Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #61: Guest of a Guest of a Guest (11/18/98)
Anmyn crosses the garden on her way to the administrative building.
Hero seizes her big chance to grab Anmyn in an unsupervised situation.
Hero: Hi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hero: I'm Hero.
Hero: I so much wanted to meet you, but nobody would let me talk to you.
Anmyn is very serious as she contemplates the upcoming pledge ceremony, and the responsibility she will be taking on as Riyyh's heir.
Hero: ~gushing~
Anmyn blinks at Hero.
Hero grins.
Anmyn: Hello. I'm Anmyn.
Hero: I knew that.
Hero: Wow! You are like so short.
Hero: I had no idea.
Hero: ~marvels~
Anmyn is a bit taken aback at having her mood so abruptly and forcibly cheerfulized.
Anmyn looks rather like a very pale, washed out porcelain doll.
Hero: Oo! Can I see your ring??
Hero knows better than to actually grab Anmyn's hand, but she does ogle it.
Anmyn wonders what one ought to do when a future member of one's house accuses one of being vertically challenged.
Hero: Wow, are you always this quiet?!
Hero: Hey do you want to go to a party tonight?
Hero bounces about Anmyn.
Hero: Are you going to like, get married to Riyyh?
Anmyn: Married to Sectuib?
Anmyn wonders if there was a part of the duty of the Heir which wasn't explained to her.
Hero: I hope not because I still have my hopes up, even if my birthday isn't for another 8 months.
Anmyn looks at Hero's hair and eyes.
Anmyn: Aren't you, well, related to Sectuib?
Hero is obviously at least 50% if not 75% Riyyh.
Hero: No!!
Anmyn is then horribly afraid that she's offended.
Hero: That is such a lie.
Anmyn: Oh, dear, I am sorry.
Hero: Everybody is so sure, but it is so wrong.
Hero pouts.
Anmyn: You just look so much like him, you know.
Hero: My mother says she didn't sleep with Sectuib, and if she says she didn't, then she didn't!
Anmyn: You even have a very similar nager.
Hero's nager suddenly shifts into ~very happy and vain~
Hero: Really????????
Hero: Oh wow!!
Hero: ~~pleased~~
Anmyn blushes faintly with pleasure.
Anmyn: Well, almost all of the Simes and Gens here zlin that way.
Anmyn: I'd assumed it was because, well....
Anmyn is not eager to bring up the sensitive subject again.
Hero remembers her loyalty to her mother and blushes also.
Hero: Well, they're all related to him. I'M not.
Anmyn: I see.
Hero studies Anmyn.
Hero: Are you sure?
Anmyn: Well, there are nageric family resemblances as well as physical ones.
Anmyn: I'm told that most Simes can zlin a Farris half a mile off, once they've met one.
Anmyn wouldn't know, since she's been kept assiduously away from the Farris visitors since her arrival.
Hero: A Farris?!
Hero: You don't think...?
Anmyn: What, dear?
Hero shakes her head; even Hero will disbelieve some things.
Hero: Never mind!!
Hero: You don't want to know what I was thinking.
Anmyn: Oh, well, then, I won't ask you about it.
Hero: Any way, there's no reason why either you or me couldn't get impregnated by Riyyh.
Hero: Er, except that he's infertile.
Hero: ~lament~
Hero: Hey, where you going?
Hero: ~bouncy~
Anmyn shakes her head.
Anmyn: ~~ confusion ~~
Anmyn: Is there some reason why it's important for Sectuib Riyyh to have more children? I understood that he already had dozens.
Hero looks at Anmyn incredulously.
Hero: It's not about requiring children.
Hero obviously wonders if Anmyn grew up in a convent or something.
Hero: Don't you want to take care of a little baby of your own?
Anmyn: Well, perhaps in the course of time.
Anmyn thinks they're both a bit young to be making plans like that.
Anmyn: But given the situation, it wouldn't be good for the House for it to be Riyyh's baby.
Hero: Why not??
Anmyn searches for the right words.
Anmyn: A House has to think of the long term - building something that will last hundreds of years.
Anmyn: Part of that is making sure that there's a healthy supply of channels, and Donors like you.
Anmyn: That doesn't happen if there's too much inbreeding.
Hero: Oh.
Anmyn: That's why Houses used to trade for channels and Donors, even when they didn't require them for the work.
Hero: How much is too much?
Hero: Inbreeding, I mean.
Anmyn: Well, if all Riyyh's descendants have children only with unrelated people, and then all of those children also marry outsiders, the worst of the disaster might be avoided.
Anmyn: I couldn't really recommend any intermarriage between Riyyh's descendants for three or four generations, actually.
Anmyn: ~~ apologetic ~~
Hero: But I can still marry him if I have somebody else's kids right?
Hero: ~hopeful~
Anmyn blinks, being still somewhat naive about Naros's second favorite indoor sport (after gossip).
Anmyn: Well, but does he want to marry you?
Hero: I don't know. [confesses]
Hero: He did say I was "very special".
Hero: ~~pride and love~~
Hero: [well, maybe ~young crush~ rather than ~love~]
Anmyn: Everybody is special.
Hero: He said I was special. ~defensively~
Anmyn: And so you are.
Hero smiles again.
Hero: I think he is soooooo handsome.
Hero: You are so lucky, I am totally envious.
Hero: And Mytag too.
Hero: You know, I never thought Mytag was that good looking until Linn said so.
Anmyn: She did?
Anmyn wonders who Linn is.
Hero: Well, Bum Bum said she did.
Hero thinks this is proof enough.
Anmyn: Is... er... "Bum Bum" a friend of yours?
Hero: Yeah, sure, why?
Anmyn thinks he must be, or she'd never dare call him something like that.
Hero is of course not stupid enough to claim to not know somebody.
Anmyn: I haven't met him, I'm afraid.
Anmyn hasn't quite caught on to how Naros works.
Hero looks alarmed at Anmyn's slip, then thoughtful.
Hero: I tell you what.
Hero puts a comradely arm around Anmyn's shoulders.
Hero: ~protective~
Hero: How about if you let me show you the ropes?
Anmyn smiles, glad for the undivided attention of a Donor.
Hero: Naros can be a pretty confusing place if you don't know the little details.
Anmyn frowns.
Anmyn: Perhaps it might be more helpful to just introduce me to some of your friends?
Anmyn: I'm sure they're very nice ropes. [hastily]
Hero: Are you for real?
Hero: ~mystified~
Hero tries to decide whether she could get in trouble for introducing Anmyn to her friends, since she can tell already her friends are going to get a big laugh behind Anmyn's back.
Anmyn wonders if Hero means that literally or philosophically.
Anmyn: Well, I think I'm real. Do you?
Hero: I'm not sure yet.
Hero: We'll give you a real good shot at it though, OK?
Hero pats Anmyn on the shoulder.
Hero: ~~wow~~
Anmyn smiles at Hero, still not sure what has been going on during their conversation.
Hero: Come on, I'll introduce you to a few people.
Anmyn: All right. It's very kind of you.
Hero bounces off in the direction of the stables, where some of her best friends are no doubt busy shovelling.
Riyyh turns to Mytag.
Riyyh has waited as long as he could but feels he really must bring this subject up with his Donor.
Riyyh: Mytag, I... we really should speak about the future.
Mytag picks his fingernails.
Mytag: Hmmm?
Anmyn follows, glad to find that one of her future fellow House members is being so friendly.
Riyyh's tentacles wave in suppressed worry.
Mytag: What's the matter, Riyyh?
Riyyh: Have you been thinking of it at all?
Riyyh: Our future together.
Riyyh: ~nervous~
Mytag scratches his head. "Not really."
Mytag: I mean, things are just fine as they are, aren't they?
Riyyh looks away quickly, lest Mytag see the look on his face.
Riyyh: Well, yes, I suppose you could... I mean, when you look at it a certain....
Riyyh has been thrown entirely for a loop by the revelation that Mytag hasn't really been thinking about it.
Riyyh tries to rally his composure.
Riyyh: Yes, yes things have not gone badly, but I thought you were going to tell me whether you felt you could be my Companion or not.
Mytag: Well then, why can't we just leave it like it is?
Riyyh flinches.
Mytag: Hmmm, well if the alternative is going back to Bender Cove....
Riyyh: No! I never said that.
Riyyh is upset by the very thought of that, or that Mytag would think those were his only alternatives.
Mytag: Relax Riyyh, I was joking.
Riyyh: I... I'm sorry, I'm just....
Mytag: Hey, ~ support ~ Relax, I'm not going to leave you.
Mytag feels sorry for teasing his channel.
Riyyh still looks upset and worried, but his tentacles cease their fluttering.
Riyyh: I'm sorry, Mytag.
Mytag: I shouldn't have stressed you Riyyh.
Riyyh: I may be more worried about this than I have a right to be, but several things that have developed recently have made me wish I knew for sure.
Mytag: Oh?
Riyyh looks, pleading, at Mytag.
Riyyh: For one thing, Kenmore came in the other day asking if... well, actually he was planning on rearranging it so I took Nick and you had your field taken down. ~apologetically~
Mytag: ~ ewwwww! ~
Mytag: What on earth for?
Riyyh: He is bringing in a different Donor for Snake, and I believe his motive in changing our transfer was to give Nick the closest to a match as possible.
Mytag: Hmmm. How do you feel about it?
Riyyh: Mytag!
Riyyh: How can you even ask that?
Riyyh stops short of expressing his deepest worry: that the Tecton changed Mytag too much for him to ever be anyone's Companion.
Mytag: Well, if it's only for one month, and it's the best that they can come up with.... When are they leaving again?
Riyyh: He won't say.
Halawees breezes into the main building to what looks like it could be a reception area, if there was anyone there.
Halawees: Helloooooooo.... anyone home?
Halawees: ~ HELLOOOOOOOO ~
Halawees puts down her small overnight bag [though constant moving around she has learned to travel light] and looks around.
Anmyn comes into the administrative building, having toured the stables with Hero.
Anmyn: Er.... Hello. Who are you?
Halawees: Hmmm, plants need watering, place could do with a good dust. I must say though that those curtains are nice, I wonder if I can get that pattern for home? Not that I'm ever there long enough of course. Why hello there, little one!
Riyyh hears somebody yelling downstairs.
Halawees smiles all over her nager.
Halawees has a lovely soft rainbow cloudy mint flavoured nager.
Anmyn blinks, not having zlinned that effect before.
Riyyh: Mytag, please tell me we can talk about this seriously, soon.
Halawees: I'm Halawees Farris. I was told to come here to see Snake Farris.
Riyyh: ~sincere and urgent~
Halawees: Kenmore, my cousin, sent for me. Do you know where he is?
Halawees: What's your name?
Riyyh finds Mytag's lack of focus cause for much consternation.
Anmyn: Hajene Kenmore? I'm afraid I don't know him.
Mytag: Sure, Riyyh.
Mytag: ~ confused ~
Riyyh: I have to go see what is going on downstairs.
Anmyn: I'm Anmyn, Sectuib Riyyh's heir apparent.
Riyyh gets up and leaves his office.
Mytag: Whenever you like.
Halawees: Oh well it doesn't matter. I guess I should see the Sectuib. Oh are you, and so cute too. Is he your daddy then?
Halawees smiles at the young girl.
Riyyh hurries down the stairs.
Anmyn: Umm, no. That's why I'm his heir, you see.
Halawees doesn't see at all.
Anmyn: Here he comes now.
Halawees: That's nice then. Do you know where he is maybe oh good!
Anmyn: ~~ relief ~~
Riyyh takes one zlin of Halawees and knows who she must be.
Halawees turns around to face the channel.
Halawees: How are you Sectuib? I'm sorry it took me so long to get here, held up you see.
Halawees: So busy! Never enough time to stop and see the sights!
Mytag hurries after Riyyh, trying to keep up with him.
Riyyh genuflects in a grovelicious and nervous fashion.
Riyyh: Naros welcomes you, Hajene Farris.
Halawees: Oh please! [kneels down next to him] No need to be formal.
Riyyh: I am sorry, we so rarely get guests of your stature here.
Mytag sees Riyyh and some lady kneeling on the floor and wonders what they dropped.
Anmyn wonders if she should be kneeling, too, or just standing respectfully by.
Riyyh may be exaggerating a bit but it doesn't hurt to compliment people.
Mytag: Riyyh?
Mytag: ~ querying ~
Riyyh rises and graciously offers Halawees a hand up.
Halawees lets Riyyh help her up.
Anmyn wishes she were better informed about etiquette; she seems to be running into so many situations which weren't covered in her classes.
Anmyn is eager to make a good impression, but it seems so difficult here.
Halawees: Well then! Where is my lazy cousin? And who is this Snake Farris I'm suppose to meet? I don't even know what date her transfer is due. I hope I haven't missed it!
Riyyh: No, no, you haven't missed it.
Riyyh's tentacles flutter nervously at her characterization of Kenmore as "lazy".
Halawees: I must say this is a nice place you have here, lots of fresh air, leafy ummm trees and bushes, very green, very pretty.
Mytag is stunned.
Riyyh: Green?
Halawees waves her hand in the general direction of the curtains.
Riyyh worries that Halawees is playing some sort of mental game with him.
Riyyh: Er... I am so glad you are pleased.
Halawees: Yes, the pattern on the curtains - very nice.
Riyyh: Oh!!
Riyyh: ~vast relief~
Riyyh: Yes, they are nice aren't they?
Mytag: Riyyh? Going to introduce me to our guest?
Halawees: ~ ripples of humour ~
Riyyh: Halawees Farris, this is Mytag ambrov Naros. My... Donor.
Anmyn decides that it's probably most polite not to speak until spoken to.
Riyyh: Halawees is Kenmore's cousin. [to Mytag]
Mytag: Please to meet you Halawees [doh another Farris}
Riyyh zlins Mytag's doh and thinks they still see eye to eye on some things.
Halawees: So pleased to meet you, Mytag! We must get together for a chat later! You know, Gen to Gen!
Halawees: I get so little time to talk to people, outside of work!
Riyyh reaches over to Anmyn and pulls her gently nearer, a hand on her shoulder.
Riyyh: ~kindness~
Halawees beams at the young channel.
Anmyn is overwhelmed by the beaming attention, but manages to nod politely.
Halawees: And this is your heir! You must be so proud, although she doesn't look a bit like you does she? Such a pretty child!
Riyyh: This is my adopted daughter, Anmyn.
Riyyh smiles at the praise of Anmyn.
Riyyh: ~quiet pride~
Halawees: Oh I see!
Halawees: You couldn't have children then?
Halawees: ~ curious ~
Riyyh is amazed by Halawees' lack of tact.
Anmyn blushes at the unfortunate choice of conversational topic.
Riyyh: No, but it seemed prudent to adopt.
Riyyh: ~firmly~
Riyyh really has learned a thing or two in these last two or three tough months.
Anmyn: ~~ embarrassment for Halawees ~~
Halawees realizes that there must be more to this than meets the eye and promises herself that she will root it out.
Halawees: So! Tell me about Snake? I must say that everything I have heard so far makes her seem larger then life and twice as hairy!
Riyyh: Well, actually, that's not such a bad....
Nick comes into the administrative building in search of Riyyh., and overhears this last remark.
Nick: She's not at all hairy.
Riyyh: Hello, Nick!
Riyyh: Do come over.
Nick: ~~ offended ~~
Mytag hides a smile.
Nick: Good afternoon, Sectuib Riyyh.
Riyyh: Oh Nick, don't.
Halawees: Oh dear! It's an expression sweety!
Riyyh: Come here and meet Halawees Farris.
Halawees: And who are you? [smiles]
Nick: I'm Nick Reckage, Snake Farris's Companion.
Riyyh: This is Nick Reckage, Snake's Companion.
Halawees: Oh I see! It's so nice of you to be so understanding about all this!
Nick: Understanding about what?
Halawees: I know how hard it is for you, but I'm sure that Kenmore has made absolutely super alternative arrangements for you!
Nick: Alternative arrangements for what?
Nick: ~~ growing suspicion ~~
Halawees: About Snake avail herself of my services this month.
Halawees: Oh sweety! Didn't you know?
Nick: What????
Riyyh grabs Mytag's arm.
Riyyh: ~fear~
Riyyh can't believe Kenmore hadn't told Nick yet.
Nick's fists clench.
Halawees: Well never you mind then. We can just have a chat to Snake and Kenmore and see what it is that they have planned.
Riyyh does his best to hide his fear from Anmyn, but then Anmyn was chosen for her empathy.
Nick: No. Absolutely not.
Halawees pats him reassuringly on his arm.
Anmyn moves closer to Riyyh for protection (?!)
Halawees: Right then! How about you show me where Snake is staying and I can settle in?
Riyyh: Please... perhaps that is moving a little too quickly, Halawees....
Mytag does his best to support Riyyh, despite his slightly confused state.
Nick: There is space for you in Kenmore's cottage.
Nick: I'm sure you'll find it more comfortable than rooming with Snake and me.
Halawees raises an eyebrow. "So? Well then, how about we call it a visit."
Halawees beams at everyone.
Mytag beams back.
Riyyh carefully pushes Anmyn and Mytag together, then hurries to cut Halawees off before she can leave.
Anmyn notices that Nick is definitely not beaming.
Riyyh: Oh dear.
Riyyh: [to himself]
Anmyn thinks it must be hard to be a Companion and lose your channel.
Riyyh: Halawees, Nick, why don't you come up to my office for just a bit?
Riyyh: ~~pleading~~
Halawees: I'm sure I'll be happy anywhere, lovey.
Nick: Good.
Halawees: Well, I'd really like to meet Snake if you don't mind Sectuib - I've heard so much about her. And I really should see my cousin too. It's been so long!
Riyyh gestures at Anmyn to show Halawees upstairs, a bit desperately.
Riyyh: Please, it will not take long, I assure you.
Anmyn's eyes open in alarm, but she rises to the occasion.
Anmyn goes over to Halawees.
Anmyn: I'd be happy to show you the way.
Riyyh sees Anmyn is going to (try to) handle it, and turns to Nick.
Anmyn: ~~ timid ~~
Riyyh: Nick, [soothingly] I was as surprised as you were when I first learned of this.
Riyyh: But do we really require more animosity among us?
Nick: And just how long ago was that?
Riyyh: Will you come upstairs and discuss this?
Nick: ~~ betrayal ~~
Halawees: Animosity? ~ confused ~
Halawees: Now just why would there be any animosity?
Riyyh turns around to face Halawees again.
Anmyn plucks deferentially at Halawees's sleeve.
Riyyh: Please... can we discuss this in my office? I would be most... most grateful.
Riyyh had hesitated because he had realized it's entirely not his problem, except to the extent that it's happening on his property.
Riyyh therefore isn't exactly sure why he should be grateful, except of course that it's his nature to be.
Riyyh: ~grateful~
Halawees: ~ lots and lots of soothing promise ~
Halawees: Of course we can love! Whatever makes you happiest.
Halawees: I don't want to cause any problems!
Riyyh feels momentarily dizzy as the Farris nearly makes him forget he ever knew anybody named Mytag.
Halawees: I'm just here to do a job, is all.
Anmyn is soothed and expectant and neurotically worried that she's not handling this right.
Riyyh: Y... yes. Of course.
Riyyh: Nick? Will you join us? I am sure everything can be explained, to your satisfaction, and if there are any remaining issues we can of course speak to Kenmore....
Mytag finds this all confusing - but amusing.
Nick starts moving towards the office.
Riyyh: ~relieved~
Nick: Yes, there are, indeed, issues that must be settled.
Nick: ~~ contained rage ~~
Riyyh's tentacles flatten at the difference in Nick's field after Halawees'.
Riyyh ducks around to the other side of Mytag as they head for the stairs.
Riyyh: Oh dear, oh dear, [to himself]
Riyyh pushes back his hair and finds he has broken out in a nice sweat.
Anmyn looks at Riyyh for some clue as to whether she should join the group or make herself scarce.
Riyyh wonders when Naros will go back to being calm and idyllic again.
Riyyh sees Anmyn hanging back and immediately wonders what trouble Halawees can get into without an escort.
Riyyh hurries up the stairs after Halawees, hoping to avert any disaster.
Halawees follows along.
Anmyn zlins Riyyh's attention go from her to Halawees and hurries after the Gen, glad for direction.
Anmyn: The office is right this way.
Halawees: You know this is really a very nicely laid out building, you wouldn't believe the rabbit warrens I've stayed in, this one even makes sense! And it's so open and airy and light, I like that in a building.
Riyyh: Thank you. [weakly]
Riyyh ushers them all into his office.
Riyyh: Please, have a seat... here, and here.
Riyyh finds extra chairs.
Halawees sits down.
Halawees arranges her skirt neatly around her legs.
Nick sits down, arms crossed and expression hostile, but nager once more pretty much in control.
Halawees: What a lovely office!
Riyyh is pleased by the compliment, despite the circumstances.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Riyyh: I just had the ceiling redone.
Riyyh thinks, twice.
Halawees looks up appreciatively at the large expanse of white plaster.
Halawees: And very lovely it is too!
Halawees: All local workmen I suppose? Oh how I admire Households!
Riyyh: Halawees, I am afraid the problem is this: Nick is Hajene Snake's Companion.
Halawees: Yes?
Nick nods firmly.
Riyyh: He was not told that Hajene Kenmore, who has no real authority over him, intended to remove him from his channel's "schedule" so to speak.
Halawees doesn't think that is a problem.
Riyyh: That is to say, no permission was obtained from Nick.
Riyyh zlins Halawees' lack of comprehension and fails to comprehend why this is so incomprehensible.
Riyyh: ~confusion~
Halawees: Oh I see.
Halawees: Oh you poor dear. How thoughtless of my stupid cousin!
Riyyh is ~gratified~ by Halawees' reaction.
Halawees: ~ remorse ~
Riyyh immediately feels ~guilty~ at Halawees' remorse.
Nick: Yes, it was quite thoughtless to bring you here for nothing.
Halawees: Of course he should have spoken to you about it. I know how these things are and of course you want to be kept up to date with any treatment your dear little channel receives!
Halawees: Please don't worry about it. I assure you that she will be well taken care of during the time we spend together!
Riyyh starts fiddling nervously with a lock of his hair.
Riyyh thinks they really don't need another murder attempt on Naros' grounds.
Nick: It has not yet been determined that you will be spending time with her.
Nick: ~~ firm ~~
Nick: Much less having transfer with her.
Halawees: But of course it has, dear! You have no idea how busy I am. If I here, that must be the reason!
Halawees: You can't deny your channel the treatment she needs!
Halawees: Why that would be - just inhuman!
Riyyh, while perfectly confident in his own ability to soothe and convince others, is also fairly confident that to actually do so in this case would constitute an infringement upon Kenmore's rights, and since he had just talked to Kenmore about the reverse problem, he doesn't want to step on any toes.
Riyyh therefore has resigned himself to trying to keep things from coming to fisticuffs.
Riyyh: Now, now. ~desperately~
Nick: If Snake needs treatment, Kenmore can teach me how to provide it. Going around my back, and trying to separate me from my channel, is not acceptable.
Riyyh: Please, let us remain cheerful.
Riyyh: Nick... please.
Riyyh has also never been that good at situations that weren't one-on-one.
Halawees: ~ pity ~
Nick shoots Riyyh a look.
Riyyh cringes, but manages to hold the stare.
Riyyh: Nick... we're trying to work together, here.
Nick: Are we? It seems that the only working together that's been going on is the effort to prevent me from working with, or helping, my channel.
Riyyh: Please, let us discuss this kindly.
Riyyh: Yes, there is a problem, I'm not denying that... but can we please try to work it out?
Halawees' tone of voice changes to a softer, more professional [less strident] pitch.
Halawees: Nick, I understand the way you feel. But I'm afraid that in this case you might find that the health of the channel comes first. I trust Kenmore's judgment, although his methods might be lacking.
Halawees: Obviously Kenmore thinks that there is some way here that I can help.
Halawees: If you are a true companion, you will want to help also.
Riyyh: Halawees... please.
Riyyh: Nick is her true Companion, but he cannot make informed decisions without being allowed in on the decisionmaking process.
Nick: Until Kenmore convinces me that you can provide Snake something that I can't learn how to provide, I can't allow her to be removed from my care.
Riyyh really would recommend that Kenmore be here too, except that he fears that with Kenmore thrown into the mix there would be little change he'd be able to rein them in at all.
Halawees: I think that we should sit down, the four of us, Snake, Nick, Kenmore and I, and discuss it.
Riyyh: That seems....
Riyyh sighs unhappily.
Riyyh: Anmyn, would you run fetch Kenmore, please?
Riyyh: He and Snake are in their cabin.
Anmyn bolts from the room, glad to be free of the unsettling ambient.
Halawees is very annoyed at being put in this position.
Halawees presses her lips together firmly.
Nick leans back in his chair, foot tapping angrily.
Riyyh zlins that both Halawees and Nick are annoyed now.
Halawees: Well, I must say this isn't exactly what I expected.
Nick: Nor I.
Riyyh: May I extend my most profound apologies to you both? ~sincere~
Nick looks at Riyyh.
Riyyh wonders why the hell he's apologizing, since he has nothing to do with this.
Halawees nods briefly.
Riyyh: I am sure everything can be worked out. ~appeasing~
Riyyh: I assure you I will not sleep until you are all completely satisfied.
Riyyh: [well that part is certainly true]
Nick: You never did say how long you've known about this little plan of Kenmore's.
Halawees looks interested.
Riyyh: I knew about it about two days ago. However, I had no idea he had not informed you, Nick.
Riyyh: His plan was... [hesitates]
Nick: Oh, you might as well tell me the rest of it.
Riyyh: Well, I actually had a word with Kenmore about overstepping his bounds, because you see his plan involved changing my transfer also.
Riyyh: I couldn't have that. [explains]
Riyyh spreads his hands and tentacles apologetically.
Nick: Then you can see why I feel the same.
Mytag can't believe that Riyyh knew for two days without telling him.
Nick is glad that that point is clear to all.
Mytag: Well, personally, if it's for the best, I have no qualms.
Riyyh looks like somebody just stabbed him.
Riyyh quickly covers the look.
Mytag: I mean, it's only for one month, right?
Nick: It was "only for one month" last month.
Nick looks like he wouldn't mind stabbing someone, preferable someone named Kenmore Farris.
Nick looks at Mytag.
Nick: You start allowing "only one month" and pretty soon, you don't have a channel at all.
Riyyh: All right... all right, this was a bad idea.
Riyyh: I admit it... Halawees, you must be very tired, wouldn't you like to see your quarters?
Riyyh: I can get Anmyn to show you... we have them all prepared.
Riyyh: ~pathetic near hysteria~
Anmyn signals at the office door.
Riyyh: Come!
Anmyn comes in.
Anmyn: They wouldn't answer!
Anmyn: ~~ upset ~~
Anmyn: I could zlin them inside, but they wouldn't answer.
Riyyh: That's all right... it's all right.
Halawees: They were probably busy.
Riyyh: ~~soothing showfield over something you really wouldn't want to zlin inside~~
Halawees: If it's all the same to you Sectuib, I wouldn't mind resting first anyway.
Anmyn's tentacles wring in unconscious imitation of Riyyh.
Halawees: I'm finding this very stressful.
Riyyh: Of course.
Nick: You're finding this stressful?
Riyyh: Nick.
Halawees stands and picks up her small bag.
Riyyh: Please... Anmyn, can you show Sosu Halawees to her cabin?
Riyyh: You know the one... the prepared one.
Riyyh's "Farris Environmental Task Force" is becoming pretty damned experienced.
Anmyn frowns.
Anmyn: The one beyond Hajene Kenmore's?
Riyyh: Mytag, show her.
Riyyh: In fact, take a break.
Riyyh waves his hand helplessly.
Halawees: Thank you Sectuib. Anmyn.
Riyyh: All of you, just....
Mytag: You sure, Riyyh?
Riyyh tries to think if he's gotten rid of everybody yet.
Mytag: ~ concern ~
Riyyh: Yes, yes, I'll be fine.
Riyyh: ~nervous breakdown~
Mytag: Well then, hmmm, if you are sure. Halawees, Anmyn, let me show you the way.
Halawees: Thank you Mytag, most gracious of you.
Halawees follows him out.
Anmyn trips out after Mytag and Halawees.
Riyyh retreats to his desk and buries his head in his hands.
Nick looks at Riyyh, torn between anger and unwilling empathy.
Nick: You really should know better than to send your Companion away when you're in such a state.
Riyyh: He's not my Companion!
Nick gets to his feet and goes over to Riyyh.
Riyyh looks up in confusion as he only then realizes he hasn't gotten rid of everybody quite yet.
Riyyh: Oh, Nick.
Nick's nager falls into a disciplined state, more Zeor-flavored than two months before.
Riyyh smiles crookedly and tiredly.
Nick starts ironing the wrinkles out of Riyyh's nager.
Riyyh sighs as Nick's soothing field touches him.
Nick: If he's not your Companion, you should start training someone else, and quickly.
Riyyh: I... I keep hoping he'll....
Riyyh: Yes, you're right, of course.
Riyyh: ~defeat~
Riyyh: I had hoped that, if not for myself, then at least Anmyn....
Nick: You never know, a little serious competition might convince him to take the position seriously.
Riyyh looks up at Nick.
Riyyh: Do you think so?
Riyyh: ~pathetic puppy dog~
Nick shrugs.
Nick: I don't know Mytag well enough to judge.
Riyyh: Oh.
Riyyh: No, I suppose not.
Riyyh: I don't even know him myself, anymore.
Riyyh: Ever since he did that time for the Tecton, he's been different.
Riyyh would, of course, never have sent Ison and Mytag to Bender Cove if he'd been there himself to see it.
Riyyh sighs in regret.
Riyyh is just glad both of them came back alive.
Nick: How long did he spend in the Tecton's tender clutches?
Riyyh: Not long... a few weeks.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: Too long, though.
Riyyh: I never should have done it.
Nick: Yes.
Nick: It took the Tecton only two weeks to convince me that I didn't want to be a Donor.
Nick: I still don't want to be a Donor, with a different channel every month.
Riyyh: Mytag didn't really mind it.
Riyyh: Something about the Tecton spoke to him, and to Ison also.
Riyyh: I suppose that is why I sent them in the first place.. they seemed most likely to survive it.
Riyyh meets Nick's eyes, then shies away.
Riyyh: Part of the reason I did not speak to you about this earlier, was that Kenmore... well....
Nick waits patiently, rubbing Riyyh's shoulders.
Riyyh is quite literally afraid to say it while Nick is this close to him.
Nick: What about Kenmore?
Riyyh: Ah, I should let him tell you.
Riyyh is nothing if not a coward.
Nick: He doesn't tell me anything. That's what started this mess in the first place.
Riyyh: I'm sorry. ~sincerely~
Riyyh: I wish things were easier between you.
Nick: They won't be, while he's breaking his promise to include me in Snake's treatment plans.
Riyyh: I wish I could help.
Riyyh: But... Kenmore and I made an agreement to not cross the boundaries between his responsibilities and mine.
Nick: Now, what were you going to say about Kenmore and the reason you didn't tell me about his plans?
Nick: And that's why he was rearranging your transfer?
Nick: Or isn't that your responsibility any more?
Nick thinks Kenmore apparently believes that Nick's own transfer isn't his (Nick's) responsibility any more.
Riyyh: Quite the opposite.
Riyyh: When I learned he intended to change my transfer, I... [stops for a moment because it really is rather unbelievable]
Riyyh: I drew a line.
Nick: ~~ modest approval ~~
Riyyh: I appealed to him to respect my position as Sectuib and allow me to care for my people, and for all of the guests who were not directly placed under his care.
Riyyh thinks, in other words, everybody except Snake, Nick, and Kenmore's own people.
Nick: And he went ahead and still played around with your transfer?
Riyyh is baffled as to why Nick is repeatedly misunderstanding this.
Riyyh: I'm sorry, I must not be making myself clear.
Riyyh: I really haven't been myself lately. ~apologetic~
Riyyh: Kenmore's proposal came completely out of the blue.
Riyyh: Our discussion occurred afterward.
Nick nods, surveying Riyyh for additional problems.
Nick: Well, perhaps I will have to do something of the same sort, to stop his meddling.
Riyyh appears to be completely wrung out, now that nervous tension isn't sustaining him anymore.
Riyyh: Nick, please.
Nick: Certainly he appears to have no respect for my position as Snake's Companion.
Riyyh: I really don't think that further hostilities will help anything.
Riyyh: Perhaps you don't even realize how hostile you feel toward the man?
Nick: Perhaps my hostility towards the man might abate if he started consulting me before making decisions about my relationship with my channel?
Nick: It appears that he's forgotten that I'm not pledged to the Tecton, or to Zeor - and neither is Snake, any more.
Riyyh sighs, then reaches up and takes one of Nick's hands, removing it from his shoulder so he can turn around and look up at him.
Riyyh: I realize that, Nick, but... simply demanding that the other change his ways isn't the only way to cease hostilities.
Nick: Exactly my point.
Riyyh: In fact, ~gentle apology~ it may only cause things to become worse.
Riyyh: Nick, I don't think you understand.
Riyyh searches Nick's eyes.
Riyyh: Your stubbornness may be what's causing him to fail to take your views into consideration.
Nick: My stubbornness about what? Believing that it's my job to see to my channel's welfare?
Riyyh: No. [sadly]
Riyyh: Your refusal to stop, take a deep breath, and stand back and look at the entire picture.
Riyyh: And I don't mean necessarily giving up your own beliefs.
Riyyh: You are so like your mother in that way.
Nick: You leave my mother out of this..
Nick: ~~ firmly ~~
Nick: As to your "whole picture", Kenmore has been doing his level best to keep me from seeing even a fraction of it, ever since he arrived.
Riyyh looks pained.
Riyyh: Can't you hear yourself? You are doing it even now.
Riyyh: I am sorry, Nick, I am trying to help you.
Riyyh: I know you are frustrated and upset.
Riyyh: But sometimes the way to solving problems isn't obvious on the face of things.
Nick: Oh? And how would you convince Kenmore to be more forthcoming?
Riyyh: Nick....
Riyyh wishes Nick would allow him to speak of his mother.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: You must step back from the idea that Kenmore's not being forthcoming is the root of the problem.
Nick: I've seen no indication at all that it would ever occur to the man to ask my permission--and Snake's--before interfering with our transfer arrangements.
Riyyh: I know. But Nick....
Nick: But what?
Riyyh tries to take Nick's other hand, not knowing if Nick will allow him to or not.
Riyyh: There is a whole lot more to it, than that.
Riyyh: [softly]
Nick allows it.
Riyyh: You, and Snake, are going through a very difficult time.
Riyyh: You were never that comfortable with your hold on Snake, were you?
Riyyh: Kenmore's highhandedness doesn't help, certainly, but when you are uncertain to begin with, don't the attacks of others seem more perilous?
Nick shakes his head.
Nick: No, you've got it backwards.
Riyyh: Have I? [kindly]
Nick: She was the only non-Tecton channel who could satisfy me, and I was the only non-Tecton Companion who could come close to satisfying her. Even Rapol didn't have my capacity.
Nick: If anything, we had problems because we couldn't let each other go, not because we didn't have a lasting hold on each other.
Riyyh: Are you sure? Can you step back and look at it objectively and say that for certain?
Nick: Yes. Oh, it's possible that we could have survived apart. But not lived.
Nick: I survived without a channel for ten years, that way.
Nick: I couldn't go back to that half-life.
Riyyh: You understood only the surface of what I asked you.
Riyyh: That is how you see things... the surfaces, the faces of things.
Riyyh: You must learn to step back. Not to let go of what you have, but to see with wider eyes.
Nick: Perhaps you could explain just what it is that I'm not seeing?
Riyyh studies Nick for a moment, then nods.
Riyyh: Yes, I could do that... this time.
Riyyh stands, facing Nick.
Riyyh reluctantly lets go of his hands.
Riyyh: Kenmore is not... he is not intentionally leaving you out of his plans.
Riyyh: It looks like that from your perspective, but if the truth be told it is more like he simply forgot it.
Riyyh: He is a Farris, they get extremely focused upon their work. His work, in this case, means Wise Snake.
Riyyh: Surely you have encountered this intensity of focus in Snake herself?
Riyyh: Also, with Kenmore, it is easy to forget that he does not have much experience in supervising others.
Nick nods.
Riyyh: After all, he is a Farris. Are not the Farrises natural born leaders?
Riyyh: So we forget.
Riyyh: But Kenmore's experience is primarily in teaching and healing. Not in, in dealing with politics or violence or, unfortunately, out-of-date marriage practices.
Riyyh: Which is what being Companion to a channel is, to the modern era. ~apologetically~
Riyyh: I truly do not believe he is attempting in any way to exclude or hurt you.
Riyyh: I also, ~even more apologetically~ do not believe it would be possible for him to exclude you completely without Wise Snake's going along with it to some extent.
Riyyh: She is, after all, a Farris as well.
Riyyh: She may feel that serving transfer to another would be beneficial to you in a way that would be beneficial to her later....
Nick: In her current condition, Snake would go along with having her laterals excised.
Riyyh winces.
Riyyh: I understand your concern for her, truly I do.
Nick: She is incapable of making a meaningful decision, or of giving meaningful consent.
Nick: As her Companion, then, it is my responsibility to make sure that any treatment she receives is either something to which she would consent, or in her best interest.
Nick: So far, Kenmore has not convinced me that this latest plan of his is either one.
Riyyh: Nick....
Riyyh: I know you are a responsible and caring individual, and that you care very deeply and feel responsible for, Hajene Snake.
Riyyh: Do not doubt that.
Riyyh: ~placatingly~
Riyyh: But Nick, again, you must look farther, look deeper and wider than your first instinct.
Riyyh: [gently]
Riyyh: Your... your relationship to her has no legal existence in the modern Tecton, by which we are surrounded.
Riyyh: There is no room for it either in the world or in the minds of the people who live in this world.
Riyyh: The purest and most powerful, unbreakable, bond a person is allowed to have in today's world is the bond between channel and patient.
Riyyh: I am not telling you this because that is my personal belief, or because I like it, but because that is what I see in our surroundings.
Riyyh: All others will look upon you, upon me, upon Snake, through the vision of today's world.
Riyyh: When you... when you ignore that fact, you are mirroring their ignorance of your own position.
Nick: Riyyh, I know exactly what the Tecton thinks of my relationship with Snake.
Nick: Or rather, doesn't think of it.
Riyyh listens patiently.
Nick: It's the reason Kenmore's preferred therapy is to find a Donor who can provide what Snake requires, instead of teaching the Companion she's got how to handle it.
Nick: I can't let that go on any longer, Riyyh. If I do, it will destroy us both.
Riyyh: Nick, have you considered that Kenmore may be right? [softly]
Riyyh: At least in the short term?
Riyyh looks very unhappy.
Nick: Yes, and that's why we went along last month.
Nick grimaces in distaste at the memory of the unsatisfying transfer with Kenmore.
Nick: But it's not a long-term solution.
Nick: And I've seen no sign that Kenmore has even started to consider what's going to happen when he leaves.
Riyyh: Nick, Kenmore has no intention of leaving until he is fully satisfied with Snake's condition.
Riyyh is afraid that is the perfect truth.
Nick shrugs.
Nick: I can't rule the man's life any more than he can rule mine. Or Snake's.
Riyyh reaches out hesitantly to Nick.
Riyyh: Are you aware of how serious Snake's condition is? She was not going to last much longer in any case. It is a miracle she survived that slam.
Riyyh: [softly]
Riyyh: It is my opinion, as a channel with perhaps not much experience with Farrises but an awful lot of experience with bad transfer victims, that Hajene Snake desperately requires Hajene Kenmore's help.
Nick nods.
Riyyh: I hope that you will try to come to some arrangement with Hajene Kenmore, rather than seeing him as either an obstacle or a threat.
Riyyh: Remember, how you act around him can affect his perception of you.
Riyyh: If he does not know how to deal with you, it will be easier for him to just not deal with you... do you understand?
Riyyh: I think that he does see value in you, but perhaps just doesn't perceive how difficult this wait is for you. To him, six weeks is not so long a time to be separated from a channel.
Riyyh: I am sure he plans to make use of you when he feels the time is right.
Riyyh: And he does try to watch you for you, more than you know.
Riyyh knows this himself from recent personal experience.
Nick: Riyyh, I will give him a chance to explain himself, I promise.
Riyyh: And don't.... don't leave it at that, please, Nick.
Riyyh: Give him many chances.
Nick: If he can show me that Snake is responding better to Halawees's nager than to mine, and that I can't learn to do what she does in time, then I will bow out.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: It is not a contest, Nick. Your possessiveness is... it can blind.
Riyyh: Be careful, and good luck.
Nick nods, and leaves.
Riyyh stares after him for a moment.
Riyyh decides to hang it all and go home and crawl in bed.
Riyyh leaves his office.