Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #35: Halves of Teams (10/11/98)
Eliza is napping in the cottage set aside for the "guests".
Riyyh hurries through the courtyard, past the massive flower-bedecked Snake Farris Sympathy Bower.
Riyyh suppresses a sneeze as his hay-fever acts up, and ignores a few jeers from the Narosians manning the colorful heap.
Riyyh cuts through the garden, keeping an eye out for Eliza.
Riyyh makes it to the guest cottages and signals at the door of Eliza's.
Eliza hasn't been sleeping well at nights so is taking the chance to grab some extra sleep.
Eliza: Waaa... Who's there?
Eliza sits up and rubs her eyes, forgetting for a moment just where she is.
Riyyh waits, turning to look anxiously over the area surrounding the cottage.
Eliza: Oh! [stumbles out to the door and opens it, squinting at the light] Sectuib! Is it Snake? ~ rising concern ~
Riyyh turns to face Eliza.
Riyyh: Hello... hello, Eliza.
Riyyh smiles at her, appearing a little nervous.
Riyyh: No, no, Hajene Farris is fine.
Riyyh: May I come in?
Eliza: Oh, well of course, but Linn isn't here just now.
Riyyh realizes his hands and tentacles are clutching each other, and forces himself to separate his hands.
Eliza: Neither is Bumanuel. Tanzarra is working.
Riyyh: Actually, it's you I would like to speak to.
Eliza: Me?
Riyyh is not worried about Linn, Tanzarra, or Bum Bum failing to cooperate with Naros on these issues.
Riyyh: Yes, you. [smiles in an attempt at reassurance]
Riyyh: It is rather important... I hope you have a moment?
Eliza: Oh, please have a seat. Can I get you anything? ~flustered ~
Eliza: Yes, of course.
Riyyh sits down, trying not to look poised for flight.
Riyyh: No, thank you, I am fine. Please, sit.
Eliza sits down and composes her nager somewhat better then she composes herself.
Riyyh fortunately (or maybe unfortunately) looks very handsome when he is distraught.
Eliza: What did you want to see me about?
Riyyh: Ah, yes. [clears his throat]
Riyyh: It is regarding Hajene Farris' treatment.
Riyyh: I am under the impression that you are entrusted, at times, with sitting by her side, am I correct?
Eliza face shows a mixture of guilt and embarrassment although she keeps it from her nager.
Eliza: Yes, Nick trusts me that much now.
Eliza wonders if she has done anything else wrong.
Riyyh: I am afraid that.... [hesitates] I am afraid that it will be necessary to ask you to do quite a bit more of that in the next days, than you have been in the past.
Eliza: ~ eager ~ I'm happy to do whatever you need me to do of course!
Riyyh frowns slightly.
Riyyh is finding this even more difficult than he anticipated.
Riyyh pushes back his hair with a sticky palm.
Eliza wrings her hands together.
Eliza: I'm sorry, did I do something...?
Riyyh: Thank you... no, no.
Riyyh: It's just that I have something very difficult to tell you and I'm not sure just how to go about it.
Riyyh: [confesses]
Eliza swallows nervously and tries to stay composed and ready for any bad news.
Riyyh nerves himself and makes the plunge.
Riyyh: I am afraid that today, a few minutes ago, it became necessary to place both Nick and Hajene Farris under restraint.
Riyyh: For the safety of the members of this House, and for the safety of our current and future guests.
Riyyh is ready to go hypo in an instant if Eliza freaks.
Eliza: I'm sorry, I don't understand. What do you mean "under restraint"?
Riyyh: Nick has... he has been under a lot of stress lately, as you can imagine.
Riyyh: Our conversation was, well, to be honest it was quite disturbing.
Eliza nods quietly and waits for Riyyh to get to the point.
Riyyh: He made it clear there was a strong risk of Hajene Farris making another attempt on my life upon her awakening, and that the Farris specialists we have called in would be at risk as well.
Riyyh: And he... ~unhappily~ ... threatened me himself, nagerically.
Eliza: Oh dear. [wrings hands some more]
Eliza: I'm so very very sorry, Sectuib.
Eliza: We should leave as soon as it's possible, of course!
Riyyh: Well, yes, but of course that will not be possible for some time.
Riyyh: You are all more than welcome until such a time does come.
Riyyh: But it is of utmost importance that everybody is as cooperative as possible.
Riyyh's tentacle is doing hair-fiddling in compulsive counterpoint to Eliza's hand-wringing.
Eliza nods and tries to look cooperative.
Riyyh: The experts from Zeor will be arriving any day now. But of course it is critical to maintain a positive ambient around Hajene Farris in the meantime, and you are our next choice after Nick.
Eliza: Of course. I'm what?
Eliza: But what's wrong with Nick?
Riyyh: I think that, considering the circumstances of how Hajene Farris was injured, it might be better if you weren't present in the room when they actually examined, her, but until then, you....
Riyyh pauses.
Riyyh's tentacle pulls nervously at a ringlet of silver hair.
Eliza looks at Riyyh in utter confusion, not having understood half of what he has said.
Riyyh: Well, we could hardly have kept them together, if she must be examined by the medical team.
Riyyh: In his distraught state, Nick would be a danger to them.
Riyyh: This is only until they have made their examination. A few days at most.
Eliza: But, Nick knows not to interfere with examinations.
Riyyh: I'm afraid Nick is not himself, right now. [apologetically]
Riyyh: It was necessary to restrain him to protect the lives of the people around him.
Linn enters the guest cottage.
Linn blinks in surprise at seeing Riyyh.
Riyyh sighs as Linn enters, realizing this could quickly get ugly.
Linn: Sectuib Riyyh! What brings you here?
Riyyh regrets not bringing Mytag.
Riyyh: Ah, hello, Linn.
Riyyh: I'm dreadfully sorry to have surprised you like this.
Riyyh: Actually it is a matter of some importance. Might you be able to join us?
Eliza: Oh, Linn.
Linn: What's wrong with Nick?
Linn: ~~ concern ~~
Eliza manages to look embarrassed, but still keeps it out of her nager [quite a feat, for her]
Linn: Is Snake worse?
Linn: Of course.
Linn is starting to get seriously worried.
Linn sits beside Eliza.
Riyyh wipes his sweaty tentacles surreptitiously on his knees.
Linn looks at Riyyh, waiting for an explanation.
Riyyh: Yes, yes, I'm afraid there has been a bit of trouble.
Linn: So it seems.
Riyyh: Nick has been under a lot of stress lately, and I suppose one really can't blame Hajene Farris for a certain amount of erratic behavior....
Linn: She woke up?
Linn can't think of any other explanation; Snake's behavior since the slam has been depressingly predictable.
Riyyh: I am afraid that, for the protection of the members and guests of this House, it was necessary to put Sosu Nick and Hajene Farris under restraint.
Linn: ~~ shock ~~
Linn: Restraint?
Riyyh goes momentarily hypo until he realizes Linn's nageric burst wasn't meant as an attack.
Riyyh: Yes... I'm sorry.
Riyyh is nervous as hell, also, but it's hardly necessary to verbalize that given the amount of body language already conveying the message.
Riyyh: It is only for a short time, until the medical specialists can examine Hajene Farris.
Eliza: What do you mean, "restraint"?
Riyyh: It has been necessary to take steps to ensure that neither of them is able to injure anybody physically or nagerically.
Linn turns The Look on Riyyh, the one that always gets the straight story from recalcitrant students.
Linn: Perhaps you'd better tell us the whole story.
Linn: Now.
Linn: ~~ teacherly firmness ~~
Eliza: Hold on. Is anyone with Snake at the moment?
Riyyh: Yes, Tictoc is there.
Eliza: So Snake is okay?
Riyyh: Yes.
Riyyh: Hajene Farris has not yet regained consciousness but is doing much better.
Linn: Then you have time to tell us exactly what prompted these... extraordinary measures.
Riyyh: Yes, of course.
Riyyh has already explained this to Eliza once, and sighs at having to go through the painful explanation again.
Eliza: Nick threatened him, Linn.
Linn: Really?
Eliza: He said that Snake would probably have another go at killing him.
Linn: Why?
Eliza looks at Riyyh for confirmation.
Riyyh looks nervous and apologetic.
Riyyh: Yes, that is essentially what happened.
Riyyh: Nick also said that the Zeor medical team would also be in danger.
Eliza: It's only for a little while.
Eliza thinks that is what Riyyh said, anyway.
Linn: So you've locked Nick up so he won't free Snake?
Riyyh: So that he will not harm anyone himself.
Riyyh: I'm sorry, but under the circumstances, it has become a very real necessity.
Riyyh: Once the Farris experts have had a chance to examine Hajene Farris, the situation can of course be re-evaluated.
Eliza: When will that be?
Linn: You're going to let Zeor members look at Snake without Nick there to reassure her?
Linn: ~~ worry ~~
Riyyh: At this point, it looks as if she won't even be conscious when they arrive. We're expecting them any day now.
Linn: Snake is terrified of Zeor members, you know.
Eliza: But Linn, they might be able to help her!
Riyyh: Tictoc and I can arrange to be there at all times if it will help.
Eliza: She is scared of a lot of things, but these people are coming to help her.
Linn shakes her head.
Linn: Really, Sectuib Riyyh, I understand that Snake got caught in some nasty political infighting when she was at Zeor, and afterwards.
Linn: She's been running ever since.
Linn: If she's still unconscious, that might not be a problem, but when she wakes up, she might injure herself trying to run again.
Eliza thinks that to stop her running is probably one of the reasons that Riyyh had Snake restrained in the first place.
Riyyh: In my letter to Householding Zeor I was very explicit in stating that we wished to avoid all political involvement and that this was a request for emergency medical assistance only.
Riyyh: As for an attempt to run, that will not be possible until the restraints are removed. We will make every attempt to reassure her by maintaining a Naros presence in the room and, if possible, keeping one of her people nearby also.
Riyyh: However, the latter will only be possible if we receive some sort of cooperation from you and the others.
Riyyh really does hope they will cooperate.
Riyyh looks appealingly at Eliza, who seems the most inclined to be cooperative.
Eliza: I'll help Snake however I can, Sectuib Riyyh. If this is the best for her... well....
Eliza: ~ willing to help ~
Linn: Are you sure that's wise, Eliza?
Linn: She might not be happy to find you next to her when she wakes up, under the circumstances.
Riyyh: We are dealing with a channel in a life-or-death situation who has not only demonstrated homicidal tendencies but also been described as at risk of committing violence by her own Companion.
Riyyh: I feel deeply for her, and yet I cannot put my own people, or Zeor's, into danger.
Riyyh: Yes, ~gratefully~ I do believe this is for the best.
Riyyh: It will all work out... you will see, with your help, and Zeor's, something good can come of this.
Eliza: ~ flash of anger directed at Linn ~ You think that maybe I should have just left her to kill the Sectuib, Linn? You think that maybe I should just leave her to rot now?
Linn: No, Eliza, you did the best you could.
Linn: Although you were perhaps a bit more... enthusiastic than strictly necessary.
Eliza: Then what happens between Snake and me when she wakes up is up to us.
Linn: I'm sure Snake will be reasonable about it... eventually.
Eliza turns back to the Sectuib. "So what exactly do you want me to do? Just be with her until they get here?"
Riyyh: Yes, during your waking hours, and my people will handle it when you must be asleep.
Eliza: Yes, I'd be happy to do that.
Riyyh: Thank you. I sincerely appreciate this.
Riyyh looks at Linn.
Riyyh: How about you? I know this is extremely difficult.
Riyyh: But can we count on you to be cooperative until we get through this tough time?
Linn: I'll do what I can, of course.
Eliza: As long as Nick doesn't object.
Eliza says as an afterthought.
Linn: Where is Nick, by the way?
Riyyh: He is resting in the infirmary.
Linn: The infirmary!
Linn: Was he injured?
Linn: ~~ concern ~~
Riyyh thinks that is not precisely true... he's actually in a locked storage room in the medical studies building off the medical center building proper, a storage room made up with a bed and such at great haste.
Riyyh doesn't think it's a good idea to reveal Nick's exact location, given the instability of Snake's followers.
Riyyh thinks, and the instability of Snake's followers among the Narosians.
Linn: I'll have to go and see him.
Riyyh: No, not at all. He is fine.
Riyyh: However, as I say, it was necessary to restrain him physically.
Riyyh: In order to do that it was necessary to give him a sedative, and it is always wise to keep an eye on someone until they have recovered from sedation.
Riyyh: I'm sure he will be all right.
Linn: Even so, it would be cruel not to keep him informed of Snake's condition.
Riyyh looks at Linn oddly.
Riyyh: But of course we will keep him informed.
Riyyh: He will be treated with every care.
Riyyh: The restraint is not intended as a punishment for him, but as a protection for the rest of us, and a temporary one at that.
Linn: Ah, then the sedation is just temporary?
Riyyh: Of course.
Eliza: If that is all you wanted from me, I'll get over to be with Snake.
Riyyh: Yes, go ahead, Tictoc is waiting for you.
Eliza runs and gets "The Way of the Nager" then takes off for the office where Snake is residing.
Mytag checks Nick's pulse again.
Mytag checks the time.
Mytag: You should be awake by now, my friend.
Riyyh zlins Linn to make sure she is OK with this now.
Nick snores like a hibernating grizzly bear.
Linn is still distressed at the trouble.
Mytag returns to his seat next to the "patient" and continues waiting.
Nick has crashed big time after not having gotten much sleep since Snake's abortive murder attempt.
Riyyh moves over slightly to make up for the space left by the absent Eliza. [the better to console Linn]
Riyyh: Linn, I am so sorry this trouble has occurred.
Riyyh: [sincere of voice and nager]
Riyyh: Please accept my apologies, and my assurance that we are doing all we can to resolve this with no further violence or injury.
Linn: I'm sure you mean well.
Riyyh takes this as the deepest compliment which he is capable of receiving (because it is)
Riyyh: Thank you.
Linn: It just seems like such an... extreme measure.
Linn: And Snake is so much more stable when Nick is about.
Riyyh: I know, and yet... an attempt has already been made on my life once. With the two of them in such a volatile state, it was just... it would have been foolish to nothing.
Riyyh: It would have been so much better if we could have left them together.
Riyyh: The good news is, we will be able to reunite them again in a matter of days.
Linn: That's good.
Linn: I've seen Snake when she's not sure where her next transfer is coming from and, well, it wasn't pretty.
Nick's subconscious, however, is telling him that something is wrong.
Linn shudders in a genteel fashion.
Mytag sits with his arms folded, watching Nick from under hooded eyes.
Nick mumbles and reaches out with a hand, groping.
Riyyh: And Zeor will, of course, understand that. As they also understand that an ill channel requires her Companion's presence.
Mytag: Looking for something?
Linn is moderately relieved.
Riyyh actually assumes that Nick and Snake's reunion will come as a result of Zeor insisting rather than his own desire for such a reunion.
Nick's hand connects with Mytag's elbow.
Riyyh: I do care for all of you, very deeply. I don't wish for any of you to come to harm.
Riyyh: I find it most distressing that these actions became necessary, and trust me, they are nothing I would have dreamed of otherwise.
Mytag quells an urge to pull away and lets Nick sort it out for himself.
Nick gropes down Mytag's arm until he reaches the wrist, and finds the pulse.
Riyyh tries to show, by his voice and expression, that he is sincere.
Nick pauses, moving a bit closer to semi-consciousness as he registers that something is not right.
Mytag grins.
Riyyh zlins Linn to find out if this is working or not.
Riyyh would hate to have to pull out the "big guns" after all the flak Tictoc has been giving him lately about them.
Linn: Do you think the Zeor specialist will be able to help Snake without her cooperation?
Nick finally realizes what was different: The pulse was a lot faster than it should be.
Linn: I mean, assuming she wakes up at all.
Mytag flexes his arm, which is also about twice as thick as Snake's and definitely lacking in the tentacle area.
Nick is taken by a sudden hope.
Nick drops the wrist and reaches out blindly, groping for a chest on which to check reflexes.
Mytag: Ah hem.
Mytag: Maybe you should open your eyes?
Mytag: Just a suggestion. I generally find it helps.
Linn is horrified at having voiced such pessimism.
Riyyh: Well, yes, to some extent they will.
Linn: ~~ relief ~~
Linn: Somebody has to, but the ones who tried in Bender Cove kept letting other things interfere.
Nick subsides as the "open your eyes" statement takes him back to Bender Cove.
Nick: Can't be my shift yet.
Mytag: Oh, it won't be your shift for awhile.
Mytag: I'd say that you have been taken off the roster for now.
Nick: Rapol, you'll have to take care of her until I'm rested.
Mytag: Rapol?
Riyyh: We can offer as much time as necessary, and any resources that we have.
Nick: I don't bug you when you're trying to sleep.
Riyyh thinks the Zeor people will try to talk Snake into going back with them, actually.
Nick burrows back into the pillow.
Mytag: Fine then, go back to sleep.
Nick rolls over to turn his back towards the interruption.
Mytag watches him.
Nick has understandably failed to adjust for the difference in width between his bed at the Ferry Building and his current resting place.
Riyyh: Will you be able to speak to Bum Bum and Tanzarra for me?
Riyyh is pretty sure there will be no trouble on that front.
Nick therefore rolls off of the cot, on the far side from Mytag.
Mytag: Ohhh, that had to hurt.
Riyyh doesn't even mention Griff, who has proved himself to be utterly insensitive to political or loyalty issues of any sort whatsoever.
Nick awakens abruptly,
Nick: Yeow!
Riyyh assumes Griff will remain happily en"grossed" helping out in the animal sheds, his last known assignment.
Linn: Are you sure you wouldn't prefer to tell them yourself?
Riyyh: I can, if you like.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh thinks Wolfa can handle it probably... he really has to get back to Mytag.
Linn: I'm not sure I really understand what's going on.
Linn: ~~ confused ~~
Nick rubs his aching noggin as he looks around wildly.
Riyyh sighs internally and turns his attention fully to Linn, aborting mission on leaving for now.
Nick: What?
Riyyh smiles at her, in an attempt to reassure her.
Riyyh: I'm sorry.
Mytag gets himself ready for anything.
Mytag: What what?
Nick: Where's Snake?
Mytag: Where we left her.
Riyyh: I have so much on my mind, I forget that other people haven't heard all the same news.
Nick: ~~ groggily frantic ~~
Mytag: You don't think we would move an unconscious channel do you?
Mytag: What sort of people do you think we are?
Nick gropes for the cot, trying to pull himself to his feet.
Mytag watches as the cot tips up.
Riyyh reaches for Linn's hands, almost without realizing it.
Nick yelps again as the cot falls on him.
Mytag: Geee, that's got to sting. Just as well there are no Simes around, isn't it?
Nick glares at Mytag.
Mytag always wanted a brother to torment.
Nick uses the wall this time, and manages to get to his feet, sort of.
Mytag: Not a morning person, are you?
Linn finds Riyyh's concern comforting.
Riyyh is pleased that some things, at least, appear to still work just fine around here.
Nick: I've got to get back to Snake.
Mytag: I don't think so, sunshine.
Mytag: You have to stay here for a bit.
Mytag doesn't say a bit of what.
Mytag: Sit down, make yourself comfortable. Want some tea or toast?
Nick finds the thought of food strangely unappetizing.
Nick: Naw. Stomach's nervous.
Nick: Maybe after I check Snake.
Mytag points to a door. "Bathroom is that way."
Mytag: Snake's fine, and not your problem for the moment.
Nick nods and staggers two steps before his knees give out and he falls.
Nick starts retching.
Mytag picks Nick up and drags him into the bathroom.
Mytag: It's probably just an allergic reaction to the drugs. Don't get upset, just get it out of your system.
Nick: What drugs?
Nick heaves once more, hitting the toilet this time.
Nick lifts a shaky hand to his aching head.
Mytag: It was necessary to knock you out of course.
Mytag was all for the old fashioned fist to the jaw method, but Tictoc objected.
Nick: I was doing all right.
Nick: ~~ defensive ~~
Nick: Was Linn talking to you?
Mytag: Linn? No.
Mytag: Why?
Nick: She's been threatening to knock me out if I didn't get more sleep.
Mytag wonders if they should lock Linn up too.
Mytag: Ah. Well, that isn't quite what's happening here you see.
Nick grabs hold of the sink and pulls himself up again.
Nick: Good. Nothing harder to get around than a teacher on the warpath.
Mytag: You have been locked up for awhile due to the fact that we don't like our Sectuib being threatened by wet-behind-the-ears Gens who don't have any manners or education.
Nick: Not wet behind the ears.
Nick has in fact only washed the mess off of his face.
Mytag finds what Nick didn't deny more interesting then what he did.
Mytag: Come and sit down and we can discuss the situation.
Nick was incapable of making sense of such a long sentence, under the circumstances.
Mytag drags Nick back into the main room and plonks him into the chair, that until recently, he had manned himself.
Mytag: Hold on there while I get someone to clean up this mess.
Mytag goes over to the door and signals at it.
Mytag: Get someone in here to clean up [to one of the guards outside] Our "guest" has had an accident.
Nick sways on the chair, blinking.
Oolga is sent for.
Mytag returns and stands in front of Nick.
Oolga is a big strapping Gen built like a brick millinery, and the tung-kwun-fi champion of Naros for the 3rd year running.
Mytag: Now this is the situation. You have threatened the Sectuib several times. Your companion, Snake Farris, has physically threatened him.
Oolga is also a cleaning lady in the medical buildings.
Nick's forehead wrinkles.
Nick: Didn't threaten Riyyh. Why would I?
Mytag: From the look of things, Snake Farris has been... let's be generous and say "unwell"... for some time.
Mytag: Don't do that. You know you threatened him nagerically several times now.
Mytag: Anyway, as I was saying, Snake Farris has been unwell, probably since changeover.
Nick's face twists in confusion.
Nick: No I didn't.
Mytag: As we are unrehearsed with most Farris problems here we have sent for the experts.
Mytag: We do this out of the kindness of our hearts. Personally I feel that after a murder attempt a person should be hung up as an example to others.
Mytag: But our Sectuib, and father, is kinder-hearted than I.
Mytag: You will be kept apart until they arrive.
Nick's eyes widen in alarm.
Nick: Shen, you can't do that!
Mytag: We can't?
Mytag slaps his forehead with a hand dramatically.
Mytag: Shen, why didn't someone tell us before we did it!
Nick: If Snake comes to, and her Donor's not there, she could lose what sanity she has.
Nick: And this time, she might not come back.
Mytag: Well, that is a chance we will have to take.
Mytag: She has been without you before, you aren't that indispensable.
Nick: You haven't seen her since she left Bender Cove.
Nick: And not much there, if I remember correctly.
Mytag: No one is indispensable Nick, sorry to have to break this to you.
Oolga stumps into the room, buckets clattering.
Oolga: Hokay, where's the mess?
Nick: When she doesn't have a Donor--her Donor--at hand, she... loses contact with reality.
Mytag: Oh good, Oolga. [points]
Oolga: Well, excuuuuuse me for interrupting.
Oolga: No, don't bother yourself, I smell it.
Mytag: Thanks Oolga.
Oolga grabs the cot with one hand and moves it aside to get at the pool on the floor.
Mytag: We won't leave her Donorless. We aren't monsters.
Mytag: She isn't even at turnover yet.
Nick: With Snake, that doesn't really matter.
Nick: And you haven't got a Donor who comes close to matching her.
Mytag: There will be soon.
Oolga slops a considerable quantity of water on the floor, then starts whistling and mopping.
Oolga: Looka them greeeen chunks. Mmm Mmmmmm!
Mytag moves aside rapidly to get of the way of the mop handle.
Nick watches Oolga's enthusiasm with amazement.
Mytag: Reps are coming from Zeor. A full medical team from what I understand.
Nick closes his eyes in despair.
Oolga makes short work of the mess, leaving the floor spic n' span, then stumps jingling and clanking into the bathroom, where she closes the door.
Mytag: They will make the decision as to what to do with you then.
Mytag pats Nick on the shoulder reassuringly.
Mytag: Look, don't worry about it so much. You couldn't have gone on the way you were for much longer. You realise that don't you?
Nick: Snake's done better under my care than she did under Zeor's.
Mytag: I don't know anything about that. I care even less, to be honest. All I know is that she tried to murder Riyyh and that she needs the sort of help that only Zeor offers.
Nick: Of course, the only Donor they could find for her back then was a spy.
Mytag looks at the bathroom door.
Mytag: Yeah, hold that thought a moment.
Oolga: La la la! La la la de da... [slop, slosh, wipe wipe]
Mytag knocks on the door.
Mytag: You right in there Oolga?
Oolga whips the door open.
Oolga: Hoooold your horses hot shot!
Oolga: It's all yours.
Oolga stumps out, buckets clanking, revealing a pristine bathroom.
Oolga: Take my advice kid, stay away from the imported fish. [to Nick]
Mytag: Thank you Oolga....
Oolga leaves the room.
Nick: Fish?
Mytag: Fish?
Mytag shrugs.
Mytag: Anyway, if you want anything just signal. I'll have to be getting back to Riyyh.
Mytag: If you get any ideas, you can't get out of this room, no windows and there are guards, Gen guards, at the door at all times.
Riyyh, having disposed of Linn's fears, is now pacing anxiously a safe distance away from Nick's holding area.
Mytag signals to be let out and leaves Nick alone.
Riyyh is relieved as Mytag appears.
Mytag: Oh there you are, Riyyh.
Mytag automatically assumes support.
Riyyh: I'm glad to see you.
Riyyh grips Mytag's arm firmly for a moment, then releases him.
Riyyh: Eliza and Linn have been spoken to. They're fine. Wolfa is going to talk to Bum Bum and Tanzarra. I checked in on Tictoc and Eliza and everything is going well there.
Mytag frowns.
Mytag: Do you think it's wise? Leaving Eliza with Snake?
Mytag: You wouldn't consider locking up the rest of them as well?
Riyyh: I was concerned about the image, you know, with the Hajene Farris sympathizers and all....
Riyyh: [uncertain]
Riyyh: And then there's the issue of Hajene Farris herself, after all it is quite a risk separating her from her Companion for hours, much less days.
Mytag grunts. "Personally I think it's a kindness."
Mytag: The best thing that can happen to her now would be that the crowd from Zeor has someone who could give her transfer, stop any dependencies happening.
Riyyh: Well, yes, once she's awakened.
Riyyh: But it would have been better to keep them together while she is still in danger... [sighs]
Mytag: Probably, if they had been trustworthy. But Riyyh, it's not use worrying about "what might be". We just have to do the best with what we have got.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: Yes, you're right, of course.
Riyyh: [sadly]
Mytag: We've done that by calling in Zeor.
Mytag: Do you mind if we get something to eat? It took longer for him to wake up then I thought.
Riyyh: No no, not at all. Lead the way.
Mytag walks with Riyyh to the dining room.
Mytag: He took it better then I thought, I must say.
Mytag: I expected him to get violent.
Mytag: He denied threatening you, though.
Riyyh thinks back on the incident.
Riyyh: He may not have been doing it intentionally... [doubtfully]
Riyyh thinks that would be even worse.
Riyyh: But he did threaten Tictoc deliberately.
Riyyh: She swears it.
Mytag: I believe her.
Mytag picks up a tray and gets a selection of dishes.
Riyyh follows.
Riyyh: Mytag, I realize I have been remiss in not spending more time with you lately but I wanted to let you know that I am ready to spend much more time together from now on.
Riyyh: I was wondering....
Riyyh keeps his voice down to foil all but the most industrious of eavesdroppers (you can't stop them no matter what you do)
Riyyh: Have you given any more thought to whether you'd be willing to... to stay on as my Companion?
Mytag has been thinking about it almost non stop, he just isn't sure how he feels as yet.
Mytag: Well, at the moment I'm willing to stay on.
Mytag: Eventually I did want to marry and have kids of my own. There sort of aren't many women here who aren't genetically related to me, however.
Mytag: Sort of indicates that travel is necessary, doesn't it?
Riyyh: But Mytag! I have been working night and day to bring in the new people required here. [appalled]
Riyyh: ~sinking feeling~
Mytag: Tell me Riyyh, if you had a choice between one Gen that someone else picked for you, or between 100 Gens and you could choose for yourself, which would you prefer?
Riyyh: Well of course I'd prefer to choose, Mytag, but you're the only one available! And I love you. I want you to stay, I would welcome you as my Companion.
Mytag: Actually, Riyyh, I was using that as an illustration as to picking my wife.
Mytag sits at a table and puts a plate in front of Riyyh.
Riyyh sits down, looking bummed out.
Mytag puts another plate in front of himself and starts eating it.
Riyyh: Oh... yes, of course.
Mytag: Don't look so down, of course I'll stay.
Riyyh picks up his fork and eats so Mytag won't have anything to complain about.
Mytag: As long as I'm needed.
Riyyh: Thank you, Mytag.
Mytag is silent for awhile while he gets in touch with his stomach again.
Riyyh puts things in his mouth and feels really depressed as he thinks about Zenik and Chiea.
Wolfa comes scuttling into the dinning room.
Wolfa: Oh Riyyh!!! There you are!
Wolfa: ~ flustered ~
Hero skids in after Wolfa, nearly running into her as she stops augmenting.
Riyyh: Do you suppose that... ?? [looks up startled]
Riyyh: Wolfa? What's happened?
Wolfa: You have to come quick! That guy from the Tecton is back and he isn't happy!!!
Riyyh: Ah... oh [shen!] all right, I'll be right there.
Riyyh puts down his fork and napkin.
Wolfa: He is up at the office.
Riyyh had been aware for some time that Ruby had never quite made it into the Tecton's hands, despite the change to her transfer order to have her picked up from her new home.
Mytag quickly shovels in a few more mouthfuls.
Riyyh had been expecting some kind of blowup over it, although not so soon.
Riyyh: Thank you, Wolfa.
Riyyh smiles reassuringly at her.
Wolfa: Oh dear, oh dear. It's about Ruby isn't it?
Riyyh: I'm afraid so, yes.
Riyyh sees no point in denying it; rumors will be flying soon no matter what.
Riyyh waits a moment for Mytag, then heads briskly out of the dining hall back to the administrative building.
Wolfa follows Riyyh and Mytag back to Admin.
Wolfa: Ruby has been nothing but trouble!
Riyyh rubs his shoulder and is forced to concur, although he keeps it out of his nager.
Riyyh enters "his" (Wolfa's) office.
Riyyh: Hello... Carmikel, so good to see you again. ~sincere greeting~
Carmikel stands up and offers a greeting.
Riyyh smiles.
Carmikel: I'm sorry to bother you Sectuib.
Carmikel: ~ anything but sorry ~
Riyyh: No, no, no bother at all. Have you got tea? Good, good.
Riyyh sits at his desk.
Carmikel: It's about the situation we discussed last I was here.
Riyyh: The Donor shortage! Of course. I remember clearly. How may I help you?
Carmikel: At that time we agreed to - forget - Naros's seeming reluctance to exchange people with the Tecton on the grounds that it would start now.
Carmikel: You agreed to send a trained 1st immediately. Despite that we haven't had word that one has been dispatched at all.
Riyyh: But I did! [wide eyed]
Carmikel: Instead we hear stories of internal strife.
Riyyh: No, my own Companion Ruby was dispatched immediately.
Riyyh: We haven't seen her in weeks.
Riyyh: ~~utter truth~~
Riyyh digs through a file and pulls out his copy of her transfer orders.
Carmikel: She was what?
Carmikel: ~ confused ~
Carmikel: Then where is she?
Riyyh: This says she was to have been picked up from her father in law's brother's place. That's two or three days East of here.
Riyyh: She's probably there now.
Riyyh hands the document to Carmikel and looks exceedingly innocent, something he has a lot of practice at.
Carmikel: Why there? Why not here?
Carmikel: ~ suspicious ~
Riyyh: Well, there were some hard feelings regarding her being transferred out. ~truth~ and she wasn't comfortable here at all. ~~total truth~~ When her transport failed to arrive in a timely fashion, ~truth~ she... ~waffle waffle~ ... well her mother was very angry with me at the time, and declared they were both removing to her ex husband's brother's family's house for the duration ~~truth~~.
Carmikel follows this with varying degrees of amazement.
Carmikel: I see, yes, I understand, right, right.
Riyyh: Well, this was a bit inconvenient of course. But I thought that with the amended paperwork submitted, it would all get sorted out.
Riyyh: Actually, no Tecton people ever showed up here looking for her, so I assumed they had received the change.
Riyyh: ~~truth~~
Riyyh is the very picture of considerate helpfulness.
Carmikel: She was originally suppose to travel to the Capital. You didn't get those orders?
Riyyh: We were told she was to be picked up from here.
Riyyh searches for, and locates, the letter that said as much.
Riyyh offers it to Carmikel.
Riyyh: I don't recall any mention of Capital... ~anxiously~ perhaps I could ask Wolfa....
Carmikel glares at the letter.
Carmikel: Typical bureaucratic stuff ups!
Carmikel glares at Riyyh as well.
Riyyh smiles apologetically at Carmikel's glaring face.
Carmikel: Doesn't let its left lateral know what the right one is doing!
Riyyh tries to appear gentle and kind and Sectuibly despite the subject matter.
Carmikel is past turn over and, due to work load, without Warren who is handling a similar problem three days' journey away.
Carmikel: There is another matter.
Riyyh: Yes? Anything. ~considerate~
Carmikel: Oh shen, I forget.
Carmikel sits down heavily.
Carmikel: Give me a minute.
Riyyh immediately jumps up and goes over to sit down near Carmikel.
Riyyh: ~concern~
Riyyh: Are you all right?
Riyyh makes Carmikel's field is supported and kept free of any bumps in the ambient.
Carmikel: All right? Do I zlin all right?!!!
Carmikel: Do you know the last time I had alone with a Donor?
Carmikel: It was my last transfer day. Since then we have both been so busy that I never get to see him. [whine whine]
Riyyh: You're right, of course, I apologize.
Riyyh: ~gentle~
Riyyh edges closer.
Carmikel: Go here do this, Go there do that. Why do they send channels to do administration work?
Carmikel: They say that it looks better, that people feel that the Tecton cares if they are dealing with channels.
Carmikel: Do they care what it does to my systems? Well? Do they?
Carmikel: I mean, zlin this, does this look healthy to you?
Riyyh seizes the opportunity to reach out for Carmikel's arms.
Riyyh: ~caring~
Riyyh: Of course not. You deserve better.
Carmikel: I have such a twinge in my vriamic, it's just constant.
Carmikel: I haven't had a decent sleep in weeks.
Carmikel puts his head wearily on the desk [thunk]
Riyyh: There, there. ~soothing~ Let me help you.
Mytag goes over and pats him on the shoulder while rolling his eyes at Riyyh. "There, there."
Carmikel lets out a strangled sob, the best he can do in his condition.
Riyyh releases Carmikel to give Mytag some room.
Mytag raises his eyebrows in surprise and looks at Riyyh for confirmation.
Riyyh shrugs.
Mytag: ~ support ~
Mytag: Why don't you take a few hours off? I'm sure we can find a Donor to stay with you for awhile. Maybe then you will remember what else you needed to talk to us about.
Mytag: That okay with you Sectuib?
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: Of course.
Carmikel: Thank you. I'm sorry that I was so short with you before.