Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #28: Look, Doc, No Hands (10/2/98)
Risha is sitting in the Sectuib's "office" with an extremely helpful nager, hoping that the Sectuib will approve of her.
Riyyh smiles at Risha trying to put her at ease.
Riyyh: How has your work in the infirmary been going, Risha? [kindly]
Risha: Oh excellent! Lately we have had just so much work!
Riyyh: That's wonderful.
Riyyh: The reports here all say that you have been doing very well, perhaps one or two small little problems, but other than that, very well.
Risha: Yes, people have been having so many accidents and hitting each other and....
Risha: Errr.
Risha: Well, Tictoc has been busy, and so there has been more work for everyone else to do.
Risha: It's quieted down now, though.
Risha smiles at her, looking charming and delightful.
Riyyh: Now, Risha, what can I do to help you?
Risha: Oh, I was wondering Sectuib, I know that Ruby is gone, and that Mytag is your companion now, but if you would consider, you know, ummm, training me maybe to work with you as well?
Risha: I know that Ruby was as young as me when she started with you.
Riyyh rubs his jaw, caught by surprise.
Risha blushes, looking so sweet and innocent.
Riyyh: [he's rubbing his jaw because many of the times he's been caught by surprise recently he's come out of it with a sore jaw, so it's become habit]
Riyyh: Well, Risha, I am honored and flattered that you would consider such a thing.
Riyyh: [this is to give him more time to think of what the shen to think about this]
Risha smiles again.
Risha: ~ hopeful ~
Riyyh is aware that many of his Gen progeny are capable of becoming First Order Donors, something that is going to blow up into a huge problem as soon as the Tecton get some kind of official report on the Householding's genetics.
Riyyh: You are aware that this takes years and years of training?
Risha: Oh I know! I'm really patient and I study all the time!
Risha: ~ good Gen ~
Riyyh smiles at Risha.
Riyyh: Yes, your reports from the infirmary have all been very good.
Riyyh thinks, for the most part anyway.
Risha: ~ proud ~
Riyyh doesn't like to dwell on the negative, but then again it doesn't do to overlook the negative if one is considering someone for one's own transfer partner.
Riyyh: I think I had better have a talk with Mytag before deciding anything like this, though, don't you agree?
Risha: Really? Oh!
Risha makes a point to go chat up Mytag sometime soon.
Riyyh thinks since it is very likely Mytag will outlive him, then if Mytag wants to be his Companion for life he shouldn't bother training up any alternatives.
Riyyh: However, there is no reason why you couldn't train to your highest potential and serve other First Order channels even if you can't be my Companion.
Risha: Like Hajene Farris maybe?
Riyyh: The Tec-- [chokes]
Risha: ~ innocent ~
Riyyh: Probably not Hajene Farris. Farrises are kind of in their own little category, Risha.
Risha: Why?
Riyyh thinks, also Snake would seem to be rather attached to Nick.
Riyyh rubs his neck unconsciously.
Riyyh: Well, it's because almost nobody but another Farris, or a Tigue, could match their draw speed.
Riyyh: But I am sure the Tecton could find you lots of work.
Risha: But maybe I could. I mean, how do we know that I couldn't?
Risha: The Tecton? I don't want to leave Naros! Well, not yet anyway, maybe later, for a little while.
Riyyh thinks, either that or if all these young channels start getting all starry eyed thinking they can work their way up to 1st now that they know their true genetics, maybe more 1st order Donors could be used around Naros. (sighs)
Riyyh smiles indulgently at Risha.
Riyyh: Well, you never know until you try, right?
Risha: Exactly!
Risha nods vigorously.
Riyyh: Just keep working hard at your lessons and do as well as you can on the tests and so forth....
Risha: But shouldn't I start now?
Riyyh thinks that even if Risha never makes it past TN-3 she'll be a good Donor, with all that optimism.
Risha: I mean, I Established 4 months ago. Aren't I supposed to be doing all that I can in the first year?
Riyyh: Well, you are training as a Donor and working in the infirmary.
Riyyh: I suppose we could send you to a Tecton training program if you really....
Riyyh has never been all fired up about training Donors to their full production.
Riyyh thinks that first of all, the Tecton would never let him be if Naros kept turning out First Order Donors.
Risha: Oh!
Risha: ~ downcast ~
Riyyh thinks that second of all, Naros has nowhere near enough 1st Order channels to match with overdeveloped Gens... at least not currently.
Risha: Well, do you think that would be best?
Riyyh: I think it is up to you, Risha. You are doing a lot of work now.
Riyyh: But also, it is the nature of teenagers to never be satisfied.
Risha: Can I think about it for awhile?
Riyyh: Maybe you would be happier living away from Naros for a time.
Riyyh: Of course.
Risha: Yes Sectuib, I'll think about it.
Riyyh nods.
Risha: I'd best get back to work. It's almost time to feed everyone.
Risha likes dinner time.
Riyyh: All right. And thank you, Risha. [smiles genuinely]
Risha smiles, gives a little bow and runs out.
Riyyh thinks ah, the exuberance of youth.
Riyyh remembers when Ruby was just like that girl....
Riyyh thinks, except maybe just a tad more vain and shallow, although every bit as self-centered.
Riyyh smiles fondly.
Riyyh's smile fades out sadly.
Tictoc signals at the door.
Tictoc: ~ exhausted ~
Riyyh: Come in....
Tictoc enters and collapses into a chair.
Tictoc: Evening, Riyyh.
Tictoc sighs deeply and smiles.
Tictoc: ~ pleasantly exhausted ~
Riyyh is pleasantly surprised to zlin Tictoc in such a good mood.
Riyyh smiles back.
Riyyh: Hello, Tictoc.
Tictoc: Just wanted to let you know that Hajene Farris seems to be stable.
Tictoc: And that I'm back at work.
Riyyh suspects this is the first time Snake has ever been stable in her life.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Tictoc: And yes, thank you for asking, I had a very nice transfer and post.
Tictoc smiles again.
Riyyh frowns in slight confusion.
Riyyh: I'm sorry?
Tictoc: Oh don't be sorry.
Tictoc smiles langouriously and yawns.
Tictoc: Was there anything you wanted me to do before I head off?
Riyyh: N-no, no, thank you Tictoc.
Riyyh smiles uncertainly at her.
Tictoc is a little disappointed, and decides to raise the subject herself as Riyyh isn't going to bring it up.
Tictoc: Have you had any luck with any of the potential future Sectuibs?
Tictoc knows that Riyyh got at least one reply.
Riyyh: Well, I do have two appointments arranged, and have received one decline... the channel in question was more directly in the line of succession for her own House than I had originally believed.
Riyyh thinks that his House isn't the only one with, er, extended families.
Tictoc: They are coming here?
Tictoc: ~ interested ~
Riyyh: Yes.
Riyyh: I have yet to hear from the other four, but it really hasn't been long enough for them to have considered it fully, given the time en route for the letters, and....
Tictoc: Who are they?
Riyyh: Tictoc. [injured]
Riyyh: Such concern about the replacements.
Riyyh looks through a pile of letters on his desk and pulls one out, and then another.
Riyyh: [they both carry the crests of other houses]
Riyyh holds them out to Tictoc.
Tictoc accepts them.
Riyyh is suddenly depressed, and tries to keep as much of it as possible out of his nager.
Tictoc: Oh don't think of it like that, Riyyh. Think of it like this: once you have chosen someone, everyone will settle down and everything will be back to normal.
Riyyh is just glad people have stopped discussing Snake as a possibility.
Tictoc: Actually, have you seen the crowd that is building on the lawn?
Tictoc: There seems to be some sort of get together.
Riyyh: Yes, the Snake Farris vigil.
Riyyh shudders.
Riyyh didn't have the heart to tell them that burning incense is not a particularly appropriate way to wish a Farris well.
Tictoc: Is that what it is?
Riyyh: I'm afraid so.
Tictoc: Odd that they should feel that positive towards her, really.
Tictoc: I mean considering that she did try to kill their fath... Sectuib.
Riyyh looks at Tictoc oddly.
Riyyh: Well, she is a human being, and she is in suffering. Surely Naros is not so far gone that its members cannot feel empathy for others?
Riyyh: Regardless of what they have done?
Riyyh rather hopes not, for his own sake.
Tictoc: I guess not. I can't say that I feel that badly towards her myself.
Tictoc: I mean, she saw it as an attempt to steal her Gen.
Riyyh actually thinks that the vigil is a natural and logical extension of some very Narosian beliefs... that the more drama the better, and everybody's business is everybody's business.
Riyyh: Well, yes, apparently he neglected to mention he'd spoken to me first about leaving her.
Riyyh is still a little bitter about that.
Riyyh: Shen, all I did was offer the man a roof over his head if he did leave her.
Riyyh: He was moaning about it for literally days. Two or three days.
Riyyh: I felt sorry for him, I wanted to help him.
Riyyh: He was so distressed, he felt she did not want him at all.
Riyyh: And nothing seemed to console him.
Tictoc: Wellllll.... it's over now.
Riyyh looks puzzled.
Riyyh: Actually he said something about her wanting to sleep with me.
Tictoc: She did?
Riyyh: Evidently that's how this whole thing began... she turned him down for post because she said she wanted to spend it with me.
Tictoc: ~ surprise ~
Riyyh: This is what Nick says.
Riyyh: To be honest, she never approached me about it.
Riyyh: And, I can't be certain whether Nick was telling the truth or not, the difference between our fields....
Tictoc: It begins to sound like you got in the middle of a domestic squabble.
Riyyh: That is part of why I felt it was my duty to at least offer him a home... if by merely existing I caused their transfer partnership to break up?
Riyyh: Surely you would have done the same!
Tictoc: I doubt I would have been in that position in the first place.
Tictoc: But I know what you mean.
Tictoc: It was all very innocent, just got out of hand.
Riyyh: He so powerfully believed that she did not want him.
Riyyh: How could he go so wrong? I mean, she wanted him enough to murder for him!
Tictoc: Perhaps she really doesn't.
Riyyh: Well, he certainly believed she doesn't.
Tictoc: There is a real danger of a dependency the way they are going.
Riyyh: I didn't think they were that close....
Riyyh: I suppose, though, they are a lot closer than any of the readily available alternatives.
Tictoc: It's not just a matter of how close they are field wise.
Riyyh: Have they said how many transfers they've had together?
Tictoc: Over a matter of time, traveling as they are with no available alternatives....
Tictoc: That is why we always have a changes every several months, regardless.
Riyyh wonders why Tictoc is treating him like somebody in First Year who doesn't know anything about transfer dependency.
Riyyh sighs, and chalks it up to another case of people assuming because he couldn't keep his pants zipped, he's incompetent in several other areas as well.
Riyyh: Yes, of course, you're right.
Tictoc: I offered her alternatives, but she didn't seem interested. I think she has an almost pathological fear of being shorted.
Riyyh having been shorted for the first time in his life just last transfer, can appreciate the sentiment.
Riyyh: You never did get a chance to look at those records I got back from Bender Cove, did you?
Tictoc: No, I've been a bit busy....
Riyyh: Her transfer record is an eye opener. If you do decide we ought to interfere, you may want to leave her to me.
Tictoc: Do you think that would be wise? ~ concern ~
Riyyh: Tictoc... I am more than capable of maintaining objectivity in a work setting.
Riyyh: ~~slightly injured~~
Riyyh: And, I am the best Naros has for transfer pathology.
Riyyh thinks, the best the entire District has.
Tictoc: Of course Sectuib, but the patient just tried to murder you.
Riyyh: Well, yes, but Tictoc, she was under extreme stress, and not too stable to begin with.
Tictoc: I don't think that is going to change somehow. We could always have her restrained if it looks like she is going to come around.
Riyyh: For example, her first Donor committed suicide in their transfer suite.
Tictoc: They did? Why?
Tictoc: ~ horror ~
Riyyh: Evidently the man had a previous trauma from which he was believed to have been fully recovered. However, in the midst of serving her First Need, he panicked and was nearly killed.
Riyyh: He shenned her to save himself, then when he saw what he had done he thought he'd killed her, and committed suicide. Evidently it was pretty messy.
Riyyh: After two more months at Zeor, during which it was discovered that she was addicted to pain in transfers, she was suddenly ejected from the House under peculiar circumstances.
Tictoc: I can't believe that the Tecton would give someone with a trauma to a Farris in first need!
Riyyh: Well, this was at Zeor.
Riyyh: According to the Bender Cove data, the Donor was picked by Hajene Farris' own mentor based upon some incomplete data.
Tictoc: That makes it worse!
Tictoc: Perhaps we should restrain her, for her own good.
Riyyh: I can show you the records... I have them around here somewhere.
Riyyh looks for his keys; the file is well locked up.
Tictoc is already thinking of possible treatments for such a case.
Riyyh: But it was many months before she would even try to avoid hurting someone in transfer... whether it was her partner or herself.
Riyyh: That she is still alive suggests she has learned to do without it, at least temporarily.
Tictoc: What's your professional opinion about it?
Riyyh: I feel Hajene Farris should not be outside of a controlled, safe environment. And, [admits] I feel the most appropriate environment is probably at Zeor.
Tictoc: Zeor? Not here?
Tictoc wonders how much of that decision is due to feeling threatened.
Riyyh: Well, if we did an extensive retrofit of the infirmary and the Householding grounds, and gave everybody Farris safety training...
Tictoc: That bad hey?
Riyyh: Do you realize when the last time a Farris visited Naros was?
Riyyh thinks back.
Riyyh doesn't remember exactly, but it was more than 20 years ago.
Riyyh: It isn't reasonable to expect Hajene Farris to mature into a stable, healthy young adult if she has to be on guard against sudden death from somebody's perfume.
Tictoc: I see.
Tictoc: Then of course we should arrange to have her sent back to Zeor. It would probably be prudent to have representatives from Zeor here, before she wakes.
Riyyh: At Zeor, of course, everybody grows up very aware of Farris sensitivities. Here, as I said, a certain amount of adjustment would be required.
Riyyh winces at the mention of representatives from Zeor.
Riyyh: Yes, you're probably right.
Riyyh: ~cringe~
Tictoc: I'll leave you to take care of it then. I'll have to get back to work now.
Tictoc: I'll see you later?
Riyyh: Yes, yes, of course....
Riyyh: Thank you.
Eliza signals at the door.
Riyyh: Could you let... ah, thank you, Tictoc.
Tictoc zlins who is at the door.
Tictoc: Be gentle with her Riyyh - and don't try to comfort her in your usual way - please!
Riyyh looks confused.
Riyyh: Don't try to comfort her....? Really?
Riyyh: All right, Tictoc.
Riyyh seems let down.
Tictoc wonders if she should stay... but she really has spent too long away as it is.
Tictoc opens the door, smiles reassuringly at Eliza, shoots a warning at Riyyh and leaves.
Riyyh flinches at the warning.
Eliza: Sectuib, I was wondering if I could talk to you?
Riyyh wonders what he did to deserve that little lecture.
Riyyh smiles kindly at Eliza.
Eliza is rather nervous, considering what happened last time they were alone together, and wishes that Tictoc had stayed.
Riyyh: Hello, Eliza.
Riyyh: Please, come in, have a seat.
Riyyh: I haven't had a chance to thank you for saving my life.
Eliza sits down on the offered seat.
Riyyh was firmly behind Tictoc's field at the time and also paying a lot of attention to Snake, so he doesn't realize just how much of Eliza's action was uncontrolled and/or accidental.
Eliza: Oh, please don't!
Eliza: ~ anguish ~
Riyyh looks alarmed.
Riyyh: Eliza, Eliza, what's wrong!
Riyyh: ~concern~
Eliza: I mean, I'm glad that I managed to... save your life.... But I never meant to hurt Snake!
Riyyh immediately jumps up and goes to sit near her.
Eliza: ~ cringe ~
Riyyh: Oh Eliza, I'm sor-- [stops at the cringe]
Riyyh's face takes on an expression very like what Eliza is feeling.
Eliza: Oh I'm sorry! I just don't seem to have any control left!
Eliza looks dreadful, with dark circles under her eyes and her hair in tatters.
Riyyh: No, it is I who am sorry. I shouldn't have....
Riyyh backs off somewhat, to a less "comforting" distance.
Riyyh: [like about 5 feet away]
Eliza: I've just been holding such tight control around Snake for so long..
Eliza: Nick chased me out.
Eliza puts her head in her hands and sobs.
Eliza: I didn't mean to hurt her! I just couldn't let her....
Riyyh battles a compulsive desire to go and hug her, still wearing the anguish on his face.
Eliza: I mean, she wouldn't have wanted to hurt you if she had been in her right mind.
Eliza: Honestly, she isn't a bad person!
Eliza: She is wonderful!
Riyyh: I... I understand. [dry throat]
Eliza: But, but, but, she just felt threatened!
Eliza: She thought you wanted her dead or something.
Eliza: I'm so sorry!
Eliza: ~ sob ~
Riyyh is sure that Tictoc didn't know Eliza was feeling this way when she said no comforting.
Riyyh: Eliza... Eliza, you did what you had to do. [helplessly]
Riyyh: The situation called for a split-second decision and you made the best decision you could make at the time.
Eliza: I know! But will Snake see it that way?
Riyyh thinks that's thinking awfully far ahead.
Riyyh: Eliza, I know you feel bad about what happened, but I think Hajene Farris has some other issues that are going to be much more pressing for the next few weeks.
Riyyh thinks, like waking up and finding herself being shipped back to Zeor, will-she or nil-she.
Eliza: She is?
Riyyh: Yes, and I think that if it's true that she wouldn't have wanted to murder anyone in her right mind, then she will appreciate what you did once she is feeling normal again.
Riyyh personally thinks that presupposes a lot, from beginning to end, but....
Eliza: ~ bitter ~ I don't know, she doesn't seem to have appreciated anything else I've done.
Riyyh: Probably the best thing you can do for her now is to try to keep up your hopes, and your spirits, so that she... [blanches at her words]
Riyyh: Eliza, I'm so sorry.
Riyyh: ~compassion~
Riyyh puts his arms behind his back and grabs onto the chair so he can't gravitate toward Eliza.
Riyyh: But Eliza, I don't think Hajene Farris is capable of recognizing the hard work of others at this time.
Eliza rubs her eyes.
Riyyh: She's in too much trouble of her own, and has been all her life.
Riyyh: Give her some time, Eliza... and give yourself some time as well.
Riyyh: [pleading]
Eliza: Snake keeps telling me that she "values" me, and Tanzarra is kind... but....
Eliza: If Snake survives, and moves on, could I stay here?
Riyyh listens to Eliza with the full attention he usually reserves only for... well... people telling him their problems.
Riyyh: Why... yes, of course, Eliza.
Riyyh: [kindly]
Riyyh thinks Zeor will hardly have any use for Eliza. [sadly]
Riyyh thinks Tictoc really wouldn't care if he moved just a little bit closer... this 5' gap can barely even be considered conversational distance.
Eliza: Thank you. I don't know if I can stay, I don't know what to do.
Eliza: But it's kind of you to let me.
Riyyh gets up and moves to a chair about 3' away.
Riyyh: Eliza, I know that this is a very hard time for everybody involved.
Riyyh: And knowing that much of this trouble was caused by the interaction between your group and my House, and me, makes me feel deeply obligated to do whatever is required to help each and every one of you.
Eliza wonders why Riyyh is moving closer.
Eliza: ~ nervous ~
Riyyh: ~compassionate~
Riyyh zlins Eliza's nervousness and droops.
Riyyh gets up and slinks around to sit at his desk again, trying not to be really obvious about it.
Eliza: Well, yes.
Riyyh finds other people's unhappiness to be like a big saw blade trying to slice through his heart and having a pretty messy time of it.
Riyyh: Including you. [sighs]
Riyyh: So if there is anything I can do for you, please let me know.
Eliza: Thank you.
Eliza: There is one thing.
Riyyh: Oh?
Riyyh tries not to show how depressed he's getting.
Riyyh smiles at Eliza.
Riyyh: What is that?
Eliza: Well... how long do you think that Snake will be out of it?
Riyyh: It is very difficult to say. She may revive within days, or... or she may not survive. [tries to be as gentle as possible]
Riyyh: Right now she is in stable condition, though, which is a good sign.
Riyyh smiles encouragingly.
Eliza: Oh, well, never mind.
Riyyh pauses.
Eliza: ~ despair ~
Riyyh: But Eliza... tell me what you desire.
Riyyh: I want to help you.
Riyyh: ~caring~
Riyyh hugs himself.
Riyyh: ~anxious~
Eliza: I was going to be unbearably selfish. I can't do that while Snake is still in any danger. I'll stay the way I am until she is better. If they won't let me in the room I'll wait outside.
Riyyh looks understandably a little lost.
Riyyh: But... but you have requirements too.
Eliza shakes her head.
Eliza: You don't understand.
Eliza: I'm the cause of this.
Riyyh: But... you did what you had to do....
Eliza: That doesn't change it though, does it?
Riyyh: Well - well yes, it does.
Eliza: I don't think that Snake will see it that way!
Eliza: Do you think you - or maybe someone else - could have a talk to Nick about it for me?
Eliza: I'm sure he hates me.
Eliza sobs again.
Riyyh runs a hand through his hair, which is damp with perspiration.
Riyyh: Eliza, I can't talk to Nick for you, I'm sorry. Perhaps I could get Tictoc, or Mytag....
Eliza: Not Mytag!
Eliza: They don't get on.
Eliza: But thank you.
Eliza: Thank you for looking after Snake so well, too. I mean, after what she did and all.
Riyyh: I can ask Tictoc, then, but... Eliza, please, tell me your specific concerns so Tictoc can represent you.
Riyyh nods graciously to accept the thanks.
Eliza blushes.
Riyyh thinks he would have a hard time talking Tictoc into approaching Nick over Eliza without a little more information.
Eliza: I just haven't had transfer for awhile. Last time I did it was Bumanuel, and the time before then it was Bumanuel too. I'm suppose to have transfer with Tanzarra, but Snake says that she won't be ready to have Gen transfer for awhile longer.
Riyyh listens carefully.
Eliza: Maybe if you could monitor Tanzarra might...?
Riyyh zlins Eliza [brave man!] and then sighs.
Riyyh: Eliza, I feel for your wanting to give transfer. It is only natural, after all.
Riyyh: Perhaps... would you consider giving transfer to a different channel than Tanzarra?
Eliza: ~ surprise ~
Eliza: Someone else?
Riyyh is sure there is a low 2nd around here somewhere who would jump at the chance to transfer with someone who slightly outrates him, even given the rumors.
Riyyh: Well, there are other channels at Naros.
Eliza didn't think anyone in Naros would want her.
Eliza: But... I mean... all those people outside, they don't like me either.
Riyyh thinks that was kind of a selfish request, now that she mentions it.
Riyyh is used to this, however, it being Naros and all.
Eliza: I mean, they don't know it was me wot done it.
Eliza grammar disappears under the pressure.
Riyyh is confused by the apparent contradiction, but feels deeply for Eliza.
Riyyh: There are other channels in Naros who would probably be just fine with taking transfer with you. [repeats, gently]
Riyyh: If you would really like that.
Riyyh is still not 100% clear on the nature of Tanzarra and Eliza's relationship.
Riyyh: Otherwise, I can examine Tanzarra again, but I really believe that she should be allowed to progress at her own rate, regardless of what is going on with the people around her.
Eliza: Oh that would be great!
Eliza: Thank you.
Riyyh smiles as this seems, at last, to have some positive effect.
Riyyh: And what exactly is it you'd like me to have Tictoc ask Nick about?
Riyyh is a little fuzzy on how this connects to Nick... maybe he shared in decisionmaking about Eliza's transfers?
Eliza: Just that I didn't mean to hurt Snake!
Eliza: That it was just - well, I just reacted. I didn't want Snake killing anyone!
Riyyh: Yes, yes, of course.
Riyyh nods reassuringly.
Eliza: Do you think she could convince him that it wasn't all my fault?
Riyyh: Eliza, surely he understands that. It's as much his, and Snake's, and my fault as yours.
Riyyh thinks it's his fault least of all, but there's no profit in mentioning that at the moment.
Eliza: I don't think that Nick will see it that way. But I really would appreciate it.
Riyyh: I am sure Tictoc will do her best to help.
Eliza burst into tears again (she really needs some sleep)
Eliza: You are all so nice!
Riyyh almost weeps himself, with frustration at not being able to go near her.
Riyyh: Please... don't cry, Eliza.
Riyyh: [tormented]
Riyyh: And don't believe you shouldn't take care of yourself just because of what happened.
Riyyh: Get something to eat, get some sleep, have a bath, get a change of clothes... [not necessarily in that order]
Eliza: I know, I'm sorry, I'll try to do better.
Riyyh nods.
Eliza gratefully goes over and kisses his hand, then flees out of the room.
Go on to Episode #29: Topics of Some Conversational Awkwardness