia: Thank you. [sits] ~shy~
Riyyh drops his hand down to Nick's.
Riyyh: Nick, you're closing your mind to this. You're rejecting her rejection.
Riyyh: Which do you desire, to be her lover or not to be?
Mostan sits down adjacent to her.
Riyyh appears earnestly concerned for Nick's troubles.
Mostan sips at his tea.
Nick: A few days ago, I would have said I wanted to be her lover.
Mostan: So is the mask dance an annual affair?
Povkhia: Oh, yes. It's very exciting.
Nick: But now... she's not the person I thought she was, and I don't know if who she is, is someone I want as a lover.
Nick: If that makes any sense.
Povkhia: A lot of... [starts to say, a lot of couples get betrothed there, but stops herself]
Povkhia: A lot of great friendships come of it.
Riyyh: Do you think you can still be the Companion of this person?
Mostan: I'm sure they do. But doesn't everyone already know everyone here already?
Nick looks down at his hands.
Nick: I'm not even sure she really wants a Companion, not really, but... I can't just let her die, can I?
Povkhia: Not everybody.
Povkhia smiles at Mostan.
Nick: She can't go back to the Tecton, and there isn't anybody else who can give her transfer since we lost Rapol.
Nick is trying very hard to rationalize what is actually being decided more on the instinctual level.
Mostan smiles. "Well, yeah."
Mostan chews at fruit slices.
Riyyh: Well, you can't let her die if her death would immediately result.
Riyyh: But it wouldn't.
Povkhia: I mean, not yet.
Povkhia giggles suddenly.
Povkhia is thinking of the rumors of the prissy (and reputedly dangerous) Linn Haskins in the shower with Riyyh.. and the reports of Riyyh and Nick hugging in Snake's office, and, well, then that Eliza!
Mostan zlins Povkhia with raised eyebrows.
Nick: You've got a Farris-capacity Donor hidden in your House?
Riyyh: No, but she can always go back to the Tecton or to Zeor.
Mostan: There aren't that many people left around here, are there?
Nick: Zeor and the Tecton almost destroyed her in Bender Cove.
Nick: I think she would choose to die before going back.
Riyyh: Nick, [gently] it will happen whether you remain with her or not.
Riyyh: What will make you happy?
Nick looks at Riyyh.
Nick: All I ever wanted was a channel to look after.
Nick: But I couldn't live with the Tecton's rules.
Nick tries to keep the pent-up frustration of a thwarted Donor from flooring Riyyh.
Riyyh: But Nick... you have that channel.
Riyyh: Is it the definition of "looking after" that you must examine now?
Nick shakes his head.
Mostan finishes. "I have to get back and give some transfers."
Mostan: Meet me for dinner?
Povkhia: ~glad~
Povkhia: Yes, I would love to.
Povkhia: My thoughts will be with you the whole time. [grins]
Mostan smiles.
Mostan takes her hand and kisses it. "Until then."
Povkhia: ~melt~
Povkhia: ~joy~
Nick: You've seen it: she'd rather drug herself into oblivion than ask me to help her with entran and other stress.
Mostan bows and then walks off.
Povkhia sighs and has another spoonful of chocolate. ~bliss~
Nick: How can I have my channel if she won't turn to me for help and comfort?
Nick: If she resents what her body forces her to accept from me?
Riyyh: ~sympathy~
Riyyh: Nick... would you mind coming back to my office with me?
Nick: Your office?
Riyyh: I would like to discuss this with you in some depth, in a more... private location.
Nick: Oh.
Riyyh glances around at the dining hall, which contains many people who are making Riyyh rather distracted and nervous with their dirty looks and so on.
Nick looks around, finally noticing the attention Riyyh is getting.
Nick adjusts his nager to block the nageric component, at least.
Nick: Sure.
Riyyh smiles gratefully.
Riyyh picks up his (cold) tea and pastry.
Nick decides that he really isn't that hungry, and busses his cold bowl of stew.
Riyyh hopes the people he was supposed to be meeting with over at the millinery will be understanding at his no-showing.
Go on to Episode #23: Flattery will Get you Nowhere
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