Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #55: Catnap (11/9/98)
Riyyh is just about at his wits end.
Riyyh, after escaping from the Sime Center, spent over a day searching the train station and its environs for Mytag, then was unable to get a hold of Richard Hardwick-Greeves.
Riyyh: [maybe it's because the people at Richard's gates thought he was a lunatic when he showed up pathetically on their doorstep]
Riyyh after spending the night trying to convince train station personnel they have seen Mytag recently, is ready to go back and try Richard's residence one last time before giving up and heading for Naros.
Riyyh is about 50% sure Mytag would go back there eventually if he couldn't locate Riyyh.
Mytag examines the exterior of the Ferry Building with a thoughtful eye.
Mytag: I must say, it looks a damn sight safer then it did last time I saw it.
Richard: Yes, the first time I ever saw the interior was after I'd been attacked from above by a stack of flying books!
Riyyh hails a cab.
Mytag: Somehow that doesn't surprise me at all, knowing this bunch.
Riyyh would not normally have knowingly risked his life this way, but he has become rather desperate.
Mytag: So you hold the lease on this until Snake gets back?
Richard nods. "The city was going to tear it down - supposedly as a health risk, although it's a strong sturdy building with historical value. Personally I think there was more to it then that."
Riyyh grabs onto the "jesus" handle for dear life as the cab descends toward the other end of town once again.
Riyyh: I do wish I had listened to Mytag. [mournfully]
Riyyh is unaware that he has been repeating this to himself over and over again.
Richard and Mytag climb the freshly scrubbed and chipless marble stairs to the magnificent lead glass paneled mahogany doors and into the marble and gold leaf grand lobby.
Mytag manages not to either throw up or laugh.
Mytag: It's very....
Richard: Yes it is, isn't it?
Richard surveys it proudly.
Richard: We found some interesting murals under the dust. They are being worked on at the moment.
Richard: The upstairs rooms have been refloored, the outside balconies, which were dangerous, have been completely rebuilt.
Richard points as he talks.
Carriage clatters to an (unnecessarily violent) halt in front of the Ferry Building.
Riyyh is swung violently into the opposite seat, still clinging to the strap for dear life.
Riyyh: Oh my!!
Mytag makes appreciative ahhing sounds.
Riyyh: ~terror~
Riyyh: Are you sure this is the right place??
Mytag: Well, you certainly have done a wonderful job - so quickly too!
Carriage driver calls down: "You said you wanted Hardwick-Greeves didn't you??"
Riyyh: His residence!
Carriage: Well he practically lives here.
Carriage: Fine, I'll - [picks up his reins]
Riyyh: No no!!! No, I'll get out.
Riyyh after several tries manages to let go of the strap and open the door to escape.
Riyyh pays the driver with shaking hands and tells himself if Mytag isn't here, he's going straight home to Naros.
Riyyh will find a way to teleport back to the train station if necessary.
Richard: Would you like to see upstairs?
Riyyh makes sure the carriage is well gone, before he climbs the imposing front steps of the building.
Riyyh sees the large lettering on the front: "BENDER COVE TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL FERRY BUILDING"
Riyyh: Oh. ~comprehension~
Mytag: Sure!
Richard leads Mytag to the curving (marble) staircase.
Riyyh had somehow not pictured anything quite so grand when he'd been told Snake owned a property of that name.
Riyyh shakes his head and figures it's just like a Farris to not only exceed your expectations, but blow them completely out of reality.
Mytag keeps his hand on the carved oak rail and feels like he should be in uniform or something.
Riyyh tries the front door.
Mytag hears the door rattle.
Mytag: You expecting anyone?
Riyyh thinks he faintly hears a familiar voice.
Riyyh: Mytag??? [desperate]
Riyyh tries to zlin through the stone building without much success.
Riyyh's laterals cringe from the cold glass.
Richard: Could be the City Building Inspector. He always drops in at odd times without prior notice.
Richard turns and trots back down the stairs and opens the door.
Richard: Can I help you?
Riyyh recognizes Richard Hardwick-Greeves from a party about 15 years ago.
Riyyh assumes Richard wouldn't have the faintest clue who he is.
Richard thinks that maybe he should direct this poor Sime onto the Sime center... he is obviously in a bad way.
Riyyh: Hello, [trying to look more dignified]
Riyyh: I am Riyyh, Sectuib in Naros.
Mytag: Riyyh!
Mytag trots down the stairs as fast as he can.
Mytag: ~ support ~
Mytag: You look dreadful! What happened?
Riyyh almost swoons with relief, but manages not to for Richard's sake.
Riyyh: Oh, Mytag.
Riyyh: I am so glad to see you!
Riyyh wants to grab Mytag but manages to restrain himself.
Riyyh: You'll never believe what happened to me.
Riyyh looks to Richard.
Mytag takes Riyyh by the arms and looks into his eyes, frowning.
Mytag: I warned you!
Mytag: You didn't believe me, did you?
Mytag: ~ soothing ~
Riyyh sags into Mytag's arms.
Mytag: Now you see what I meant?
Riyyh: No... no, I should have listened.
Richard stands back and wait patiently.
Riyyh sounds like he really means it this time.
Mytag can't see any sign of outward physical damage.
Richard: Would you like to sit somewhere and maybe have some tea and scones?
Riyyh is dying to tell Mytag everything that had happened and then rush to the train station, but appearances are important - and they require Richard's goodwill for Naros' safety.
Riyyh: Why... yes, I think... Mytag?
Riyyh looks to Mytag to make sure it's OK with Mytag.
Richard: There is a small sitting room back here, out of the public area - if you would care. You could stay there and catch up.
Mytag nods.
Richard leads them off towards the previously undisclosed west wing to a small comfortable room with a bright fire burning in the stone fireplace.
Riyyh: Thank you. Will you join us?
Riyyh follows.
Richard: I think not, I'll arrange for refreshments. No doubt you have things to discuss in private.
Richard turns to Mytag. "Thank you for the information, Mytag. If you want me, just ring this bell and the servants will let me know."
Mytag nods again, his attention firmly on his Sectuib.
Riyyh hopes the brush-off doesn't mean they have no deal regarding Snake.
Mytag waits until Richard is out of the room then sits Riyyh in a well padded chair and sits next to him.
Mytag: OK, what happened?
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: Oh, Mytag.
Riyyh: They say I belong to the Tecton now.
Riyyh: I was given twelve days to travel to Naros and get my affairs in order before returning here.
Mytag: Well that's not right.
Mytag: What twaddle.
Riyyh reaches into his pocket (his bag was lost during his many travails) and pulls out a folded document.
Mytag: How can you be Tecton? You're sectuib of Naros.
Riyyh: Look at this. They had their own copy of this, and this copy was hidden in my bag!
Mytag looks at it.
Mytag: Didn't you tell them it was a fake?
Riyyh: Of course!
Riyyh: But they didn't believe me... you see, at least some of these Tecton signatures are perfectly legitimate.
Mytag: And?
Mytag: Hmmm.
Mytag: Well, Naros certainly won't let you just go.
Riyyh: They insist that until a full investigation is performed, and unless all involved authorities concede to the correction, I am....
Mytag: So I wouldn't worry too much.
Riyyh: ~~worried~~
Mytag: I mean, they can't come and drag you away by the laterals.
Riyyh: You wouldn't?
Riyyh: They can't?
Riyyh's laterals shrink up into the tops of their sheathes.
Mytag: Of course not!
Mytag: Shen, can you imagine what the other Householdings would do if the Tecton did that?
Mytag: There would be a major incident.
Riyyh: Apparently there was some sentiment on the District level that... [coughs delicately]
Riyyh: ...that Naros would be less of a problem with somebody else in charge.
Riyyh: They were all too ready to believe I signed that myself.
Riyyh: As I said, I was barely able to talk one of the Center's Controllers into allowing me to leave even temporarily.
Geoffrii: [soft knock at the door, then it opens to admit a liveried servant bearing a tray]
Riyyh silences as the person enters.
Geoffrii glides over and places the tray on a table, pours two fine porcelain cups of tea, serves scones with silver tongs and presents same to Mytag and Riyyh.
Riyyh smiles at Geoffrii, trying to appear appreciative and relatively unharrassed.
Mytag: Thanks.
Mytag takes the offerings.
Mytag: You could probably cause some strife for them if you put in a formal complaint.
Riyyh: What level do you suppose I should submit the complaint to?
Riyyh: Look at this... the Controllers for both districts have signed it, and five layers of bureaucrats on top of that.
Mytag: Several. Send copies to all the major Householdings as well as District Controllers and it wouldn't hurt to send one to the Tecton boss too.
Mytag: Cause a scandal....
Mytag is having a ball.
Mytag: Why should they get away with treating the Sectuib in Naros like that?
Mytag: I mean, they get away with murder the way they treat their channels and Donors anyway.
Riyyh nods thoughtfully.
Riyyh: But the staff of the Sime Center contains many important Householding personages who recognized many of these signatures as accurate. How can we protest effectively if these people have already agreed to the idea?
Riyyh isn't disagreeing with Mytag, just begging for further reassurance that everything will work out.
Mytag: Hmmmm. If they are legit it means that either they didn't realise that it was a fake, in which case they look incompetent, or they did know and were trying to get rid of you, in which case they look corrupt.
Mytag: Either way - you can't lose!
Riyyh: Do you think so? ~hopeful~
Mytag: ~ confident ~
Riyyh smiles gratefully at Mytag.
Mytag: Sure, you just have to know where to hit these people. Use words like, well, brave and bold in reference to them and that will scare them.
Riyyh: Brave and bold? [nervously]
Mytag: Nothing those politician types are more afraid of then being thought to be brave!
Mytag: Actually, Richard would probably help too, if you asked him.
Riyyh: Will he take Snake away?
Riyyh: ~very hopeful~
Mytag: He wants to travel back with us and talk to her. He seems confident that she will want to come back here.
Mytag isn't so confident.
Riyyh zlins Mytag.
Riyyh: Well... it's a start, anyway.
Riyyh is glad they have Richard's cooperation, at least.
Mytag finishes his scone.
Riyyh: Do you have any idea when Richard will be able to leave?
Mytag shrugs. "You want to ring for him and see?"
Riyyh hadn't been under the impression that Richard was the type of person one "rung for".
Riyyh however is prepared to concede that Mytag knows Richard a bit better than he does at this point.
Riyyh: Whatever you think would be best.
Riyyh also plans on trusting Mytag's judgment quite a bit more than he ever used to before.
Mytag puts down his empty cup and rings the bell.
Geoffrii appears instantly, as if by magic. "You rang sir?"
Riyyh furtively sips more tea, as he has been starved for anything drinkable since coming to Bender Cove, except for the one cup of Zeor trin of Serena's.
Mytag: Yes, could you ask Sir Hardwick-Greeves to join us?
Geoffrii bows and exits.
Mytag smiles at Riyyh. "You know, we should get a couple of those for Naros!"
Riyyh: Oh dear, Mytag.
Riyyh shakes his head and sets down the cup.
Riyyh: That's what we have Hero for.
Riyyh smiles kindly.
Riyyh remembers how eerie it was asking the name of a worker at the Sime Center and not being told.
Mytag: She isn't as well trained!
Riyyh would hate to live somewhere where there were nameless workers.
Riyyh: She's only twelve, Mytag, give her time. ~humor~
Richard enters the small room and smiles.
Richard: I hope you feel better, Sectuib Riyyh?
Riyyh: Much, thank you.
Riyyh has found his Donor, been fed, given drinkable tea, and is being lulled into a false sense of optimism and security by Mytag's nager. What more could anyone ask?
Riyyh smiles at Richard thankfully.
Riyyh: Do I understand correctly that we are to be honored by your joining us on our return to Naros?
Richard: The honour would be all mine, I assure you. I'm most grateful to you for the way you have taken care of Hajene Wise Snake.
Riyyh tries not to look nervous.
Riyyh isn't sure what Richard will have to say about that after he's had a word with Snake herself.
Riyyh smiles again.
Riyyh: Oh... er, good.
Riyyh: Do you have any preferences as to when we travel?
Riyyh: Mytag and I are in a bit of a rush, but of course we can be flexible to accommodate your desires.
Richard: Whenever you are ready of course. I'm happy to travel light. Smythe can follow with whatever I need.
Riyyh glances at Mytag for a translation.
Mytag: Smythe is Richard's personal servant Riyyh, - sort of like his Companion.
Riyyh had actually wanted a translation as to whether Richard really meant "whenever you are ready" or not.
Riyyh smiles anyway.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Riyyh looks back to Richard.
Riyyh: Would now be too soon?
Riyyh desperately dislikes pushing this hard for something, but he really does urgently want to get back to Naros before something calamitous happens.
Richard: Now? You mean, this instant?
Richard looks a bit surprised.
Riyyh immediately becomes nervous at Richard's reaction.
Riyyh: Of course, if you cannot, then we understand perfectly.
Riyyh's tentacles flutter.
Riyyh: Please let us know when might be a better time?
Richard: I don't see why not. Just let me send a note back home to Smythe.
Richard feels quite excited about running off like this with no prior planning.
Richard doesn't think that Smythe is going to be pleased at all.
Richard chuckles.
Riyyh is relieved as Richard appears to be perfectly fine with leaving now.
Richard asks Geoffrii to fetch paper and pen.
Richard writes a rather short and cryptic message. "Gone Fishing. Send things to Naros. RHG"
Richard: There, ready!
Richard feels like a kid wagging school.
Richard: Hold on. [pats pockets] Money!
Richard races out of the room and returns in a few minutes.
Richard: Right, I'm ready.
Kadi saunters into the room, waving her tail gracefully.
Riyyh rises.
Kadi: Mmrooow?
Kadi goes over to the table to inspect the offerings.
Riyyh bends to pat the cat automatically.
Richard: Geoffrii, take this cat back to the Sime center and give it back to its mistress again. Make sure they keep it there this time!
Riyyh: It lives at the Sime Center?
Riyyh: ~compassion~
Kadi rubs against the patting hand, then bats playfully at a tentacle.
Richard: Well, it seems to think it lives here.
Richard: It belongs to the Donor there - the "cousin" of Snake's.
Riyyh picks up Kadi and holds her, rubbing her ears.
Kadi: Puuurrrrrrr.
Mytag hopes that no one has flea powdered her or anything recently.
Riyyh: I wonder if the Sime Center is a better place to live for a cat than for a channel. [muses]
Riyyh: ~pity~
Mytag: Probably plenty of mice there, anyway. There are certainly a few rats.
Kadi kneads Riyyh's chest, pressing her tongue out in feline ecstasy.
Kadi headstrokes Riyyh's chin.
Riyyh: Perhaps.... [hesitates]
Riyyh: Well.
Riyyh reluctantly puts Kadi down.
Kadi looks at Riyyh reproachfully.
Mytag waits impatiently for Riyyh to finally decide to leave.
Mytag: Well? Are we going or not?
Riyyh: Yes, yes, of course.
Riyyh: ~guilt~
Riyyh looks over his shoulder at Kadi as he turns to follow Mytag.
Riyyh: ~~guilt guilt guilt~~
Kadi chases after Riyyh, batting at his heels.
Richard doesn't rub his hands together in glee, but the feeling is there.
Riyyh waits until they aren't looking then goes back and picks up Kadi and sticks her under his cloak.
Richard: Shall I hail us a cab? Or get the carriage out front?
Riyyh then rejoins them trying to look innocent, but not too innocent.
Riyyh: Which would be safest?
Riyyh is perfectly serious.
Richard: Safest?
Richard: A cab would be quicker, but we can take the carriage if you prefer.
Richard is a little disappointed.
Riyyh: Whichever you prefer, of course. ~embarrassed~
Riyyh is not particularly unused to appearing a coward, however not usually in front of people this famous.
Richard calls for one of the servants to call for a cab.
Richard leads the way back to the front steps.
Dilapidated Cab is waiting. [to die, it would appear]
Mytag looks at it doubtfully.
Dilapidated Cab's driver is about 110 years old and its horses about 35 from the looks of them.
Kadi settles down for a nap.
Mytag: You know, the entire Bender Cove cab population could do with a revamp.
Dilapidated Cab itself is definitely a cab, although from a bygone era, and appears to have become very thin around the edges.
Riyyh: Do you suppose it's... [hesitates, then subsides with an unhappy little sigh]
Riyyh resigns himself to going along with Richard and Mytag on this one.
Richard considers it, and steps back inside to have a talk to someone.
Richard: Right, ready to go!
Richard jumps cheerfully into the cab.
Mytag follows reluctantly.
Riyyh gets inside, wraps the fingers and tentacles of one hand firmly through and around the "jesus loop" and holds the cat against him with the other.
Riyyh closes his eyes and looks pale as he waits.
Richard: To the train station please, driver!
Dilapidated Cab's driver pulls his hat down over his eyes and switches his switch.
Kadi squirms around to a better position on Riyyh's lap, then curls up to nap.
Richard hangs on.
Dilapidated Cab's horses start off at a very slow walk, dragging the swaying, creaking cab after them with all the force and spirit of... er... a good breeze.
Mytag, in the middle, has nothing to hang on to.
Riyyh cautiously opens his eyes.
Riyyh: Well... this isn't so bad.
Mytag withholds judgment until they get to their destination safely.
Richard: Rather fun, what?
Dilapidated Cab's driver turns his horses at the first corner and aims them up the very, very steep hill.
Riyyh wouldn't go so far as to say "fun", but he also wouldn't go so far as to contradict Richard.
Kadi digs her claws in for support at the sudden change of angle.
Riyyh also wouldn't go so far as to let go of the handle quite yet.
Riyyh hisses in surprise and suppresses and urge to clutch the bundle on his lap.
Riyyh: ~ow~
Mytag would hang on to Riyyh's arm, but he seems to have both fully occupied.
Mytag wonders what it is that he is caressing under his cloak, but hesitates to ask.
Dilapidated Cab's horses strain mightily and begin to haul the carriage uphill, slowing from a slow walk to a fast snail's pace.
Kadi squirms, then settles again.
Dilapidated Cab begins to groan and sway in an even more pronounced fashion.
Mytag: Maybe we should get out and push?
Dilapidated Cab jolts wildly as a rotting leather trace snaps, separating one horse from the carriage.
Riyyh lets go of the cat and snatches for the loop with both hands in alarm.
Mytag: Maybe we should just get out!
Mytag: ~ jump for it! ~
Richard: Oh I'm sure there is no need....
Dilapidated Cab rolls backward as the other horse breaks loose too.
Kadi grabs Riyyh for dear life.
Richard jumps out the right side of the cab.
Dilapidated Cab's driver can be faintly heard shrieking Oh Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii............
Dilapidated Cab reaches the cross street, bumps over the curb and bounces and jolts over the rough ground between the street and the harbor.
Mytag follows Richard, several yards on.
Riyyh is paralyzed by terror but fortunately a particularly violent jolt flings him out the door just as the carriage tips into the bay.
Kadi yodels with distress at the abrupt movement.
Dilapidated Cab lands with a loud splash and then begins to drift gracefully away from shore, sinking gradually as it does so.
Riyyh lands in a heap on the shore, with a cat clutching his lap and both hands clutching the now-separated handle of the cab.
Dilapidated Cab's driver and horses are nowhere to be seen at this point.
Riyyh: ~shock~
Kadi, being a Bender Cove kitty, pulls herself together relatively quickly.
Kadi: Mrrrow?
Riyyh: Mytag?
Richard jumps to his feet.
Riyyh zlins worriedly for his Donor and Richard.
Richard: Well! How's that for an interesting start?
Richard trots back to where Mytag is checking himself for broken bones.
Riyyh realizes this would be easier if he could let go of the "jesus" handle, which for some reason is not an easy thing to do.
Riyyh finally drops it and climbs to his feet.
Riyyh: There there, kitty, I think everybody is all right.
Kadi bats at the handle.
Riyyh thinks everybody else is all right. Personally, though, his own nerves are utterly shattered.
Riyyh bends to pat Kadi, then walks over to Mytag.
Mytag gets to his feet, with Richards help, and scowls.
Mytag: Can we please just get out of this place?
Riyyh: Look, I do apologize, but might we take your own conveyance?
Mytag: ~ bruises and gravel rash and impatience ~
Kadi follows Riyyh, tail high and waving smartly.
Riyyh: The two of you are much braver than I, and I confess I am too afraid to use another cab.
Riyyh thinks it's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it.
Riyyh tries to look embarrassed but sincere, fortunately not difficult at all at the moment.
Richard: We could probably walk from here. We are equal ways between the two.
Riyyh moves over to Mytag to zlin the injuries.
Richard: I must say, I never expected it to just break apart like that.
Mytag brushes Riyyh off in annoyance.
Mytag: Let's just get to the train.
Riyyh looks nervous, but reminds himself he is going to listen to Mytag more from now on.
Riyyh: All right.
Riyyh: Do you want me to attend to your injuries first?
Riyyh: You have gotten scrapes here, and here...
Riyyh: ~concerned~
Kadi rubs against Riyyh.
Mytag: On the train.
Mytag: ~ firmly ~
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: Shall we walk, then?
Riyyh removes his tentacles from Mytag's person.
Riyyh absently bends and picks up the cat.
Richard: This way.
Riyyh: All right, if you wish.
Riyyh follows them.
Richard leads the way towards the station. There is a jaunty spring to his step as if it's all part of the adventure.
Mytag hobbles along, more then is strictly necessary.
Mytag: I hate this place.
Riyyh: I'm sorry, Mytag. Coming here was not such a good idea, I see that now.
Riyyh: Will you forgive me?
Kadi peers through a gap in Riyyh's cape, enjoying the view.
Mytag nods. "Had to be done, Riyyh."
Richard: I must say, I'm glad you came.
Riyyh is glad somebody is glad they came.
Kadi starts purring again.