Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #38: Dreamland (10/15/98)
A flock of cockatoos fly over.
A kangaroo hops past.
Bruce: Howza mate? How about a coldy?
Tia wonders who this strange, yet strangely handsome, man is.
Tia: ~ shyly interested ~
Riyyh: I must be dreaming.
Tia: You must? But you are awake...
Riyyh sees a strangely garbed woman speaking to him in a bizarre accent.
Tia knows that it's not polite to poke people, or pinch people, but she steps forward and pinches the man anyway.
Riyyh: ~surprise~
Tia: Where did you come from anyway? I didn't see you ride in.
Tia looks around and doesn't see a spare horse anywhere.
Riyyh: I... [starts to say "I don't know" then realizes he will require a better explanation than that]
Tia: Did you want to talk to my dad?
Riyyh: Yes, of course.
Riyyh thinks that sounds like a safe answer.
Tia: Hey - do you want some tea or something? You look really ... [well awful isn't right] upset.
Riyyh: Thank you, ~grateful~ that is very kind of you.
Tia: Tell you what, I'll get Mauth, she's a healer, she might be able to help you.
Tia thinks that she is really going to cop it, talking to a strange Sime when Mauth isn't with her.
Tia thinks he looks pretty helpless though, and kind of cute.
Riyyh smiles at Tia.
Riyyh: That would be fine.
Tia: Come with me and I'll get you some tea while we wait for her.
Riyyh has gotten through many difficult and confusing times in his life by 1) agreeing with everything people suggest and 2) smiling at people who think he's cute.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Tia is pleased, but surprised, that this person isn't shocked to be addressed by a gen.
Riyyh follows Tia, and only then notices he is walking through a stubbly field in his bare feet wearing nothing but a night robe.
Riyyh is now pretty sure he is definitely dreaming.
Tia takes him into the office.
Tia: Here, have a seat on the lounge, I'll get the tea.
Tia: Do you have milk? sugar?
Riyyh sinks down onto the lounge gratefully, still feeling rather overwhelmed.
Riyyh: Thank you, no.
Tia rushes out and is back in what seems like only a fraction of a second with the tea.
Tia: Here you go, sorry I was so long.
Riyyh blinks.
Riyyh: Thank you. [smiles at her]
Riyyh seems to be having a few time distortion problems, but reluctantly decides that's to be expected in a dream.
Tia: You don't look like you are from around here.
Riyyh: I don't [almost says "I don't believe I am"] ... I am not. [confesses]
Tia sits down opposite him and wonders if she should do something. Mauth has told her never to try anything on other Simes, but this one looks like he needs something.
Tia: Did you come to buy some Gens?
Riyyh wonders why he is not disoriented and sets about to figure out where he is compared to where he's used to.
Riyyh nearly chokes on some tea.
Riyyh: Pardon me?
Riyyh finds himself looking down Tia's not inconsiderable cleavage.
Tia: We have the best nagers here. Breeding them for it for generations ~ pride ~
Riyyh looks up at her in lack of comprehension.
Riyyh: This is a Genfarm?
Tia: Would you like to see?
Riyyh: ~shocked~
Riyyh: Well I - I -
Tia: Yes, of course it's a Genfarm. What did you think it was?
Riyyh wonders what the etiquette is when faced with intolerable genocidal cultural practices when dreaming.
Riyyh hopes it's not one of those psychological dreams where you are punished for some kind of sin you did in real life, or he's really in trouble.
Riyyh sighs unhappily.
Riyyh: Oh dear.
Tia: Is anything wrong?
Tia: ~ concern ~
Tia: ~ shen it all Support ~
Riyyh: I'm afraid I'm not quite myself today, really, I'll be all right.
Riyyh: Oh, thank you.
Tia will handle Mauth when she turns up.
Tia: ~ surprise ~
Riyyh: ~relief at the support even if it is a little strange style-wise~
Tia: For what?
Riyyh: Well for...
Riyyh: For being kind to me.
Riyyh summons a kind smile for Tia.
Tia thinks it's natural to be kind to potential customers.
Riyyh is sure he is going to be utterly exhausted when he wakes up the next morning.
Riyyh begins to suspect it's a need-nightmare, because he was shorted last month.
Tia: Are you in need? You don't look like you are in need. But if you like I'll take you down to the pens first and we can work things out after.
Riyyh hopes this isn't going to happen regularly!
Riyyh: Oh no!
Riyyh: No, I am not in need, but th - thank you for asking.
Riyyh thinks this is really surreal.
Tia: All right... ~ uncertain ~
Tia: I don't know where everyone is, this is really weird.
Tia thinks that it's like all the Simes have disappeared and left her alone with this man.
Dupe comes running into the room.
Dupe is a young male gen, about 12 natal years old.
Dupe: Tia! Tia! Tia got biscuit for Dupe? For me?
Riyyh is actually about a week from transfer.
Tia: Dupe!
Riyyh studies Dupe.
Tia quickly grabs Dupe and puts him behind her.
Riyyh: It's all right, I don't bite. [kindly]
Tia: I'll give you a biscuit in a moment, it's "got a biscuit" not "got biscuit".
Tia: Where is Frez?
Tia looks at the stranger and smiles.
Tia: I'm sorry, please excuse Dupe, he doesn't know any better.
Dupe: Got a biscuit, got a biscuit, got a biscuit.
Dupe: Frez gone.
Dupe shrugs.
Tia: Would you like a biscuit? [to Riyyh]
Riyyh: Yes, thank you.
Tia: I'll be right back.
Riyyh thinks it is safer to err on the side of politeness.
Tia leaves the room, dragging Dupe after her, and returns in under a second.
Tia: Sorry I was so long, I couldn't find them.
Riyyh blinks and rechecks the time.
Riyyh: Quite all right.
Tia hands Dupe a biscuit. "Now you sit over there and be good for Tia OK?"
Riyyh kind of wishes he wasn't wearing his nightgown.
Tia offers Riyyh the biscuit barrel.
Riyyh wonders if the cultures are so different that these people don't even realize that's what he's wearing.
Riyyh: Thank you. [accepts one]
Dupe takes the biscuit and goes to the corner where he proceeds to slobber over it.
Dupe: Thank you Tia.
Tia sits down opposite again.
Tia: I'm sorry - I didn't get your name?
Riyyh: I apologize.
Riyyh: I am Riyyh, Sectuib in Naros. You may call me Riyyh.
Tia is glad because the rest of it sounds kind of rude.
Tia: Hello Riyyh.
Riyyh smiles.
Riyyh: Hello.
Dupe finishes the biscuit and licks up some crumbs.
Riyyh feels more on solid footing with pleasantries.
Riyyh wonders what kind of Genfarm has a Gen selling the Gens and then decides anything is allowed in needmares.
Riyyh tries to decide if Mytag will buy that he was terrified by a dream about a Gen serving him tea and biscuits and regrets that he probably won't.
Tia: So are you a trader or something?
Riyyh: Well actually, I run a Householding where many different people live. It's sort of like a farm.
Tia: Oh! Are you after breeding stock?
Riyyh's eyes widen.
Riyyh: ~ouch~
Riyyh thinks the subconscious can be so cruel.
Tia: I'd have to check with dad or Uncle Jad about that one.
Riyyh: That will not be necessary. [hastily]
Tia: Were you after wild Gens then? I don't know if we have any at the moment...
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh feels a sharp pang of conscious as he considers saying no, then remembers all the years the Householdings fought to get money to buy wild Gens at auction, before Unity.
Riyyh wonders what the moral obligations are when you are dreaming.
Dupe: Finished Tia. Nother one?
Tia: All right Dupe.
Tia hands Dupe another biscuit.
Riyyh of course realizes a stranger from another dimension with no money in the pockets of his nightgown is not likely to be extended the sort of credit required to buy/rescue a Wild Gen.
Riyyh sighs sadly.
Riyyh: I'm sorry, no.
Tia: Well, just what are you here for then?
Tia: ~ confused frustration ~
Riyyh: I'm sorry... perhaps I should speak to your father.
Tia: Yes, but he isn't here....
Riyyh: I see.
Tia: I'll go see if he is in A group.
Tia: I'm sorry, I'm going to have to ask you to come with me.
Tia: ~ firmly~
Riyyh: All right.
Riyyh gets up.
Riyyh puts down the tea cup.
Riyyh would hate to make waves or anything.
Tia: Dupe, ummm, you stay here or come with us?
Dupe: Ummm, Dupe come.
Dupe jumps up and takes Tia's hand.
Riyyh studies the interaction carefully.
Tia leads Dupe, and the strange Sime, outside and down towards a large building.
Tia is tightlipped, not sure that she trusts this strange man now.
Tia goes into the building through large double doors and looks around.
Tia: Wow this is weird!
Tia: Where is everyone!
Riyyh follows Tia, feeling like a large pink flamingo among a collection of mallards.
Tia thinks it looks like all the Simes in the world have disappeared - except for this one strange man.
Riyyh looks around the building.
Tia: [the building is full of Gens, mostly drugged]
Tia: [in large open rooms with mesh or glass fronts. 7 to 10 to a room. They are wearing lose wraps. Males and females together]
Riyyh has a shock as the image takes him back about 30 years to pre-Unity times.
Riyyh: ~~horror and compassion~~
Tia: ~ pride ~
Riyyh turns and walks out of the building quickly.
Tia: Zlin that? Best nagers around.
Tia: Hey - where you going?
Tia races after him, dragging Dupe.
Dupe: Wheeeee!!!!!!
Dupe: ~ FUN ~
Riyyh leans on a post and tries to control his breathing.
Riyyh: ~upset~
Tia: Hold on there. What's the matter?
Riyyh: What a nightmare! [to himself]
Tia: ~ concern ~
Tia: Hey! What do you mean! There is nothing wrong with our stock!
Tia: ~ insulted ~
Riyyh: I'm... I'm sorry, I haven't zlinned anything like that since before... in 30 years.
Tia: Dupe, you go see if you can find aunty Mauth, or anyone. OK?
Tia doesn't like sending Dupe off by himself in case of accidents but this is an emergency.
Dupe: ~ serious ~
Dupe: All right Tia.
Dupe trots off in the direction of the sick room in B group.
Riyyh: No insult was intended.
Tia: Listen here you. I don't know where you come from or who you are but I want to know what's going on!
Tia: ~ rising panic ~
Tia: What have you done with everyone!
Riyyh looks up as Tia's panic cuts through.
Riyyh: I have done nothing.
Tia isn't going to cry, but she does look a bit frantic.
Riyyh: ~nervous~
Riyyh: I am who I say.
Tia: Well why has everyone disappeared?
Tia: It's like, you are the only Sime in the whole world or something!
Riyyh: I don't know.
Riyyh: [confesses]
Tia feels a tear of fear rising up and panics a bit. She doesn't want to lose control in front of this stranger.
Riyyh: Please... don't fear. Don't cry.
Tia stamps her foot. "I'm not crying!"
Tia: ~ I want my daddy!!!~
Riyyh lets go of his own distress as compassion rises in him (inevitably) for the young girl.
Riyyh flickers hypo effortlessly to ride out the disruption, having been well-trained by Hero.
Riyyh touches Tia's shoulder gently.
Riyyh: Please, it's all right.
Tia swings aside.
Tia: Don't touch me!
Tia stomps off back in the direction they came from and is [apparently] instantly out of sight and zlin.
Riyyh: ~despair~
Memmon comes out of Group A and looks at the stranger in surprise.
Memmon is a rensime of middle age.
Memmon: What on earth.
Memmon zlins again.
Riyyh turns around quickly to face Memmon nervously, staying close to the pole as if it were a Donor (or big enough to hide behind).
Memmon: Can I help you?
Riyyh carefully covers his nervousness with a ~harmless and kind~ showfield.
Memmon looks around a bit stunned.
Memmon: ~ where is everyone ~
Riyyh wonders if he is supposed to talk to Tia's father, since fatherhood seems to have been a theme lately.
Riyyh is at this point a little bit beyond realizing Memmon hadn't actually been in the building when he'd zlinned earlier.
Riyyh: Y - yes, may I speak to somebody in charge?
Memmon: Well, I'm the foreman, I'll have to do for you until the boss turns up mate.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Riyyh thinks, so much for stalling for more time.
Riyyh: I seem to be a bit lost.
Riyyh thinks may as well go for the honest and straight forward approach.
Memmon looks at what Riyyh is wearing and agrees with him.
Memmon: Well you are at Genview. That help at all?
Riyyh: I didn't really intend to go to a Genfarm, do you think you could direct me toward the nearest Householding?
Memmon: Where were you trying to get to?
Memmon: Householding?
Memmon: What's that?
Riyyh thinks that's a better response than being called a pervert and immediately run off the farm or murdered.
Memmon: ~ puzzled ~
Riyyh: Oh dear.
Riyyh: I must be really lost.
Memmon: Yeah, sounds that way. Which way were you headed?
Riyyh thinks that kind of depends on how you look at it.
Riyyh thinks there were some that would say "straight to hell in a handbasket".
Riyyh: I really don't know, [confesses] I was simply asleep and I woke up here with Tia standing in front of me.
Memmon: Tia! Where is she!
Riyyh thinks this explanation stinks, especially since he wasn't disoriented.
Memmon: ~ worry ~
Riyyh: I think she went to look for her father.
Memmon: Oh, I see.
Memmon: Do you often go to sleep while driving?
Memmon looks around but fails to see this fella's wagon.
Riyyh's experience with driving is about nil.
Riyyh: Not often. [confesses]
Memmon: Well, if I can find one of those lazy workers I'll get them to take you back out to the main road, you should be right from there, it only goes in two directions.
Memmon: Where's ya wagon?
Riyyh is afraid he has pretty much made a botch of the etiquette, whatever it would be, of this entire situation.
Memmon takes a step further out into the yards to see if he can see the hidden wagon.
Riyyh follows Memmon.
Memmon: Didn't you tie your horses up mate?
Memmon: Seems to have wandered off on you.
Riyyh would deny having a wagon except that he has no idea if, in this dream, he has one or not.
Riyyh looks about, then zlins.
Riyyh: That would appear to be the case. ~reluctantly~
Riyyh: How unfortunate.
Riyyh means, how unfortunate that no ready explanation for this situation was supplied.
Riyyh: What a needmare.
Riyyh wonders if anybody else has needmares about awkward social situations.
Riyyh: I am terribly sorry to have to impose on your hospitality like this.
Riyyh: ~sincere~
Riyyh: Especially as it would appear to have been my own incompetence or carelessness which had gotten me into this situation in the first place.
Memmon has never run into anyone who talks like that and listens in fascination.
Memmon: Well, come up to the boss' office and we will see if he is there.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Memmon leads Riyyh up to the building that he came out of before.
Memmon disappears as he enters the building.
Riyyh freezes.
Riyyh zlins carefully.
Riyyh doesn't like the looks of that but isn't sure what other choice he has.
Riyyh enters the building.
Riyyh checks to make sure he hasn't disappeared as well.
Brody is behind his desk, head down, filling out some order forms.
Brody looks up.
Brody: Who's there?
Riyyh enters Brody's office.
Riyyh: Pardon me, I don't mean to intrude, but I was wondering if you could be of assistance?
Riyyh: ~very polite and submissive~
Brody: Sure, what's up?
Riyyh smiles in gratitude as Brody appears to be reasonable.
Riyyh thinks it's just too bad he has no idea where to start or what to ask for.
Brody frowns as he realizes something is very wrong with this person. Maybe it's the clothing.
Riyyh wonders if it is prudent, when dreaming, to make plans for the future in case it turns out to be a serial dream.
Riyyh: I was travelling [thinks this is not quite a lie, if you consider dreamland travel real travel]
Riyyh: And due to an unfortunate accident [surely he didn't do this to himself on purpose]
Riyyh: Have become temporarily [shen I hope so]
Brody: You lost your Gen?
Brody: Need another one?
Brody: Sure we can help...
Riyyh: No, no, nothing like that.
Riyyh hopes he is not junct in this dream.
Brody starts to get up and stops in mid get.
Brody: No?
Riyyh decides he is not, since he doesn't feel any different.
Riyyh feels confused, lost and scared, much like how he has been feeling a lot at Naros lately.
Riyyh: No, nothing so serious, but I appear to have been stranded here by mistake.
Brody: Hey friend, what's the matter? You zlin, well you zlin really weird actually.
Brody pulls out a bottle from his desk draw and a glass out of another one and pours a shot.
Brody: Here, have a swig.
Riyyh finally realizes that if these people don't know what Householdings are, they may have never zlinned channels at all.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Brody: You a healer? Where you been working?
Brody: Looking for a job?
Riyyh knocks down the shot and adjusts his nager to read a little less flamboyant than his customary display.
Brody: I can't offer you anything permanent at the moment, but we could use another healer with the kids, you know how kids are.
Brody: We have so many kids.
Riyyh thinks a job might be prudent at this point... if he wakes up, no loss, but if he gets stuck here, he'd better have some role in the society.
Riyyh: Oh dear.
Brody: You ever worked with kids?
Riyyh feels slightly green, and it has nothing to do with the liquor.
Riyyh: Yes, actually, quite a bit.
Riyyh tries to smile.
Riyyh wonders if he should try sleeping pills.
Brody: Great! We try not to be too heavy on the calmemdown, and no whips allowed. Can you cope with that?
Riyyh remembers that Tictoc was really trying to get him to try sleeping pills a couple of weeks ago and decides to ask her for some just as soon as he manages to wake up.
Riyyh: No whips... yes I think I can....
Riyyh has never touched a whip in his life, even before Unity.
Riyyh wonders if, in a serial dream where they only happen every once a week or so, would you lose your job?
Brody is suddenly over the other side of the room.
Brody: I said, what's your full name and where did you work last?
Brody disappears.
Tia walks into the room.
Tia: Come on - I'll show you your quarters.
Tia smiles, seeming to have forgotten the previous problems.
Tia: You will be sharing a cabin with Niarn. I hope you don't mind sharing.
Tia: I'm sure you and Niarn will get on just fine, he is really nice.
Tia: ~ infatuated with Niarn ~
Riyyh looks down and realizes he is wearing no clothes.
Riyyh: ~shock~
Tia doesn't seem to notice.
Riyyh tries to appear dignified.
Riyyh really doesn't have anything to hide, of course, he has aged with exceptional grace.
Riyyh however can't reasonably expect everybody not to notice.
Tia heads outside.
Riyyh follows.
Dupe is out in the yard. He seems to be buried up to his neck.
Dupe: Dupe want biscuit!
Tia: It's "I want A biscuit, Dupe, remember?"
Tia walks by without noticing that Dupe is buried.
Riyyh wonders if he should rescue the Gen.
Dupe looks at Riyyh and winks.
Dupe: Get some clothes on mate!
Dupe: The deadly carnivorous wombats'll get it!
Dupe bursts out in loud mad laughter.
Dupe sinks under the ground and disappears.
Tia looks back at where Riyyh is standing looking at the ground.
Tia: Are you coming?
Tia holds out her arms ~ offering ~
Riyyh looks up at Tia.
Tia: ~ here for you ~
Riyyh starts walking toward her because he doesn't know what else do to.
Tia drifts backwards.
Riyyh: No!
Riyyh starts running toward Tia.
Tia falls in a hole.
Tia: ~ pain ~
Tia: Bloody hell!
Tia sprawls on the ground.
Riyyh pounces on Tia.
Tia: Damn echidnas!
Tia: Argh.
Riyyh tosses the hedgehog aside as he wraps his arms around Tia.
Tia: ~ fear ~
Riyyh: Don't fear, Tia. [against her ear]
Echidna: I am not a hedgehog you moron!!!!
Tia tries not to panic with his weight on top of her.
Echidna sniffs and waddles off.
Echidna forgets where she is going and turns around and waddles back.
Echidna: Milk, bread, eggs, butter, bacon, apples....
Riyyh releases Tia.
Tia: ~ regret ~
Riyyh: Don't be afraid, Tia, I love you.
Riyyh realizes it's true even as he says it.
Riyyh takes her hand and kisses it tenderly.
Tia: But....
Tia: ~ confusion ~
Tia: ~ lust ~
Riyyh looks into her eyes.
Tia eyes get bigger and bigger and shinier and shinier.
Riyyh falls into her big, big, shiny shiny gaze.
Dupe sticks his head up out of the ground and laughs at Riyyh as he sinks down again.
Riyyh: ~panics~
Riyyh keeps falling and falling, into, er,