Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #33: Anyone for Bridge? (10/8/98)
Mostan wakes up.
Mostan swings his feet off the bed and zlins around.
Mostan's eyes open wider.
Mostan: I'm late! Durn it!
Mostan leaps up and dives into the bathroom.
Mostan: [sounds of frantic ablutions]
Nick is looking distinctly haggard as the second week of his vigil draws to a close.
Mostan dashes out and starts yanking clothes out of the dresser.
Mostan dresses rapidly.
Nick is also looking distinctly like a grizzly bear, with beard, mustache, and hair all requiring trimming.
Nick has given up on the chair entirely, due to the galls, and has moved the second cot over so that he can sit on it instead.
Mostan rushes to the door, but screeches to a stop as he passes the mirror.
Mostan: I can't go out like that!
Mostan goes back to the dresser.
Nick sips absently at a double-strength cup of tea, hoping that it will keep him focused on ~~ support ~~
Mostan selects a different set of clothes and changes into them.
Mostan looks in the mirror "Cosmic!"
Mostan: [no discernible difference in outfit]
Mostan goes out the door.
Mostan hops down the stairs with Sime grace, whistling.
Nick does his hourly check of the reptilian reflexes, hoping as usual that there will be signs of life on at least the level of a flatworm.
Mostan strolls across the compound.
Nick is disappointed for the 300th time.
Nick did miss a few hourly checks.
Mostan vaults over the railing from the garden border onto the steps of the administration building.
Mostan walks down the hall, still whistling.
Mostan reaches to signal at Riyyh's door. "Whup!"
Nick is now left with an hour in which to think about his dubious parentage.
Mostan spins on one foot and goes to Wolfa's door.
Mostan signals.
Riyyh: Come!
Nick thinks he hears someone stop outside the door and goes to check.
Mostan opens the door, grabs the frame and lets himself fall/swing pivot into the room.
Riyyh blinks.
Riyyh: Well, Hello, Mostan!
Riyyh smiles.
Nick sees that the hall is empty, and deduces from this that it will be a bit longer before his lunch arrives.
Riyyh: Please, have a seat.
Riyyh: ~gracious~
Mostan pulls himself back up inside the room and reaches over with a foot to push the door closed. [Thump]
Nick returns to his cot, and looks at Snake.
Mostan slides over and settles onto the edge of a chair.
Nick thinks she looks much less feral in her current coma.
Mostan: Sorry I'm late. Beautiful day out, though, y'know?
Riyyh: Yes. [agrees with a smile]
Riyyh: Tea?
Nick is willing to allow, however, that the French braid Linn used to corral the Dreaded Farris Hair for easy care might have something to do with the effect.
Mostan: Sure! Thanks a myriad.
Riyyh gives Mostan some tea.
Riyyh sits down once again.
Riyyh: Well, the reason I asked you here was to find out how much you know about Linn Haskins.
Riyyh never used to be very straight-forward, but has been forced to learn how by recent events.
Mostan: Linn Haskins? Snake's friend?
Mostan: That her last name?
Riyyh: Yes, from Eastcove.
Riyyh has Linn's Bender Cove Sime Center folder on the desk in front of him.
Riyyh: Ever have any contact with her at the Bender Cove Sime Center?
Mostan looks thoughtful.
Nick reflects with some nostalgia upon the days when he found his family to be a bit much.
Mostan: Not really. I saw her around now and again, but she was one of Snake's people, and she wasn't around the Center regularly.
Mostan: Snake I mean.
Nick thinks that his former state was independence personified, compared to being half-sibling to an entire House full of meddling gossips.
Nick thinks of Hero being his sister and shudders.
Riyyh: I see.
Riyyh nods.
Nick: Mother, how could you?
Mostan: Rather the prissy schoolmarm type as I recall.
Riyyh chuckles.
Riyyh: Evidently Linn has been trained for Companion duties, by Hajene Farris, but has not yet been qualified.
Riyyh: There is some concern about her being qualified by her own channel, Bum Bum, because he is junct and she evidently has a past of some... [taps the folder with a couple of tentacles] ...fear regarding Simes and selyn movement.
Mostan: A Companion? Isn't she from Out-Territory?
Mostan looks thoughtful. "Have to be careful with out-T Gens. They may be okay with Simes on the surface, but deep down...."
Riyyh: Her coming to live in-Territory was an event of some... cloudiness. As a matter of fact, the Sime Center records do not cover that transition at all.
Mostan: Bender Cove records? Not surprising.
Nick gets to his feet and goes to check the hall for his lunch.
Riyyh: Here. I'd like you to take a look at this.
Riyyh hands the folder to Mostan.
Mostan: So they are thinking she should be qualified by a less .... demanding channel?
Riyyh: Read it over, think about it, then tell me if you think you could handle qualifying her.
Mostan takes the folder and flips it open.
Mostan: OK.
Mostan: Anything else right now?
Riyyh: There... there was one thing.
Riyyh smiles in an encouraging fashion.
Riyyh: You are, I must assume, aware of the troubles that have befallen the House lately?
Nick discovers that lunch has not magically appeared in the past 3 minutes.
Mostan: Yeess... I've heard a thing or two....
Nick's stomach growls like... well, like the grizzly bear he resembles.
Mostan looks either way for eavesdroppers "Tell me, how do you do it?"
Riyyh pauses.
Riyyh: Er.... oh.
Riyyh: In the usual fashion, I am afraid.
Riyyh: Perhaps with a bit more luck in the area of fertility, but....
Mostan: No, I mean what do you say to them?
Mostan: What kinda line do ya use?
Riyyh never fails to be lost by this question.
Nick decides to pace for a while.
Riyyh: Well, I, ~faint confusion~ I'm not simply out to have sex with them, Mostan.
Riyyh: These are people who have come to me for Sectuibly advice and consolation.
Riyyh: I feel compelled to offer them solace and comfort, in any way that is possible.
Riyyh: Many times, a person simply requires a hug or their hand held or some advice.
Mostan thinks that considering the numbers, there was hardly be time for anything else.
Riyyh: Others feel that they require....
Mostan: I must not be meeting the right ones.....
Riyyh smoothes back his hair.
Nick has managed to wear a noticeable path in the office floor's finish.
Riyyh: There are plenty of eligible women eager to meet a man who is not related to them, Mostan.
Riyyh: Perhaps they are simply afraid to approach you?
Riyyh: Our members are a lot more shy than they might seem.
Mostan thinks 'a man who is not related to them' - both of us.
Mostan sees he isn't getting through.
Mostan: Anyway, how can I help you with that?
Riyyh smiles.
Riyyh: Would you be interested in pledging Naros?
Mostan's jaw drops. ~~ surprise ~~
Mostan: Wh-
Mostan: What?
Mostan: Pledge?
Mostan: Naros?
Nick has widened it by a good six inches in the past 25 hours since he learned his true parentage.
Mostan: [folder slips out of tentacles and hits the floor with a thwock and papers scatter]
Riyyh plays with his hair nervously.
Riyyh: Well, yes, that is, if you'd like to.
Mostan: ~~ confused and floundering ~~
Riyyh: I appreciate the work you've done here, and I can understand if, considering your background, you'd want to avoid re-entering the Tecton channel rotation.
Mostan: Uh. I'm a city kid. And the Tecton is always going on about how much they have to move me around....
Mostan wasn't aware he had a choice.
Mostan considers the offer which he never expected. But getting tied down in the boonies like this....
Mostan: Uh... let me think about it, okay?
Nick goes over to the window and looks out, hoping to see someone he can send for lunch.
Nick leans way out, checking the courtyard.
Riyyh searches his in-basket, then selects and pulls out a piece of paper carrying the Tecton seal.
Riyyh hands that to Mostan as well.
Mostan takes it and looks at it.
Riyyh: I'm sorry, Mostan, it's your transfer orders.
Riyyh: I may be able to get around it, of course, even if you do not want to pledge.
Mostan: Oh.
Mostan looks down to see where they want him to go next.
Nick thinks he hears a sound from Snake's direction and jerks back inside.
Mostan puts the paper down on the desk and gets down on his knees to pick up the papers.
Nick fails to account for the windowsill, and cracks his head smartly (or maybe dumbly?) on it.
Nick: YEOW!!
Nick: ~~ PAIN ~~
Wise Snake snores and rolls over.
Nick staggers to his cot, seeing stars.
Riyyh looks up sharply at the yell.
Riyyh: Did you hear that?
Mostan looks up tentacles, full of papers.
Mostan: What was that?
Riyyh darts out of the office in the direction of the muffled yell.
Mostan: Yes.
Nick's vision slowly clears, and he can see Snake again.
Mostan gets up, putting the papers down on the desk.
Nick blinks; she doesn't seem to look quite the same.
Riyyh bursts into the room, controlling his nager to avoid any avoidable disruption.
Riyyh zlins Nick and Snake.
Nick's much-abused brain slowly makes the connection, and he jumps to his feet so enthusiastically that he almost bumps his head again, this time on the ceiling.
Nick: She moved!
Nick turns and sees Riyyh.
Nick: Riyyh, she actually rolled over!
Riyyh: Nick, careful with your field.
Nick: By herself.
Riyyh approaches Snake.
Mostan gets up and follows after.
Nick clamps down on his delight and shifts to ~~ support ~~ of Riyyh.
Nick: Is she waking up at last?
Riyyh zlins Snake carefully.
Riyyh: Well... she does show some signs of a return to normal physical functions....
Mostan stops and the door and zlins.
Riyyh: A good sign.
Nick's field is steady, but physically he's quivering with the eagerness of a sheepdog spotting something to herd.
Riyyh lays Snake's arms down and smiles reassuringly at Nick.
Nick: When will she wake up?
Riyyh: Well, that is up to her. Perhaps in the next couple of days?
Nick tries to maintain hope in the face of disappointment.
Nick: A couple of days?
Riyyh: Nick, be strong for her.
Riyyh: Keep up your optimism.
Riyyh: [encouragingly]
Nick rubs his chair-galls and forces a smile of sorts.
Mostan notices he is hungry, and then realizes he's picking it up from Nick.
Nick's smile is, of course, largely hidden behind the excess of facial hair.
Riyyh notices the galls on Nick's behind.
Linn goes in search of Bum Bum, to make sure he eats a proper lunch.
Riyyh: I can't help but notice you are in some difficulty, er, would you like me to send somebody by to have a look at that?
Riyyh looks pointedly in the direction of the chair.
Nick: You've got a resident upholsterer here?
Riyyh: Of course, but I was referring to sending a channel.
Riyyh: Unless you would like me to examine you myself while I am here?
Mostan decides to run over to the cafeteria and get something for both of them.
Nick hears the door close behind Mostan, and shrugs.
Nick: Why not?
Mostan walks over towards the cafeteria, lost in thought.
Riyyh waits for Nick to present the afflicted area for inspection.
Nick thinks that having Riyyh take care of that is at least less embarrassing than having Snake tend to it by reflex as soon as she wakes.
Nick turns and lets his em-bare-ass-ment take on a more practical turn.
Mostan tramples some flowers in a garden edge without noticing.
Mostan goes into the cafeteria.
Linn finally gives up and goes to the cafeteria alone.
Riyyh extends his laterals and zooms in for a closeup.
Riyyh has warm, dry, gentle hands.
Mostan looks over the line, wondering what will travel well.
Nick winces as the hands hit the tender spot.
Nick does manage to keep his field steady, but only because he was pretty much expecting it.
Mostan decides to throw some sandwiches together.
Riyyh uses his field to encourage the sores toward healing.
Linn comes up behind Mostan, intent on her own lunch.
Mostan makes up a couple of different kinds, figuring he'll eat what Nick doesn't like.
Nick sighs with relief.
Nick: Thanks, Riyyh.
Riyyh removes his hands.
Nick can't quite bring himself to call the channel "Father".
Riyyh notices Nick has a fine figure.
Riyyh keeps the thought to himself.
Riyyh: You're quite welcome.
Riyyh smiles.
Linn reaches for the tomato fork at the same time as Mostan.
Linn: Oh!
Linn: Excuse me.
Mostan: I'm sorry.
Mostan: Linn!
Nick refastens his pants.
Mostan: No, no problem.
Mostan: Just getting lunch for me and Nick.
Riyyh: Well, I should get back to my office.
Linn: Hello... Mostan, wasn't it? Eliza's friend?
Riyyh: Be sure to send for Hajene Tictoc or myself if Hajene Farris shows further signs of awakening.
Nick: I will.
Mostan: Yes. That's me. I was real glad to find out she is all right.
Riyyh hopes the Zeor representatives arrive in time.
Linn: I'm sure.
Riyyh turns and leaves the office.
Linn: Have you been able to spend time with her?
Mostan: I didn't know what to think when she just vanished like that.
Nick resumes his vigil more comfortably, although he maintains the second cot as a preventative measure.
Mostan: ~~ embarrassed ~~ No, not much lately. One of us is always busy. ~~ half-lie ~~
Linn: Yes. It caught us all by surprise.
Linn isn't surprised, considering their ages.
Mostan: So, how have you been since BC?
Linn: We've been on the road, mostly, with brief stops in some towns along the way.
Mostan: Should have taken the train. I made it in just a few days, even having to schlep selyn around.
Linn: We were on foot or horseback a lot of the time, with pauses whenever Snake found work.
Linn: She does require a lot of work to avoid entran, you know.
Mostan: Yeah I suppose she does.
Mostan: And you were travelling with another channel, weren't you?
Linn: Two, actually. Bum Bum and Tanzarra.
Mostan zlins Linn carefully for her reaction to mention of Bum Bum.
Linn feels ~~ motherly affection ~~ for Bum Bum.
Mostan: Don't think I've met either of them.
Mostan is ~~ surprised ~~ since he thought Linn was supposed to be a bit afraid of Bum Bum.
Linn: No reason for you to. Our party has been keeping to itself, mostly, except for the work Snake did to help Riyyh deal with the scandal, of course.
Linn notices Mostan's surprise.
Mostan: Yeah that has been quite a circus, hasn't it?
Linn: Is something the matter, Mostan?
Mostan: Huh? No, nothing.
Linn: You seem a bit nervous.
Linn automatically tries to ~ calm ~ Mostan.
Mostan relaxes. "I just thought you were... anyway, it's too bad that Snake is so sick."
Linn frowns.
Linn: Yes. Poor Nick has been frantic with worry.
Linn: The poor girl just lies there, not moving.
Mostan: I was just over there and I could tell Nick was hungry from across the room, past Riyyh.
Linn: What?
Linn: I thought the kitchen was sending his meals over.
Linn: Or....
Mostan: Someone yelled in there, and Riyyh went to check. I followed them and zlinned Nick's being hungry.
Linn vaguely remembers something about the cook leaving, and supposes that Nick's lunch might have been lost in the general confusion.
Linn: Well, I'll have to make sure that he gets fed.
Mostan stops to look down at his sandwiches. "Okay."
Linn: I don't suppose you've zlinned Bum Bum anywhere around, have you?
Mostan: No, I just got up for a meeting with Riyyh.
Linn: We've been meeting for lunch every day since....
Linn blushes.
Mostan remembers what about and zlins Linn again.
Linn: ~~ shy and slightly nervous anticipation ~~
Linn: Oh? I thought his time was completely taken up with unraveling this scandal business.
Mostan: Well, we can lose track of time. I mean, we know what time it is, but sometimes you don't connect that with what and where you are supposed to do.
Mostan: He still has the channel management things to keep on top of.
Mostan: I imagine it doesn't help having Snake out of the loop all the sudden.
Linn: True enough.
Linn: She was working with me on... well, never mind.
Mostan: Working on what?
Mostan: ~~ curious ~~
Linn: I do hope she'll be herself again by the end of the month.
Linn: I wanted her to monitor my Qualification.
Linn: If she thinks I'm ready, of course.
Mostan: Ah. Do you think you are ready?
Linn considers.
Linn: I'm not sure.
Mostan nods.
Linn: I don't see how one could be sure, without actually having done it.
Mostan: Yeah, it is one of those things like that.
Linn: However, I do like Bum Bum.
Linn: He tries so hard to be a gentleman.
Linn is willing to overlook an occasional lapse as long as he keeps earning an "A" for effort.
Mostan: You say he tries. But do you trust him?
Linn: He's been very patient with me as I try to learn how to help him.
Mostan: Ah. Sounds like you get on well then.
Linn: As well as can be expected.
Linn: Our backgrounds are so different.
Mostan: Yes, you're from Eastcove, aren't you?
Mostan: I always wanted to live in a border town like that when I was a kid.
Linn: It's not that different from the rest of Gen Territory.
Linn: Not really.
Mostan: Yeah but still very different from the in-T city where I grew up, I'm sure.
Linn: Oh, there's some cross-border trade, but the attitudes are a world away from anything you'd see in Sime Territory.
Linn: Certainly things are different.
Linn: You wouldn't like Eastcove, I expect.
Linn looks pointedly at Mostan's tentacles.
Mostan: Yeah, well when I was a kid I didn't have them, of course.
Mostan suddenly feels like an idiot for stating the obvious.
Linn: Of course. I tend to forget, you know.
Mostan: Sorry.
Linn: I really haven't known anyone both as a child and as a Sime adult.
Mostan: I never thought of it that way. Anyone you knew who changed over would go away.
Linn: At least as far as the nearest graveyard, yes.
Mostan winces.
Mostan: Sorry again.
Linn: There are a lot of things to be said for life on this side of the border.
Mostan: Yeah but the most vital stuff happens where things come in from out-T.
Linn: Perhaps. It depends on what you're looking for.
Linn: Sometimes, a safe refuge can be more appealing than "vitality".
Linn: At least, when you're my age.
Linn smiles wryly.
Mostan: Perhaps. But follow that path too long and you get stagnation.
Mostan: I saw it in the Theatre scene back home.
Linn: You're young enough to find adventure exciting. Enjoy it while it lasts.
Mostan: If you say so.
Linn: Ah, well, theater is different.
Linn: It requires new ideas.
Mostan: Yeah. I wish could get back there.
Mostan gets lost in thought.
Linn: However, to really prosper, it also requires a settled place to thrive, where people have time to think..
Linn: Are you homesick, Mostan?
Mostan: Hmm?
Mostan: Homesick. Yeah. I am, but there's nothing to be done for it.
Linn: I know. There are times when I miss every inch of my old apartment.
Linn: And it wasn't even a particularly nice one.
Linn: ~~ genteel homesickness ~~
Povkhia walks into one end of the dining hall.
Bum Bum walks into the other end of the dining hall.
Povkhia spots Mostan hanging out with some Other Woman.
Bum Bum spots Linn hanging out with some Other Channel.
Linn: But mostly I miss teaching.
Povkhia walks quickly toward them with a determined grin on her face.
Povkhia: ~jealous~
Bum Bum rushes in that direction, though he feels silly for being so paranoid.
Mostan: Yeah. Teaching must give you a feeling of accomplishment, having those kids go out....
Bum Bum: ~~paranoid~~
Linn spots Povkhia.
Povkhia: Oh!!!! Mostan!! There you are.
Linn: Oh, is that a friend of yours?
Povkhia runs over to Mostan and clings to his arm possessively.
Mostan: What?
Mostan: Hi Povkhia.
Mostan: Where did you come from?
Povkhia: I was just out replacing some trampled flowers in the beds....
Povkhia: Who's this?
Povkhia sends a couple of virtual daggers Linn's way.
Linn: I'm Linn Haskins.
Bum Bum comes up quietly behind Linn.
Mostan: This is Linn haskins.
Linn smiles at Povkhia.
Mostan: We were talking about things.
Povkhia: Oh hiiiiii, it's so niiiice to meet you.
Povkhia grins from ear to ear, and farther, at Linn.
Povkhia: ~~trying to be as friendly as shenned possible, under the circumstances~~
Linn: Likewise, I'm sure, child.
Mostan pulls himself hypo before he ignites.
Linn can't help feeling teacherly towards the youngster.
Povkhia bristles at the word "child".
Mostan: Had you had lunch Povvy?
Povkhia: No.... [smiles up at Mostan]
Povkhia: Wanna have lunch with me? [hopefully]
Bum Bum: Linn.... [quietly, from right by her side]
Linn starts, then quickly gets it under control.
Linn: Bum Bum!
Mostan: Sure. Food is always better with you around.
Linn: What are you doing, sneaking up on me like that?
Povkhia grins genuinely at the compliment.
Linn smiles at Bum Bum as she scolds.
Mostan looks over to see Bum Bum.
Bum Bum's paranoia, which abated somewhat when Linn's attention transferred from the other channel to him, flares up again at the words "sneaking around".
Mostan sizes up this channel Linn feels motherly towards.
Bum Bum: What has you so conspiratorial?
Bum Bum: [testily]
Bum Bum: I was just walking.
Linn: Conspiratorial?
Linn: ~~ confusion ~~
Bum Bum is a short, well-dressed and groomed but definitely rat-faced junct 3rd.
Bum Bum darts a suspicious look at Mostan and puts his arm possessively around Linn.
Bum Bum: You running around on me? [only half joking]
Linn: What?
Linn is starting to get worried.
Povkhia gasps at Bum Bum's words, realizing there must have been nageric-hanky panky going on.
Povkhia: Hmph!
Mostan pointedly retracts his showfield.
Linn: Whatever is the matter with you, Bum Bum?
Povkhia: I think we should go sit down. [to Mostan]
Mostan looks down at the half constructed sandwiches he had completely forgotten about.
Mostan: Yeah, okay.
Linn can't figure the basis for this accusation, particularly not just one day after she pretty much committed to transfer with him.
Bum Bum carefully enfolds Linn in his nager.
Mostan starts over towards an empty table.
Bum Bum: Well, when I hear rumors someone else is Qualifying you, then find you practically in his arms not minutes later...
Povkhia is perfectly ~happy~ now that that Other Woman is gone.
Linn: What??
Mostan tries to damp down the spike in his nager as he hears this behind him.
Povkhia: How is your day today, Mostan? [cheerily]
Linn: Where did you hear a rumor like that?
Mostan: Going well enough I suppose, for the late start I got.
Bum Bum: Well let's see, first it was Lolandra in the infirmary. Then I heard it again from Hero.
Mostan: How is yours going?
Bum Bum: Then on the way here I heard it twice, from some guy carrying a hose, and a little boy.
Povkhia: Oh, it's going great. ~smiling and happy~
Povkhia: I found out that I'm getting promoted!
Linn: ~~ confusion ~~
Mostan: Really? Congratulations!
Linn: Well, it seems like everybody knows but me.
Povkhia: Chief of Watering of Ornamental Grounds.
Povkhia actually made up the title, but it's accurate enough.
Bum Bum zlins Linn.
Bum Bum: What do you mean?!
Linn: ~~ truth ~~
Bum Bum: You didn't know you were going to have transfer with the guy?
Bum Bum: ~disbelief~
Bum Bum: But then why was your nager all over him?
Linn: With him? I hardly know the man.
Linn: All over him?
Bum Bum thinks Linn not knowing the guy only makes it worse.
Mostan: Wow! Such responsibility! ~~ pretense of excitement ~~
Povkhia giggles.
Povkhia: Stop it silly!
Povkhia pushes him.
Mostan giggles in resonance.
Linn: We were simply discussing our homes, and the things we miss about them.
Linn: I'm sorry if those ridiculous rumors got you worried about nothing.
Bum Bum still looks kind of upset.
Bum Bum: Linn, I worry when I hear these wild stories.
Linn's annoyance softens, and she puts a hand on Bum Bum's arm.
Bum Bum: First you and that, that, Sectuib of theirs in the shower together, and now -- [stops at her touch]
Linn: I know, it's hard. Particularly with things so unsettled.
Mostan pushes back.
Povkhia: Eeyow!!
Povkhia almost falls over.
Povkhia: You meanie!
Linn: ~~ support/affection ~~
Bum Bum's expression becomes much more mellow.
Linn: Just believe me when I say that I don't think I could Qualify with any other channel.
Bum Bum: Really?
Linn: Yes, really.
Mostan catches her.
Bum Bum, under the direct influence of her nager at the moment, is inclined to believe just about anything.
Bum Bum smiles.
Mostan: Just an excuse to get ahold of you.
Linn's statement leaves open the question of whether she can qualify at all.
Povkhia blushes. ~~crush~~
Linn: So stop worrying and have some lunch.
Bum Bum: OK.
Povkhia: ~definitely open to being gotten ahold of~
Linn is ~~ hungry ~~, as her own meal was postponed during the discussion.
Bum Bum turns toward the line.
Mostan smiles as his tentacles explore a bit.
Bum Bum glances back over his shoulder.
Bum Bum: Hmmm... your 'friend' seems to have his hands full.
Bum Bum wonders if the Narosians have no shame, or what.
Linn follows Bum Bum's look.
Linn: ~~ amusement ~~
Povkhia: ~pleasure/sudden shyness~
Linn: Young love.
Linn: What would the world be without it?
Mostan sits back.
Mostan: Hungry?
Povkhia: Yeah. [puppy love in her eyes]
Mostan: We've got cheese, and peanut butter and... this one was....
Bum Bum starts to build his tray.
Bum Bum pauses and turns to Linn.
Bum Bum: Do you suppose, if we stayed... if we stayed here,
Linn: Yes?
Bum Bum: Well, [uncharacteristically embarrassed]
Bum Bum: Even if we got married to different people....
Bum Bum: Do you suppose we could live together?
Linn blinks.
Mostan: Well did you want me to get you something else?
Linn: Isn't that an awful lot of "if"s to be worrying about at this point?
Povkhia: I'd love the peanut butter and jelly.
Mostan passes it over.
Bum Bum looks crestfallen.
Linn: I mean, I haven't even succeeded in giving you a transfer yet.
Povkhia: Thank you.
Mostan: Sorry it got a little crushed. It's leaking a little there.
Linn's nager, however, showed no immediate rejection of the idea.
Povkhia: Yummm.
Linn: Let's take things one step at a time.
Povkhia licks a spot of jelly off Mostan's tentacle.
Bum Bum: OK, Linn.
Mostan shivers.
Linn smiles.
Nick's ~~ hunger ~~ turns slowly to ~~~ starvation ~~~ as his lunch fails to arrive.