Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #56: The Hole that Does Not Mend (11/10/98)
Hero screams into the Dining Hall where Nick is the only one there.
Hero: They're back!! They're back they're back!!!
Nick jumps, spilling his tea.
Hero's voice squeaks up into supersonic registers with the last syllable.
Nick: What? Who's back?
Hero: Sectuib Riyyh and Mytag!!
Nick: They are?
Nick doesn't know whether to be worried or glad.
Hero runs out of the Dining hall.
Nick was a tad ambivalent about becoming First Companion in Naros, but doesn't want to go to jail for abetting Snake's plot.
Nick puts down his tea and goes in search of Snake.
Wise Snake is taking a 10 minute break face down on a couch in the guest cottage, head under a pillow.
Nick enters the Farris-proofed guest House.
Nick is very glad to see that Kenmore and Dahlia are temporarily out.
Wise Snake: ~~my brain hurts~~
Nick: Snake!
Wise Snake jumps.
Nick: ~~ concern/alarm~~
Wise Snake claws her way up.
Wise Snake: Nick! What is it?
Wise Snake: Ow, my head.
Wise Snake belatedly clutches her forehead.
Nick tries to ~~ soothe ~~ the headache.
Nick: Riyyh and Mytag just returned.
Wise Snake: Ucch.
Wise Snake falls back onto the couch.
Wise Snake: That's all I wanted to hear.
Nick is more than a little concerned about the fallout from the forged documents.
Wise Snake fetches the pillow and presses it firmly back into place over the back of her head.
Nick brushes the pillow aside and applies his hands an nager to the headache instead.
Wise Snake: Ahh...
Wise Snake relaxes a little.
Nick: What have you been doing to yourself?
Nick: ~~ concern ~~
Wise Snake: It's Kenmore and his ceaseless striving for "Excellence".
Wise Snake: I swear he's just trying to make it so I have no time whatsoever to get anything done.
Nick: Why don't you just tell him to go away and give you some time to yourself?
Wise Snake: He says he'll be back here in 10 minutes to show me the books he had sent from Zeor.
Wise Snake: Ummh.
Wise Snake concentrates on the feeling of Nick's hands and nager.
Nick decides that Snake will not be available for reading in 10 minutes.
Nick: Look, I know you want to make up some of the training you missed, but this is ridiculous.
Nick: You've been shut up here working on these insane exercises for ten days now.
Wise Snake: Ummmmmh.
Wise Snake thinks the last thing she requires is another lecture.
Wise Snake pushes Nick's hands away and sits up.
Wise Snake: All right, all right.
Wise Snake: I'll give the lessons a rest.
Nick: ~~ hope ~~
Wise Snake: I want to go find that miserable excuse for a Sectuib and find out how he managed to weasel free of the trap I set for him.
Nick: ~~ relief ~~
Wise Snake gets up and strides to the door.
Nick plants himself at Snake's side, determined not to allow another nasty incident.
Nick accompanies her at a distance which would win a puppy first prize for "heel" at obedience class.
Wise Snake follows the sound of a hubbub of voices.
Wise Snake finds a large crowd of people stalled outside the administration building.
Nick tries to keep Snake as ~~ calm ~~ as possible, under the circumstances.
Wise Snake contemplates herd from some distance away.
Nick doesn't put premeditated murder past Snake, but figures it'd be easier to nix than the unpremeditated type.
Wise Snake: They all want to talk to him at once.
Nick inspects the crowd for rutabagas, just in case.
Nick: What about the back entrance?
Wise Snake: They're not going to let him out of their sight, after this, either... Mytag and the others.
Wise Snake: Oh, what's the use, it's probably full up like that inside, also.
Wise Snake: ~disgust~
Wise Snake: You'd think they'd have a little pride.
Wise Snake is pretty sure they'd be flocking to her like that, instead of Riyyh, if Kenmore hadn't been distracting her too much for her to move ahead with her plan.
Wise Snake: ~~annoyed~~
Nick sees the annoyance and counters with ~~ calm ~~
Wise Snake: Anyway, whatever happened will be all over Naros in no time. Why bother finding out 10 minutes before everybody else?
Wise Snake turns and walks back toward the cabin.
Nick: Well, Hero does tend to get some of her facts wrong.
Nick accompanies her.
Nick: At least we can be fairly sure that she would have mentioned it, if he'd brought the Tecton Marshal with him.
Wise Snake remembers what she said to Nick about not doing more lessons and her path suddenly avoids the house and goes off between some other buildings.
Wise Snake: Oh please. He wouldn't want anybody with any authority on Naros' soil any more than we would.
Wise Snake: Probably less than we would.
Nick: Of course, he won't want us on Naros's soil, either.
Wise Snake: The feeling is mutual.
Nick: So you want to leave?
Wise Snake: Ah, I don't know anymore.
Wise Snake walks between some other buildings.
Nick looks at Snake in ~~ concern ~~
Nick: Snake, what do you want?
Wise Snake shrugs.
Wise Snake: I don't know, sometimes it all seems so....
Wise Snake gropes for an appropriate adjective.
Nick: If you could be anywhere, do anything, what would it be?
Wise Snake reaches the edge of the buildings and stops to look at a bare, harvested field.
Wise Snake considers the question.
Wise Snake: I feel like I've already done it all.
Wise Snake: And none of it was really worth it.
Nick: All? Everything there is to do?
Wise Snake: And I look ahead into the future and all I can really see is more of the same.
Wise Snake: I mean, what else is there, besides trying to stay alive and trying to help a bunch of people who really don't want any help?
Wise Snake: Maybe there are a thousand different permutations of those two things but that's what it all boils down to, is trying to grab some sort of existence out of a big pile of other people's debris.
Nick: There's building something to live on after you.
Wise Snake: Ummmh.
Wise Snake doesn't seem super keen on the immortality bit today.
Nick: Changing at least one small part of the world to make it a place that's worth living.
Wise Snake: Nothing's permanent, Nick. And you can't build anything permanent. You've seen it all too, you've been there right at my side.
Wise Snake: Look at this, [flicks a hand outward at Naros] It's a 300 year old Householding and it's falling apart with no help whatsoever from the outside.
Nick: Perhaps I haven't see what you saw..
Wise Snake: If it had that help it'd be falling apart even faster!
Wise Snake looks at Nick.
Nick: Naros will change, as all things change. I'm not convinced that it will fall apart.
Nick: I think a lot of what its members value will survive.
Nick figures that's a pretty safe bet; adultery has always been a popular indoor sport.
Wise Snake doesn't actually seem to care that much if she is wrong.
Wise Snake studies the stubbly field morosely.
Wise Snake: Well, maybe so.
Nick: What things would you like to survive, of what you've seen?
Wise Snake is weary of mental exercises.
Wise Snake forces herself to consider his question.
Nick: ~~ encouragement ~~
Wise Snake: Me, I guess.
Wise Snake doesn't sound super passionate on the subject, but at least it's an answer.
Nick thinks this is at least a start.
Nick: And who do you want to be?
Wise Snake: Do I have any choice?
Wise Snake: [sourly]
Nick wraps an encouraging arm and nager around Snake as he looks out over the field.
Nick: Of course you do.
Wise Snake leans on Nick.
Nick: What you decide to do with your life will determine who you end up being.
Wise Snake: You know, it's ironic.
Nick: Ummm?
Wise Snake: I finally find a Zeor channel who seems to genuinely care what I want and how I am doing, and he's the only Zeor channel in existence who doesn't want me to go to Zeor and be my mentor.
Wise Snake: He wants me to get as far away from Zeor, and from here, as possible.
Nick: ~~ amusement ~~
Wise Snake: ~depressed~
Nick: Kenmore's plans are only important if you decide to go along with them.
Wise Snake: I guess so.
Wise Snake: ~regret~
Nick squeezes Snake's scrawny shoulders.
Wise Snake: Well I guess, in answer to your question, I have always wished I could be somebody I can't be again. Somebody I used to be.
Wise Snake: Somebody I might have been. [corrects herself]
Nick nods thoughtfully.
Wise Snake: But it's too late for that, and now I wonder if there's really a point to knocking myself out trying to, to do something people would respect me for or something people would know me for.
Nick notes the absence of a reference to "something people would love me for".
Wise Snake: The plain fact of the matter is, that most people really don't give a damn, and of the ones who care, half of them care the wrong way.
Nick: What about the half that care the right way?
Wise Snake: They're fickle.
Wise Snake: They care, but then they really don't care.
Wise Snake: Nobody is really... [tentacles grope for the right word]
Wise Snake: Loyal.
Wise Snake: To anybody or anything.
Wise Snake: Look at these Narosians.
Wise Snake: Look at Zeor.
Nick gets an eyeful of Narosian appearance every time he looks into the mirror.
Wise Snake: If a Householding can't serve and protect its own, who can?
Wise Snake: I certainly can't.
Wise Snake: [bitterly]
Nick: What are you loyal to, Snake?
Wise Snake gestures helplessly.
Wise Snake: I'm as bad as they are.
Wise Snake: There is no real loyalty in the world.
Wise Snake: ~defeat~
Nick: What would you like to be loyal to?
Wise Snake looks up from the dirt she is kicking and instead across the fields to the thin band of Naros' outer wall.
Wise Snake: What would I like to be loyal to?
Nick nods.
Wise Snake: Shen, everything.
Wise Snake: I can't count the things I wanted to be loyal to.
Wise Snake: I like to think I would have been loyal to my mother, to my father.
Wise Snake: Would I have been loyal to Zeor?
Wise Snake: Should I have been loyal to the Tecton?
Wise Snake: What of the people of Bender Cove?
Wise Snake: Should I have stayed there and died?
Wise Snake stops suddenly because this is actually a rather sore subject for her even now.
Nick is encouraged by this show of passion, faint as it is.
Wise Snake mutters something about running like a rabbit.
Wise Snake looks away from Nick.
Nick: You did what you had to.
Nick: You always did what you had to.
Wise Snake: Yeah well, that's all anybody does, isn't it? [viciously]
Wise Snake: I just always hoped there was something better.
Wise Snake: But there isn't!
Nick shakes his head.
Wise Snake: We're like animals, like insects, like tiny machines milling away at each other.
Wise Snake: It's mindless.
Wise Snake: [savagely]
Wise Snake: I'm sick of it all.
Nick: I think that there's a good chance that you could do something you want with your life--if you can decide what..
Wise Snake gives Nick an indecipherable look.
Nick: ~~ firm conviction backed by the optimism of selyn production ~~
Wise Snake: Ummh.
Wise Snake: If you say so.
Wise Snake: How about if you tell me what I want, then?
Wise Snake thinks Nick seems to have all the answers today.
Wise Snake has gotten used to people telling her what to do in the last weeks anyway.
Nick: That's no different from Kenmore telling you what he wants you to want, or Zeor, either, for that matter.
Nick: I know some of the things you used to want.
Nick: I think you could achieve some of them, or at least close to it.
Nick: But I don't know if you still want that.
Wise Snake: Neither do I.
Wise Snake is less certain than Nick, however, that what she'd wanted was ever actually possible.
Wise Snake: What do you want?
Nick considers.
Nick: I want my channel back.
Nick: The channel who used to run me ragged in all weathers trying to help just one more person be a little less miserable.
Nick: The channel who got results no one thought were possible because she refused to give up.
Nick: The channel who loved life so passionately, even when she thought she wouldn't have much more of it.
Nick clutches Snake, as if to prevent her from drifting away from him.
Wise Snake shifts uncomfortably and looks back out over the field.
Wise Snake: Then I guess I shouldn't have run from Bender Cove.
Wise Snake: Because she died when I did that.
Wise Snake: I've made a lot of mistakes, but that was the worst of them.
Wise Snake: This... [gestures at Naros again] This was another.
Wise Snake: All of it.
Wise Snake: Coming here, staying here, doing... all these things that I've been doing....
Wise Snake's tentacles curl and she drops her hand.
Nick reaches for the hand, threading his fingers through the tentacles.
Nick: ~~ comfort ~~
Wise Snake clutches Nick's hand, evidently not aware that she's gripping too hard.
Nick refuses to let himself feel squeezed.
Nick: I don't know what to tell you, Snake.
Nick: Or even if you're in any condition to listen, yet.
Nick: But I like to think that the old Snake is in hiding, not dead, and that she'll come back to me when she's ready.
Nick: When she's got a new dream to bring to life.
Nick: ~~ wistful longing ~~
Wise Snake's shoulders wilt as she finds herself unable to articulate what she feels - that she has been a disappointment to herself as well as Nick.
Nick: And she'll be stronger for all the disappointments she's survived.
Riyyh slips into the dark quiet of Tictoc's house, leaving his escort and all the people who just have to talk to him temporarily behind.
Riyyh: Anmyn? [calls gently]
Anmyn: Who is it?
Riyyh zlins for her and starts through the house.
Anmyn: ~~ nervous ~~
Riyyh: It's Riyyh.
Riyyh: I'm alone.
Anmyn: Ah. Welcome home, Sectuib.
Anmyn turns on the light in the living room.
Riyyh locates her in the living room.
Anmyn: When I heard the commotion, I didn't know what was happening.
Anmyn is aware that this is a distinct failing in a proposed Narosite.
Riyyh smiles and approaches her.
Riyyh: ~relief and caring~
Anmyn relaxes at the ready forgiveness.
Riyyh: I'm sorry. I was unavoidably delayed in my return and everybody is so eager to speak to me.
Riyyh: But I just had to see if you were all right.
Riyyh sits down near her.
Riyyh: Are you?
Anmyn: It's been a strange few days.
Riyyh nods.
Anmyn: Tictoc told me to stay inside, and wouldn't explain exactly why, except that I must wait for your return.
Riyyh: I am terribly sorry, this is not at all how how I meant for you to be introduced to the Householding.
Riyyh: ~sincere~
Anmyn: ~~ forgiveness ~~
Riyyh: But as you are to be Sectuib one day, I will explain everything now that I am returned.
Riyyh smiles at her.
Anmyn: I'm sure your business in Bender Cove was very important.
Riyyh: It was.
Riyyh is considerably more relaxed now than he was about an hour before; since then he's learned that Wise Snake committed no further acts of malice (or opportunism) during his absence.
Anmyn isn't used to being informed about important events.
Riyyh reaches out to touch her hand.
Riyyh: Anmyn, I want you to know that I care very deeply for Naros and that is why I brought you here.
Anmyn: Of course. You're the Sectuib.
Anmyn has a rather exalted view of the Sectuib's position, which includes infallibility and superior skills in all areas.
Riyyh: Recently we have had some troubled times and to tell you the truth, I didn't think it was a good time for me to leave Naros at all.
Anmyn is feeling just a bit ~~ awed ~~ at this private audience with her new Sectuib.
Riyyh: However, I became convinced that it was necessary for me to do so, in order to best serve Naros as its Sectuib.
Anmyn: I'm sure you know what's best for Naros.
Riyyh smiles.
Riyyh finds Anmyn's confidence extremely reassuring.
Riyyh: Truly I did not mean for you to be kept in the dark about all this; I asked for you to be brought here for your safety, and to avoid confusion among the members of the House.
Anmyn: My safety?
Anmyn: ~~ apprehension ~~
Anmyn wonders if that was the reason that Tictoc was so firm about staying indoors.
Riyyh: ~reassurance~
Riyyh: It appears there was no risk after all.
Anmyn: Oh.
Riyyh: I was perhaps playing it too safe.
Anmyn: ~~ immensely reassured ~~
Anmyn: That's a Sectuib's job, to keep his people safe, isn't it?
Riyyh: Why yes, it is.
Riyyh thinks that's about 50% of it, the other 50% the Sectuib's job being to cover his own ass.
Riyyh sighs.
Anmyn: You're such a good Sectuib.
Anmyn has no knowledge yet of the frequent occasions on which Riyyh's ass wasn't covered quite enough.
Riyyh: But in any case, now that I have returned you are of course free to go anywhere you like within the walls, when you wish to.
Anmyn: Oh, that will be nice.
Anmyn: Tictoc was telling me about the rose garden.
Riyyh: It is very beautiful, in the summer when in bloom.
Riyyh: It is a little late in the year for trinroses now, of course.
Anmyn: ~~ disappointment ~~
Riyyh thinks Anmyn will be pleased by the relatively less snowfall in this area compared to her homeland in the mountains.
Anmyn: I guess I don't know much about growing things.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: Well, you will learn.
Anmyn: Oh, I hope so.
Riyyh: When you are Sectuib, you will have to examine the crop reports and supervise the management of the fields and the sowing.
Anmyn: ~~ sweetly eager ~~
Riyyh smiles at her enthusiasm and the smooth, pleasant quality of her nager.
Anmyn: You do all of that, and work as a channel, too?
Anmyn: ~~ awe ~~
Riyyh wishes Tictoc could zlin this.
Riyyh: Yes, and so will you, one day. ~~fondness~~
Riyyh gently brushes a lock of her hair back from her forehead.
Riyyh: I am so glad you are here.
Riyyh: Naros has waited so long for an heir.
Anmyn smiles lovingly at Riyyh.
Anmyn: Oh, I want to do a good job for Naros.
Riyyh: I am certain you will. You were chosen out of all the others to be trained to it.
Anmyn: It's such an awesome responsibility.
Riyyh: Yes, it is.
Riyyh takes her hands and gently squeezes them.
Anmyn: And I do so want to be a good Sectuib, to show your trust in me wasn't misplaced.
Riyyh: ~pride in her~
Riyyh: I will do everything in my power to help you.
Riyyh: And once you have pledged formally to our House before all the members, they, too, will do everything in their power to help you be their leader.
Riyyh has no doubt of that.
Anmyn blushes at the strong nageric praise.
Riyyh smiles at her.
Anmyn suddenly realizes that she has been taking up the Sectuib's valuable time.
Anmyn: Oh, you must be exhausted after your journey.
Anmyn: Please, you must rest, and see to your--our--House, before you spend more time on me.
Anmyn: Although it was very courteous of you to come and welcome me personally.
Anmyn is afraid that didn't come out quite the way she intended, and might give offense.
Riyyh: I wanted to make sure you were all right.
Riyyh: ~caring~
Anmyn melts under the ~~ caring ~~
Riyyh: I will see you again in a little while, perhaps? After I have managed to see some of these people who are so urgently waiting?
Riyyh smiles again.
Riyyh is really relieved that Naros wasn't destroyed in his absence. [understatement of the century]
Riyyh: It is good to have you here. I will return as soon as I am able.
Riyyh stands and lets go of her hands reluctantly, then leaves the house to rejoin the, er, fray.
see note 1
Riyyh is trying to stem the flood of people who urgently have to talk to him since his untimely (that is to say, late) and highly unexpected return to Naros.
Sidie sees the crowd in front of the office and ~~ despairs ~~ of getting in to see Sectuib.
Sidie then remembers what her friend Hero told her, and takes the high road--under the eaves.
Sidie no doubt will know better in a few years, but hey, youth must have its fling.
Sidie is a bit taken aback to discover that the hole in the office ceiling has been patched, but stays still until Riyyh's current visitor departs, and then jumps on the patch.
Sidie's entry into the office is a bit less dignified than she'd planned.
Sidie: Oh, ohhhhh!
Riyyh: ~~shock~~
Riyyh knocks over his chair in his haste to cringe against the opposite wall.
Sidie looks sheepishly up at Riyyh..
Riyyh then realizes who/what it is that just "jumped at him" and sighs.
Sidie: Hi, Sectuib.
Riyyh: Hello, Sidie. ~kindly, in an attempt to cover receding panic~
Sidie: I know you're busy, but I couldn't wait to tell you my news.
Sidie: Zlin me! I'm a Gen now!
Sidie grins broadly.
Sidie: ~~ happy ~~
Riyyh: That's great news, Sidie.
Riyyh smiles at her.
Riyyh however refrains from extending his laterals, since the air is still filled with plaster dust.
Sidie: Now you can really be my Sectuib.
Sidie has dreams of a pledge party involving the entire House.
Riyyh: Well, Sidie, everybody is going to pledge again in a few days when Anmyn pledges Naros.
Riyyh: How would you like to be the first one after Anmyn?
Riyyh: ~encouraging~
Sidie: Everyone?
Sidie: My mom and dad, too?
Sidie: ~~ excitement ~~
Riyyh: Everyone. [confirms]
Riyyh smiles at her enthusiasm.
Sidie bounces to her feet.
Sidie: Will I be high field enough by then?
Riyyh: Yes, you will. Your field will climb quickly this time. After that, though, you'll take a whole month to get high field.
Sidie: Will you take my first donation yourself, or will you tell Tictoc to do it?
Sidie: ~~ eagerness ~~
Riyyh: I'll do it myself. [smiles]
Riyyh thinks he'll be doing a lot that day.
Riyyh: [and all of it on stage]
Sidie bounces, sending plaster dust swirling.
Sidie: Oh, it's going to be so exciting!
Riyyh's ability to look dignified and Sectuibly is strained to the limit by the fact that he would dearly love to sneeze.
Sidie: I'll wear my best clothes.
Sidie: And maybe I can find some flowers for my hair.
Sidie: Do you like flowers?
Riyyh: Oh yes, I do.
Sidie frowns as a sudden thought strikes her.
Sidie: There may not be any flowers this late.
Riyyh: You may ask them in the hothouse.
Riyyh: I will be sure to sign for it.
Riyyh smiles.
Sidie: Oh, I want some of the daffodils. I love daffodils.
Riyyh will be sure to be given a tongue lashing by the hothouse manager but that will be nothing new.
Riyyh: Er... well, why don't you run down and see what's available?
Sidie: Do you like daffodils?
Riyyh is pretty sure that no daffodils will be growing in November even in a hothouse, but you can never tell.
Riyyh: Yes, they're lovely.
Riyyh: [kindly]
Sidie: Daffodils.
Sidie: Will there be a feast? And music and dancing?
Riyyh: Yes, there will, after the pledge ceremony.
Riyyh: The pledging will take all day, and then there will be a big party that will last all night.
Riyyh: And all the children will have to go to bed, but you of course are not a child any longer.
Sidie looks enraptured.
Sidie: No, I'm all grown up now.
Sidie: And I can really be ambrov Naros.
Riyyh: Yes.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh suppresses a sneeze with a supreme effort.
Sidie grins wickedly.
Sidie: My brother's gonna be so mad. He was sure he'd pledge before me.
Sidie: Just because he's a year older.
Riyyh: Now, Sidie, your Pledge to your House is a serious matter. It is not about competition.
Sidie sobers rapidly.
Sidie: I know, but he makes me mad.
Riyyh: What is important is the sincerity of your pledge and the love and togetherness that all of us know for each oth.... ah.
Riyyh places a hand kindly on Sidie's shoulder.
Riyyh: What does he do that makes you angry, Sidie?
Sidie: He says I'm just a baby. But I'm not! I'm a grown-up Gen.
Riyyh considers for a moment.
Riyyh: Please... sit down.
Riyyh offers her a relatively dust-free chair.
Sidie plops down, proving that the chair is only "relatively" dust-free.
Riyyh's lungs strain as he passionately desires to cough, but fortunately manages not to. (that probably would have set off an uncontrollable chain reaction)
Riyyh cautiously sits down in another chair nearby.
Riyyh: Sidie, it is true, you are an adult now.
Riyyh: That means you're ready to understand some things that it is hard for kids to know about.
Sidie leans forward eagerly.
Sidie: Really?
Riyyh: Your brother is still a child. Yet he is a year older than you.
Riyyh: You are overjoyed to have become Gen, are you not?
Sidie wonders if she's about to get the really good stuff about sex and transfer which were edited out of her classes.
Sidie: Yes!
Riyyh: Is it the happiest you've ever been in your whole entire life almost?
Sidie: The happiest ever!
Sidie thinks, at least since her uncle gave her an entire box of chocolate and forgot to give her brother one.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: It's only natural. Coming to adulthood is a joyous experience.
Riyyh: But let's take a moment to look at your poor brother.
Sidie: He's mean.
Riyyh: I know why he's mean. Do you want to know too?
Sidie: Yes.
Riyyh reaches out and gently takes her hands.
Riyyh has learned from years of experience that people believe him more fully when he holds their hands and looks sincerely into their eyes.
Riyyh: ~~kindness~~
Sidie thinks that Riyyh looks so Sectuibly when he does that sort of thing.
Riyyh: It's because he feels bad because he hasn't changed over or Established yet, that's all.
Riyyh: Sometimes when people hurt inside, they act mean to other people.
Riyyh: It's not because they are mean, it's because they are hurting and sad.
Sidie tries to reconcile this "hurting and sad" image with the brother who's been tormenting her for years.
Riyyh: You know, not everybody is good at showing the emotions exactly the way they feel them.
Riyyh: When you're a Sime you can zlin that, but when you're a Gen you have to learn it by heart, like science or botany.
Sidie: I think he just doesn't like me.
Sidie: ~~ doubt ~~
Riyyh: Tell me, then. What would you feel like, if I told you, or if somebody told you, that there had been a mistake? That you were not Gen after all?
Riyyh: You are, but what if?
Riyyh: What if somebody told you that?
Riyyh feels a deep compassion for Sidie, for her brother, and, well, usually for everybody.
Sidie frowns.
Sidie: I'd tell them Tictoc doesn't lie.
Riyyh thinks that the downside to kids fathered by other men is that they have a more difficult time seeing the other people's point of view than his own offspring.
Riyyh sighs sadly.
Riyyh: I'm afraid your brother probably isn't very happy right now. He's found out he's not a Gen, or a Sime, or anything else.
Riyyh: He doesn't know how to act sad around you, so he is mean.
Sidie: If he's mean because I'm Gen and he's still a child, why was he mean when I was a child, too?
Riyyh: Tell me, Sidie, are you better at a lot of things than he is?
Riyyh: Do you run faster, draw better pictures, do better in class?
Sidie shakes her head.
Sidie: No, he's better at everything.
Sidie: ~~ aggravated ~~
Sidie: Except math, but he doesn't like math.
Riyyh: Sidie, [gently] you shouldn't get so angry when you are around a Sime.
Riyyh: You're a Gen now, remember.
Sidie is ~~ horrified ~~ at forgetting.
Sidie: Oh, Sectuib, I'm sorry!
Riyyh lets go of Sidie's hands and leans back a little.
Riyyh: You're learning, of course.
Riyyh: It's expected that you'll make a mistake or two as you learn.
Riyyh: ~~generously~~
Riyyh: But... next time your brother is mean to you, stop and think what other emotion he might really be feeling.
Riyyh: Is he sad? Scared? Jealous?
Riyyh: And remember, always be nice to him, whether he is mean or not, because now, you are an adult and have responsibilities.
Sidie: Adults have to always be nice?
Sidie is a bit taken aback by this unforeseen demand.
Riyyh: No, but adults must not provoke children, or allow themselves to be provoked by children.
Sidie: Oh.
Sidie thinks that over.
Sidie: So when he's grown-up, too, I can be mad at him again?
Riyyh: It's really better not to ever be mad at anybody if you can avoid it. [confesses]
Riyyh: Being mad at people when you don't have to, usually only escalates the situation.
Riyyh is speaking as somebody with very very little experience at being actually angry.
Riyyh has been angry maybe 3 times in his life and 2 of them were in the last 3 months.
Riyyh: [and hastily suppressed]
Riyyh however has observed it plenty of times in others.
Riyyh: [a high percentage of those in the last 3 months also]
Sidie: Being a grown-up is a lot more complicated than teacher said.
Sidie: He made it sound like it was all about changeover and donating and making babies and stuff.
Riyyh: Well, certainly the physical aspects of growing up are important too.
Riyyh: And you will not learn everything at once, you will learn gradually over many many years.
Riyyh: Being adult isn't something that happens to you instantly and forever, you pass through many different stages of adulthood, each different from the last.
Riyyh has recently passed from the "king of his own little kingdom" stage into the "panic about his utility to others" stage, himself.
Sidie: You have to keep growing up?
Riyyh: Exactly.
Riyyh smiles.
Sidie had hoped she was grown up and could start relaxing and having fun now.
Riyyh: Perhaps you could benefit by watching how your mother speaks with your brother.
Riyyh: They don't fight ever, do they? How does she speak differently to him, than you do?
Sidie: They don't speak very much at all, lately.
Riyyh has come to the conclusion that Sidie never really thinks seriously about anything she's asked.
Sidie: He just goes to his room and shuts the door, except when he wants to bug me instead.
Riyyh: I see.
Riyyh: Well, I think you will find that as you spend less time together, you will get along more.
Sidie: Really?
Sidie perks up.
Riyyh: Congratulations on your Establishment, and I will be proud to accept your pledge at the ceremony.
Riyyh: Was there anything else that you wished to speak about?
Sidie grins and jumps to her feet.
Sidie: No. You're the bestest Sectuib ever!
Riyyh manages to avoid both sneezing and grimacing as the dust clouds roil with her sudden movement.
Sidie bounds for the door.
Sidie pushes through the crowd and runs off to find her friend Hero.
Riyyh sighs, then gets up to go tell somebody about the mess and then repair his looks.
Riyyh changes his mind and decides to do first the latter, then the former.
Riyyh retreats into the bathroom of his office, leaving the wreckage and dust as-is.
Hero bounces down the path and spots Nick leaving the house where Snake has been returned to Kenmore's keeping.
Hero: Nick!!!
Hero: ~~yay~~
Nick flinches.
Nick: Hello, Hero.
Hero: What's wrong with Snake?
Hero: You know, I walked right up to her the other day and she didn't even hit me.
Hero: Well, she spit at me but that was hardly worth the effort if you know what I mean.
Nick hadn't known Snake's apathy was that bad.
Hero: Do you supposes she's pregnant?
Hero: My friend Jimeemi got so depressed when she was pregnant.
Nick: I'm sure Kenmore would have mentioned it if Snake were pregnant.
Hero: Do you suppose...!!!
Hero: ~~sudden idea~~
Hero's mouth falls open in dismayed delight.
Hero grabs her cheek with one hand to accentuate the look.
Nick: What is it, Hero?
Hero: Well, Kenmore and Snake have been spending an awful lot of time together, and...
Nick rolls his eyes.
Hero: You don't think it's possible???
Nick: And they've spent every minute of it on Zeor exercises.
Hero: I mean, he is soooo dreamy, and she is, um, well she's kind of famous and all....
Hero: How do you know? They won't even let you in there. [defiantly]
Nick: Hero, trust me, you're wrong.
Nick mimes remembering something forgotten.
Nick: Excuse me.
Nick ducks back into the guest cottage.
Hero: See you!!!
Hero grins and bounces off.
Nick leans against the door, feeling very much under siege.
Nick: ~~ almost Snakelike paranoia ~~
Nick makes his way back to his channel's side.
Nick: On second thought, I'll make due with the food on hand until it's safe to go out again.
Mytag walks back into the office. "I got cheese and lettuce for you and holy shen!"
Mytag drops the sandwiches and looks at the hole in the ceiling.
Riyyh: I'm in here!
Riyyh calls from the bathroom.
Riyyh carefully combs another piece of plaster out of his silver hair.
Mytag looks from the hole in the ceiling to the bathroom door and wonders about the Sectuib's constitution.
Mytag: Are you all right?
Riyyh comes out, looking sheepish and still somewhat dusty.
Riyyh: I am now.
Mytag picks up the sandwiches [which are fortunately wrapped against damage] and puts them on the desk, which is covered with plaster and dust.
Mytag: What happened?
Riyyh: She did give me quite a....
Riyyh looks up.
Mytag: She? Did Snake do this?!
Riyyh: Young Sidie jumped through on purpose.
Riyyh: She said she didn't want to wait in line.
Riyyh: She Established while we were out of town. [explains]
Mytag suddenly isn't very hungry.
Mytag: This has to stop.
Riyyh: It was never like this before. [pleading for confirmation]
Mytag: Issue a general order or something.
Mytag: Richard is settled in, but I don't think we made a very good first impression.
Riyyh winces.
Mytag: He wants to know when he can see Snake.
Riyyh: I'm afraid you're right... well, I think that will have to be up to Kenmore.
Mytag: That's what I told him, Kenmore is treating her and would have to give permission for visitors.
Mytag: He fell for it, anyway.
Riyyh: I suppose I'll have to ask Kenmore, then. [realizes]
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: Well, I'll do so at once, of course.
Riyyh thinks getting Snake out of Naros, apathetic or no, is still a high priority.
Riyyh looks at Mytag's hands.
Riyyh: Were you unable to get sandwiches?
Mytag: Here [picks sandwich up off desk] eat this.
Riyyh thinks things in the kitchen must have deteriorated worse than he thought.
Riyyh: Oh!
Riyyh: I'm sorry, I don't know what is wrong with me today, thank you.
Riyyh takes it.
Mytag picks up his sandwich and shoves it in his pocket.
Riyyh actually is pretty sure the problem is that, what with being kidnapped by major governmental bodies and things jumping out of ceilings at him and so forth his nerves have been shattered for about 2 weeks straight.
Riyyh looks at Mytag in confusion.
Riyyh: Please, sit, eat with me.
Mytag: I've lost my appetite.
Riyyh reaches out and touches Mytag's arm lightly.
Riyyh: Are you all right?
Mytag looks at the ceiling.
Mytag: I'm fine. But I think everyone else is cracking up.
Riyyh puts down his food and takes both of Mytag's hands, looking at him with great concern.
Riyyh: Mytag, everything will be all right, you'll see.
Mytag can't take his eyes off the ceiling.
Riyyh: Once we get... [pauses and zlins for people in the roof or whatever]
Mytag: Maybe we should get security ceilings put in.
Riyyh: Once we get Snake and Kenmore and so forth out of here, we can do the pledge ceremony with Anmyn and all the new settlers....
Riyyh glances up again.
Riyyh squeezes Mytag's hands.
Mytag: You know, this places is starting to remind me of the Bender Cove Lobby!
Mytag: ~ worry ~
Riyyh: ~~shock~~
Riyyh's hands go cold.
Riyyh: Don't say that!
Mytag shudders.
Mytag: Let's get out of here hey?
Mytag drags his gaze away from the ceiling - or at least, where the ceiling use to be.
Riyyh: Oh, yes.
Riyyh jumps up.
Mytag heads out quickly.
Riyyh follows through all the people waiting in the hallways.
Riyyh feels kind of bad about blowing off all the people who wanted to talk to him, but between Mytag having to get out of there and himself having to get out of there, well, they had to get out of there.
Mytag: [to people in the hallway] Urgent need for the Sectuib in medical. There will be a notice posted. Thank you for your concern.
Mytag keeps repeating that.
Riyyh keeps repeating "sorry... thank you... sorry... thank you...."
Mytag makes a note to tell Wolfa to make a note and get Hero to put it up somewhere noticeable.
Mytag drags Riyyh past the end of the line and towards Snake's cabin.
Riyyh follows.
Riyyh is somewhat nervous at Mytag's actions but can sympathize with the Donor's being fed up with the situation.
Tanzarra goes to see how Riyyh and Mytag are after being told of their arrival.
Riyyh sees Tanzarra come out of one of the cabins as they approach.
Tanzarra waves at Riyyh and Mytag.
Riyyh: Hello, Tanzarra.
Riyyh waves with the hand Mytag isn't dragging him by.
Tanzarra: Hello! It's good to see your back.
Riyyh: ~~nervous and distracted yet very interested in Tanzarra as a human being type greeting... Riyyh is full of these~~
Tanzarra: How was the trip?
Riyyh manages to drag Mytag to a stop so he can speak with Tanzarra properly.
Riyyh: Well, it was a bit longer than I had intended of course,
Riyyh: And I hadn't really counted on being kidnapped, but other things went well, so on the whole....
Tanzarra: So that was true?
Mytag gazes at Tanzarra with a lack of animosity that he doesn't usually give to "that" crowd.
Tanzarra: I thought that was just a rumor.
Riyyh: Yes, [confesses]
Riyyh: I'm afraid there was a bit of a mixup with some paperwork, that was, er, falsified without the knowledge of certain Tecton officials, or myself,
Riyyh: Which led the Bender Cove Sime Center to believe I was employed by them. [explains]
Riyyh: They were rather forceful on the subject.[adds]
Tanzarra: ~~ concerned ~~
Tanzarra: So how did you manage to get out of there?
Riyyh is gratified by her concern.
Mytag tries to think if he is in a hurry to get to Snake and Kenmore, or if he is just relieved to be out of the office and decides that he is just relieved to be out of the office.
Riyyh: Well, fortunately I was granted a temporary leave by one of the Controllers.
Tanzarra: Well that was lucky.
Riyyh: She gave me twelve days to travel to Naros, get my affairs in order, and return to begin my six month stay at the Center.
Tanzarra: Oh!
Tanzarra: So you still have to return?
Riyyh shies away from the question mentally.
Riyyh: ~~nervous~~
Riyyh: Well, I certainly will try to avoid it if at all possible.
Riyyh covers the ~nervousness~ with ~~assurance~~
Mytag: No way is he returning, Tanzarra.
Riyyh nods at Mytag's words.
Tanzarra frowns at Riyyh.
Mytag: ~ determined ~
Riyyh isn't sure that the Tecton can't simply come in and pluck him from Naros... they were bold enough to restrain him at Bender Cove, after all.
Tanzarra: I'm sure something can be worked out, you don't want them coming to get you.
Riyyh: Several parties are investigating the matter even now.
Riyyh: It is certain that the fraud will be exposed.
Riyyh looks significantly at the house.
Riyyh: [which Snake is inside of]
Tanzarra: Well I see you're on your way, mind if I walk with you?
Riyyh: Well, you see, we -
Kenmore: Sectuib!
Kenmore waves and flares to get Riyyh's attention.
Riyyh jumps.
Tanzarra flinches slightly.
Riyyh: Oh, [tentacles waving in rather nervous gladness]
Riyyh: Kenmore!
Riyyh: Hello, we were just coming to see you.
Tanzarra nods at Kenmore.
Riyyh goes over to Kenmore.
Kenmore: I'm glad to see you are back safely.
Riyyh: Thank you, it was quite an experience.
Kenmore zlins them, group wise then singly.
Riyyh has adapted his usual Kenmore-presence-nervous-grovel.
Kenmore: I sent off a delegation to see what was happening - you must have crossed paths.
Kenmore frowns at the Sectuib's condition.
Riyyh appears to have been very stressed out over a very long time, and also has plaster in his hair.
Kenmore turns to Tanzarra. "I'm sorry, have we met?"
Riyyh: This is Tanzarra, she is one of Snake's people.
Riyyh: Tanzarra, Hajene Kenmore Farris.
Riyyh is amazed they hadn't met at Snake's bedside.
Tanzarra: Hello, Hajene Farris.
Kenmore slaps his forehead.
Kenmore: Tanzarra! Of course! I was wanting to speak with you.
Riyyh hopes Tanzarra's pseudo-Tecton status won't be a problem for Kenmore, Farrises being such sticklers for detail.
Riyyh hopes Kenmore's stickiness for detail won't be a problem for Tanzarra, that is.
Riyyh: Oh, dear. [to himself]
Kenmore is torn between duties.
Tanzarra: ~~ Hidden nervousness~~
Riyyh thinks if there were just a few less people he had to worry if they ran into each other at Naros, he would be able to relax a bit more.
Tanzarra: When ever you are ready Hajene.
Kenmore: Errr, Sectuib, perhaps, if you will allow me, we could go somewhere private. That way I could see you both at the same time.
Kenmore: Unless you were busy?
Tanzarra: ~~ respectfully~~
Riyyh glances at Mytag.
Riyyh: Well, if you think... of course.
Mytag shrugs, just happy to be away from crowds and broken bits of building.
Riyyh assumes Kenmore means "private" rather than truly private, which is difficult to arrange.
Riyyh: It's a bit chilly outside, how about... [considers, then discards the admin building]... well, come to my house.
Riyyh: It's just over this way.
Kenmore: Thank you.
Riyyh hasn't actually seen his house since coming back and sincerely hopes nothing odd has happened to, or in, it.
Riyyh never would have thought of something like that before about 3 months ago.
Riyyh leads the way.
Kenmore follows, zlinning Tanzarra curiously.
Tanzarra: ~~ anxious ~~
Tanzarra waits,and follows behind.
Riyyh wishes he could soothe Tanzarra without interfering with Kenmore's zlinning.
Riyyh actually is kind of unsure what the protocol is in a situation like that.
Kenmore: I must say that I'm relieved to zlin that you are in one piece Sectuib - I was beginning to worry.
Riyyh: So was I.
Riyyh is still rather worried, actually, though he manages to avoid thinking about it for minutes at a time.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Kenmore: I take it that all was resolved well?
Mytag makes a rude noise.
Riyyh: No, actually. [confesses]
Kenmore: No?
Tanzarra looks at Mytag.
Riyyh: You see, technically I'm here only on a 12 day leave of absence.
Kenmore: ~ concern ~
Riyyh: Of which 8 days is travel time.
Kenmore: Leave of absence from where?
Riyyh is confused, as he had thought Kenmore had known more of the story than that.
Riyyh: I do apologize.
Riyyh: Allow me to explain... the Sime Center in Bender Cove, and apparently the entire hierarchy of the Tecton above us all, is apparently convinced that I am assigned to that Center for six months.
Kenmore: You mean it's true?!
Kenmore: ~ amazed ~
Riyyh massages his chest.
Kenmore: I thought it was just a rumour.
Riyyh: Yes, they have documents to prove it too. [ruefully]
Riyyh: In my handwriting.
Riyyh: I apparently pledged myself to the Tecton for life, for, as it says, "personal reasons".
Kenmore: But you didn't... right?
Riyyh: No, no, it's a forgery.
Kenmore wonders if Riyyh did in a fit of despair or something then blocked them memory.
Riyyh: Although many of the Tecton signatures may be perfectly legitimate.
Riyyh zlins Kenmore and blanches.
Riyyh: I swear it!
Tanzarra wonders what Riyyh will do if they make him go back.
Riyyh: ~nervously~
Kenmore climbs the steps to the porch and waits for Riyyh to open the door.
Riyyh stares at Kenmore in alarm until he realizes why Kenmore is still staring at him.
Riyyh hurries to open the door.
Kenmore: Thank you Sectuib.
Riyyh schools his nager, although of course Kenmore can zlin his ~~fear trepidation and humiliation~~ deep down inside where he can't hide it.
Riyyh: Of course.
Riyyh holds the door for Tanzarra and Mytag as well.
Riyyh gives Mytag a "help me!" look as the Donor goes by.
Kenmore wishes that Riyyh would just relax.
Tanzarra: Thank you Sectuib.
Mytag shrugs and continues the ~ support ~
Tanzarra enters and stands just inside.
Riyyh: Please, won't you all have a seat?
Mytag plants himself.
Kenmore takes a seat across from Mytag, leaving the seat next to Mytag free for Riyyh.
Tanzarra sits in the single chair.
Riyyh: I will fetch some tea and refreshments.
Kenmore: No don't worry about that.
Kenmore realises that he is being bossy.
Riyyh aborts his attempt to dart into the kitchen and realizes he is just going to have to face the situation.
Riyyh nods and goes and sits down.
Kenmore: I'm sorry, but we need to get this fixed as soon as possible. Perhaps Mytag...?
Mytag: Yeah, OK, I'll get them.
Riyyh snatches Mytag's arm.
Riyyh: Oh... er....
Mytag: Errr, no?
Riyyh: All right.
Riyyh unhands Mytag with an effort and smiles sheepishly.
Tanzarra: If you like, I could make the tea.
Riyyh: It's all right, I'm being unreasonably nervous.
Kenmore: ~ soothing ~
Kenmore: Please relax, Riyyh.
Riyyh: I think we can do without, Tanzarra, don't worry about it.
Mytag waits.
Kenmore: No Tanzarra, please stay.
Tanzarra: Yes, hajene.
Kenmore: What I have to say may concern you also.
Kenmore: But first, Riyyh, tell me what the Tecton expects of you, and what you intend to do about it?
Riyyh: Well, I... I'm sure you're aware that Naros has not always been entirely cooperative.
Riyyh: With the Tecton [makes himself say]
Kenmore nods. He has been made very aware of this lately.
Riyyh: I think that is part of why this happened the way it did.
Riyyh takes Mytag's hand nervously.
Mytag: ~ there there ~
Riyyh: I suspect that when the forged document was submitted, the powers that be were all too happy to accept it as legitimate even if they knew it was out of character for me.
Riyyh: It would solve so many problems, you see.
Riyyh: ~unhappy, but somewhat calmer now~
Riyyh: They expect me to return and serve my duty at Bender Cove.
Riyyh: Six months there, then assigned elsewhere.
Kenmore: Of course, that's impossible.
Kenmore: Think of the precedent it would set!
Riyyh: Of course. I'd... I couldn't do it.
Kenmore: We can't have the Sectuibs of Households working in Sime Centers!
Kenmore privately thinks that they would never stand the strain, for one thing.
Riyyh: Actually there are two Sectuibs working at that one already.
Riyyh: It's quite curious.
Kenmore: What?!
Kenmore just about leaps out of his chair.
Riyyh: However, they must be made of much more stern stuff than I am, for I was reduced to a... [cringes automatically, much to his chagrin]
Mytag: ~ soothing ~
Tanzarra stifles the urge to jump.
Kenmore: What do you mean, Sectuibs working there?
Riyyh grips Mytag's hand gratefully.
Kenmore can't get his mind around the concept.
Riyyh: Yes. The Controller went to far as to hold up one as an example when she told me I should have no problem maintaining a Householding from afar.
Kenmore shakes his head.
Riyyh: But you see, I couldn't possibly.
Kenmore: I didn't realise. This will have to be looked into. The Tecton has intruded into Householding affairs too far.
Riyyh is ~very relieved~ that Kenmore is taking this attitude.
Kenmore: This must be stopped!
Riyyh thinks it would all have been over if Kenmore had been a tad more pro-Tecton.
Kenmore: If this trend continues, why, it could be the end of Householdings as we know them!
Kenmore: ~ horror ~
Riyyh: I agree, but... what about Wise Snake?
Riyyh: ~cautious~
Tanzarra thinks the Tecton intrudes onto a lot of things.
Riyyh thinks there is quite a bit of potential for conflict-of-interest, here.
Riyyh: She is the original forger of the documents.
Kenmore: Eh?
Riyyh: How can we prove I did not sign them without implicating her?
Kenmore: Hmmm, probably, but what proof do you have?
Riyyh of course had not worried at all about avoiding implicating Snake until Kenmore became involved.
Riyyh: Her past history is proof enough. You've read it.
Riyyh: Not only is forgery a well-known skill of hers, but she threatened to do this very thing - send me to Bender Cove.
Kenmore: Hmmm. Let me think about that for awhile. The problem now is what to do about Bender Cove.
Riyyh wonders, not for the first time, exactly what Kenmore's own relationship is to Zeor, since he plainly wasn't involved with all the Zeor goings on there.
Kenmore: They will be receiving a delegation from Zeor soon, demanding to know what the situation is.
Riyyh thinks it's all to their favor, or at least it appears to at this time.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: And if everything appears in order on that end?
Riyyh: ~nervous but trusting in Kenmore to not take that for face value~
Kenmore: We will worry about that when the time comes.
Kenmore has faith that Zeor can handle anything.
Kenmore: Next. I've good news and bad news about Wise Snake.
Kenmore: First the good news.
Kenmore: She seems to have lost interest in taking over Naros.
Kenmore: The bad news is that she seems to have lost interest in everything else as well.
Tanzarra: ~~ concerned ~~
Kenmore glances at Tanzarra.
Kenmore: You were close to her?
Kenmore knows that Tanzarra hasn't been close to Snake recently.
Tanzarra: Well. sort of. She helped me when I was having trouble.
Tanzarra doesn't want to say too much.
Riyyh searches within himself for some compassion for Snake.
Tanzarra tries not to fidget.
Kenmore: I hear that you are settling in well here. The Householding life appeals to you?
Kenmore: ~ curious ~
Tanzarra: Yes. I have been feeling comfortable here.
Tanzarra: Everyone has been very helpful.
Riyyh listens attentively.
Kenmore can't see how anyone can fit into a Household as, errr, confused, as this one.
Riyyh smiles encouragingly at Tanzarra.
Tanzarra smiles back and tries to relax.
Kenmore: Did you come to any arrangement about Wise Snake while you were in Bender Cove?
Riyyh: We have brought back a friend of hers with the means to adequately pay for a Farris' support, and we were hoping he could convince her to return with him. [explains]
Riyyh: I had probably better warn you in advance, it's Richard Hardwick-Greeves.
Kenmore: Oh shen, that stuffed shirt!
Riyyh looks appropriately startled.
Riyyh: ~huh?~
Riyyh: W-w-well, I had thought, as they know each other, [tentacles waving nervously]
Kenmore: All money, no brains.
Riyyh winces.
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Kenmore: He is the one that knows Snake?
Kenmore: I didn't know that.
Riyyh: They are rather good friends, he is holding her property for her, you see,
Kenmore: ~ interested ~
Kenmore: Do you think he would be willing to take over her care?
Kenmore: ~ and take her a long long way away ~
Riyyh: Yes, I do think so, although apparently she has been somewhat reluctant to, er, consort with him fully in the past.
Riyyh and Richard had a long time to talk on the train ride back from BC.
Riyyh: We may have to help convince her to go with him. [explains]
Kenmore: I see.
Kenmore: She is coming along well, physically.
Kenmore: There is something I've been meaning to do - I think I'll make that top priority.
Mytag drops off to sleep.
Riyyh glances at Mytag in some concern.
Tanzarra zlins in amazement at Mytag.
Kenmore: I think your Companion is bored.
Riyyh: It has been a little bit stressful for him also. [explains to Kenmore]
Kenmore: Perhaps we should move him?
Riyyh: ...move him?
Kenmore doesn't want him to get a sore neck.
Riyyh: Mytag. [nudges Mytag gently]
Kenmore: Somewhere more comfortable.
Mytag: Ummm? Oh sorry.
Riyyh: Are you all right?
Mytag: Dropped off for a moment. Did I miss anything?
Riyyh: ~concern~
Mytag: I'm fine.
Riyyh isn't used to seeing this particular stress reaction from Mytag and wonders if the Donor is being pushed too far.
Riyyh wonders what that says about how hard he's being pushed himself!
Kenmore: I think that maybe we should leave it at that and let you both get some rest.
Kenmore: Sectuib, I'd suggest at least 4 hours for you.
Riyyh hesitates, then glances at Tanzarra.
Mytag yawns.
Riyyh: I would feel better if I were present for the rest of your discussion with Tanzarra.
Tanzarra frowns nervously.
Riyyh is surprised by Tanzarra's reaction.
Riyyh: That is, unless you'd feel more comfortable without, of course.
Riyyh: [to Tanzarra]
Tanzarra: Oh no... It's fine for you to stay.
Riyyh had thought Tanzarra seemed awfully nervous around Kenmore and might like some support.
Kenmore: I think that what I have to discuss with Tanzarra is her business, Sectuib. [gently]
Riyyh looks to Tanzarra again.
Kenmore: Perhaps we should leave you and your Donor in peace and go elsewhere. Perhaps your quarters, Tanzarra?
Kenmore doesn't realise that in Naros that is enough to start a rumour.
Tanzarra doesn't know what Kenmore wants to discuss, but is sure it's going to be stressful.
Riyyh: Tanzarra?
Riyyh: [gently]
Riyyh is more than willing to stand in with her during the discussion with Kenmore.
Riyyh: [or offer her a way out if she doesn't want to sleep with him, if that's what's going on]
Kenmore: ~ soothing support ~
Riyyh cares for some of his guests almost as deeply as his own House's members.
Riyyh: [after all, they've been guests here for weeks and weeks and]
Tanzarra: If you would like to be left to rest, Hajene Farris is welcome to discuss things elsewhere.
Riyyh looks at Tanzarra in utter lack of comprehension.
Kenmore: Very well.
Riyyh finally looks down in ~pain~ as he realizes he simply doesn't have Tanzarra's trust, and of course Kenmore wouldn't dream of letting Riyyh be present while he grilled a Naros person or a guest.
Kenmore: Sectuib, thank you, I hope you sleep well. I'll be wanting to speak to you again soon.
Riyyh thinks, never mind that he allowed Tanzarra to sit in on his own private business.
Riyyh forces himself to nod.
Riyyh: Of course.
Kenmore tries to remember that he has to sleep again soon too or Dahlia will be on his back.
Kenmore hopes that the Donor he has sent away for, for Snake, will turn up soon so that he can have Dahlia back.
Tanzarra thinks she has offended Riyyh unintentionally.
Kenmore sighs.
Tanzarra looks from Riyyh to Kenmore, nervously.
Riyyh looks down.
Tanzarra: If it is not an inconvenience, I would appreciate your presence. [to Riyyh]
Kenmore: I think that it's best if the Sectuib gets some rest, Tanzarra.
Kenmore: If you prefer, we can put off our talk.
Riyyh looks up, surprised at Kenmore's words.
Riyyh glances at Tanzarra, attempting to gauge her sincerity.
Tanzarra is biting her lips.
Kenmore: Please, don't let it stress you!
Kenmore: ~ soothing, calm, nothing to worry about ~
Kenmore is amazed at these people's ability to stress.
Kenmore thinks that they could almost be Farrises that way.
Riyyh: Kenmore, Tanzarra has been through some hard times.
Riyyh: She has good reason to be nervous under the circumstances, and frankly, I believe she should be allowed some support during your discussion.
Riyyh: ~sincere~
Kenmore: Sectuib, you doubt that she would be safe with me?
Kenmore is hurt.
Tanzarra: I don't think he meant it that way, hajene.
Kenmore: Well, let's leave it for now before Mytag falls asleep again.
Tanzarra: As you wish, Hajene.
Tanzarra sighs.
Kenmore stands.
Kenmore: Sectuib, thank you for your time.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: Thank you for your help.
Kenmore sighs and heads for the door.
Kenmore: Please, sleep well.
Riyyh, who is not in the least bit tired, looks down and Mytag and sighs to himself.
Mytag blinks.
Mytag: Thank you, Hajene.
Tanzarra watches as Kenmore gets up to leave.
Mytag: Night, Kenmore.
Riyyh: I am sorry, Tanzarra.
Riyyh: I am not sure what happened there but I was only trying to prevent you from... feeling forced into anything.
Tanzarra: Oh, that's all right. I'm not sure what he wants to discuss, so I don't know why I'm so nervous.
Riyyh: I see.
Tanzarra: Do you think you'll be able to solve the Bender Cove problem?
Tanzarra feels better not thinking of her own problems.
Riyyh hesitates.
Riyyh: I'm afraid the problem is much larger than Bender Cove, Tanzarra.
Riyyh: You see, everybody from the ground level to the World Controller signed legitimate signatures to that piece of paper.
Riyyh is exaggerating... it wasn't the WC themself but somebody from the office.
Riyyh: It may take quite some time to sort the problem out, and in the meantime Naros will be in for some more difficult times, I'm afraid.
Riyyh feels ~sympathy~ for Tanzarra's position.
Tanzarra: Why has Snake done this?
Riyyh: I don't fully know, Tanzarra, although it is true that she blamed me in part for her injury, and before that she believed I was trying to steal Nick from her.
Riyyh thinks what is is, is that Snake is flat out crazy, and homicidal to boot.
Riyyh just can't think of a good way to say that.
Riyyh: ~sadness~
Riyyh: Sometimes people just can't express themselves in a, a way that other people can understand, because what't they're feeling is just too much.
Riyyh made a good try of it anyway.
Tanzarra: But she tried to murder you.
Riyyh: Yes, she was very angry. She was upset and scared as well.
Riyyh thinks, mostly angry.
Tanzarra: So, what will happen to her now?
Riyyh: I don't know. For now, she is under Hajene Kenmore's protection and he will not allow any harm to befall her.
Riyyh: He will keep her here until we can find an alternative home for her that both she and Kenmore will accept.
Riyyh: We hope we have found a friend of hers, from Bender Cove, who will talk her into going home as his ward.
Tanzarra: I'm pleased. She seems pretty mixed up.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: I am sorry that all of this has happened.
Riyyh: But please, if you have any concerns, or require any support, I hope you will remember me. I consider you, as my guest, to be under my protection just as the members of my House are.
Riyyh also just gets all itchy when Kenmore horns in on people in those private meetings of his.
Riyyh wonders who all Kenmore had meetings with while Riyyh and Mytag were out of town.
Riyyh understands on the one hand that Kenmore like anybody else would naturally want to help troubled people, but on the other hand he just can't bear the thought of a superior channel spending so much time at his House, gaining the confidence of his people and/or making them uncomfortable.
Mytag: Riyyh, I'm going to bed.
Mytag gets up and heads towards the stairs.
Riyyh: I'll be up in a few minutes, Mytag. [promises]
Riyyh finishes his conversation with Tanzarra and sees her off, before climbing the stairs to join Mytag in bed.
Notes:
1) Some time passes between these two scenes. [return]