Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #54: A Test of Daring (11/6/98)
Darrel signals outside of Riyyh's door.
Riyyh is camped out in front of the mirror, brooding and trying to decide what constitutes "morning", as in, "come get your assignment from me in the morning".
Riyyh jumps at the signal.
Riyyh: Come in!
Darrel comes in.
Darrel: Hello.
Riyyh: Oh, hello, Darrel.
Riyyh sounds relieved that it's Darrel.
Darrel: I thought I'd come by and see how you were doing, after yesterday's mishaps.
Riyyh: How very thoughtful of you.
Riyyh: I'm doing much better, thank you.
Darrel: Has your laundry been returned yet?
Riyyh: No, actually, it hasn't.
Darrel frowns.
Riyyh hadn't been sure if that was an oversight or if the Tecton decided it was kidnapping him sans possessions.
Darrel: They're usually more efficient than that.
Darrel: Come to think of it, my bundle hasn't been returned, either.
Riyyh was actually not looking forward to seeing the clothes return out of fear that they may not have been handled correctly.
Riyyh believes that fine clothing and institutional laundries just don't mix.
Darrel: Perhaps we should investigate.
Riyyh: Well, if you think...?
Riyyh: Is it a concern?
Darrel: We can't represent the Tecton to the world in dirty clothing, after all.
Riyyh: Is it....
Riyyh almost asks if it's safe.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: True.
Darrel: Besides, my favorite T-shirt was in the load.
Darrel: The comfortable one I sleep in.
Darrel is actually far more concerned about it than his uniforms.
Darrel: My friend Jeru sent it to me years ago, long before we met.
Riyyh: Oh?
Riyyh wonders how that works.
Darrel: Yes. We were pen pals for years.
Riyyh: Do you think there is any possibility of me obtaining some stationery and other writing supplies?
Darrel: I don't see why not.
Riyyh: I must write several urgent letters.
Riyyh: Do you suppose they will allow me to send them?
Darrel: Why wouldn't they?
Darrel is not a Narosian, after all, and thus not up on the gossip.
Serena is sitting at the lobby desk working and waiting for Jorgre.
Riyyh: Oh... er... good.
Darrel: Come on. Serena will know where your supplies are. And our laundry, too, most likely. The woman's amazing.
Darrel leads the way.
Riyyh sighs to himself and follows.
Darrel is glad to find Serena at her desk.
Darrel: Good morning, Serena.
Serena: Morning Darrel. Sectuib Riyyh.
Serena: What can I do for you this morning?
Riyyh: Hello, Serena. [smiles]
Darrel: Riyyh was wondering where he could lay his tentacles on some stationery and writing supplies.
Serena smiles back "Hope you're enjoying your stay here."
Serena digs in her desk and comes up with the necessary supplies, placing them on the desktop.
Serena: Here you go. Just bring back your letters and I'll see they are posted.
Darrel is ~~ pleased ~~ at the ease with which the errand is accomplished.
Darrel: Serena, while we're here, have you heard anything about the laundry? We both have missing clothes.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Serena: I think it just got done. Check in the back with the laundry staff.
Riyyh fetches the supplies.
Darrel: All right.
Darrel looks at Riyyh.
Serena: You're welcome. I'm not able to spend much time down here any more, and things tend to fall apart.
Riyyh looks at Darrel.
Darrel: Shall we stop on our way and get some tea in the cafeteria?
Serena: There's some Zeor blend in the pantry if you look for it.
Serena smiles.
Riyyh: All right.
Riyyh smiles in return.
Serena: Any time I can do anything Hajene, just ask.
Darrel heads for the cafeteria.
Darrel: She must really like you, Riyyh, if she's offering you the good stash.
Jeru is sitting at the table having breakfast.
Riyyh: It was very kind of her.
Riyyh follows Darrel.
Darrel's nager lights up as he spots Jeru.
Jeru spots Darrel. "Good morning, Darrel. Hajene...?
Riyyh: Riyyh.
Riyyh smiles a greeting.
Riyyh: Good morning.
Darrel: This is my friend Jeru.
Jeru nods. "Riyyh."
Riyyh wonders if Jeru knows Darrel wears his shirt in bed.
Darrel: Jeru just Qualified as a Donor recently.
Jeru: What brings you to Bender Cove, Hajene Riyyh?
Jeru ~~welcome~~
Riyyh: It started out as a little bit of official business.
Riyyh smiles and thinks it would probably be better to end the story there.
Riyyh: ~apologetic~
Riyyh: It is a beautiful city.
Riyyh: [adds]
Jeru: Well, I hope you enjoy your stay.
Darrel: Do you mind if we join you for some tea?
Jeru: No, you're more than welcome to join me. You might want to grab the last of the good baked stuff too.
Darrel waves Riyyh to a seat.
Riyyh sits.
Darrel: Why don't you two get acquainted while I find the tea?
Jeru: Serena hid it in the pantry with the last of her baking... you should spot it easily.
Jeru: Sure. Always glad to meet new people.
Darrel nods, and sets off on his quest.
Riyyh looks at Jeru.
Riyyh: So, you recently Qualified? Congratulations.
Riyyh: You must be pleased.
Riyyh smiles.
Jeru: Yes. I am. Darrel took that donation himself.
Riyyh: How nice to be able to take transfer with somebody you have known and trusted for so many years. That must be rare in the Tecton.
Jeru: We only were correspondents up until recently. We had never met.
Riyyh: I see. [nods thoughtfully]
Darrel puts the kettle on, and appropriates a plateful of the best of the baked goods.
Darrel searches the pantry shelves for the special tea.
Darrel finally locates it behind the monkey barrel.
Riyyh wonders what the odds are of being Qualified by your pen pal.
Jeru: Then I came here to meet Darrel, and just stayed....
Darrel sets out three mugs and carefully measures out the tea.
Riyyh: How nice for both of you. [smiles]
Jeru: We actually don't see each other that much.
Riyyh: Had you already begun Donor training, or did you decide that after coming here? ~curiously~
Darrel pours boiling water in the mugs, then returns the tea to its hiding place.
Jeru: No. After I came here.
Darrel chews his lip thoughtfully, looking at the monkey barrel.
Jeru: Bender Cove sort of grows on you, if you can keep out of the lobby.
Riyyh: The lobby?
Jeru: Strange things happen there more often than not.
Riyyh nods.
Darrel puts the barrel (and Aran's pick-up-sticks) on a tray, and adds tea and baked goods, and a napkin or two.
Riyyh: Yes, several other people have said the same thing.
Darrel carries the tray back to the table.
Darrel: Here: Tea for three.
Jeru: Thank you.
Darrel distributes the spoils.
Darrel offers the plate of goodies to Riyyh.
Darrel: Muffin?
Riyyh hasn't personally encountered anything particularly dangerous in the lobby, but is nonetheless glad he was assigned to the disjunction ward.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Riyyh accepts a muffin.
Riyyh pauses as a worrying thought occurs to him.
Riyyh hasn't actually received his assignment yet, after all....
Jeru: You look concerned, Hajene.
Darrel takes a muffin for himself.
Darrel: Orange cranberry.
Darrel: ~~ pleasure ~~
Riyyh: Does Controller Lisa usually make the assignments she says she's going to?
Jeru: She does for me. But we usually seem to step in wherever we're needed.
Jeru looks to Darrel for confirmation.
Darrel: She has said that she wants to give me work outside the lobby, but it doesn't seem to happen all that often.
Darrel: On the other hand, when she makes a transfer assignment, it usually sticks.
Darrel: On the whole, I'd say she does the best she can.
Riyyh: She told me she was assigning me to the disjunction ward. But I haven't received the assignment officially yet.
Darrel sips at his tea.
Riyyh nibbles the muffin cautiously.
Darrel: Well, the best place to check is the schedule board in the lobby. It usually has the most up to date information.
Jeru nods.
Darrel: You don't want to work on the disjunction ward?
Riyyh looks confused.
Riyyh: No, I would love to work there.
Riyyh: I mean, if I have to work here.
Darrel nods.
Darrel: Well, be patient. The assignment is bound to come through soon.
Darrel: ~~ encouragement ~~
Riyyh: It isn't late.
Riyyh: I am to go get it from her this morning.
Darrel: In the mean time, there are ways to reduce the stress of uncertainty.
Riyyh worries that Darrel's assumption his assignment was long in coming may indicate that such problems are common here.
Darrel: Do you play pick-up-sticks?
Darrel indicates Aran's old fashioned set.
Darrel: Or Barrel of Monkeys?
Jeru smiles ~~good idea~~
Riyyh looks at them in perfect astonishment.
Darrel: The games have become quite popular since Sectuib Aran introduced them.
Jeru: OK Darrel, should we show Hajene Riyyh how it's played?
Riyyh: Why don't the two of you go ahead?
Riyyh: I must write these letters. They're rather important, I'm afraid. [apologetically]
Darrel: Of course.
Jeru: I'm not very good at the game. Why not sit here and watch while you write?
Darrel hands the sticks to Jeru.
Darrel: Here, you start.
Riyyh pushes the tea and muffin back slightly and gets pen and paper from the pile Serena gave him.
Jeru: You know I'm not good at this.
Jeru dumps the sticks on the table.
Riyyh frowns to himself, then begins to write.
Darrel zlins the stack for possibilities as he waits for Jeru to take his turn.
Jeru manages to remove two sticks before the pile slips.
Letter: Dear Mayor Dod: It is with great desperation that I call upon you to do me the favor of forwarding these letters. As you have no doubt heard, I am absent from Naros and in fact may be for some time, at least if the Tecton has its way.
Darrel grins, and gets an easy stick on the other side which Jeru overlooked.
Letter: I am afraid to address letters directly to the members of my House, as they may be intercepted by Hajene Farris... either Hajene Farris.
Jeru smiles. "Not fair...you're zlinning, as usual."
Darrel carefully works another two from the stack before disaster strikes.
Darrel tries to look ~~ innocent ~~
Letter: In fact I believe it is Snake Farris who is responsible for my current predicament - somebody has forged papers sending me into Tecton service, and the Tecton does not at this time believe me that I never entered into such an agreement!
Jeru chuckles and takes two more sticks before the pile collapses again.
Darrel tries for a flashy move, and it backfires.
Darrel: Oops.
Letter: Enclosed are letters to Tictoc, Anmyn, Keglen, Jessap and also Mytag, if he is there.
Jeru laughs a bit loudly.
Jeru: Serves you right.
Jeru takes three more sticks.
Letter: Please pass them directly into their hands, and I will do anything you ask. Sincerely yours, Riyyh Sectuib in Naros.
Riyyh signs the first letter.
Darrel retaliates with four.
Riyyh heaves a sigh of great woe.
Darrel looks at Riyyh, concerned.
Jeru: Always said Simes are better at this....
Jeru stops and looks at the new channel.
Riyyh looks up belatedly as he realizes he is the center of attention.
Darrel: Are you sure you wouldn't like to play? You zlin stressed out.
Riyyh: Oh, I'm terribly sorry.
Darrel: ~~ concern ~~
Darrel thinks it must be pretty bad if he can zlin it through a First's showfield.
Riyyh: I did not mean to disturb you.
Riyyh schools his nager and then smiles kindly at Darrel.
Jeru: No disturbance. You need this diversion more than I do. You seem concerned about something.
Jeru rises.
Jeru: Here. Take my seat and try it.
Riyyh: I... I really must write these letters.
Jeru: I have other things which I should be doing anyway.
Riyyh has the eerie sensation that Naros and its peril are as distant and unreal to everybody here as a story in a book or a play.
Jeru: If you both will excuse me?
Riyyh fears the day when it might seem like that to him also.
Riyyh: Of course.
Darrel gathers up the sticks and puts them away.
Riyyh: It was nice to meet you, Jeru.
Riyyh smiles.
Jeru: If I can be of service to you Hajene, please let me know.
Riyyh: Thank you. I am sorry I was not better company.
Jeru: Maybe some other time then.
Jeru: See you later Darrel.
Jeru heads out the cafeteria door.
Darrel smiles at his friend and waves.
Riyyh: I didn't mean to....
Darrel: Truly, Jeru understands.
Darrel notices that the tea and muffins are finished.
Darrel: Well, shall we see if we can find our laundry?
Riyyh is torn between finishing the critical letters here by himself or going with Darrel.
Riyyh finds to his embarrassment that he can't bear the thought of sitting here alone.
Riyyh: All right.
Riyyh gathers up his things.
Darrel busses the dishes, and returns the games to their shelf in the pantry.
Darrel leads the way down the halls to the laundry room.
Darrel: I admit, I don't get back here that often.
Riyyh follows, probably more closely than is really necessary.
Riyyh: ~anxious~
Darrel zlins Riyyh's unease, and starts getting even more jumpy than usual.
Darrel: ~~ chickenhearted ~~
Riyyh zlins that Darrel is scared of the laundry room, and worries that all the stories Mytag told him about the Center are true.
Riyyh tries to imagine the worst that can occur in a laundry room, and envisions fires, explosions, etc.
Riyyh's imagination has to work a little, here, since he hasn't seen a fire or explosion since the Unity Wars.
Darrel follows the smell of soap and hot water, eventually discovering the proper room.
Darrel pokes his head through the door and squints through the steam.
Darrel: Hello?
Laundry Help sticks head around the corner.
Laundry Help: Yeah??
Darrel is a bit taken aback by the confrontational nature of the response.
Darrel: Excuse me, but we're trying to locate some laundry?
Riyyh inspects the premises visually and ambient-wise from safely behind Darrel.
Laundry Help: What names are they under... they gotta be here someplace....
Darrel: ~~ dubious ~~
Darrel: There was some for me--Hajene Darrel--and the rest belong to Sectuib Riyyh here.
Laundry Help: Okay. Lemmie take a look. It sounds familiar.
Laundry Help turns and starts digging around a pile of wrapped packages.
Laundry Help picks up one neatly wrapped one labeled "Darrel".
Riyyh thinks that looks very nice and professional and allows himself to feel some hope.
Laundry Help places it on the counter.
Laundry Help turns around and digs further for another.
Laundry Help pulls out another with "Riyyh ambrov Naros" on it -- just as impeccably wrapped.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Laundry Help: Everything should be there.
Riyyh smiles at the laundry worker.
Riyyh takes the bundle.
Laundry Help nods.
Darrel is glad to zlin one department in the Bender Cove Center which seems to be functioning efficiently.
Laundry Help: Miss Serena wanted these both taken care of specially.
Riyyh: I am new here, [explains]
Riyyh: What's your name?
Laundry Help mumbles something.
Darrel: We really do appreciate your help.
Laundry Help: You're welcome.
Riyyh is a bit dismayed when the person doesn't give their name.
Laundry Help: Hope you enjoy your stay in Bender Cove
Riyyh hides his disappointment and smiles once again.
Riyyh: [to Darrel] I had better take these things up to my room before I see Controller Lisa.
Darrel: Of course. I think there's a back staircase around here somewhere.
Riyyh follows Darrel.
Riyyh: [perhaps foolishly]
Riyyh: Er... Darrel, do you know anything of the circumstances of my being here?
Riyyh has learned it doesn't pay to assume people know all the gossip around here.
Darrel turns a corner, and frowns as he fails to recognize the hall.
Riyyh zlins Darrel's earnest lack-of-recognition and doesn't realize it pertains to the environment, not the conversation.
Riyyh isn't sure if the anonymity of a relatively gossip-free environment is comforting, or terrifying.
Darrel: Not really. I'd assumed that you were assigned here, perhaps after crossing someone in the District Controller's office?
Riyyh: Well, yes, I suppose it is something rather like that, [admits]
Riyyh: However, you see, I don't actually work for the Tecton.
Darrel: You don't?
Riyyh: I came here on a social call and they wouldn't let me leave!
Darrel stops to look at Riyyh in surprise.
Riyyh: No, I'm Sectuib in Naros, I have responsibilities elsewhere.
Darrel: You're a rogue channel, like Snake?
Riyyh: Not at all.
Riyyh: Naros is a member of the Tecton.
Darrel: Well, then, what's the problem?
Darrel: ~~ confusion ~~
Darrel: You're a Tecton House, so don't they have the authority to send you where you're needed, just as with any channel?
Riyyh: Naros hasn't really... participated... in that aspect of Tecton membership, [explains]
Darrel: You found a way around it?
Darrel: ~~ interest ~~
Darrel is always interested in finding ways to get around Tecton assignments, particularly to places like Bender Cove.
Riyyh isn't sure how much he should say on this subject.
Riyyh: Well, the point being, that I have never worked for the Tecton before yesterday.
Darrel: Never? You didn't even train in a Tecton camp?
Riyyh: No, I trained at Naros.
Riyyh: We do have several members who are Tecton trained, and some have even worked in Sime Centers.
Riyyh sent out those few mostly to appease the powers that be and make them forget all about Naros for a while longer.
Darrel: Yes, weren't there a few members of your House here a while back?
Riyyh: Mytag and Ison were the most recent, yes.
Riyyh suppresses a pang at the thought of Mytag.
Riyyh wonders if Mytag has gone back, or is still lurking somewhere in BC.
Darrel: How did you avoid the draft then?
Darrel: By sending other people?
Riyyh is not particularly proud of the rather unspectacular (if lengthy) series of petty misdirections, paperwork losses, and charades he has pulled to avoid losing Naros people to the outside world.
Riyyh: My own employment has never been that much of an issue.
Riyyh thinks, at least compared to that of the rest of his House.
Darrel: Well, I suppose not.
Darrel: Well, think of it as a learning experience.
Riyyh looks at Darrel in disbelief.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Riyyh: I will take your advice to heart.
Riyyh: ~sincere... well he has a lot of practice at sincere~
Darrel looks around.
Darrel: This isn't right.
Darrel backtracks, still searching for the stairs he thinks he remembers.
Riyyh is confused by Darrel's maneuver but follows obediently.
Darrel finally opens what appears to be the door to a closet, in search of clues as to their location.
Darrel perks up immediately.
Darrel: Here it is.
Darrel starts up the stairs.
Riyyh zlins the hidden stairs nervously, but then follows so as not to get left behind.
Darrel gets to the top and tries the door, only to discover that it won't open.
Darrel: Shen! It's locked, I think.
Riyyh: Don't you have the key?
Darrel: Maybe.
Darrel juggles his laundry bundle as he fishes for his key ring.
Riyyh suppresses the urge to assist.
Darrel gets his keys out and starts trying them in the lock, one by one.
Darrel grins as one finally turns.
Darrel: There we go.
Riyyh: ~~relief~~
Riyyh tries to act casual.
Darrel pushes the door open and steps into the hall.
Riyyh follows.
Darrel: I believe your room is that way.
Darrel points with a tentacle, not having a hand free.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Riyyh: And thank you for the tea.
Riyyh smiles.
Darrel: You're quite welcome.
Riyyh hurries off to his room, hoping to get the letters written before he has to go see Controller Lisa.
Darrel heads towards his own room with his laundry.
Alea walks down the hall and signals at Devida's door.
Devida: Come in.
Lisa goes to Riyyh's room and signals for admission.
Alea walks into the office.
Alea nods formally.
Lisa has a tea tray in one hand and a packet in the other.
Alea: Hello, Naztehr.
Devida smiles.
Devida: Hello Alea, please be seated.
Devida: Want some tea?
Alea seats herself.
Alea: Yes. Thank you.
Alea smiles graciously ~~ warmth ~~
Riyyh: Come in.
Devida moves off to fix some tea.
Riyyh is sitting at the desk writing a letter.
Lisa enters the room.
Riyyh puts down the pen and stands as Lisa enters.
Lisa: Good Morning, Sectuib.
Riyyh: Hello, Controller Lisa.
Riyyh: ~respectfully~
Lisa: Please call me Lisa.
Lisa: I brought you some tea and muffins.
Lisa sets the tray on his desk.
Riyyh: Thank you. That is most kind of you.
Devida: What can I do for you, Alea? Or is this a social visit?
Devida smiles warmly at the other Companion.
Alea: A little of both, I think.
Serena is back at the desk, working on her needlework project which is almost done.
Lisa grins "I'm playing hooky, hope you don't mind."
Alea: I'd like to talk to you about setting up a course of training.
Devida: Ah, OK.
Devida: ~surprise~ Training for what?
Riyyh's brows raise in surprise.
Riyyh: Of course not.
Devida hands Alea a cup of tea.
Alea glances down at her hands then takes the tea.
Alea: Two things.
Lisa: Good ~gratitude~
Alea: One on a professional level, another on a more, um, personal level.
Lisa takes a chair and smiles at Riyyh.
Alea: The first one, if I may? [may I continue?]
Riyyh smiles in return.
Devida: Go ahead.
Riyyh takes his seat again.
Devida sips her tea.
Lisa hands Riyyh a thick packet.
Riyyh: Is this my... assignment? [indicating the packet]
Riyyh takes it.
Lisa: Here's all the Welcome to the Center junk.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Devida: Please do Alea.
Alea: I would like to see... Naztehr, there is such an opportunity to share Zeor's dream with these people.
Devida sits and sips her tea.
Devida nods.
Alea: I'd like you to back me, with the curriculum I'll work up, to present it to the Center here to educate the local populace of just what Zeor's vision is, for the future.
Lisa: You'll be working in the disjunction ward with my father Sectuib Chanel.
Riyyh nods.
Alea: We'd, of course, work it into the classes with something like the Donor and changeover classes we teach.
Devida: Hum, that sounds like an interesting idea.
Riyyh has been here long enough to know this is not the worst assignment a person could get here.
Riyyh smiles gratefully.
Lisa: I understand you're pretty good with the more difficult cases.
Riyyh: Has there been any word from your contacts?
Lisa: Oh no, not yet.
Lisa: It may take a while.
Alea: Of course, we'd have to do a complete overhaul of the current literature.
Alea: It's very basic.
Alea: I'd be more than willing to do that ~~ fervently ~~~
Devida: That's a mighty ambitious project.
Riyyh looks disappointed.
Riyyh: I appreciate your efforts on my behalf.
Alea lifts her tea to her lips, staring down at it.
Alea: Yes, it is, Naztehr.
Lisa: No problem. But it would help if I could give them more info.
Alea nods, ~~ relief ~~
Alea: Thank you.
Devida: The idea does appeal to me.
Alea sets her tea and down looks up at Devida.
Devida: I think if it's presented right, Hilo will agree too.
Alea: I have a second request.
Lisa sips her tea and studies Riyyh.
Devida: What's that?
Riyyh: I would be pleased to answer any questions you may have.
Alea: I wish to work toward redeeming myself in Zeor's eyes and would request the guidance of one older and more mature than me in the ways of Zeor.
Lisa: Its a simple one. Where are you in your cycle? I am responsible for the transfer schedule around here.
Devida: Guidance in what way?
Riyyh: ~utterly confused~
Alea states this very formally.
Lisa: When are you due for transfer?
Riyyh: Well, I, I'm due on the 24th.
Alea: In the ways to redeem myself for those of Zeor.
Lisa: Since we're not having much luck locating Mytag, I'm going to assign you a Center Donor to be on the safe side.
Riyyh nods soberly.
Alea: You need not answering now, Naztehr.
Alea: I realize this is something that must be mulled over, given due consideration.
Alea: And I will understand if you refuse.
Alea smiles.
Alea: Thank you for your time.
Alea takes another sip of her tea before depositing the cup on the desktop.
Riyyh: But you said that your friends required more information. Is there anything that I could provide that would be of help?
Riyyh: ~anxiously~
Devida: I would be glad to do what I can Alea.
Devida smiles warmly at Alea.
Devida: Is the something specific?
Alea looks at Devida.
Alea: No, Naztehr. I leave that in your hands.
Alea stands.
Lisa frowns. "You seem troubled. Is there anything I can do to help?"
Devida: OK, we'll talk again.
Veraik stretches his tentacles after his four hour stint in the Collectorium, thinking 'four hours. My systems have really stretched'.
Devida rises and gives Alea a hug.
Veraik goes to his office and puts on his Zeor cape then heads for the gazebo for a short rest.
Alea nods formally and leaves.
Riyyh can't tell if Lisa is ignoring his question or just didn't hear it.
Riyyh doesn't want to take a misstep with her.
Riyyh: I'm sorry, I'm just terribly worried about my House.
Lisa blinks.
Lisa: Oh sorry. I was thinking.
Lisa: ~empathy~
Lisa: I can understand that.
Lisa: Tell me, who do you think forged those papers?
Lisa: ~believes Riyyh~
Alea leans against the wall outside Devida's office and sighs wearily.
Lisa: The more info I can give my contacts the sooner they'll have an answer for us.
Riyyh feels an almost overwhelming ~relief~ as he zlins that she believes him.
Riyyh fortunately doesn't burst into tears, which sometimes has a disconcerting effect on others.
Alea simply shakes her head, trembling, before pushing away from the wall and heading down the hall.
Riyyh: Yes, yes, there's no question as to who it was.
Lisa says softly, "I'm not your enemy, Sectuib. Neither is the Controller."
Lisa: Can you tell me? And why?
Riyyh: Her name is Wise Snake Farris. She threatened to do this very thing, although I had no idea she'd actually do it.
Riyyh: [that's not precisely true; he'd feared she'd do it, but never dreamed it could be pulled off in such a short time]
Lisa raises a brow. "The rogue channel? But why?"
Riyyh: She and some people she was travelling with came to Naros about two months ago. [explains]
Lisa nods.
Lisa: ~friendly interest~
Riyyh: There were... some disturbances, [censor censor censor] and I'm afraid Hajene Farris and her people were quite in the thick of things.
Lisa: Oh dear!
Riyyh: At one point Hajene Farris believed I was attempting to steal her Companion and tried to murder me.
Riyyh: With a knife. [adds]
Lisa shudders, wondering how a channel can even contemplate such an action.
Devida sits thinking for a few minutes then quietly leaves her office.
Riyyh: But she was stopped by a Donor in her own party, who Genslammed her. Well, everybody, actually.
Lisa: I see.
Riyyh: Of course we cared for her during her recovery... what human being wouldn't?
Lisa: I wouldn't expect any less of a noble House like Naros.
Riyyh: Thank you. [acknowledges the compliment]
Riyyh: But I am afraid that since the injury she has been, shall we say, rather... negative.
Briel signals at Androus's office door.
Androus: Come in, Hajene.
Riyyh: She has threatened me several times, and also threatened to seize control of Naros.
Briel makes her way into the office--slowly.
Briel: Hello, Androus.
Briel: I'm here for my daily exam.
Lisa: No wonder you are in a hurry to get home.
Riyyh: There was a medical team from Zeor there when I left, and I had been assured by Kenmore Farris that he would be able to keep Snake under control until I returned, but....
Androus smiles. Great.
Androus: Come in and sit down.
Briel ~~ grumble ~~
Riyyh: ~~worry~~
Briel waddles laboriously over to the chair and lowers herself into it.
Androus goes to Briel and holds out his hands. "let's do a lateral contact."
Briel holds out her arms.
Lisa sips her tea pondering.
Lisa: I have an idea, I think.
Riyyh tastes his own tea.
Lisa studies the other channel.
Riyyh attempts to school his showfield and appearance to be a little more dignified.
Riyyh: ~~still worried~~
Androus intertwines tentacles with briel and makes brief lip contact. Then releases her and smiles.
Briel slides her hands up his arms, intertwining tentacles and slipping out her laterals.
Androus: It looks good, Briel.
Briel: Then can we cut back to every other day perhaps?
Androus: I don't see why not. Rab's tracking the important stuff.
Androus: I still can't detect the leak Rab sees, though.
Androus looks disgruntled.
Briel: You're not a Farris.
Briel mutters this.
Briel: Just don't take a leave of absence on me, okay?
Lisa: How long would it take you to go to Naros for a few days and return?
Briel stands and squeezes his hands, leaning forward and bussing him on the cheek.
Androus: I'm not going anyway. I plan on delivering this baby.
Androus hugs Briel.
Briel: I'm counting on you to bring into the world the next....
Briel smiles softly.
Briel: Exactly.
Briel returns the hugs.
Androus smiles warmly.
Riyyh: ~hope~
Riyyh: It's four days travel by train.
Riyyh: Perhaps... two weeks in all?
Lisa chews on a tentacle.
Lisa: I don't know, that's long enough to get me in trouble with Veraik.
Briel nods and turns, leaving.
Androus returns to his paperwork.
Lisa: If I write you a pass, can you be back in 10 days?
Riyyh: Ten....
Riyyh thinks if the tracks are as bad as the trip here, he might be in Naros only a few hours.
Riyyh: Yes, yes I'll take anything.
Lisa sighs "I wish I could offer you more, but you haven't been here long enough to earn time off and Veraik is pretty much a by-the-book Controller."
Briel trundles down to Rab's office and then on back to her office.
Riyyh: ~anxious~
Lisa: OK, 12 days.
Riyyh: Oh, thank you, Controller... Lisa.
Lisa hopes Veraik's in a good mood when she tells him she's letting Riyyh go.
Riyyh: I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this.
Riyyh: ~~effusively grateful~~
Riyyh's natural motion to embrace her is, fortunately, controllable.
Lisa looks sharply at the other channel. "On one condition."
Riyyh: Yes, anything, what is it?
Lisa: Don't call me Controller unless protocol absolutely demands it.
Lisa: Call me Lisa.
Lisa: ~hope we can be friends~
Riyyh hopes they can be pen-pals.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: Lisa, then.
Lisa smiles sunnily. "Thank you."
Lisa rises. "Well I'd better get back to the office before my Donor turns out the guard to search for me.
Riyyh: Thank you so much.
Lisa: Come to my office later and I'll have that pass written.
Riyyh: I will. Thank you.
Riyyh: ~~grateful~~
Lisa goes to the door, then turns.
Lisa: Don't let me down, Sectuib. If you don't return I'll be in a lot of trouble with the Tecton.
Lisa leaves before he can answer.
Riyyh stares after her, feeling ~anxious~ once again.
see note 1
Notes:
1) The Bender Cove episode continued on after this but there was no more Naros material included. [return]