Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #58: Ow! (11/12/98)
Kenmore is thoughtful and pensive as he signals at Riyyh's office.
Riyyh: Come!
Kenmore looks at the door, well, faces that direction, for a while longer while he considers things [day dreams]
Riyyh gets up and goes to open the door.
Riyyh: Hello? ~concerned~
Riyyh: Are you all right?
Kenmore drops duo again. "Hmmm? Oh Sectuib, yes, I'm so sorry. Was thinking...."
Riyyh: Quite all right, of course... would you like to come in?
Riyyh would have just assumed this with anyone else who signalled at the door, but with Farrises you can never tell.
Kenmore: Thank you.
Kenmore walks in and sits beside Riyyh's desk.
Riyyh returns to his chair.
Riyyh: How may I be of assistance? [kindly]
Kenmore: I wanted to discuss with you my intended transfer plans for the next month.
Kenmore: I was hoping that your Donor, Mytag would be here as well.
Kenmore waits for Riyyh to offer information as to the whereabouts of his Donor.
Riyyh is busy becoming quite worried about what Kenmore might have in mind for Mytag.
Riyyh: ... Mytag???
Riyyh: Well, he is just running out to get some sandwiches, but, he and I will of course be taking transfer next month.
Kenmore: Actually, I was wondering if you would mind switching to Nick.
Riyyh: Nick? ~fear reaction~
Kenmore: When I sent off to Zeor for a delegation to find out what had happened to you, I also sent for a Donor for Wise Snake, one that might be able to help with her particular problem.
Kenmore is surprised.
Kenmore: Why the fear?
Kenmore knew that Riyyh was a bunny, but he would never have expected him to fear a Donor.
Riyyh may not be the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree, but nearly being strangled by Snake did leave a certain imprint upon his memory.
Riyyh: Snake will murder me!
Riyyh: ~appalled that Kenmore would even suggest it~
Riyyh: At any rate, I am trying to groom Mytag to be my Companion, and if he wants to serve me in transfer, he will have to be pushed....
Kenmore: Oh I see. No, I'm sure that Snake will be satisfied with the arrangements.
Riyyh: You do? You are? She will? ~confused~
Kenmore is sure that Snake would be satisfied if he told her that she was never having transfer again, she is that despondent.
Kenmore: I will be happy to take down Mytag's field for him this month, and push him in the process.
Kenmore: My plan is for Snake to have Hal, that's Halawees Farris, my 2nd cousin twice removed on my mother's side, I'll have Dahlia, and you have Nick.
Riyyh: But, Kenmore!
Kenmore: Yes?
Riyyh tries to gather his wits for a confrontation with Kenmore, not very easy considering how much the other channel intimidates him.
Riyyh: But that's... Kenmore, I am very pleased that you have been thinking of ideas about transfers next month, but....
Riyyh wrings his hands.
Kenmore: You have a problem with them?
Riyyh: Well, I would not presume to question your arrangements regarding yourself and Wise Snake, but....
Kenmore: But?
Kenmore: You don't want Nick?
Kenmore is surprised again that any channel wouldn't want Nick.
Kenmore: I assure you that any problems that we had during our transfer were entirely my fault!
Riyyh files that away for future reference.
Riyyh: It's just that the situation between Mytag and myself is very delicate right now, [explains]
Riyyh: I would have to discuss it with him before agreeing to such a plan,
Riyyh: And furthermore I do find it very difficult to believe Wise Snake would agree to Nick transferring with me.
Riyyh wrings his hands and his tentacles wring each other.
Riyyh actually isn't particularly considering the believability of Snake's agreement so much as the very very severe penalty for incurring her displeasure.
Kenmore: I understand. I assure you that I will fully discuss this will all parties - just as soon as Hal turns up.
Riyyh finds this rather alarming.
Riyyh: When will that be??
Kenmore: I wanted to talk to you first so you were aware to expect her.
Riyyh: Well, for that I thank you, but...
Kenmore: Hmmm. Actually I'm not sure. It could be any time from now until a few days before the transfers are due.
Kenmore: It depends on where she is at the moment. She travels around quite a bit, she is very popular ~ wistfully ~
Riyyh: Kenmore, it is hardly fair to wait until only a few days before transfers are due.
Riyyh: Wise Snake will hear rumors of this long before then, and I don't know what she's capable of if she hears that I....
Kenmore: But you haven't said yes yet, have you?
Kenmore: Please don't worry about Snake - I will talk to her about it now if you prefer.
Kenmore: Would you like to come with me?
Riyyh's tentacles flutter.
Riyyh: Oh dear.
Riyyh: No!
Riyyh: ~fear, underneath~
Riyyh: No, I have duties to attend to....
Kenmore: No? Oh.
Kenmore: Very well then.
Riyyh: But, Kenmore?
Riyyh: I have been meaning to ask you.
Kenmore: Yes?
Riyyh: When might Richard Hardwick-Greeves be allowed to see Snake?
Kenmore pauses in a half standing position, realises that this is neither dignified or comfortable, and sits down again.
Riyyh: He has been waiting very patiently.
Riyyh has been waiting very nervously, himself.
Kenmore: Oh! Hmmm, well, maybe he should see her before I talk to her about transfer.
Kenmore: Yes, I think that would be best.
Kenmore: Whenever he likes. I think it would be best to give them privacy too, don't you?
Kenmore certainly doesn't want to be around to see them together - either one by themselves is as much as he can handle at a time.
Kenmore: Did you want to tell him to see her today? Then I could talk to her tonight.
Riyyh: Yes. It is our fervent hope that he will convince her to return to Bender Cove with him immediately, and this will all be resolved.
Riyyh: So the sooner, the better.
Riyyh: ~sincere~
Kenmore shakes his head.
Kenmore: I'm afraid that I'm not going to allow Snake to travel for awhile yet Sectuib.
Riyyh: ~shock~
Riyyh sits down rather suddenly.
Riyyh: No... no... why not?
Kenmore keeps a firm grip on the ambient which has suddenly gone all woozy.
Kenmore: In my opinion she isn't well enough. ~ firmly ~
Riyyh: What if you travelled with her? [pleadingly]
Kenmore: Maybe in a week or so.
Kenmore: I would prefer to stay here until after both our transfers, of course.
Riyyh's shoulders sag.
Kenmore: Is that a problem Sectuib?
Riyyh: Surely you realize the impact the presence of two Farris channels has upon the Householding. There isn't a channel here who hasn't had entran in weeks, and keeping this place Farris safe - and we are getting a 4th Farris, now? - has been amazing drain on our resources.
Riyyh: We have ten people employed solely with Farrisproofing!
Riyyh's tentacles wave in nervous submission.
Riyyh: Of course you are both welcome, but nevertheless, it is very difficult for us.
Riyyh thinks actually the attempted murder, etc. was more stressful than the rest of it, but since he's already mentioned that a couple times he doesn't want to appear shrill or nagging about his personal safety.
Kenmore looks sorry - but stern.
Kenmore: I'm sorry, the only other alternative is that we leave today. Of course, I would be forced then to give a full account of why we had to leave in such a rush....
Kenmore stresses the "full account"
Riyyh manages to look hopeful and worried both at once.
Riyyh: Oh, er....
Riyyh is starting to wonder just what anybody could say about Naros that would be harder on it than the current situation.
Riyyh: ~unhappy~
Kenmore: It's up to you, of course.
Riyyh: Is there any sort of compromise that might be possible?
Riyyh: [pleadingly]
Kenmore: What would you suggest?
Riyyh nerves himself.
Riyyh: Well, there are two or three things you could do to make this much easier for us. [admits]
Riyyh pulls out a ledger from his To Do basket.
Kenmore can't for the life of him think of anything that they have done to make it difficult for the folk at Naros. Looking after Farrises isn't that hard. People just like to whine.
Riyyh opens the ledger and gets up to come around where Kenmore can see it too.
Riyyh doesn't do the nitty gritty of Naros' accounting, but he is responsible for its financial management and administrative decisions regarding money.
Riyyh: Wolfa brought the accounts by today, and as you can see here, and here, these are expenditures for insulation, pharmaceuticals, and supplies required to maintain your presence here.
Riyyh points to the figures his people have been beating him over the head with for the past 24 hours.
Kenmore can't help it if Households don't keep their infirmaries stocked with proper supplies.
Kenmore: Yes, I see.
Riyyh: Would it be possible for Zeor to compensate us, at least in part? These are things we would not have required had it not been for your being here.
Riyyh's tentacle lingers suggestively near the bottom line, which is not looking good.
Kenmore: If you like to write me up an invoice I'll make sure that Zeor gets it.
Riyyh closes the ledger.
Riyyh: I will do so at once.
Kenmore: Was there anything else?
Riyyh: Yes... [hesitates]
Riyyh: Two other things.
Riyyh places the ledger on his desk and sits again.
Kenmore: Yes?
Riyyh: There is... I am sorry, there is no pleasant way to go about this.
Riyyh takes a deep breath.
Riyyh: Because both your and Wise Snake's stays have become so extended, I am afraid it may be necessary to formalize some agreement regarding our various individual responsibilities to the people here.
Kenmore: In what way?
Riyyh: I... although I deeply respect and admire you, and value your input and superior judgment in all things, I feel that we must agree on how you are to interact with my own people.
Kenmore is interested to hear what he has been doing wrong. He had been unaware of stepping on anyone's toes.
Riyyh: ~hand-wringing apology~
Riyyh: I have perhaps been guilty of the same thing, with Snake's people.
Riyyh: In the short term the problem could be worked around but you are talking about staying at least three more weeks!
Riyyh: It is very important that my people, and my guests, know that I am able to serve and protect them as their Sectuib and their host.
Riyyh: Although you are more than capable of... of handling some of these things for me, and perhaps feel entirely justified in doing so, there is the long term to consider.
Riyyh spreads his hands and tentacles.
Kenmore: ~ confused ~
Kenmore: Sectuib Riyyh, what exactly is it that you want me to do, or to stop doing?
Riyyh: It would not actually be necessary for you to change your behavior much at all, in truth; I ask only that you recognize yourself as an honored guest and recognize me as the Sectuib of this house - in everyday situations and in the decisionmaking process.
Riyyh: ~honest sincerity~
Kenmore: ~ confused ~
Kenmore: I'm terribly sorry, I thought that I did.
Kenmore is embarrassed that it could be seen that he has been pushy, or whatever.
Riyyh is of course filled with compassion for Kenmore's embarrassment and confusion.
Riyyh tries to cram it back where Kenmore won't have to zlin it.
Kenmore: But surely, you called us here to solve your problem, that is Snake.
Riyyh sweats.
Riyyh: Yes, I did, but it was never intended to turn out like this.
Kenmore: I've only been acting in her best interests, and that of your Household.
Riyyh: We thought she would be moved to Zeor as soon as she became conscious. [explains]
Riyyh: Kenmore, nobody doubts that you have the best of intentions. ~sincerely~
Riyyh: And truly, it is a miracle, what you have done with Wise Snake.
Riyyh: We fully believe that given enough time you will succeed in bringing her to health and guiding her from Naros.
Riyyh: ~prayer~
Kenmore: Thank you Sectuib.
Riyyh: But yet, as Naros' Sectuib for the past forty years, I feel that I sometimes have a more special and subtle knowledge of its needs than would be possible for anyone from outside, even you.
Riyyh: When I ask to be present during your questioning of a person, or when I am surprised that you want to replace my Companion with a temporary substitute, it is not without extremely good cause.
Riyyh keeps his nager ~~gentle, yet yearning~~
Riyyh: I respect your natural leadership ability, but I am Naros' true leader, even though you are here. Don't you see why I believe we must come to some sort of specific arrangement?
Kenmore: Yes, of course.
Kenmore: ~ contrite ~
Riyyh feels a great ~relief and gratitude~
Kenmore will really try.
Kenmore: I'm sorry if I've been pushy, Sectuib.
Riyyh smiles at him.
Riyyh: I am thankful for your cooperation.
Riyyh: And for all of your help with Wise Snake.
Kenmore: Now, about the change in transfers - I'll speak to Snake after she has had a chance to talk to Hardwick-Greeves.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Kenmore finally stands up.
Kenmore: I'm sorry to have taken up so much of your time.
Riyyh: No, no, you are welcome any time.
Riyyh: ~sincere~
Riyyh: I will be sure to have this paperwork to you as soon as possible, and... I will speak to Mytag.
Kenmore looks worried...
Kenmore: Of course, if you aren't both happy with the arrangements - I'm sure I can work something else out with Nick. Perhaps Ifto....
see note 1
Sidie comes into the infirmary, dressed in wool pants, a heavy flannel shirt, two sweaters and a coat.
Sidie: ~~ cold ~~
Bum Bum is about ready to leave after enjoying a recordbreaking 3 chances to give transfers.
Sidie looks around to see if Tictoc or Wolfa is on duty, or one of the visitors.
Ruschia fusses about Bum Bum, boosting his sense of accomplishment almost to the point of unreasonable.
Ruschia: ~~proud~~
Sidie would prefer Riyyh, of course, but Hero told her Sectuib was in a meeting with the head of the Zeor delegation.
Bum Bum: It's not that big a deal. ~embarrassed~
Ruschia knows he likes all the attention, no matter what he says.
Ruschia: Of course it is. ~~pride in him~~
Ruschia beams mercilessly.
Sidie sees only the new channel who came with Snake.
Sidie: 'Scuse me.
Bum Bum is distracted from Ruschia's attentions by Sidie's appearance.
Sidie is shivering sporadically.
Bum Bum: Hello.
Bum Bum zlins Sidie.
Sidie: ~~ newly Established and not yet highfield Gen, more than a bit chilled ~~
Sidie: I just can't seem to get warm today.
Sidie: Am I getting sick?
Sidie: ~~ apprehension at the thought of being forced to miss her own pledge party ~~
Ruschia loses her playful behavior and concentrates on ~supporting~ Bum Bum.
Bum Bum: I don't think so, but maybe I should examine you more closely.
Sidie: All right.
Bum Bum: You just Established? Congratulations.
Bum Bum leads the way to an open examination room.
Sidie grins.
Sidie: Yeah. Sectuib said he'd take my donation and pledge right after Anmyn's!
Sidie: And I'm going to have a daffodil in my hair!
Bum Bum sits her down on the table and zlins her more closely.
Sidie: Sectuib wrote a note to the greenhouse manager.
Sidie: ~~ metabolism slightly out of balance as it adjusts to selyn production ~~
Sidie: I wanted a yellow one, but there was only white.
Bum Bum: Perhaps you could cut one and put it in yellow water until then, so it turns yellow.
Sidie looks at Bum Bum in astonishment, then giggles.
Sidie: Oh, you're silly.
Bum Bum: That's what they do in Bender Cove in the winter when there are only carnations available.
Bum Bum of course is only familiar with the cheapest variety of flower shops in that city.
Bum Bum: You seem to be perfectly OK, for somebody who just Established.
Bum Bum: But you're going to feel funny until your body has gotten used to being a Gen, which might take a few days.
Bum Bum: You'll want to avoid extremes of temperature, eating anything too peculiar, or getting too excited if at all possible.
Bum Bum: Do you have a good book you could stay home and read, or something?
Bum Bum thinks there is no point in giving a teenager this advice, but feels like he may as well go through the motions.
Bum Bum is pretty sure nothing too awful will happen even if Sidie utterly ignores the advice.
Sidie: Well, I did want to read up on the pledge ceremony.
Sidie: I'd hate to mess up in front of the whole House.
Ruschia: Oh, you'll do fine, Sidie, just read the copy of 'A Child's First Story of Naros' your mother has on her bookshelf, and you'll know everything you require.
Bum Bum: True. Although, if you weren't going to be first, you could watch the first half a day or so of them and then you'd have it memorized.
Bum Bum winks at her.
Sidie frowns.
Bum Bum knows no kid would give up the chance to be first.
Bum Bum: [at least no kid where he came from.]
Sidie: But Sectuib promised me I could go second.
Sidie: And you know what else he said?
Sidie giggles.
Bum Bum: What's that?
Bum Bum: [to Sidie]
Sidie: He said my older brother is scared, and that's why he's mean to me.
Sidie: He's still a child, you know.
Sidie: He's been very mad that I grew up before he did.
Sidie: He says it isn't fair, and I did it just to spite him.
Sidie: But I didn't!
Sidie: I didn't even know I'd Established until I was told.
Sidie is just a bit ~~ indignant ~~ that she wasn't the first to know of her own adulthood.
Bum Bum looks nonplussed.
Bum Bum: Why don't you just tell him to go get a life?
Bum Bum: I'm sure you have better things to do than hang out with children now, anyway.
Ruschia: Bum bum! [squeals]
Sidie considers the advice.
Bum Bum: What? [to Ruschia]
Sidie: Well, that's what I wanted to do, but Sectuib said I should be nice to him because he's scared.
Sidie: ~~ reluctance ~~
Sidie: Though he isn't nice to me when I'm scared.
Ruschia: Honey, you listen to Sectuib Riyyh.
Ruschia: [firmly]
Sidie looks at Bum Bum appealingly.
Bum Bum shrugs with a "What can I say?" expression.
Bum Bum: You asked Sectuib Riyyh for advice and you expected him to say something besides "be nice to people"?
Bum Bum thinks Sidie has a few things to learn.
Sidie: Sectuib is always nice to people.
Sidie: That's why he's Sectuib.
Bum Bum: And see what it gets him!
Bum Bum: He's a doormat.
Ruschia pinches one of Bum Bum's handling tentacles firmly.
Bum Bum jumps.
Bum Bum: I mean, not everybody can be nice all the time as well as Sectuib can. [amends hastily]
Ruschia: ~~very good~~
Sidie: A doormat. I like that.
Ruschia: ~~doh!~~
Sidie: One with a beautiful picture that welcomes everybody home.
Bum Bum: That soon gets covered up with mud as everybody wipes their feet all ov - ow!
Sidie: That's a very good descrip....
Sidie: What?
Bum Bum resolves to keep his mouth shut as he rubs his tender appendage.
Bum Bum: Nothing. [grumbles]
Ruschia beams.
Ruschia: You listen to Sectuib Riyyh, dear. After are, you are pledging yourself to Naros, heart and soul, in only a couple of days.
Sidie: Yeah! Right after Anmyn.
Sidie: With daffodils in my hair.
Sidie: Although if I don't warm up soon, nobody will be able to see my dress.
Sidie: Will this problem really go away when I'm highfield?
Ruschia: Yes it will. Probably even before that. It's just now, while your field is climbing very quickly, that it stresses your body.
Ruschia smiles reassuringly at Sidie.
Ruschia: Your party will be perfect.
Sidie: Sectuib said he'd take my donation himself.
Sidie: In front of everybody.
Sidie is both ~~ eager ~~ to do something so adult and ~~ awed ~~ by the responsibility of such a public performance.
Ruschia: Isn't that nice.
Sidie: I've never done it before. What if I mess it up?
Sidie: ~~ incipient stage fright ~~
Ruschia: It's pretty hard to mess up a donation, Sidie, the channel does all the work. And I think Sectuib knows exactly what he's doing.
Sidie: Well, yes, he's Sectuib, of course.
Sidie: ~~ reassured ~~
Bum Bum: Don't be ridic - ow!
Bum Bum: I mean, there's nothing to be afraid of.
Sidie looks at Bum Bum.
Sidie: Are you all right?
Sidie: ~~ concern ~~
Sidie: You look like your stomach hurts you or something.
Ruschia: It's his tentacle, honey, I've been giving him a big pinch any time he almost says something inappropriate. ~~doting over her channel~~
Bum Bum grins feebly.
Sidie: Inappropriate?
Sidie: But he's a channel.
Sidie didn't think channels did inappropriate things.
Ruschia: Yes, and he's learning to be a really good one.
Ruschia bathes Bum Bum in ~~obsessive approval~~
Sidie: Oh. Are you going to be as good as Sectuib one day?
Bum Bum: Probably not.
Ruschia: Nobody's as good as Sectuib, that's why he's Sectuib.
Sidie: Hajene Ifto thinks Hajene Kenmore is even better, but he's not even a Sectuib.
Ruschia: Yes, but he isn't ambrov Naros. He belongs to a different House, and their Sectuib is much better than Hajene Kenmore.
Sidie: Oh.
Sidie: Does that mean his House is better than Naros?
Bum Bum: Yeah.
Sidie doesn't like to think she's pledging a second-rate House.
Bum Bum wonders how somebody could get to be Sidie's age without ever hearing of the House of Zeor but says nothing more in the interests of having any tentacles left by the end of the conversation.
Sidie: Well, I still like Naros, and I don't think Zeor's Sectuib could be half as Sectuibly as ours.
Sidie: ~~ loyalty ~~
Ruschia: Good girl.
Sidie beams at this praise.
Sidie: Are you gonna pledge on the same day I am?
Bum Bum: Yes. Everybody is.
Bum Bum: Everybody has to renew their pledge to Riyyh and Naros.
Bum Bum: Because of Anmyn.
Bum Bum thinks, well actually because of the genetics scandal, but....
Sidie grins.
Sidie: That means the whole House will be my pledge day mates!
Sidie jumps to her feet.
Sidie: Well, if I'm not going to be sick, I'd better start studying for the big day.
Ruschia: Great!
Ruschia: You'll do just fine, hot shot.
Sidie: Bye, Hajene Bum Bum!
Bum Bum: Good bye.
Ruschia: ~~beams~~
Sidie runs back and hugs Bum Bum impulsively.
Sidie: I'm glad you're gonna be in my House.
Bum Bum: ~surprise~
Sidie grins at Ruschia and runs out.
Hero bursts into Tarana's room.
Hero: Hi!!!!!!!
Tarana: Um. Hi.
Hero is a young (natal years = 12) female Gen with a bad transition problem nagerically.
Hero: Wow I heard you were new here, my name's Hero.
Hero: You're Tarana, right??
Hero: Hey what's this?
Hero grabs a book off Tarana's book shelf.
Tarana: It is a book of... um, meditations.
Hero: You are into meditating? Wow!
Tarana: They're poems, really.
Hero: Oh.
Tarana: But they help focus the mind.
Hero puts the book back.
Tarana: Have you ever meditated?
Hero: Hey so, I hear you are, totally, like, from Gen territory and all.
Hero: Me! No!
Tarana: You might want to try it.
Hero: Hajene Wolfa is always telling me I should 'go meditate or something' but that just means she is trying to make me go away for a while.
Tarana: Yes. I grew up in the foothills
Hero: Look at this great blanket!
Tarana: Maybe not.
Hero: Did you bring this from Gen Territory?
Tarana: Meditation is about being in harmony with your surroundings...
Tarana: Yes. It belonged to my grandmother.
Hero: Oh wow!!!
Tarana: The design is my family.
Hero: It is so cool to have new friends I'm not related to.
Hero touches the design delightedly.
Tarana is a little bewildered by the rapid changes in conversation.
Hero jumps up again and bounces across the room to the window.
Hero: Look at the sun! It is so nice out today, you should come outside!
Hero: It's going to be really cold in a while.
Tarana: Will you show me around?
Hero: Sure!!!!!!!!
Hero is ~~enthused~~ at the opportunity to score gossip points and dig for new information while helping out the new person.
Tarana thinks Hero reminds her of her younger sister.
Tarana feels a bit homesick.
Tarana: So, what is first?
Hero: I'll show you the fields, and the greenhouse, and the millinery, and the perfumery, and the woodshop.... [rattling off as she bounces out the door]
Hero moves everywhere at top speed.
Tarana: What do you grow?
Tarana runs to catch up.
Hero: We grow lots of things! Food, and tea, and lots of interesting vegetables and fruits....
Hero: Everything we eat, and expensive things to sell.
Tarana: Did you grow up here?
Hero leads Tarana on a gallivanting journey through a deserted late-fall garden.
Hero: Oh yes!
Hero: I'm going to marry Sectuib Riyyh.
Hero: [confidingly]
Hero: He is sooooooooo adorable.
Tarana smiles.
Hero: And Ruby was only 13 when he took her.
Hero: I'll be 13 in only 9 months. [adds]
Hero: Hey look!!
Tarana is taken aback.
Hero dashes off in the direction of the Dining Hall.
Tarana runs after.
Tarana: Wait up.
Hero slows down momentarily.
Tarana catches up.
Hero: Hey did you know that, like every boy in Naros is going to want to ask you out on a date?
Hero: You are soooo lucky.
Tarana: ~amused~
Hero: Some of the cutest boys are totally off limits.
Hero: It's not fair. ~brief pout~
Tarana: I can imagine that would be hard.
Tarana: It was a bit that way where I grew up.
Hero: What do you mean?
Tarana: Well, there was my family, my dad and mom, Gwennie and Marlys my older sisters,
Tarana: And Duan, my older brother.
Tarana: And my younger sister, Sary.
Hero: Wow!
Tarana: And Then there was Jonan's family.
Tarana: Jonan is my uncle.
Tarana: He married Aunt Carlys from Hawin.
Hero dutifully memorizes all the details in case they come in handy later.
Tarana: And then Carlys' family came over when Grandpa Wam was too old to manage his farm.
Tarana: We were five families.
Tarana: And we lived on the land up a valley.
Tarana: And the nearest town was... well, it wouldn't mean anything to you.
Tarana: But you can see what I mean.
Tarana: They were all kin, or kin to kin.
Tarana: Just about.
Hero: So somebody decided to make a lot of rules?
Tarana: Huh?
Hero: About who you could sleep with?
Hero: It never used to be like that around here, until just like 2 months ago.
Tarana: I wasn't married to anyone.
Hero: I mean, now, if you're on the list, you can't sleep with anyone else who is, and of course I mean there were like ten people who weren't, until you guys all started coming in.
Tarana thinks Hero is too young to be sleeping with anyone!
Hero: ~dramatic~
Tarana suddenly starts to understand part of what the Sectuib was saying.
Tarana also begins to understand part of what the Sectuib wasn't saying!
Hero: They keep saying I'm on the list, which is totally unfair because my mom did not sleep with Sectuib Riyyh.
Hero pouts.
Tarana: Who is your mom?
Hero: Tezzy... my dad's Nubby, the plowman.
Hero: He was like totally hot for Wolfa, but then when this whole thing came up he started liking my mom a whole lot.
Hero shrugs.
Hero: So the same thing happened at your house too?
Tarana: I don't think in quite the same way...
Tarana: My brother wanted to marry Cherryl, until....
Tarana: I hope they're okay.
Hero: Until what?
Tarana: Cherryl is dead.
Tarana's voice is flat.
Hero: Oh.
Hero can tell that was a wrong question.
Hero: ~contrition~
Tarana: It's okay. What were you going to show me?
Hero: I forget.
Tarana: ~not okay, but I can live with it~
Hero: Hey I have to go do something, I just remembered.
Hero: I hope you like Naros!
Hero turns and runs off.
Tarana: I think I will.
Tarana: ~means it~
Tarana thinks, 'That was a conversation stopper.'
Tarana: ~sigh~
Notes:
1) The Riyyh/Kenmore scene was never completed. [return]