Sime~Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #63: I'm my own Grandpa (11/20/98)
Nick opens the door to the guest cottage and looks to see if Kenmore and Co have taken over since he left.
Nick is ~~ relieved ~~ to find the cottage empty of visitors.
Nick slips inside and looks around for Snake.
Wise Snake is just finishing up a fascinating article about hemotrophic neuropolymers, in the copy of "Zeor Traveller" Kenmore had left there.
Wise Snake yawns.
Wise Snake: Oh, hello, Nick.
Wise Snake zlins him.
Nick makes his way into the living room.
Nick: Hello, Snake.
Wise Snake: Zlins like everything went fine.
Nick: ~~ sort of low field, almost post, frustrated by extra selyn still remaining, and somewhat ashamed ~~
Nick: Well, Riyyh seemed happy enough.
Wise Snake zlins the shame and frowns slightly.
Wise Snake: Well, what's wrong then?
Wise Snake puts down the magazine.
Nick drops down beside Snake, finding himself responding much more strongly to her need than he should, half an hour after transfer.
Nick: I should have been able to provide what you need!!
Nick buries his face in his hands.
Wise Snake: ~surprise~
Nick: ~~ shame/guilt/frustration~~
Wise Snake: I don't mind, Nick, I mean, you've only been a Donor for a year or so.
Wise Snake: You can't know everything by magic!
Wise Snake: Who told you it was your fault?
Nick: Kenmore. He hasn't let me work with you since he took over your case, for fear I'd injure you.
Nick: How can I be your Companion if I can't be trusted to work with you?
Wise Snake: Nick, I don't think that's his reasoning. ~exasperated~
Wise Snake thinks the downside of Nick going to somebody else again this month is that his self-pity is at an all time high.
Wise Snake: And it's not as if we haven't worked together, he just wants it done under supervised conditions.
Nick waves a dismissive hand.
Nick: Training exercises.
Wise Snake: What's so bad about training exercises? That's how you learn, isn't it?
Nick: Not anything that really matters to your health.
Wise Snake: Oh, well, I think it all ties in together.
Nick: When it matters, Kenmore isn't about to let me near you.
Wise Snake: I thought you were going to be working with me while his cousin is here.
Wise Snake: ~annoyed~
Wise Snake thinks Nick really is wallowing in it today.
Wise Snake: And it's not as if any of this is permanent.
Wise Snake: Do I have to go rough up Riyyh for getting you into this state? [disgusted]
Nick: No, all he said was that he wanted me to watch Halawees work with you.
Wise Snake: You'll be near me for that, Nick.
Nick: But not working with you. And there's no indication that Kenmore has any intention of changing that.
Wise Snake: But it's only temporary, Nick.
Wise Snake: I mean, come on, maybe two or three weeks at the most.
Wise Snake: Then we get out of here.
Nick: To where?
Nick wonders if Snake has finally decided what she wants to do with herself.
Wise Snake: I don't know, I'll figure something out before then.
Nick tries to summon some genuine hope that the situation will improve.
Wise Snake studies Nick critically.
Wise Snake: Well?
Wise Snake: Is there something else the matter?
Nick: I'll see that our horses are shod and our luggage is in condition to be packed in a hurry.
Wise Snake sighs.
Wise Snake: You do that.
Nick: And I'll make sure we have enough Farris medications.
Wise Snake: But I mean, could you try to get something out of all this training?
Wise Snake: It doesn't make much sense to go through it all and not learn anything from it.
Nick nods.
Nick: If Kenmore ever gets around to actually explaining what he's having Halawees do and why, you can be sure that I'll be listening.
Wise Snake: You have a real chip on your shoulder, Nick.
Wise Snake thinks, and it's not the first time, either.
Nick can only agree.
Wise Snake: You're going to have to put up with other people working with me from time to time.
Wise Snake: B'cal, Kenmore, whoever it is.
Wise Snake: I can't live my life entirely separated from the rest of humanity.
Wise Snake: And some people are going to know more than me and want to teach me something or work with me, and it ought to be my right to accept.
Nick is encouraged by this show of herpetoid temper.
Nick: You really are feeling better, aren't you?
Wise Snake: I'm trying to.
Nick considers this a great improvement over the previous week, when Snake wasn't trying to do much of anything.
see note 1
Riyyh leaves his house, impeccably groomed and in very good condition after a fantastic transfer with a Gen who way over-rated him.
Riyyh walks toward the Administration building, looking at the leaden, overcast sky and the dead leaves on the ground and thinking 'What a beautiful day!'
Linn is in the garden, walking through the last of the leaves.
Riyyh: Hello, Linn.
Riyyh: A beautiful day, isn't it?
Riyyh: ~cheerful~
Riyyh: And you are looking quite lovely yourself.
Linn looks up at the gray sky.
Linn: It looks like it might rain soon. Or maybe snow.
Riyyh: That will be pleasant for a change.
Riyyh: ~relentlessly good mood~
Riyyh: And how are you?
Linn: You are looking exceptionally fit today.
Riyyh: I'm feeling very good, thank you!
Riyyh smiles.
Linn: Well enough.
Linn: Should I congratulate Mytag on a job well done?
Riyyh: Probably not, [confesses] it was Nick this time.
Linn thinks that she's never seen Riyyh looking so good.
Linn: Nick?
Linn is more than a little astonished.
Riyyh continues toward the admin building, since Linn had been going roughly in that direction as well.
Riyyh: Yes, I was a bit surprised myself.
Riyyh's tone of voice indicates that he sure isn't worrying about that now.
Linn looks over her shoulder to make sure they're not about to be attacked by a furious Snake.
Riyyh: Is something wrong?
Riyyh would hate for Linn to be distressed.
Linn: Well, I know Snake has been rather apathetic lately, and Nick's been a bear, but still....
Riyyh stops.
Riyyh: What is it, Linn?
Riyyh: ~concern for her~
Linn: Well, the last time the subject of your having Nick came up, the consequences were... unfortunate.
Riyyh: Well, I confess to having been somewhat surprised myself, but Kenmore was certainly all for it, actually it was his idea to begin with. And Nick objected at first, but evidently later had a change of heart.
Riyyh: ~~and how!~~
Linn: Well, perhaps that will improve his mood.
Linn thinks its about time that something does.
Riyyh isn't sure, since he couldn't zlin Nick afterward.
Linn: It certainly seems to have done you good.
Riyyh is touched by Linn's concern for his wellbeing and for Nick's mental health.
Linn has had enough experience with channels on bad transfers to recognize the difference.
Riyyh: I certainly feel much better, and I do hope that everything is all right with Nick.
Riyyh: I wish that... well. ~regret~
Linn: What?
Riyyh: It's just that he's so distant. I had hoped to get to know him better afterward.
Linn: Well, I expect he thought you'd have other interests, afterwards.
Riyyh: I had hoped... well, I expect you are probably right.
Linn: What had you hoped for?
Riyyh looks just a little embarrassed.
Riyyh: I did have... other interests.
Linn: Oh. I think I see.
Linn blushes.
Riyyh is attracted by Linn's schoolteacherly embarrassment.
Riyyh smiles kindly.
Riyyh: It's all right. One can't always expect to....
Riyyh: ["One" in this case is used to, but....]
Linn: Well, of course not.
Linn suddenly remembers.
Linn: But he's your son!
Linn finds adultery bad enough.
Riyyh: And my grandson. [admits]
Riyyh is sure Nick will find out sooner or later, so there isn't any point in hiding that.
Linn: Your grandson, too? [faintly]
Riyyh: But surely... well, yes.
Riyyh: His grandmother is a formidable woman.
Riyyh: I'm afraid Nick is very much her creation.
Linn: Oh, dear. Does he know?
Riyyh: No, I tried to speak to him about it, but....
Riyyh's tentacles wave apologetically.
Riyyh: He wasn't in the mood. [explains]
Linn: Well, wait until he's back to working with Snake. He's always impossible when he's got nothing much to do.
Riyyh nods, filing away the information for future reference.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Linn: You'll be surprised at the difference it will make.
Riyyh zlins Linn.
Riyyh: Are you... are you all right?
Riyyh: You seemed kind of depressed earlier.
Riyyh wonders if Linn's insight into Nick's problems stem from a similar problem of her own.
Linn: Ah, well, I wasn't meant for idleness, either.
Riyyh still feels guilty for having taken in Bum Bum, leaving her sans channel, and then with what happened with the renSime....
Riyyh: I see.
Linn manages a smile.
Riyyh: Would you consider... no, I suppose you will be travelling soon anyway.
Riyyh hopes so, anyway.
Riyyh hopes Snake will be, anyway.
Linn: Snake hasn't said anything about leaving, and Kenmore seems to think she requires his help for a while, yet.
Riyyh: Well then. Perhaps you would consider taking up one of the positions that is open here at Naros, at least until its new occupant arrives?
Linn: Positions?
Riyyh: We lost two people in the kitchen, for example, one of them our finest chef.
Riyyh: And there are always children to be tutored in Genlan.
Linn brightens.
Linn: I do love teaching.
Riyyh: When we were founded, we were near the border [explains]
Riyyh: It has always been traditional to teach both languages, although they usually don't start learning Genlan until they are seven or eight years old.
Riyyh: It is a reassurance to the juncts, when they arrive, that everybody can understand them.
Riyyh switches to Genlan.
Riyyh: [Genlan with a faint, unusual accent] "I do understand correctly that you are fluent?"
Linn: Very much so.
Linn: And I must say, your juncts aren't the only ones who appreciate hearing it.
Riyyh smiles kindly.
Riyyh: If you would like to spend some time on that sort of thing, let me know how much and I will arrange it with Wolfa.
Riyyh: She coordinates the scheduling of the different areas, [explains]
Riyyh himself only schedules people in the most general way - this person does X number of hours a week of this or that - and leaves the details to others with more time and more patience for the mundane.
Linn: There's no reason why I couldn't take on a few classes each day. Who is doing the teaching currently?
Riyyh: We lost our teacher of Genlan.
Riyyh: I could introduce you to the teachers of botany, science and agriculture, though.
Riyyh appears utterly unaware that this curriculum is a tad askew of the norm.
Linn: I see. Well, the others might be able to let me know, in a general way, where the classes were in their studies.
Riyyh: And there's Jamalas, who teaches Simelan to the newcomers from Gen Territory, And Dennifa, she teaches all the miscellaneous little things like math that nobody requires much of.
Riyyh: Yes, of course. Would you care to meet them now?
Linn: Certainly.
Linn follows Riyyh towards the Narosian ivy tower.
Linn is, under the circumstances, not at all surprised to see that the school building is, indeed, covered with a definitive collection of ornamental ivy cultivars.
Linn: What a pretty building.
Riyyh: Yes, isn't it?
Riyyh had always been eager to see the outside of a school as a child.
Linn: It's truly amazing how much difference pleasant surroundings make to how well children learn.
Dennifa draws a timeline on the blackboard.
Linn: Even when the subject matter is interesting--history, for instance.
Dennifa tries to remember if Sectuib Risa Tigue founded Keon, or joined it later.
Riyyh: Dennifa teaches history for us.
Riyyh: Also math, physics, and a number of other subjects.
Riyyh: She's quite talented.
Riyyh thinks, talented at missing meetings and getting "elected" for the extra subjects nobody else wants.
Linn: She must be.
Linn is a bit surprised at the obvious depth of Dennifa's training.
Dennifa: Now, who can tell me which Territory Householding Keon was located in?
Riyyh pokes his head in Dennifa's classroom door.
Dennifa: Yes, Gulf Territory, that's right. Now in the years right before the Unity treaty, there was a big economic expansion there.
Riyyh can see that Dennifa is in the middle of a class, but signals "do you have a minute?" anyway.
Dennifa: That means people were making a lot more money.
Linn peers over Riyyh's shoulder, assessing the classroom with a professional eye.
Dennifa nods to Riyyh.
Dennifa: OK, everyone open your books and read the section "Keon and Zeor - A study in contrasts".
Riyyh smiles as the children automatically chorus "good morning Sectuib Riyyh" even though it's mid afternoon.
Riyyh: I'm sorry to interrupt, but I thought you'd like to meet Linn, if you haven't already.
Linn smiles as well, remembering when the principal used to visit her classroom.
Dennifa: Of course, Sectuib.
Linn: I'm pleased to meet you.
Dennifa is a short Gen woman in her 30's somewhere.
Linn is an average sized Gen woman, also thirtysomething.
Dennifa: Hello Linn, I'm Dennifa ambrov Naros. I'm pleased to meet you.
Dennifa is very formal as an example for the class.
Linn: Linn Haskins.
Riyyh: Linn is going to to be teaching Genlan here for a while. [explains]
Dennifa makes a polite gesture.
Dennifa opens her mouth, but closes it.
Linn: I was told that your Genlan teach had left.
Dennifa: That's good to hear. That will be a great help. ~~ relief ~~
Linn is somewhat concerned about stepping on her prospective colleague's toes.
Dennifa: Brief surge of ~~ anger ~~ at being left in the lurch by said departure.
Riyyh winces.
Riyyh of course misinterprets Dennifa's anger as being at the reason the other teacher had left, that being of course the genetics scandal.
Dennifa switches to heavily accented Genlan "Been trying to fill in, have I, but...."
Riyyh: Dennifa has many skills. [embarrassed but compelled to praise]
Dennifa thinks she doesn't have as many skills as jobs.
Linn notes the wince and automatically steps between Dennifa and Riyyh.
Linn: Oh, I'm sure you've done what you could, but it's much nicer not to have to teach outside your specialty.
Riyyh: Will you have some time a little later, to speak with Linn about the students' current standing in the area of Genlan?
Dennifa: ~~ Agreement ~~
Riyyh: Thank you.
Dennifa reflects that she isn't sure she remembers what her specialty is by now.
Riyyh: Since I have you here, is there anything I can do for you, anything that you require?
Dennifa: I still haven't heard back from you about my suggested field trip to the Ancient Ruins.
Riyyh: Oh, dear. I don't seem to remember anyth... oh! We talked about that two or three months ago, didn't we?
Riyyh: I'm terribly sorry.
Dennifa: Yes we did.
Dennifa is ~~ Irked ~~ at the delay, but can't really blame him for forgetting, considering.
Linn thinks that some things never change when it comes to teaching, like administrative types who don't get back to one.
Linn is willing to grant that her former principals didn't have as good an excuse, though.
Riyyh: Yes, I think that sounds like a perfectly good idea, although right at the moment the financial situation really won't allow it.
Dennifa: The mathematics books finally came in, thank goodness.
Riyyh: Let me make a note of it, and as soon as Zeor compensates us for the Farris-proofing and extra maintenance costs, I'm sure we can do something for you.
Riyyh smiles weakly.
Dennifa looks somewhat ~~ mollified. ~~
Riyyh is glad.
Linn: I know you're busy now. What time would be convenient for you to discuss the Genlan classes with me?
Dennifa glances over at the clock. "Maybe in half an hour? During recess?"
Riyyh: I can take Linn around to meet the others in the meantime.
Dennifa figures she can use the meeting as an excuse to grab someone else to watch the kids outside.
Linn: Of course. I look forward to it.
Dennifa: Until then.
Dennifa turns back towards the class.
Dennifa sighs. "Ansen, I have asked you not to draw mustaches in the books, haven't I? Especially not on the women?"
Linn: ~~ amusement ~~
Riyyh: Thank you, Dennifa.
Riyyh pulls the door closed.
Riyyh: Jamalas has prep time right now, I believe, he ought to be alone unless anybody required extra tutoring.
Riyyh leads Linn down the hall and sticks his head in Jamalas' classroom door.
Jamalas is sitting at a desk, staring intently at a book, and making gestures with the tentacles on one hand.
Riyyh: Excuse me, Jamalas?
Jamalas: What?
Riyyh's own tentacles flutter nervously at Jamalas' tone.
Jamalas: Oh, excuse me Sectuib, I was distracted.
Jamalas: May I help you?
Riyyh is relieved.
Riyyh: I'm sorry to interrupt, I just thought you might like to meet Linn Haskins.
Linn reflexively projects ~~ calm ~~ at the agitated Simes.
Riyyh: She will be standing in as a Genlan teacher for a time.
Linn: I'm pleased to meet you.
Linn: ~~ cordiality ~~
Jamalas: Pleased to meet you, as well. You are new here?
Linn: Oh, I've been here a few months, actually. With Hajene Snake.
Jamalas: I don't remember seeing you. But I get caught up in things, lose track...
Riyyh: Linn isn't as colorful as some of her compatriates.
Riyyh: ~apologetically~
Linn is actually rather ~~ pleased ~~ at the compliment.
Jamalas: So you will be teaching Genlan?
Linn: Yes, at least for a little while.
Jamalas: Have you taught it before?
Linn: As a secondary subject, when I lived in Eastcove. Mostly, I taught history.
Jamalas: I enjoy the differences between languages. Especially the slight nuances... changes in meaning.
Linn: They do have a tendency to trip one up.
Linn: ~~ dry amusement ~~
Jamalas: Perhaps we could exchange stories sometime?
Linn: Of course. I'd be delighted.
Riyyh smiles, glad this has gone so well.
Riyyh had been worried at Jamalas' initial reaction, but then, sometimes teachers do get rather absorbed in their studies.
Jamalas: Linn Haskins. You come from Gen territory?
Linn: Yes. I moved to this side of the border only...well, it's a bit over a year now, I believe.
Jamalas: Your Simelan is quite good.
Linn: Thank you. I'm afraid I still find it a rather strange language.
Jamalas: Yes, the sensory nuances can be quite difficult.
Riyyh: Linn is an exceptionally sensitive Gen, physically. [comments]
Jamalas: That must be a help.
Linn: Mostly, though, I was living with Hajene Snake when she was training Nick to be her Donor.
Linn: Once you've got a handle on selyn field mechanics mathematically, the language part gets easier.
Jamalas: Oh, that must help!
Jamalas: Tell me, what would you say the most appropriate Genlan equivalent to [gestures with tentacles]?
Riyyh almost dies of embarrassment as he sees it is a gesture meaning something between "I'm my Own Grandpa" and "What Comes Around Goes Around".
Riyyh coughs and manages to keep most of it out of his showfield.
Linn blinks, having seen the gesture from Garon rather frequently when they were minding the Anti-Tectonists.
Linn: I hardly think that's the sort of language proper in a school.
Linn blushes with embarrassment.
Jamalas: I'm doing research on the untranslatables.
Linn: Believe me, that sentiment is unfortunately translatable into every language.
Jamalas: Oh dear! I forgot.
Jamalas: I always forget, when I am intent on something.
Jamalas: I did mean no offense!
Linn accepts the apology graciously.
Jamalas still wants to ask what she thinks would be the Genlan equivalent, but restrains himself. Barely.
Riyyh makes a mental note to point Bum Bum in Jamalas' direction... angry parents have been coming to him ever since he took Bum Bum in, claiming the man taught obscene gestures to their children.
Linn: As the resident linguist, have you been teaching some of the Genlan classes since your colleague left?
Jamalas: Only the basic vocabulary and grammatic. I've been told my accent is terrible. (the last in carefully shaped Genlan)
Jamalas: I am glad you are here!
Linn: Well, it is... distinctive. [also in Genlan]
Jamalas: You are, [searches for the word in Genlan] gentle.
Riyyh: I am told Naros has its own distinctive accent, [contributes, also in Genlan]
Linn: And vocabulary, it appears.
Jamalas: Our feast of foods is coming up. What would you think of a concert by the language students?
Linn: A concert?
Riyyh smiles at the thought.
Linn: Who handles music instruction?
Jamalas: A duet of languages.
Linn: Songs in both languages, alternating perhaps?
Jamalas: Yes! Translating back and forth, Some from Naros translated in to Genlan, and some from where you grew up!
Linn: Translated into Simelan?
Riyyh beams happily as they start to get enthusiastic.
Jamalas: Yes! That's exactly right... so each song will be sung in its native language and in translation.
Jamalas: I would enjoy translating some new songs!
Linn frowns.
Jamalas: No? You don't like the idea?
Linn: I'm not sure that many of the songs I learned as a child are... appropriate for a Householding.
Jamalas: Surely there are one or two!
Linn: I would hate to have the whole membership of Naros taking offense.
Jamalas: Lullabies, at the very least!
Linn remembers the lullaby about how Daddy's gun will keep baby safe from Simes.
Riyyh: Perhaps Linn could collect some different Genlan songs from among our junct members.
Riyyh: Given a large enough range of contributors, there ought to be a reasonable number of acceptable songs.
Jamalas: Would you like that?
Linn: Well, we can try. I would make for an interesting show.
Jamalas hopes.
Riyyh: I think it is a fine idea, although I agree with Linn that certain lyrics would not be acceptable.
Jamalas: Oh, good!
Jamalas: I'm sure you are right.
Jamalas is not so sure, wanting very much to learn unacceptable songs for cultural perspectives.
Jamalas understands not everyone is so minded as to enjoy even offensive songs.
Jamalas: So we should meet, later this week, to plan a program?
Linn: I would be glad to.
Jamalas: ~enthusiastic~
Riyyh is glad Linn will have a range of activities to occupy her.
Jamalas glad there is such a smart and beautiful woman who shares his interest in languages.
Jamalas sure she is smart and beautiful since she has an interest in languages.
Riyyh is just pretending to be interested in languages to be polite, himself.
Riyyh is certainly beautiful, the jury is still out on smart though.
Linn has never considered herself particularly beautiful, which is part of the reason she usually wears her hair in a serviceable bun.
Riyyh is incredibly Post and considers both Linn and Jamalas quite beautiful, smartness and facility with languages aside.
Riyyh: We should go meet Dennifa, [reminds Linn]
Linn: Oh, of course.
Riyyh actually has a mind to abandon Linn with Dennifa and go do something about his post reaction.
Riyyh: [it's either that or seduce both Linn and Dennifa on the school's playground, something he can't quite trust himself not to do if he remains with them for long]
Jamalas: Right. And I should finish this [gestures toward desk].
Jamalas: Do stop by, though, won't you. (to Linn).
Linn: I'd be happy to.
Linn smiles charmingly at Jamalas, truly glad to be back among colleagues.
Riyyh: Do you remember where Dennifa's room is, Linn?
Riyyh: Or should I show you back to it?
Jamalas: I could finish this after dinner, and show you!
Riyyh nods.
Linn: Would you?
Riyyh: Thank you, Jamalas.
Jamalas: I'd be most happy to.
Riyyh: Let me know if you require anything else, Linn.
Riyyh smiles at her.
Linn: I will, Sectuib Riyyh. And thank you.
Jamalas: Until later, Sectuib.
Riyyh leaves them.
Dennifa comes back into her classroom after getting the children out to recess.
Linn follows Jamalas towards Dennifa's room.
Dennifa sits down and puts her head down on her desk for a minute.
Jamalas waits until the children have finished swarming out the door, then pokes his head in the door.
Jamalas: That bad, huh?
Dennifa looks up. "Huh? Oh, Hi."
Linn smiles. Hello.
Jamalas: I bring you a treat to improve your spirits! Our visiting Genlan Instructor!
Dennifa: It's real hard staying one lesson ahead of them. We never covered Interterritorial history when I was a student here.
Dennifa: Hi Ms. Haskins.
Linn: You didn't teach interTerritorial history?
Linn: ~~ astonishment ~~
Jamalas: Did you?
Jamalas: ~intrigue~
Dennifa: No, except as it related to Householding history.
Linn: Yes, in Eastcove I taught interTerritorial History, Territory History, and the history of Eastcove itself.
Dennifa: ~~ Amazed ~~ All three?
Linn: Why, yes. My degree is in history, you see.
Dennifa: Ah. You went to 'college' out-Territory?
Linn: Why yes. I never visited Sime Territory until a year ago.
Dennifa is ~~ embarrassed. ~~
Dennifa: ~~ Surprise ~~ "Why did you wait so long?"
Linn: How eager are you to leave Naros? Eastcove was my home.
Dennifa considers the argument. "Ok, I can see that."
Jamalas: I would be interested in hearing history as it was taught in Gen Territory.
Linn looks at Jamalas.
Linn: I suspect you'd find it very....different.
Jamalas: I'm sure I would. But the perspective on history adds understanding to language.
Jamalas: The meaning of words derived from the historical implications.
Linn: Indeed it does.
Jamalas: You understand!
Dooley walks into Dennifa's office.
Dooley is a 6 year old boy.
Dooley looks like he isn't sure if he can get away with coming in there with Jamalas and Linn there, but is going to try anyway.
Dennifa realizes Jamalas is going off about abstract theory again.
Jamalas starts humming a song, of which all the words have changed from their ancient counterparts except for the name Tom Dooley.
Dennifa looks around. "Hello Dooley."
Dooley: Hi there. [admiring]
Jamalas has a pleasant tenor.
Dooley wants to be just like his favorite teacher when he grows up.
Dooley: [he wants to teach math, history, physics, music, art, the social sciences, etc.]
Dennifa gets out of her chair to squat down to Dooley's level.
Dooley knows Jamalas, but squints up at Linn trying to figure out if he knows her or not.
Dennifa: Why aren't you outside playing? Did you need something?
Dooley: It's boring.
Linn nods politely at Dooley.
Dennifa: Boring?
Dennifa: Are the other children not playing with you again?
Dooley turns beet red.
Dooley: No... yes.
Dooley: Who's she?
Dooley points up at Linn.
Dennifa: Oh, I'm sorry. This is Ms. Haskins.
Dooley obviously isn't related to Riyyh, or if he is, he failed to pick up the gene for social skills.
Dooley: Are you going to be our teacher?
Linn: I'm pleased to meet you, Dooley. I'll be teaching Genlan for a while.
Dennifa: She's a teacher from out-Territory! ~~ feigned enthusiasm ~~
Dooley: Oo!
Dooley: [faked out by the feigned enthusiasm]
Jamalas is annoyed by the feigned enthusiasm.
Linn is ~~ amused ~~ by Dooley's response.
Dooley: I have to go tell everybody!!
Dooley turns and runs out.
Dooley does have a little bit of Naros in him, at that.
Dennifa stands up, smiling sadly. "He's such a bright child."
Linn: Well, I suspect the others will play with him now, at least for a while.
Linn: Now, perhaps you could tell me about the Genlan classes?
Linn settles into a chair.
Dennifa: Yes.
Jamalas paces, but listens.
Dennifa: I'd been working mostly on vocabulary drill since I took over. Figured couldn't go too far wrong with that.
Dennifa doesn't add that she doesn't really have the hang of the grammar herself, making it hard to teach it.
Linn nods.
Linn: How many classes are there, and at what levels?
Dennifa: We generally break students up into 4 groups.
Dennifa: A three year age span for each group.
Linn: And each group is at a different level?
Dennifa: 6 - 8 natal years, 9 - 11, 12 - 14, and 15 - 17.
Dennifa: Of course, when children change over, they go over into the First Year group.
Dennifa: Those who do change over, I mean.
Linn: Do you know what the groups were studying before their former teacher left? There must have been records left behind, teaching plans, that sort of thing.
Dennifa: Yes. They were all reading from the same series. It tells the story of one family in Ancient times, with each book adding more words.
Linn: Ancient times? Why a text like that for teaching Genlan?
Dennifa: And there is a more complex version of the story for each school year, of course.
Linn: Wouldn't something about modern Gen Territory society be more appropriate?
Jamalas: What would you suggest?
Linn: Hmm.
Jamalas: [interested]
Linn appropriates a piece of scrap paper and starts scribbling titles.
Dennifa: Well, I think the idea back when they were written was to pique interest with the exotic history.
Linn: This is the sort of literature I'd recommend for such classes.
Linn: It should be exotic enough to get the kids interested.
Dennifa: And there was concern about it being controversial if the juncts heard about it.
Linn: If they're from Gen Territory, I'm sure they know these books well.
Dennifa: No, not them... the people in town. Back then I mean.
Linn: Back then?
Linn: How old are your language textbooks, anyway?
Dennifa: These books were written back before Unity.
Dennifa neglects to mention that the ones they have were printed then too.
Jamalas: Are you regretting signing on for this?
Jamalas: [hopes not]
Linn: Well, I can see that there is a great deal of work to be done.
Dennifa ~~ worries ~~ that Linn will be scared off, and she'll have to keep doing the Genlan classes.
Linn: Is there any chance of getting a budget for new texts?
Dennifa looks over at Jamalas. "Maybe. What do you think? About the budgeting?"
Jamalas: Well, You still haven't gotten your books yet, for the update in Physics.
Jamalas: But those books are really old, for Genlan.
Jamalas: How much of a budget do you think you'd need?
Linn calculates shipping costs, probable discounts, and so on, and names a figure.
Jamalas winces.
Dennifa sighs.
Dennifa: Well, I could keep going with the Physics texts we have.
Dennifa: Frihill has been finding out new stuff, but I can just pass that on to them from magazine articles.
Jamalas: Textbooks in Physics are out of date before they are even published, sometimes.
Jamalas: But then, so are history books.
Dooley walks into the room.
Dooley's clothes are dusty from where somebody pushed him in the dirt after his gossip tidbit welcome expired.
Dooley accordingly has come back for something more titillating.
Dennifa is trying not to resent Linn for messing up the budget, and is glad of the distraction when Dooley comes in.
Dooley: Hi. [shyly]
Dennifa: Hello Dooley.
Jamalas: Linn, I should get going. Would you like to meet for dinner this week?
Jamalas: We could talk about the musicale.
Linn: Of course. We can discuss plans for the music program then.
Jamalas: Say, tomorrow?
Dennifa looks between Jamalas and Linn, wondering....
Linn: Very well.
Jamalas: Good!
Linn: I look forward to it.
Dennifa: Dooley, why are you all dirty?
Dooley: Mathan pushed me down.
Dennifa: He did? That wasn't very nice of him, was it?
Dennifa goes over to Dooley and squats down to brush him off.
Dooley enjoys the attention.
Jamalas turns to Linn.
Jamalas: Shall I meet you here?
Linn: I'd be delighted.
Dennifa moistens a handkerchief and wipes at Dooley's face.
Jamalas: Okay. Until then.
Jamalas takes his departure.
Dennifa: Well, never you mind Mathan.
Dooley likes Dennifa an awful lot.
Dennifa: Anyway, How are you doing with your printing? Learned all the letters yet?
Dooley: Yep.
Dooley: Even "G".
Dennifa: Great!
Linn chuckles.
Linn: That's a very important letter, particularly for a Gen like me!
Dennifa: Remember it always opens on the right side. Which is your right hand?
Dooley obediently holds up both hands, then drops down the one that makes an "L".
Dooley: This one.
Dennifa: Very good!
Dennifa: That's right!
Dooley enjoys being Teacher's Pet during the bits where he's not being knocked into the dirt.
Dennifa pinches Dooley's cheek. "You're such a smart boy!"
Dooley grins.
Dennifa: Are you hungry?
Dooley: Yeah!!
Dennifa: Linn, would you like to go with Dooley and me to get some milk and cookies?
Linn: I'd be delighted.
Dooley: ~excited~
Dennifa stands up, taking Dooley's right hand.
Dennifa: Let's go!
Linn smiles and follows them.
Notes:
1) About 2 hours passes between these two scenes. [return]