Sime/Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #62: Gallant Sir Richard (11/19/98)
Ifto rushes after Kenmore, catching him halfway back to the cottage after his session with Snake.
Ifto: Hajene Farris, Hajene Farris....
Kenmore: Yes, Ifto?
Ifto: ~~ urgency ~~
Kenmore: What's the problem?
Kenmore: ~ tired ~
Ifto: Your cousin Halawees has arrived.
Kenmore: Oh! Wonderful! Where is she?
Ifto: She was closeted with Sectuib Riyyh and Sosu Nick for a while.
Kenmore zlins around looking for Hal's distinctive nager.
Ifto: I think she's resting now.
Kenmore: Nick!
Kenmore slaps his head.
Kenmore: I never got around to talking to Nick!
Kenmore: Doh!
Ifto: What?
Ifto: ~~ alarm ~~
Kenmore: Never mind, I'm just trying to do too many things at once.
Kenmore: Shen shen shen. Well, I guess I had better go talk to him now then.
Ifto: I don't think he'll be happy about it.
Ifto: He's like some Companion from a hundred years ago, the way he clings to Snake.
Ifto: As if taking care of her was his only responsibility in life.
Kenmore frowns. "I hope he understands that I'm not trying to pull him away from her permanently. He acts like there is a dependency at times."
Ifto: Is that part of why your transfer with him went so sour?
Kenmore: No, that was solely my fault.
Kenmore doesn't want to talk about it.
Ifto contains his First Year curiosity as to just what went wrong.
Kenmore strides towards Riyyh's office.
Kenmore wishes that he had time to spend with Dahlia, food and a shower first - but a channel's work is never done.
Ifto looks after Kenmore, knowing that everything will turn out all right. After all, a Farris channel can talk anybody into anything, right?
Kenmore: You not coming, Ifto?
Ifto: Oh!
Kenmore pauses.
Ifto scuttles after Kenmore.
Riyyh hurries out of the administrative building, intent upon making it to his house and climbing into bed with the covers over his head before he has a nice nervous breakdown.
Kenmore resumes his trek.
Ifto is still not really used to being invited to partake in adult discussions.
Kenmore zlins Riyyh leaving.
Kenmore: ~ RIYYH ~
Riyyh jumps as if scalded.
Riyyh: Oh!
Riyyh: Kenmore!
Riyyh: So good to see you.
Kenmore: I hear that you have had a talk with Nick?
Kenmore: I'm sorry that I didn't get around to it before he found out - otherways.
Riyyh doesn't seem surprised that Kenmore knows only seconds later... this is Naros, after all.
Riyyh: He was rather upset. [admits]
Ifto winces as he imagines an upset Nick.
Ifto has learned to have a healthy respect for rogue Donors ever since he zlinned what Eliza did to Snake.
Riyyh: I tried to explain to him that it may be in Snake's best interests to do exactly as you say, but he says he would feel more confident if you were able to demonstrate his... er....
Riyyh was about to say "demonstrate his incompetence" but that isn't exactly what he wanted to say.
Riyyh: If you were able to convince him that your cousin can help Snake better than he can.
Kenmore: Yes.... They have met?
Riyyh: I am afraid so.
Riyyh: They did not hit it off. [confesses]
Riyyh: I had Mytag and Anmyn show Halawees to a prepared cabin where she can relax a little after her trip.
Ifto zlins Riyyh surreptitiously for signs of damage.
Riyyh appears to be suffering from the effects of sustained high stress... about 3 months' worth.
Riyyh: Then I had that talk with Nick... I think it did some good, although in the long term, we'll have to see.
Riyyh: I hope you don't mind.
Riyyh: I realize that neither Nick or Halawees is really under my jurisdiction, but I was afraid it might actually come to blows.
Riyyh: ~apologetic~
Kenmore: Riyyh, I think that you should get some rest. ~ concern ~
Riyyh: Do you think so? ~anxiously~
Riyyh: I was just going to go lie down for a few minutes.
Riyyh: Nick and Halawees are dear, dear sweet people, but I...
Kenmore: Hmmm, Can you take time for a proper sleep?
Ifto: Where is your Donor?
Ifto tries to remember who Riyyh is having transfer with this month.
Riyyh: Mytag went to show Anmyn and Halawees where Halawees' cabin is.
Riyyh looks at the cabin in question.
Riyyh: That was just a few minutes ago...
Riyyh zlins about.
Kenmore: Why don't you take some time alone with Mytag, have some rest?
Kenmore: Everything will seem better after that.
Riyyh: I hope so.
Riyyh: I mean, thank you.
Riyyh: ~stressed out gratitude~
Kenmore: ~ rest ~
Riyyh leaves to go look for Mytag.
Kenmore: Actually I'm more concerned about where Nick is at the moment.
Kenmore: I really should talk to him.
Kenmore looks after Riyyh. "He is more stressed then I realized."
Ifto: His trip to Bender Cove must have been more burdensome than he expected.
Kenmore: I've seen reports.
Kenmore: OK, looks like we find Nick by ourselves.
Kenmore zlins around aimlessly, then wishes he hadn't.
Nick is currently getting a snack in the cafeteria before heading back to his and Snake's cabin.
Ifto: Is something wrong, Hajene?
Nick is, of course, careful to secrete an apple in his pocket for later use in Snake charming.
Kenmore: No, just tired I guess. The ambient of this place....
Kenmore: There he is! NICK!
Kenmore doesn't want to augment over and scare the living daylights out of him, so he just yells instead.
Nick hears his name being called and almost ducks back inside on instinct before he realizes that it's not Hero.
Nick turns and looks at Kenmore and Ifto.
Nick's eyes narrow, but his nager slips into completely controlled neutrality.
Kenmore: I'm sorry Nick, I meant to talk to you before this.
Nick: Did you.
Kenmore hurries over to him.
Kenmore: I have just had so little time. Can we go somewhere to talk?
Nick's nager remains completely unresponsive.
Nick looks around for signs of extra ears.
Nick turns and leads the way back inside, and up the stairs to Riyyh's office.
Nick figures that Riyyh shouldn't be using it for a least a while, since he's gone to rest.
Kenmore follows and tries to work out how to convince Nick that it's in Snakes best interests and therefore in his best interests.
Ifto scurries along behind, convinced that Kenmore will find a way to handle the rogue Donor--after all, he's a Farris.
Kenmore follows Nick into Riyyh's office and slides into a chair.
Kenmore: I'm sorry, Nick, that you had to find out that way. I intended to tell you but I've been so busy. [wipes tentacle wearily across his eyes]
Nick's nager stays utterly neutral and unresponsive.
Kenmore sighs.
Kenmore: I'm not trying to separate you from Snake, Nick. As a matter of fact, I'd like you to stay with her and Halawees the entire time.
Kenmore: Hal isn't here to replace you, just to help.
Kenmore: Riyyh has Mytag, he won't need your presence until just before transfer.
Kenmore: I'd like you to learn all you can from Hal. That's the point of bringing her here.
Nick: I see.
Kenmore: Hal has a rather - unique - method of transfer that I think would benefit Snake. And her nager is one of the best for healing that I have ever come across.
Richard has managed to obtain a basket of Farris safe goodies and heads towards Snake's cabin.
Nick continues to look at Kenmore.
Kenmore gives up.
Kenmore: Nick, I'm doing the best for Snake Farris and if you get in the way of that .....
Nick: Kenmore, why didn't it occur to you to talk to me before sending for your cousin?
Nick: I'm her Companion, not just a Donor who's worked with her in the past.
Kenmore: Because I had other things on my mind and I'm not use to having my every word questioned!
Nick: Why not? Do you think you never make mistakes?
Kenmore looks at Nick steadily.
Kenmore: I'm tired, I've been working to save your channel's life and all I have gotten from you so far is obstructions.
Richard signals at the door.
Wise Snake is recovering from a big session of Kenmore-induced Zeor mumbo jumbo.
Wise Snake gets up, muttering to herself, and opens the door.
Wise Snake: Ah....
Nick: Kenmore, I know you mean well.
Wise Snake: It's you.
Wise Snake: Hello, Richard.
Richard drops the basket and sweeps her into his arms.
Richard: Snake!
Wise Snake: Urrgh!
Kenmore: Nick, you have no idea how close Snake was to dying. Not just from the slam, although that didn't help, but from her total lifestyle.
Kenmore: I'm trying to turn that around and give her a chance at life - why are you hindering this?
Wise Snake: ~surprise~
Richard buries his head in her neck and breathes her in.
Richard quickly puts her down as he finds that a big session of Kenmore-induced Zeor mumbo jumbo leaves one anything but fresh.
Wise Snake zlins his reaction and her expression of relief is tinged with cynicism.
Richard: Oh Snake! I was so upset to hear what had happened!
Richard keeps hold of her and heads inside to sit on the couch, pulling her down next to him.
Wise Snake firmly removes her arm from his grasp after getting dragged down with him.
Wise Snake: Take it easy, Richard. ~a little annoyed~
Nick remembers his promise to Riyyh and grits his teeth instead of saying what he'd really like to.
Kenmore frowns at Nick's reaction.
Nick: Kenmore, I know you're doing what you think is best for Snake. You're not doing too badly, for someone who doesn't know her very well.
Wise Snake: So, you've come to tell me what I'm to do with my life next, is that it?
Richard: How are you feeling?
Richard: What? Errr no?
Richard: That is, I don't, errrr, what do you want to do next Snake?
Kenmore thinks of his thirty odd years experience as a channel and healer for Zeor and compares it to Nick's experience and training.
Kenmore: Thank you, Nick.
Kenmore says this sincerely, believing that tolerance and understanding might do more help here than sarcasm and bluntness.
Wise Snake regards Richard drily.
Wise Snake: Nothing.
Nick: But in the process, she's lost most of her will to live. And never more so than after her sessions with you.
Wise Snake: I hope this isn't a disappointment for you.
Richard: Nothing?
Richard: You mean... nothing?
Richard: Errrr, I bought you something.
Richard retrieves the basket and puts it on her lap.
Kenmore: Snake is dealing with a lot of baggage at the moment Nick - things from her past that she has repressed.
Nick knows far more about Snake's past than Kenmore.
Wise Snake looks at the basket, then pokes inside to see what's in there.
Kenmore: She needs your support and love, not your animosity towards those trying to help her.
Richard sits on the edge of the seat, excited as a young boy giving his first girlfriend the first present.
Richard: It's all Farris safe, see! I mean, I'm sorry about the flowers and things that I gave you before.
Wise Snake smiles, reluctantly affected by Richard's gleefulness.
Wise Snake: Thank you.
Wise Snake relaxes just a hair.
Richard: Did you hear that I've been redoing the Ferry Building?
Richard: ~ eager for approval ~
Wise Snake's whites of her eyes show and her smile disappears.
Wise Snake quickly looks down.
Wise Snake: No, I hadn't heard that.
Wise Snake realizes Richard just isn't going to give up, he's going to try to get his hands on her any way he can.
Richard: Yes, just like you wanted. There was hardly any damage really - just some of the more modern fixtures and you wanted them gone anyway.
Wise Snake can't think of what to say.
Wise Snake: Well, that's... that's....
Richard beams at her.
Kenmore sighs again.
Wise Snake: ... that's nice.
Kenmore: Well, I won't keep you from her. Hal will be going to go see Snake after she has rested from the trip. The end decision is, after all, Snake's.
Kenmore gets up to leave.
Richard: Do you think... do you think that you will be coming back to see it any time soon?
Wise Snake: I really don't know, Richard.
Wise Snake: I'm sorry.
Wise Snake fingers the edge of the basket.
Nick: You're right, the decision is Snake's.
Richard looks a little disappointed, then smiles.
Richard: Is there anything else you want, Snake?
Kenmore stands up.
Wise Snake: I just don't know right now, Richard.
Kenmore: If you will excuse me, I'm going to find Dahlia and then crash, before I fall over.
Wise Snake: I'm... I'm working out some things.
Nick nods shortly.
Richard: If there is anything that I can do to help you Snake, anything at all, I would. You know that don't you?
Wise Snake: Well... yes, you've said that. Thank you.
Richard: If you need money - or anything....
Wise Snake: There is one thing.
Richard: ~ eager ~
Richard: Yes?
Wise Snake: I might require legal representation.
Wise Snake: I don't know for sure yet.
Richard nods.
Richard: Right, We can take care of that for you. What for?
Wise Snake: Criminal court of law.
Wise Snake: Defendant's advocate.
Richard wonders what he isn't being told here.
Nick makes his way back to Snake's cabin.
Richard: But you don't know yet?
Richard: I'll send a message off to Smythe on the off chance that you will need someone - better to be too prepared than the other way around.
Richard pulls out a jotter and makes a note.
Wise Snake: Isn't he here? [idle curiosity]
Wise Snake: I thought he went everywhere with you.
Richard: No, we left Bender Cover rather suddenly. The Sectuib was in a rush to get back.
Wise Snake is pretty sure Richard has been here about a week now, but isn't curious enough to press the point.
Wise Snake: Oh.
Nick opens the door and enters.
Wise Snake: Nick!
Nick: Oh, hello, Richard.
Nick goes over to Snake, falling smoothly into support.
Richard stands.
Richard: Nick. How good to see you again!
Richard clasps Nick by the shoulder.
Nick raises an eyebrow in surprise, then reaches into his pocket for the apple.
Nick: How have you been?
Richard: You should have let me know that there was trouble.
Richard: That's what friends are for after all! To help in times of trouble.
Nick hands the apple to Snake, then starts in on the sandwich he picked up in the cafeteria.
Nick: ~~ hungry Gen ~~
Wise Snake sets Richard's basket carefully aside, and accepts the apple.
Richard: Oh busy, busy. Doing up the Ferry Building, working on getting imports and exports between Territories, the usual things.
Nick: I see. What brings you here?
Nick starts to eat his sandwich, savoring the taste.
Wise Snake wonders if she should also get a lawyer that is not entangled with Hardwick-Greeves.
Nick: ~~ delicious ~~
Richard: The Sectuib of the Household and his companion Mytag were in Bender Cove recently. Some ceremony or something I believe.
Richard: They told me that Snake was here, and that she wasn't well.
Richard shrugs. "Of course I had to come!"
Nick: Of course.
Nick takes another bite.
Nick: ~~ appetite ~~
Wise Snake starts to take a bite out of the apple, then pauses.
Wise Snake: How did you happen to run into Riyyh and Mytag in Bender Cove? ~suspiciously~
Wise Snake gathers that Richard wasn't at the ceremony himself, or he'd remember what it was.
Nick is actually optimistic at this return of normal paranoia.
Nick adjusts his support subtly to gently enhance Snake's emotions, without controlling them.
Wise Snake hadn't figured Kenmore for the type to hang out at the Lower Bender Cove Sime Center for any other reason, either.
Richard: Well that was the strangest thing, actually... Mytag sort of ran into me.
Nick continues to eat.
Wise Snake waits to see if there's any more to the explanation than that.
Wise Snake is wearing a sour expression.
Wise Snake: I see. [finally]
Wise Snake: What a coincidence.
Richard Well, not really. He came to see the Ferry Building, you see, because of you, and heard that I held the lease and came to see me to let me know what had happened.
Wise Snake: I... see.
Wise Snake thinks that doesn't sound quite right, but lacks the energy to think up anything more elaborate.
Nick: What was he doing wandering around the Ferry Building? It's not the sort of place Riyyh would find interesting.
Richard Mytag knew of Snake from Bender Cove, you see.
Nick: And he sought out the Ferry Building because he was interested in Snake?
Nick: Did he mention exactly what his interest was?
Richard I think the idea was so that he could tell her how it was.
Richard Why? Is there a problem?
Nick: Not at all.
Nick thinks, except Mytag can't stand Snake.
Wise Snake: How has business been?
Wise Snake: [to Richard]
Wise Snake hopes they will stop mentioning the Ferry Building.
Richard Oh, excellent.
Nick finishes his sandwich and leans back on the couch, putting an arm around Snake's shoulders.
Richard I really should be going and leave you two alone. I understand that you need your Companion more than ever now Snake, after what you have been through.
Richard looks awkward.
Nick: It was very good of you to come so far for a visit.
Nick: Will you be staying for a while?
Wise Snake can't believe Richard came all this way, without his support people, just for a chance to woo her again.
Wise Snake feels sorry for Richard, but yet she can't simply give of herself, without any feelings of her own.
Richard I'm not certain yet. I certainly have no plans for leaving immediately.
Wise Snake wonders if he thinks about her a lot, or if this sort of thing is fairly spontaneous for him.
Wise Snake: What?? [wasn't paying attention]
Richard Snake, I'm glad to see you looking so well. Nick, you are doing a wonderful job taking care of her.
Nick nods, glad that someone sees it as his job, even if he isn't being allowed to do it very much, lately.
Wise Snake: Oh, er... yes, thank you. Likewise.
Wise Snake wonders if she really heard him say he had no plans to leave at this point.
Wise Snake: Thank you for the gifts.
Richard I'll contact Smythe about the other as well. Please try not to let it worry you.
Richard gives a short bow and leaves.
Nick checks the gift basket in sudden concern, making sure it's safe.
Nick relaxes when it proves to be harmless.
Nick then assesses Snake's condition.
Wise Snake: Did he say he was staying here?
Wise Snake: ~surprised~
Nick: Yes, at least for a bit.
Nick: It's rather a long way to come for a five minute visit.
Nick starts rubbing Snake's shoulders.
Wise Snake: It's rather a long way to come for any reason. [grumbles]
Nick: Has Kenmore been at you with more of those exercises?
Wise Snake: They're good exercises.
Nick: Yes, but there's a difference between building strength and stamina and working yourself to exhaustion.
Nick: Slow and steady usually works best.
Wise Snake: What would I be saving myself for? Anyway, it's longstanding Zeor tradition to work yourself to exhaustion and then deny anything of the sort.
Nick: Well, you seem to have the first part down pat, anyway.
Nick: ~~ exasperated affection ~~
Wise Snake: Wait a minute.
Wise Snake grabs Nick's hand and sniffs it.
Nick: What?
Wise Snake: Is that Riyyh's cologne?
Wise Snake: You giving other people shoulder rubs behind my back, Nick?
Nick shrugs, in admission of culpability.
Wise Snake: He didn't ask you to pledge again, did he?
Nick: I was in his office to discuss some things, and Mytag had left him in pretty bad shape.
Nick: No, he didn't.
Wise Snake: Hmm. Good.
Wise Snake: He'll do as a placeholder for one month... one, you understand? But any more than that and your field would begin to suffer.
Wise Snake releases Nick's hand as an afterthought.
Wise Snake: Keep doing that, it feels good.
Nick goes back to the backrubbing.
Nick: I'm not sure he's even interested. He was awfully upset at Kenmore's interference.
Wise Snake: You can fix that easily enough.
Wise Snake shrugs.
Wise Snake is not worried about Nick's ability to get a low 1st to want transfer with him.
Nick: Well, I admit I'd like to have something approaching a decent transfer this month.
Nick: Last month was....
Wise Snake flicks a hand and tentacles.
Wise Snake: It's my fault, I should have taught you all that.
Wise Snake: I just didn't think you were ever going to serve transfer to anybody but me.
Wise Snake: But you know them now, right?
Wise Snake: The signals?
Nick: Yes.
Wise Snake: So everything should be find if it ever happens again.
Nick: Which appears likely, the way things have been going.
Wise Snake: Anyway, one advantage of serving Riyyh is that he'd be fully satisfied. It's been a long time since you felt that in a channel.
Wise Snake: It'd do you good.
Nick reflects glumly that he himself is not likely to be anywhere close to satisfied, given the mismatch and the extra selyn he's carrying from the previous month's abortive attempt at transfer.
Nick tries to forget that as he works his way down Snake's arms to massage her tentacles.
Wise Snake's mouth twists wryly as Nick's glumness permeates his nager.
Wise Snake: We're quite a pair this month.
Nick snorts in agreement.
Nick reaches a ronaplin gland and works delicately around it and the associated lateral.
Wise Snake: Ummmhmmble.
Wise Snake closes her eyes and enjoys the sensations.
Nick tries not to dwell on the way he's being denied the natural conclusion of the exercise--again.
Wise Snake reaches up and slips his hands off her arms a few minutes later.
Wise Snake: That feels great. But....
Nick nods.
Wise Snake looks up at Nick.
Wise Snake: Next month, I promise you.
Nick: I'll hold you to that.
Wise Snake: I don't doubt you will!
Nick stands and backs away reluctantly, fighting the wrongness of being so full of selyn and not sticking close to his needy channel.
Wise Snake picks up a magazine (Zeor Traveller) and pretends to be OK with it, while slowly shading her showfield into complete opacity.
Nick feels his channel fading away, and turns away.
Nick: ~~ glum ~~
Nick makes his way to Riyyh's house, trying to put the best face on it that he can.
Riyyh had made himself crazy for a few minutes looking for Mytag, then rather sensibly concluded that Mytag could find him more easily than he could find Mytag, and retired to his house where he is now in bed with the covers pulled over his head.
Nick pulls himself together and signals at the door.
Riyyh wishes he hadn't noticed the signal.
Riyyh forces himself to go downstairs and get the door, since it might be an emergency or something.
Riyyh really can't handle any more emergencies.
Riyyh: Nick.
Riyyh: Hello, can I help you?
Riyyh: ~~tired/frazzled/in hard need~~
Nick: Actually, I was coming to see if I could help you.
Riyyh: Oh...?
Nick slides effortlessly into ~~ support ~~ with Farris-trained precision.
Nick: Where's Mytag gotten to?
Riyyh: He will probably be along in a few... [practically swoons at the touch of Nick's nager]
Riyyh: Nick, I'm terribly sorry, but I don't know if I'm in any condition for....
Nick steps inside and closes the door.
Nick: I can see that you're not.
Riyyh's voice trails off timidly.
Riyyh sidles closer to Nick's lovely nager.
Riyyh: Is everything all right?
Nick: Yes, right enough.
Nick is speaking in relative terms, of course.
Riyyh can zlin the qualification but not very well.
Riyyh may be somewhat distracted by the large amount of selyn in his face, of course.
Nick starts walking into the living room, drawing Riyyh after him with his nager.
Riyyh follows rather closely.
Riyyh can zlin the faint enticement woven into Nick's field, very well, thank you.
Riyyh: Nick, I thought that you were, do I understand incorrectly, that is...?
Nick: No, you're not misunderstanding.
Nick sits on the couch.
Riyyh immediately sits down very close to him.
Nick: Unless you'd rather wait for Mytag?
Riyyh: Mytag? I....
Riyyh is having a bit of trouble with logic right at the moment.
Nick lightens his temptation for a moment, while still blocking need.
Riyyh sighs as the temptation eases... at least physically.
Riyyh: Nick, I don't know what to... are you sure you want this?
Riyyh, having been shorted twice, is inclined at this point to consider Nick the Donor in hand and Mytag the two in the bush.
Riyyh: [or rather, Nick the two in the bush who just happens to suddenly be in hand while the one that is usually in hand seems to be out in the bush at the moment]
Nick: There isn't any other channel for me this month, and I, well, I need a transfer.
Nick's nager is definitely a bit overstuffed at the moment.
Nick doesn't want to leave Riyyh with the impression that it's an offer of permanent service.
Riyyh: I... I'm flattered of course, naturally, but....
Nick: You'd rather not?
Riyyh does notice on a somewhat less than conscious level that he is just being used by Nick, but right now that just doesn't seem important.
Nick withdraws just a bit of his support.
Riyyh's face becomes noticeably more haggard.
Riyyh: No... no, I'll do it.
Riyyh offers Nick his arms.
Riyyh: I mean... please.
Riyyh: I would be honored if you would, would serve me this month.
Nick lets the support return as he takes Riyyh's arms, letting his fingers run lightly over the tentacles.
Riyyh's breath sighs out in relief.
Riyyh's tentacles twine ecstatically at the touch of Nick's expert fingers.
Riyyh quickly abandons his inhibitions; they were badly eroded anyway.
Nick takes his time, holding Riyyh in stasis as he coaxes his need to peak.
Nick figures that this will work best if Riyyh's intil is at maximum, and maybe a bit more.
Riyyh's intil scarcely requires any stimulation.
Riyyh's forearms have no trouble getting themselves in a lather as his laterals lick about needily.
Riyyh finds Nick's teasing quickly growing nearly unbearable, yet he trusts Nick to know when is the best time.
Nick finally allows his fingers and hands to settle in place, providing a resting place for the needy laterals.
Riyyh snatches at Nick's arms then.
Riyyh's tentacles lash into place with, as it happens, no gentleness or kindness whatsoever.
Riyyh: ~~inflamed need~~
Riyyh seeks a 5th contact, driving for the huge, overpowering selyn source.
Nick allows the contact, offering selyn but not pushing it, since he's not sure how fast a flow Riyyh can tolerate.
Nick: ~~ life for you ~~
Riyyh draws hungrily, seeking to make up for the two months since Ruby left.
Nick goads Riyyh just a little, encouraging him to draw as fast as he can.
Nick: ~~ more/faster ~~
Riyyh revels in not having to pace himself, seizing the selyn greedily.
Riyyh: ~~ pleasure ~~
Riyyh quickly reaches his peak draw.
Nick tries to find satisfaction in what pleasure he and Riyyh feel, and not to dwell on how much more there should be.
Riyyh: ~~ ecstasy ~~
Nick: ~~ pleasure/satisfaction ~~
Riyyh feeds back on Nick's pleasure/satisfaction with his own ~~profound and total fulfillment~~
Riyyh's draw ebbs.
Nick accepts the ending, although he has plenty of selyn left to give.
Nick is ~~ moderately satisfied ~~
Riyyh's laterals retract.
Riyyh's eyes flutter open.
Riyyh: Nick... that was....
Riyyh: ~wonder~
Nick can't help comparing this to Kenmore's response, after their abortive transfer.
Nick: I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Riyyh: Oh Nick!
Riyyh embraces Nick and bursts into tears.
Nick supports Riyyh as his shirt dampens rapidly.
Riyyh: Thank you, oh, thank you!
Riyyh: I am so sorry about all of this, I really didn't mean for, but you were magnificent, I really didn't deserve this, [etc.]
Riyyh hasn't had a transfer with anyone who outrated him before; in the past everybody was trained specifically as his Companion.
Riyyh is finding it a bit overwhelming.
Nick braces himself against the onslaught of babbling, waiting for comprehensibility.
Riyyh continues to emulate a large fountain as he re-experiences all the emotional traumas of the last month, including his brief stint in Bender Cove.
Nick wonders if Riyyh usually responds this strongly to transfer, then remembers his numerous siblings.
Riyyh continues to embrace Nick in many different ways, all implying great feelings of gratefulness and thankfulness, while making his shoulder very, ah, irrigated.
Riyyh's feelings eventually and naturally turn from the past month's misery to all the new and wonderful, optimistic things that could happen this month.
Nick releases Riyyh as the thunderstorm subsides.
Riyyh looks like he had a fight with a ronaplin-coated firehose and lost.
Riyyh is smiling, though.
Riyyh: Nick... [tenderly]
Nick looks down at his soaked shirt, and reminds himself to bring a slicker next time he's around Riyyh at the end of a transfer.
Riyyh: Oh... I'm sorry, let me help you get that off.
Nick notices that Riyyh is in even worse shape.
Riyyh: I can have it returned to you.
Riyyh's fingers and tentacles reach for Nick's buttons.
Nick allows Riyyh to help him off with the shirt.
Riyyh's touch is a bit more caressing than strictly necessary.
Riyyh: This is a nice shirt. But I am sure it will come out just fine.
Nick smoothes his beard, which got mussed.
Nick: I'm sure it will.
Nick starts to get goosebumps, as his damp skin dries.
Riyyh folds the shirt and sets it aside, his eyes lingering on Nick's.
Riyyh: You're cold... let me get you something.
Riyyh touches Nick's bumpy upper arms with his hands.
Nick nods.
Riyyh's tentacles brush lightly over the erect hairs, as if in accident, then withdraw.
Riyyh: Upstairs. I have... there should be something in your size.
Riyyh rises, and turns to the stairs.
Riyyh: Do you want to come up and see?
Nick thinks that sounds rather ambiguous.
Nick: It's very kind of you.
Nick follows Riyyh up the stairs.
Riyyh stops Nick in the dark landing partway up the stairs.
Riyyh: Nick...
Riyyh's hand touches Nick's shoulder softly.
Riyyh: I just wanted to let you know, I have always had a deep respect for you.
Riyyh: Your strength, your commitment....
Riyyh: Your loyalty.
Nick starts to shiver.
Nick wonders if Riyyh is compulsive about lavishing compliments on all his Donors.
Nick: Which is to Snake. [gently]
Riyyh's hand moves lightly up Nick's collarbone, but stops short of becoming the caress it was clearly going to become.
Riyyh: Yes.
Riyyh's hand hovers for a moment in air, then withdraws regretfully.
Riyyh: A most noble object for its focus.
Riyyh: Come.
Riyyh turns and climbs the rest of the stairs.
Nick follows Riyyh up the second flight of stairs.
Riyyh shows Nick into his wardrobe, which is a small room off the bedroom.
Riyyh: Here... these belonged to, well, they ought to fit you.
Riyyh: Do you like any of them?
Nick inspects the offerings.
Nick compares the size of the wardrobe room with his own modest suitcase of clothes.
Nick selects the warmest looking shirt.
Nick: I'd like to borrow this one, if I might?
Riyyh: Of course.
Riyyh: Allow me?
Riyyh moves to help Nick don it.
Nick lets Riyyh hold the shirt as he sticks his arms through.
Nick starts to feel less chilled.
Riyyh buttons all the buttons as well, pausing when he nears the top ones.
Nick raises a questioning eyebrow.
Riyyh pulls himself together, and buttons the last button.
Riyyh then grips Nick firmly by the shoulders and kisses his neck, once, before he or Nick can stop him, and releases the Gen.
Riyyh: You can keep it.
Riyyh turns away.
Nick: Thank you.
Nick wonders what that was all about.
Riyyh's tentacles wave restlessly and he stills them deliberately.
Riyyh: I will be sure to tell Kenmore and Wise Snake that you provided an excellent... service.
Riyyh looks out the window at the bare fields.
Nick: If you are all right?
Riyyh: I'll... I'll be fine, thank you.
Nick inspects Riyyh closely for signs of further instability which might require a Donor's attention.
Riyyh hopes Nick will leave, now.
Riyyh keeps his eyes on the fields.
Nick nods and heads for the bedroom door.
Nick heads back for Snake's cottage, feeling an unexciting degree of satisfaction, and wishing he'd been able to get rid of all that extra selyn he was carrying.