Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #41: Other People's Channels (10/17/98)
Dahlia is sitting at Snake's bedside.
Dahlia: No, no: Like this.
Dahlia does something invisible.
Ifto zlins eagerly.
Wise Snake looks bored, or maybe only tired.
Wise Snake: Ummh.
Nick steps into the room.
Nick raises an eyebrow in Ifto's direction, then decides to leave well enough alone.
Nick: Hello, Snake.
Nick has trimmed his mustache, and his beard now comes to a dashing point.
Wise Snake: Hello!
Wise Snake looks more alert.
Nick strolls over to the bed.
Nick: Am I interrupting something?
Nick nods politely at Dahlia.
Dahlia nods in return.
Wise Snake: Not really.
Nick: You look better today.
Nick: ~~ glad ~~
Wise Snake thinks that Ifto's lessons, while interesting on a better-than-staring-at-the-ceiling level, are not exactly breaking news for her.
Wise Snake: You zlin well.
Wise Snake of course wouldn't notice how Nick looks... perhaps just as well, under the circumstances.
Eruditia is sitting near Ifto.
Eruditia, who was somewhat skeptical about Nick after the scene while interviewing him, seems somewhat more approving at his current appearance.
Ifto is a bit annoyed at the interruption, but is under orders to be polite.
Nick nods and sits on the bed next to Snake.
Nick takes her hand, as a poor substitute for linking nagers.
Nick: The rest send their greetings.
Nick: They'll be coming by later, now that you're cleared for visitors.
Wise Snake: I hear Bum Bum took advantage of my... absence to make a deal with the Rabbit King.
Wise Snake: ~distaste mixed with a grudging respect~
Nick: So I understand.
Nick: He wants to qualify Linn anyway, next week.
Ifto blinks in disbelief, having recently perused Linn's Bender Cove file with Kenmore.
Wise Snake's lips curl in a sour expression.
Ifto leans over and whispers in Eruditia's ear.
Ifto: Isn't that the junct and the Simephobe he's talking about?
Wise Snake: I think he'll find Prince Cottontail even less likely to condone that than I... unless Linn has decided to jump ship too?
Nick: She hasn't said anything about leaving.
Wise Snake: Then he's dreaming.
Eruditia whispers back to Ifto: "Young man, gossip is a loathsome habit."
Eruditia: "And whispering in the presence of company is rude!"
Dahlia blinks mildly, smiling a vague Farris sort of smile, and manages to convey simultaneously that she is not paying attention to anything anybody is saying, and not ignoring Snake.
Nick shrugs.
Nick: I'm not sure how much of that plan he'll care to pursue, now that you're back in the picture.
Wise Snake thinks no great loss, about Bum Bum... as long as somebody is in charge of making sure he doesn't kill, she doesn't care if it's her or not.
Wise Snake: Have you talked to him?
Eruditia adds, as an afterthought, "But yes."
Nick: Not recently. I've been spending some time with Kenmore, and Bum Bum's been avoiding anything that smacks of the Tecton, for obvious reasons.
Ifto: ~~ shock ~~
Ifto thinks such a pairing is insanely risky, and can't believe anyone would allow it.
Wise Snake darts a pale gaze in Ifto's direction.
Ifto hurriedly gets his nager back into order.
Ifto: ~~ apology ~~
Nick: Would you like me to send Bum Bum in to talk with you about it?
Nick is fairly confident that he could....er, "persuade" Bum Bum to do so.
Nick: Or perhaps Linn?
Wise Snake considers briefly.
Wise Snake flicks her hand in negation.
Wise Snake: No... just talk to them both, and let me know who's going where.
Wise Snake has run out of energy for Bum Bum's problem.
Nick nods.
Wise Snake: Oh, and do try to avoid bringing up Linn around Kenmore.
Wise Snake: She doesn't require any more hassle.
Nick: I won't.
Dahlia studiously applies herself to keeping the ambient in order, or at least in discreetly assisting Snake in doing so.
Nick: I don't think he approves of her.
Wise Snake: ... what?
Wise Snake wasn't aware that the subject had already come up.
Wise Snake: What makes you say that?
Wise Snake: ~suspiciously~
Nick: It was just an offhand remark, about you collecting a strange collection of misfits.
Nick: I think he's spent too much time reading the files Riyyh had sent from Bender Cove.
Wise Snake thinks if Kenmore has read those, he probably has a rather accurate picture of Snake's "collection".
Wise Snake: Ummh.
Wise Snake: How has working with him been going?
Nick: We haven't actually had much time to work together yet.
Nick: He doesn't want me around when he's working with you.
Wise Snake wonders why Nick earlier said he'd been spending some time with Kenmore, then now says he hasn't been spending that much time with Kenmore.
Wise Snake wonders just who Nick has been spending time with, if not Kenmore.
Wise Snake: I see.
Wise Snake is a bit uneasy, as Nick's reply gave her no reassurance that Kenmore is neither treating him poorly or treating him too well.
Wise Snake would actually rather Kenmore is mistreating him just a little, so she doesn't have to worry about him going Tecton or worse, Zeor.
Wise Snake: Well, all right.
Wise Snake touches Nick's arm briefly.
Wise Snake rolls back into place on the bed, wishing she a) didn't have a bunch of people sitting around to make sure she didn't get up, and b) could trust herself to stay up if she did get up.
Nick covers Snake.
Nick: I'll be back later.
Wise Snake: All right. I'll be right here.
Wise Snake should never attempt humor.
Nick smiles, having heard worse, and leaves.
Eruditia looks at Ifto to see if he has any more snide comments.
Ifto gives a remarkably good "innocent" act.
Linn is in the guest cottage, baking apple tarts.
Linn hums as she rolls out the crust.
Linn slices apples and firms the crust over them.
Linn takes a batch of tarts out of the oven, and puts the new ones in.
Linn takes the finished tarts out onto the porch of the guest cottage to cool.
Linn rests a moment on the porch, cooling off.
Bum Bum walks through the garden, on his way from the infirmary.
Linn spots Bum Bum.
Linn: Bum Bum!
Bum Bum is on his way back from the obligatory trip to see if the Farrises have left a hangnail or something for anybody else to take care of.
Bum Bum looks up at the sound of Linn's call.
Bum Bum: ... Linn.
Bum Bum zlins to make sure nobody else is about, then goes over in that direction.
Linn waves Bum Bum over.
Bum Bum: Hello.
Linn: How have you been?
Linn: ~~ concern ~~
Bum Bum: OK I guess.
Bum Bum is wearing a shirt with Naros embroidery on it, in a fairly obvious attempt to make his change in status clear.
Linn: Has Sectuib Riyyh been treating you well?
Bum Bum: Oh... yes.
Bum Bum thinks, when he's been able to get an audience with him, anyway.
Linn: Has he found a Companion for you yet?
Bum Bum: No, he... [hesitates]
Linn's concern intensifies.
Linn: But it's not long until your transfer!
Bum Bum: Well, he has had a couple of different people working with me, so it's not like I haven't had anybody if I really needed it.
Bum Bum: But he hasn't assigned anybody for my transfer because....
Bum Bum: [hesitates again]
Linn: Why?
Bum Bum: Well he says he's... [embarrassed] giving you time to change your mind.
Bum Bum: I tried to tell him, but....
Linn: As if I would just walk off and leave Snake when she's so sick!
Linn: ~~ moderate indignation ~~
Bum Bum: Well, yeah.
Linn: Would you like me to have a word with him?
Bum Bum looks depressed.
Bum Bum: Well you pretty much said what you meant the first time, from what I hear.
Bum Bum can't imagine why somebody like Linn would want to stay chained to Snake, personally.
Bum Bum doesn't have any illusions as to his own desirability, but he does know that Linn can't be that happy with Snake.
Linn: I do miss working with you, Bum Bum.
Linn: ~~ truth ~~
Bum Bum smiles, surprised.
Linn: And I don't want to see you deprived of support, or the best transfer possible.
Bum Bum: Well, I mean, I haven't been deprived, as such, that is....
Bum Bum becomes a little nervous, as he doesn't want to speak against Naros (which has been treating him quite well) but also doesn't want to stop Linn from talking herself into anything.
Linn: It's not fair to you for him to leave you wondering.
Linn reaches a decision.
Bum Bum wishes he hadn't said anything, it just caused trouble.
Linn: Let me take the rest of the tarts out of the oven, and we'll go get this settled.
Bum Bum: We? [gulps]
Bum Bum: Er, OK....
Linn: Of course. Just a moment.
Bum Bum wonders what Riyyh is going to say to Linn marching in and accusing him of abusing Bum Bum.
Bum Bum winces.
Linn ducks back inside, returning shortly with a small basket full of apple tarts, wrapped in a clean dishcloth.
Linn starts briskly for the administration building.
Bum Bum follows, with great trepidation.
Bum Bum: You know, when I said that about waiting,
Bum Bum wonders if he should mention that he had implied to Riyyh that Linn might actually still be undecided.
Linn: Yes?
Bum Bum: I mean, you know, it's possible that he was only waiting because he zlinned how I felt about you, and....
Linn stops short and looks at Bum Bum.
Bum Bum stops short and looks worried.
Linn: How do you feel about me?
Bum Bum has already been over the whole topic of Linn staying several times, and isn't sure how far he can get away with bringing it up again.
Linn: I can't abandon Snake, and you have.
Bum Bum: It's not abandoning, it's escaping!
Bum Bum looks stricken by her reply.
Linn: Whatever you call it, you've placed yourself under Riyyh's protection now.
Bum Bum: Yes....
Bum Bum writhes with the thought of what he is losing.
Bum Bum: [at the zlin of it too]
Linn sees Bum Bum writhing and automatically reaches out in ~~ support ~~
Bum Bum: Linn, I....
Bum Bum craves her nager's touch, and the transfer they almost had.
Linn: Bum Bum, I really do wish you well.
Bum Bum can zlin that.
Bum Bum: I know. [tormented]
Bum Bum just wishes Linn wished to be well with him!
Linn starts walking again.
Linn: I don't know how this business with the Zeor channels is going to work out.
Linn: I can't blame you for wanting something a bit more secure.
Bum Bum moves after her, seeking her field.
Bum Bum: I... I have to live somewhere where nobody is talking about murdering me.
Bum Bum: Where nobody is talking about shipping me to the Last Year Camps.
Linn: I understand.
Linn opens the door to the administrative building and enters.
Bum Bum follows.
Linn goes to Riyyh's office and signals.
Bum Bum can't understand how Linn could understand him, and yet not agree with him.
Riyyh: Come....
Riyyh looks up.
Linn enters the office.
Linn: Sectuib Riyyh, I was wondering if I might have a moment of your time on behalf of Bum Bum?
Riyyh looks between Bum Bum and Linn and then nods.
Riyyh: Of course, please, have a seat.
Riyyh: Tea?
Linn sits.
Linn: Tea would be welcome.
Riyyh gets up to serve it to them.
Bum Bum sits down uneasily.
Linn takes a cup.
Linn: Thank you.
Bum Bum: Thank you.
Riyyh returns to his seat.
Riyyh looks to Linn in question.
Riyyh: I trust you have been well?
Linn: Well enough.
Linn: However, I am here on Bum Bum's behalf.
Linn: He is unhappy that he has not yet been assigned a Donor.
Linn sips at her tea.
Bum Bum: ~wince~
Linn automatically ~~ calms ~~ Bum Bum.
Riyyh looks sober, then somewhat surprised.
Riyyh had been told, by Bum Bum, that he didn't want to to be assigned anybody until there was no chance whatsoever that Linn could change her mind... that is to say, until Snake had left Naros with her.
Riyyh: I... I see.
Linn: I am sure you can understand that the uncertainty has been difficult for him.
Linn: However, he is a bit reluctant to bring the matter up, after your kindness in offering him sanctuary, so I thought to speak on his behalf.
Riyyh looks at Bum Bum.
Riyyh: Is this true? [gently]
Bum Bum: ~really awful feelings~
Riyyh studies Bum Bum, and then nods.
Riyyh: I confess I have been operating under a misapprehension.
Linn: Oh?
Riyyh: I had thought Bum Bum would be uncomfortable working with another before you were well away from Naros.
Linn: I see.
Linn looks at Bum Bum.
Riyyh: But if that is not the case, then I have indeed erred in not assigning somebody by now.
Riyyh reaches for the scheduling book.
Riyyh handles the scheduling of transfers and blocks of people's time; Tictoc handles scheduling of the work in the infirmary on a more specific basis.
Linn: Do you feel uncomfortable accepting someone else while I'm still here, Bum Bum?
Bum Bum looks at Linn, looking guilty/embarrassed/uncomfortable.
Bum Bum: Well, I... [words stick in his throat for a moment]... I keep hoping you will change your mind.
Bum Bum: ~despair~
Linn: ~~ awwww ~~
Riyyh studies their interaction.
Riyyh has not had much opportunity to zlin them together until now.
Linn: Bum Bum, I don't blame you for leaving Snake when you had the chance, but I wish you had decided to stay.
Bum Bum: Stay and be murdered? Stay and be tormented further?
Bum Bum: Stay and have the Tecton seize me?
Linn sighs.
Bum Bum: The same could still happen to you.
Linn: I doubt the Tecton would put me in a Last Year Camp.
Bum Bum: You know what I meant!
Bum Bum: ~frustration and longing~
Linn: ~~ soothing ~~
Bum Bum: By your very association with her you are illegal.
Bum Bum: Do you even have your immigration papers?
Linn: Of course. I required them to work.
Bum Bum: Yes, but do you have them now?
Bum Bum: Or were they left back in Bender Cove?
Bum Bum: And do you know what will happen to you if they realize you are capable of becoming a Donor?
Linn smiles wryly.
Linn: The only one who seems to be of that opinion is Snake.
Bum Bum glances at Riyyh.
Bum Bum: He thinks you are.
Linn looks at Riyyh in faint surprise.
Riyyh's tentacles flutter against the sides of the scheduling book.
Linn: Is that true?
Riyyh: I think you could serve a channel, with the right preparation and under the right circumstances.
Riyyh hadn't used the word "Donor" when he said it, though.
Riyyh: Not on rotation in the Tecton, though.
Riyyh: Your temperament doesn't suit you to it.
Riyyh does hope Linn doesn't take that the wrong way.
Linn: Well, then, the Tecton wouldn't have any use for me, would they?
Bum Bum: But they'd test you... and you have aided and abetted Snake's crimes.
Bum Bum: ~~worry for her, and more importantly, urgent desire for her nager~~
Bum Bum: Do you really think Snake will be able to protect you if something happens?
Bum Bum: What if they take her back to Zeor?
Linn: If they do, I doubt they could keep her long.
Linn: In either case, I really don't think I'd be of interest to them, at least not for long.
Riyyh zlins Linn's stubbornness and decides it's time to give Bum Bum a hand.
Riyyh opens the scheduling book.
Riyyh: Bum Bum, I realize you had your heart set on her, but it really is her own life.
Riyyh: Please allow me to arrange for somebody else.
Linn: I'm sorry, Bum Bum, but it's for the best.
Riyyh knows from long (and, unfortunately, close personal as well) experience that a not-quite-willing Donor is really the pits.
Bum Bum: ~~depressed~~
Bum Bum wilts.
Riyyh: Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Linn. Bum Bum and I will discuss his needs and that will allow me to determine who would be most suited to his care.
Linn: ~~ sympathy ~~
Bum Bum's tentacles curl at the feel of her sympathy.
Bum Bum: Linn... please!
Bum Bum: Please.
Bum Bum: Just.. if it's no, make it no.
Bum Bum: [pained voice]
Linn reaches out to smooth a stray lock of hair on Bum Bum's forehead, then stands.
Linn: Thank you for settling the matter, Sectuib Riyyh.
Linn: ~~ loss ~~
Linn picks up her basket of tarts and leaves the office.
Bum Bum puts his face in his hands.
Hero bounces down the path and stops as she sees Linn emerge from the Admin building.
Hero: Hi Linn!!!
Hero: ~enthusiasm~
Hero: How are you???
Linn: Hello, Hero.
Hero hurries up to her.
Hero: Wow, you are all down and stuff.
Hero: What's the matter?
Hero: I heard you and Bum Bum are like totally on the skids.
Hero: But he is sooo cute.
Hero: Did he show you his picture of the naked man?
Linn is unpleasantly reminded of Bum Bum's less-than-sterling qualities.
Hero: Do you think he has the hots for Sectuib Riyyh?
Hero: He says, well,
Hero is going to stop telling the bit about bi channels if people keep yelling at her about it and she thinks Linn might be the type to yell.
Hero: Well anyway,
Hero: What's in there?
Hero can smell something good wrapped up in the towel.
Linn: Apple tarts.
Hero: Ooo!!!
Linn: I baked them for Snake.
Hero: For Snake? Really?
Linn: She likes apples.
Hero: She likes apples??
Hero: Wow.
Hero can't wait to tell everybody.
Linn raises an eyebrow.
Hero skips along at Linn's side.
Linn: Is there something peculiar about liking apples?
Hero: Oh well we grow them here, like sixteen different kinds.
Hero: Lady's Bosom, and Purple Passion, and Black Rose, and Jemmy's Juicer, and....
Linn: Yes, I know, in the orchard beyond the back rutabaga patch.
Linn wonders how closely Riyyh is involved in the apple-breeding program.
Hero: I bet you didn't know we have mangoes.
Hero: ~~pride~~
Hero: And pineapples.
Hero: Not only that, but we have a pomegranate tree.
Hero: Wanna see them?
Hero: They're in the greenhouse.
Hero: I have greenhouse access because I got a promotion.
Hero grins from ear to ear.
Hero: I can get in anywhere almost.
Linn: I think that I'd better get these tarts to Snake before they get cold, don't you?
Hero: Oh... OK, how about if I come with you?
Hero looks bright and cheery.
Linn keeps walking for the infirmary.
Hero: ~excitement~
Hero bounces along after her, ahead of her, etc.
Linn imagines Hero in a sickroom and winces mentally at the picture.
Linn: Snake is still pretty sick.
Linn: I don't think she's up to more than one visitor at a time.
Hero: Oh. [disappointed]
Hero: Hey is Nick going to have Sectuib Riyyh since Snake has Sosu Dahlia?
Hero: I saw them talking and they seemed awfully friendly. And Sectuib had his tentacles all over....
Linn: I'm sure I don't know.
Hero: Oh well.
Hero: I'll see you later!
Hero: Bye bye....
Hero runs off.
Linn makes a mental note of the efficacy of the phrase "I'm sure I don't know" as a Hero-repellent.
Linn makes her way to the infirmary and signals by Room 2.
Eruditia gets up and opens the door since obviously nobody else is going to.
Eruditia: Hello, and you are...?
Linn smiles politely at Eruditia.
Wise Snake: Linn!
Wise Snake hoists a tentacle to wave her over.
Linn nods apologetically to Eruditia, and goes over to Snake's bed.
Linn: Snake, you look so much better than the last time I saw you.
Linn: ~~ happiness ~~
Linn hopes Snake wasn't too upset when she woke up clean with her hair in a French Braid.
Linn holds up the basket.
Linn: I baked you some tarts.
Linn: Apple, of course.
Linn: Would you like one, while they're hot?
Wise Snake: Well, I'm not too...
Dahlia: ~~hungry~~
Wise Snake: OK, thanks.
Wise Snake smiles tiredly.
Linn: ~~ pleasure ~~
Linn opens the basket and hands Snake a tart on a cloth napkin.
Linn: Perhaps your new acquaintances would care for one also?
Linn looks at Eruditia and Dahlia.
Linn: I don't believe we've been introduced.
Linn: I'm Linn Haskins.
Dahlia smiles and accepts a tart.
Dahlia: Thank you.
Linn offers the basket to Eruditia.
Eruditia: How nice to meet you. I'm Eruditia ambrov Zeor and this is Dahlia Farris ambrov Zeor.
Eruditia declines a tart with thanks.
Eruditia is watching her figure.
Linn checks to see if Snake is actually consuming her tart.
Wise Snake nibbles her tart, savoring the taste of the first thing that isn't broth she's eaten in about 3 weeks.
Wise Snake sees Linn looking and dutifully takes a bigger bite.
Dahlia's ~~yum!~~ may also have had some effect.
Linn: I do hope they cooked properly. I'm not convinced that that oven provides a constant heat.
Eruditia purses her lips in disapproval at Linn's fishing for compliments.
Wise Snake: It's delicious.
Wise Snake assures Linn, although she rarely pays any attention whatsoever to food.
Wise Snake in fact is heavily under the influence of the field of Dahlia, who thinks the tart is fabulous.
Linn figures that Snake has now committed herself to eating the entire serving, and changes the subject.
Linn: Have they let you out of bed yet?
Wise Snake: Mmffph.
Wise Snake currently has a tart wedged into her mouth.
Linn refills Snake's water glass and hands it to her.
Wise Snake: Ffnnk mmph.
Wise Snake has a drink of water.
Dahlia: She has been up and walking around for a few minutes every two hours.
Linn nods polite thanks to Dahlia for the information.
Dahlia is a quiet, seemingly distant or introverted woman, with the annoying forelock and unmistakable features of the "average" Farris (if there is such a thing).
Dahlia: [sadly, the Farris Nose is anything but average]
Linn inspects Snake closely.
Linn: You look so much better already.
Linn: There's a bit of color in your cheeks.
Linn reaches out to touch one lightly.
Wise Snake holds still for the touch.
Dahlia keeps Linn's field from having much effect.
Linn notes that in addition to color, there is tart crust smeared on Snake's cheeks.
Linn fixes her attention discreetly on the napkin.
Wise Snake looks at the napkin trying to figure out what is so interesting about it.
Dahlia reaches for the napkin and wipes off Snake's face with it.
Dahlia mutters something fond under her breath that sounds like "silly channels".
Wise Snake looks up at Linn.
Linn chuckles fondly.
Wise Snake: So, anything going on I should know about?
Linn: I don't know what Nick's told you?
Wise Snake: He didn't say that much.
Wise Snake really would like to know how he is getting along with Kenmore.
Wise Snake: Apparently he's been occupied, or something.
Wise Snake also thinks there's always a chance Nick was omitting un-specifically-requested information with the idea that it was better that Snake not know something.
Linn: Well, he did drop by the guest cottage long enough to make himself presentable.
Linn: How do you like his new look?
Wise Snake appears confused.
Wise Snake: His what?
Linn: The beard and mustache.
Linn: Don't tell me you didn't notice?
Wise Snake: Oh, that. [weakly]
Linn: He rather likes the way they turned out, when he got them trimmed.
Wise Snake: I mostly noticed his nager.
Linn: Of course you did.
Wise Snake: Are you sure there isn't anything really important happening?
Linn pats Snake's hand.
Wise Snake is beginning to become concerned that everybody is hiding a bunch of serious occurrences or even disasters from her.
Wise Snake: Is Nick getting along with Kenmore?
Wise Snake: Has Riyyh been murdered yet?
Linn: Well, Nick hasn't complained about Kenmore, and Riyyh was in good health when I left him with Bum Bum a few minutes ago.
Linn: Although Riyyh doesn't seem to be spending as much time with Mytag as one might expect.
Linn: In fact, yesterday Nick found him eating alone in the cafeteria.
Wise Snake: Oh...?
Wise Snake: And he immediately told him to go find Mytag?
Wise Snake thinks that's maybe asking too much.
Linn: Well, they did talk a bit first.
Linn: He offered Nick a transfer, if he doesn't want Kenmore.
Linn: Mytag just doesn't seem to be working out for him.
Wise Snake chokes.
Wise Snake: He what?!?!
Dahlia: ~~soothing~~
Dahlia places a cautionary hand on Snake's shoulder as the channel starts to jump up.
Linn: Only for this month, when you have Dahlia.
Linn helps Dahlia restrain Snake.
Wise Snake: That little.... ucch!!
Wise Snake flops back against the bed.
Linn: He is Nick's father, after all.
Wise Snake: Nick can't give him transfer!!
Wise Snake: It'd be like... it'd be like...
Wise Snake gropes for a suitable example of a bloody idiotic waste.
Linn: Like what?
Linn is concerned at the strength of Snake's reaction.
Wise Snake: Well, it's like... if somebody else's kid asked you for money for candy, and you signed over the deed to your house.
Linn blinks.
Wise Snake: Or, it's worse, it's like if a stray cat came to the door wanting something to drink, so you slit your wrists and gave it about 7 pints of blood.
Linn's nose wrinkles.
Linn: No thank you.
Wise Snake: Unnecessary, and overkill!
Wise Snake: And he doesn't even deserve it!
Wise Snake: Shen, who'd give Kenmore transfer? Me?
Wise Snake snorts.
Wise Snake: I guess they'd have to let me out of bed, then.
Dahlia: Shh, shhh... [under her breath]
Dahlia continues to project ~~calmness~~, wondering how Snake would have behaved if she hadn't been present to provide moderation.
Wise Snake: Just give me two weeks.
Wise Snake: Two more weeks, and Naros will be mine.
Linn: ...what?
Wise Snake: Then we'll see whose Gen Riyyh is coming on to.
Wise Snake: ~upset~
Dahlia: Oh, dear.
Dahlia rubs Snake's shoulders from the head of the bed.
Linn: Snake, Nick wouldn't leave you for Riyyh.
Linn: You should have seen him.
Linn: He hardly left your side the weeks you were unconscious, until Riyyh locked him up.
Wise Snake: I know that, it's the idea of it!! Bloody shen, I wish people wouldn't treat me as if I can't hold onto my own property.
Wise Snake tries to get up again.
Linn: Snake, stop that.
Dahlia: ~~calm down!!~~
Dahlia helps push Snake back down.
Wise Snake is breathing hard.
Wise Snake: He'll get his, though.
Wise Snake: Murder was too good for him.
Wise Snake: He's going to Bender Cove.
Linn: Bender Cove?
Wise Snake: Or maybe there's somewhere even worse.
Linn: ~~ perplexed ~~
Wise Snake: I'll have him assigned to every rat-hole Sime Center in the entire Tecton, a month at a time, until he keels over.
Wise Snake: He'll never see Naros again.
Linn: Snake, let go of your anger.
Wise Snake: I can get up, I'm fine.
Wise Snake tries to pry off Dahlia's hands.
Wise Snake: What, you think this is a momentary fit of spite?
Wise Snake: I've been lying here thinking about this for days.
Wise Snake: Naros deserves a real leader.
Wise Snake: I don't care about the entran problem, I'll find a way around that.
Wise Snake: Shen, by the time this House gives up its quota of channels there'll actually be a work surplus.
Linn wonders if Nick knows that Snake's completely flipped.
Linn: Snake, don't you think you'd better recover before you start trying to implement such complicated plans?
Wise Snake: I'm fine now!
Linn: Say that when you can sit up without augmenting.
Wise Snake gives up on trying to keep removing all of Dahlia's persistent hands because she's too tired.
Linn tucks Snake in.
Wise Snake: You think I don't mean it.
Linn: There. Take a nap now, and when you wake, you'll feel stronger.
Wise Snake: [a little crazy-eyed]
Wise Snake: This House is mine. I worked for it. I hurt for it. And he's proved he doesn't deserve it.
Linn: If you want to win Naros, you'll require your health.
Linn: Sleep.
Linn starts stroking Snake's forehead, under The Forelock.
Linn: ~~ soothing comfort ~~
Dahlia interferes with Linn's nager's effects.
Dahlia: ~~sleep~~
Wise Snake settles back unwillingly.
Dahlia: I'll handle it from here. [quietly, to Linn]
Linn looks at Dahlia, worried, then nods and tiptoes out.