Sime~Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #66: A Slight Miscalculation (11/23/98)
see note 1
Anmyn makes her way across the garden, headed for Riyyh's office.
Anmyn notes that it looks pretty much dead, this time of year.
Anmyn hopes that isn't an omen.
Anmyn enters the administrative building and signals outside of Riyyh's office.
Riyyh: Come in!
Anmyn opens the door and slips inside.
Anmyn: Good morning, Sectuib Riyyh.
Riyyh: Anmyn! [smiles gladly]
Riyyh: Hello.
Anmyn zlins Riyyh.
Anmyn: You zlin very well.
Riyyh appears to have not had any sleep in 2 nights, but is otherwise in great shape.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Riyyh zlins Anmyn as well.
Anmyn: ~~ eager to please ~~
Anmyn is pre-turnover, and therefore not yet subject to Sime pessimism.
Anmyn rubs the shiny new Naros ring on her finger.
Riyyh is glad some of the angry people hurled their rings in his face, allowing them to be recycled, or the financial situation would be even worse.
Anmyn: I feel like I'm part of Naros now, and not just a visitor any more.
Riyyh smiles.
Riyyh: You are.
Anmyn smiles a doll-like smile.
Anmyn: I was wondering, though....
Riyyh: Yes? ~encouraging~
Anmyn: Well, I don't like to be a bother, and Tictoc has been very kind; she hasn't said a word, but...?
Anmyn looks at Riyyh, hoping he will understand so she doesn't have to risk giving offense by saying it.
Riyyh: You would like to move into my house?
Riyyh thinks, "get in line!" and sighs to himself.
Riyyh thinks between Kadi cat and that grandmother of Nick's, he can't even so much as brush his teeth without getting interrupted.
Anmyn: Well, or some place where I won't be in Tictoc's way.
Anmyn: She's been everything that's kind, of course, but she did think I would only be staying there a few days, until you came back from Bender Cove.
Riyyh: Of course.
Riyyh: Yes, you may move into the house any time you like.
Anmyn: Oh, thank you.
Riyyh: The bedroom at the top of the stairs is mine; the two little ones are available and you can have whichever you like.
Anmyn: That would be perfect.
Riyyh hopes she picks the one farthest from his or she won't get any sleep either.
Riyyh: Oh, do watch out for Prunida.
Riyyh: She tends to be a bit....
Anmyn: Prunida?
Riyyh stares at Anmyn in dismay.
Riyyh: Anmyn, what did I tell you about the Sectuib's responsibility to her Household?
Anmyn: ~~ sweetly appreciative ~~
Anmyn: A Sectuib must always put her House first, above personal considerations.
Riyyh: Er, yes, of course, but the other thing. About staying informed about what's going on?
Anmyn: Oh, yes.
Riyyh can't believe even an inexperienced gossip could miss something as big as Nick's grandmother's descent upon the Householding.
Riyyh thinks the underwear hanging out of the windowsills would tip most people off, if nothing else.
Anmyn blushes painfully at the news that she has failed in her duty.
Riyyh: It's all right, but do try to pay attention. ~soothingly~
Anmyn: Yes, Sectuib.
Riyyh smiles at her.
Riyyh: ~reassuring~
Anmyn: ~~ earnest intent ~~
Riyyh: Well, Prunida is an old, er, acquaintance of mine who is visiting for some unspecified length of time.
Riyyh: She tends to be a bit loud and might possibly seem offensive to one who doesn't know her well, [and everybody else] so be sure to be extremely polite.
Anmyn: Oh, I'm sure I'll like her if she's a friend of yours.
Anmyn is very good at being polite.
Riyyh: Oh dear. [to himself]
Anmyn blinks, then points a tentacle at Riyyh's shirt.
Anmyn: What's that?
Riyyh wouldn't exactly classify Prunida as a friend, more as a recurrent nightmare.
Riyyh: What is what? ~surprised~
Riyyh looks where Anmyn is pointing.
Anmyn indicates a small ball of cat fluff resting on his shirt front.
Riyyh: It's cat hair! ~appalled~
Riyyh spent nearly 45 minutes trying to de-cat-hair himself before leaving the house, in accordance with the Farrisproofing rules.
Riyyh had thought he was finally turning that losing battle around.
Riyyh removes a small jar from his desk drawer, plucks the fluff off his front and pops it into the jar, screws the lid on tightly and then examines himself carefully for more samples.
Riyyh: Thank you for pointing that out to me.
Riyyh would hate for a Farris to be injured due to his slovenliness.
Riyyh would hate even more for somebody to actually see him looking slovenly.
Anmyn: You have a kitty?
Anmyn: ~~ wistful ~~
Riyyh: Yes, I do.
Anmyn: I used to have a kitty.
Anmyn: She was so sweet.
Riyyh nods sympathetically.
Anmyn: Oh, you've been very kind.
Anmyn: ~~ appreciation ~~
Anmyn: But there is one more thing.
Riyyh: Yes? ~kindly, as advertised~
Anmyn is afraid that it's a bit of an imposition to ask for anything else when she's already arranged to move in with Riyyh.
Anmyn: Well, I was wondering if it would be possible to have a Donor assigned to me soon?
Riyyh: Of course.
Anmyn: I'm still pre-turnover at the moment, but in a few days that will change.
Riyyh can zlin that.
Anmyn: If it's not too much trouble, that is.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: No, no, not at all.
Riyyh: I will see to it at once.
Anmyn: Oh, thank you!
Anmyn: ~~ boundless gratitude ~~
Lisa reins in her horse before the Naros main gate.
Lisa: We're here Serena.
Serena nods.
Lisa is a small slender channel wrapped in a bright red cape.
Lisa: I hope the Sectuib doesn't mind that we're showing up unannounced. But I have some info for him that I didn't want to trust to the post.
Serena is travelling with Lisa as her donor.
Gatekeeper: Greetings, and welcome to Naros.
Gatekeeper: What have we here? Visitors?
Gatekeeper consults his list; he isn't expecting either immigrants or deliveries today.
Serena looks to Lisa to extend greetings.
Lisa: Hello I'm Hajene Lisa ambrov Chanel. We would like to see your Sectuib please.
Gatekeeper isn't used to people who cut to the chase like this.
Gatekeeper: Oh!
Lisa: Is there a problem? He's not expecting us, but....
Serena ~~strong support to Lisa~~
Gatekeeper: I don't think so, unless there's one you know about that I'm not seeing.
Lisa: No. Oh, and this is Serena. She's my escort.
Gatekeeper examines Serena and Lisa carefully.
Serena nods to the Gatekeeper and keeps her mind on her work.
Gatekeeper does a double take as he notices Lisa's Tecton insignia.
Lisa: ~calm field mid First~
Gatekeeper: Oh my!!
Gatekeeper: I'll be right back.
Lisa glances at Serena. "I wonder if they are this cautious with everyone."
Serena: I guess being part of the Tecton is not standard here.
Serena: I won't leave you, you know that.
Gatekeeper leaves them outside the gates and runs to fetch somebody whose head can roll instead of his if the Tecton gets let inside.
Lisa: I don't think so. I got the impression from Riyyh that he's not too fond of the Tecton.
Gatekeeper spots Nick strolling down a path.
Gatekeeper thinks, any port in a storm.
Gatekeeper: Could you go tell Sectuib Riyyh there is a Tecton channel waiting outside the gates?
Nick: Err, a Tecton channel?
Nick: ~~ alarm ~~
Gatekeeper: Hajene Lisa ambrov Chanel, and a Donor.
Gatekeeper: They asked to speak to him.
Serena: I suspect if they are not fond of the Tecton, they're really not going to want us either.
Lisa: I'm not worried. Well, except about what Jorgre is going to say when he discovers I've stolen his Donor.
Nick's thoughts turn to forgery and other incarceratable offenses.
Lisa: We'll see.
Serena: I'll take care of him, you know that.
Gatekeeper: I have to get back to the gate. Just tell him, OK?
Serena: Pares couldn't come, so we'll just have to manage.
Lisa: I know.
Gatekeeper hurries away from Nick, with a feeling of a job well passed-off.
Lisa giggles.
Lisa: Yeah, he chose a good time to get sick.
Lisa: Oh, well.
Nick decides that being at ground zero would be preferable to the five minute wait before he was given a garbled account from Hero.
Serena laughs. "Well, if I end up qualifying First, we'll know why."
Gatekeeper reappears on top of the wall.
Gatekeeper: Somebody's getting him, it'll be just a moment.
Lisa: Thank you.
Nick makes his way to the administrative building and signals at Riyyh's office.
Riyyh: Come in.
Riyyh sends an apologetic glance to Anmyn.
Nick pokes his head inside.
Riyyh: Nick!
Riyyh: ~surprise and unsubtle helpless interest~
Nick: The gatekeeper asked me to let you know that there's a Lisa ambrov Chanel here to see you.
Riyyh's face goes white and his nager goes... well, you know those Jello desserts that you turn upside down from the mold?
Lisa smiles warmly at the gatekeeper.
Anmyn is ~~shocked ~~ at the strength of Riyyh's reaction.
Riyyh: Oh dear.
Nick steps inside and offers Riyyh ~~ support ~~
Nick: What's wrong?
Serena: I wonder what the delay is?
Riyyh: She's from the Bender Cove Sime Center. I promised I'd be back there 5 days ago!
Riyyh: She only waited one day before coming after me!
Riyyh: ~fear~
Lisa: I don't know, but I'm beginning to get irked.
Nick: ~~ uh oh ~~
Riyyh: Stop it... don't do that.
Nick gets his nager in order.
Nick: I'm sorry.
Riyyh doesn't need a Farris grade Donor thinking "uh-oh" near him when he's this panicky.
Serena: Can't say I blame you. ~~gentle warm support~~
Riyyh gets up and starts to hurry out the door, then runs in a small circle and dives into the bathroom to make sure all the cat hair is really gone.
Nick shakes his head.
Nick: Where's Mytag?
Lisa sighs. "We can't just leave, though. I know Sectuib Riyyh will find my report very interesting.
Riyyh: I told him he could have a couple of hours off... shen.
Lisa pushes back the hood of her cape and runs nervous tentacles through her long blonde hair.
Riyyh hurries out of the bathroom and flies out the office door.
Serena: I go where you go, if I don't Jorge will have my head, and whatever else is left of me.
Nick rolls his eyes and follows Riyyh, trying to ~~ calm ~~ him.
Riyyh: Nick, come with me. Anmyn, please stay here where it's safe.
Lisa: He and Veraik are both going to kill me but I couldn't tell Veraik.
Lisa: ~nervous~
Serena's horse is getting restless at the wait.
Gatekeeper picks his teeth idly.
Serena smiles. "So, we die together."
Anmyn is quite willing to follow any directions about staying safe.
Lisa: If we don't get back before my transfer we very well could.
Riyyh gets as far as the gate and then hesitates.
Serena: You won't, but I might. Then again, I survived your training session, I'm sure I could serve if I had to.
Riyyh isn't sure if he should talk to them from the wall, which would be rude, or open the gates, which would be an invitation to be grabbed.
Riyyh: Oh dear.
Nick reinforces Riyyh's spine.
Riyyh: Open the gate, please.
Riyyh would hate to be seen as rude, regardless of the kidnapping risk.
Gatekeeper opens the gate.
Lisa whispers "you may have to".
Serena ~~here for Lisa, warm, caring support~~
Lisa spots Riyyh ~relief~ Sectuib.
Riyyh is prepared with an expression and nager of ~~tentacle waving appeasement and apology~~
Lisa: House of Chanel offers respect and greetings to Naros.
Lisa: ~need to see you ASAP privately~
Riyyh: Dear Lisa, I am terribly sorry, I do know I had promised to be back five days ago, and you were most clear about, er, [not sure if he has any idea what that just was]
Serena: (whispers to Lisa) I'll do what I have to so that you get back home safely,
Riyyh manages to turn off the babbling apology and greet Lisa in return.
Riyyh: Greetings to Chanel.
Lisa waves a dismissing hand. "That's not important Sectuib. I have some information for you.
Riyyh: Oh?
Lisa nods to Serena.
Riyyh: ~nervously~
Riyyh: Please, come to my office.
Lisa: Thank you.
Lisa: About a certain report you requested.
Lisa slides off her horse. "Thank you, Sectuib."
Riyyh buttonholes a passerby, who was gaping at the newcomers, to take care of their horses.
Serena dismounts, and ties up both horses. Takes her place at Lisa's side.
Riyyh waves him off as Serena seems to have her own plan.
Riyyh would hate to prolong their stay unnecessarily, after all.
Serena passes the reins to the person from their stable.
Lisa offers Riyyh her tentacles in friendly greeting.
Lisa: It's good to see you again, Sectuib.
Riyyh: Thank you, and likewise. ~nervous suck up~
Riyyh: Please, my office is right this way.
Lisa smiles.
Lisa: Thank you.
Lisa follows Riyyh.
Riyyh wants to avoid a general panic which might be caused by the sight of Tecton people prancing about openly.
Serena is right in step with Lisa offering her usual ~~steady support~~
Nick falls in at Riyyh's side, as if he had an actual right to be there.
Lisa senses a certain nervousness in the ambient and is puzzled by it though she says nothing.
Riyyh still has to deal with his own panic, of course, which right now is locked up in a little box in his chest ready to come out later in private, or maybe sooner if things go badly.
Serena concentrates on Lisa's comfort, and tries to support her as well as adjust the ambient.
Anmyn is waiting patiently in Riyyh's office, as ordered.
Anmyn is very good at following orders.
Lisa says low so only Riyyh can hear, "Is my presence going to cause you problems?
Riyyh: Usually Tecton people only arrive here when they mean to carry off some of our people. [explains]
Riyyh: It's rare enough, but....
Lisa: ~I'm on your side~
Lisa: I'm not here to cause any trouble I assure you.
Lisa: Controller Veraik doesn't even where I am. ~and I hope I can keep it that way~
Riyyh: Oh... that's good to hear.
Riyyh: ~nervously~
Riyyh leads them into the Administration building, up the stairs, and into his office.
Riyyh realizes he told Anmyn to stay in there and thinks, What was I thinking!!
Nick tries to ~~ calm ~~ Riyyh's nervousness.
Lisa: ~soothing~
Serena increases her ~~support, warmth,~~ to Lisa.
Riyyh, enfolded by ~soothing~, ~~calm~~, and ~~support, warmth~~, stops being nervous.
Riyyh feels funny since it's so rare that he's not nervous.
Anmyn looks up, a sweetly smiling doll.
Riyyh signals to Anmyn that everything is OK, and goes to his desk.
Lisa smiles approvingly at Riyyh as she looks around his office.
Riyyh: Please, have a seat. Anmyn, would you pour some tea for our honored guests?
Lisa: Thank you, Sectuib.
Lisa takes a seat before the desk.
Nick sits by Riyyh's side, in Mytag's chair.
Anmyn: Of course, Sectuib.
Riyyh is sorry to use Anmyn as a tea-servant, after all she is Heir to the household.
Riyyh is more used to getting the tea himself.
Riyyh doesn't realize this train of logic makes no sense.
Serena sits behind her keeping a hand on Lisa's shoulder for physical and nageric support.
Lisa: You have a lovely office, Sectuib.
Anmyn goes over to the tea service and pours cups for everyone.
Riyyh: Thank you. I just had the ceiling redone. Twice.
Riyyh: ~gracious acceptance of the compliment~
Lisa shrugs off her cape after pulling a sealed envelope from an inside pocket.
Lisa: Twice? ~curious~
Anmyn offers tea to Serena.
Serena takes the cup of tea.
Serena: Thank you.
Serena slips out of her own cape, laying it on the chair behind her.
Anmyn offers the next cup to Lisa.
Riyyh thinks now isn't the time to explain about teenagers climbing through the ceilings to spy on people and falling through.
Lisa takes the tea and smiles. "Thank you."
Anmyn: You're welcome.
Anmyn smiles back sweetly.
Lisa begins to sip her tea.
Riyyh: I trust your trip was uneventful?
Riyyh trusts Lisa will start in on her news as soon as she has been rested and refreshed.
Anmyn provides Nick and Riyyh with tea, and settles in a chair against the wall with her own glass.
Lisa: Fortunately, yes. We have to get back as soon as possible, though. I "forgot" to tell Controller Veraik where we are.
Riyyh frowns slightly at this.
Riyyh: Of course.
Serena suppresses a smile.
Lisa glances from Anmyn to Nick. "I have some confidential information for you."
Riyyh looks at them also.
Riyyh sighs.
Nick continues to offer ~~ steady support ~~
Riyyh: Anmyn... I'm sorry, can we finish our talk another time?
Riyyh: ~truly sorry~
Anmyn: Oh, of course, Sectuib.
Anmyn gets up and hastens to the door.
Anmyn: I'll just go and move my things.
Anmyn tiptoes off to do something safer, like move her belongings into Riyyh's house with the pretty kitty cat and Riyyh's old friend Prunida.
Riyyh is less sure of how to handle Nick. Of course he cannot allow Nick to hear anything that might incriminate Snake, however it wouldn't do to advertise who Nick is in front of Lisa and Serena either.
Riyyh sighs unhappily.
Lisa continues to quietly sip her tea.
Serena works on her tea and continues to support her channel.
Riyyh turns to Nick.
Riyyh shrugs at him and gestures to the door.
Riyyh: Just for a moment?
Lisa wonders why Riyyh didn't introduce them to his friends, but is too polite to ask.
Riyyh knows the door is rather soundproof when closed, unlike the ceiling.
Nick shrugs, withdraws his support, and leaves.
Riyyh's shoulders wilt as all the false confidence and support Nick had woven into his nager evaporates.
Riyyh: ~unhappy but resigned~
Lisa frowns then offers Riyyh a supportive field.
Riyyh waits until the door has clicked shut, then nods to Lisa.
Serena notices the shift in the ambient, and strengthens her support to Lisa.
Hero bounces down the hall.
Hero: Hi Nick!!!!
Lisa taps the report. "You were right. Those papers were forgeries."
Lisa: Very good ones actually.
Nick: Hello, Hero.
Riyyh smiles, pleased.
Hero: What's going on?
Hero: I heard you and Wise Snake are about to get deported!
Lisa: My people were able to trace them back here. The rest is guesswork.
Lisa hands Riyyh the report.
Nick: Where did you hear that?
Riyyh: Guesswork? I told you I knew who forged them. ~puzzled~
Riyyh takes the report and looks through it.
Lisa: But we can't verify that. My contacts came to the same conclusion though.
Lisa: I haven't taken this to Sunlan yet. I'm not sure how he's going to react.
Lisa is actually not sure he wasn't in on it.
Riyyh: What happens now? I've lodged complaints with every Tecton office between here and Bender Cove already.
Riyyh: The response hasn't been, well, entirely sympathetic. [admits]
Riyyh: Should I arrange for copies of this to be distributed?
Riyyh: Or is it....
Riyyh isn't sure exactly what Lisa's exposure is in this matter.
Lisa drums a tentacle on Riyyh's desk. "Only if you want to get me in trouble and compromise some good people."
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: No, then.
Serena surrounds Lisa with a stronger warm field.
Riyyh is disappointed that Lisa was not able to give him any ammunition; he already knew Snake forged the documents.
Riyyh: Does this affect my status where Bender Cove is concerned, at least on the Sime Center level?
Lisa: Oh yeah. That's no problem. I've released you from our service. My report to Veraik just says you are required at your House.
Lisa: He probably won't say much.
Riyyh: Thank you!
Riyyh: ~relief and genuine gratitude~
Lisa: As to Wise Snake, do you want to topple her?
Lisa grins at Riyyh.
Riyyh: I... that is a difficult question, actually.
Riyyh: When I returned I found a lot of things had changed.
Lisa nods, listening closely.
Riyyh: What I'd like is for her to not be at Naros anymore. Beyond that, I... I can be flexible.
Riyyh thinks he has already tried just about everything that is possible, and several that are impossible, to get Snake out of there.
Riyyh would like to believe Kenmore and Snake's words that she'll be gone soon, but then it has been almost 3 months since she showed up saying they were staying for 2 days.
Riyyh would also like to unload the large Zeor group, as well as Richard, and all of Snake's people.
Riyyh wouldn't mind keeping Nick, though.
Lisa: Well her presence at Naros is strictly your affair. If you want to get her into real trouble with the Tecton I can arrange for this evidence to be discovered by someone in the District Controller's office.
Lisa: If we do it right, Sunlan will have no choice but to arrest her.
Lisa: ~not sure that will work~
Riyyh: Yes, you'd better do that.
Riyyh: I... I don't want anybody to be hurt, but at this point....
Riyyh feels uneasy about that but feels under pressure to say either yes or no, and "no" is burning a bridge that can't be won back again.
Lisa says gently, "it's your call, Riyyh."
Lisa: All I ask is that you not use that report. It would get my contacts into big trouble.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: I will not. ~sincere promise~
Lisa is wondering why she went so far out on a limb for a Sectuib she hardly knows.
Lisa: Thank you.
Riyyh: And truly, I am most grateful for all of your assistance.
Lisa: ~gratitude~
Riyyh: I would still be trapped in the wrong city if it weren't for your compassion and understanding.
Riyyh: ~honest thanks~
Lisa: It's no big deal. I don't like to see anyone screwed like that.
Riyyh: If there is anything I can do to make it up to you...?
Lisa: A room for the night would be nice. Serena and I are rather tired.
Riyyh: Oh... ~~oh dear~~ oh of course.
Lisa: That will give you time to think about what you want to do about this.
Lisa's showfield slips to reveal strong need.
Serena increases her support at the slip in the ambient.
Riyyh: We are a little short of space at the moment, we have Wise Snake and several of her people, and Hajene Kenmore and his cousin and his Donor and Ifto and his Donor and Richard and....
Riyyh zlins Lisa and Serena and realizes they are not exactly a match.
Riyyh: ~concern~
Riyyh: I am sure a room can be found.
Lisa wrenches her field back into neutrality.
Lisa: I see. Perhaps we should go then.
Riyyh: Do you... do you wish any other assistance?
Lisa: No thanks. I just have to get back to Bender Cove as soon as possible.
Riyyh: Well, if you think that is best....
Lisa: My Donor is ill, so I borrowed Serena, but I'm due....
Riyyh can zlin that.
Riyyh: Of course.
Lisa abruptly shuts up when she realizes she was about to confess to making a stupid mistake.
Riyyh: We would be happy to accommodate whatever you desire.
Lisa: ~undecided~
Serena just looks at Lisa ~~why?~~
Lisa: Um... we really should go back. Is there a train yet tonight?
Riyyh checks the time.
Riyyh: Yes, I think you could make the eastbound train.
Riyyh is worried that Lisa may not be thinking too clearly at the moment.
Lisa: Good. We'll do that ,then.
Riyyh: If you're sure that....
Riyyh: It is an awfully long trip.
Riyyh: Four days.
Riyyh: ~concerned~
Lisa: If you require time to think
Lisa: I know. I'll be fine.
Lisa: ~trying to be convincing~
Riyyh wonders what this has to do with him thinking.
Serena ~~here for Lisa and you know it~~
Riyyh spreads his hands and tentacles helplessly.
Riyyh: All right.
Riyyh: Thank you for coming, then.
Lisa nods. "I didn't want to trust this to the post."
Lisa: About Wise Snake? How do you want me to handle it?
Riyyh: Allow the report to be found.
Lisa: It will be done. Expect fireworks.
Riyyh nods nervously.
Riyyh thinks any resulting fireworks couldn't possibly be any worse than the previous ones.
Lisa rises. "Come, Serena, we'll go back to town to wait for the train."
Serena rises. "Of course, Lisa."
Lisa picks up her cape and puts it on.
Serena takes Lisa's arm and continues physical and nageric support.
Serena slips back into her cape as well.
Lisa leans on Serena's field and smiles at Riyyh.
Riyyh watches them nervously and thinks he'll be glad when they're out of zlinning range so he can go into denial about what might happen on their trip back.
Lisa nods to the Sectuib and leads the way from the room.
Riyyh: I will escort you to the gate.
Lisa: Thank you, Sectuib.
Riyyh follows them, looking for Nick as they exit.
Lisa goes outside and mounts her horse.
Nick raises an eyebrow as Riyyh escorts the visitors out of the office.
Serena gets on her own horse and takes her place at Lisa's side.
Riyyh locks his office door and beckons to Nick to come with.
Riyyh exits and is amazed at the speed with which the horses reappeared from the stables.
Lisa rides away Serena by her side.
Riyyh makes a mental note to compliment the stable crew.
Nick does so.
Nick looks after the visitors.
Riyyh watches after them until the gates are closed.
Riyyh sighs.
Nick wonders what that was all about.
Riyyh: It's really none of my business, of course, but....
Riyyh: ~~unhappy~~
Nick: But what?
Riyyh: The woman's in hard need and about to take a four day train ride with a Second Order Donor she isn't assigned to.
Nick: A Second?
Nick: She's a First, isn't she?
Riyyh thinks Lisa will have a hard time fooling Veraik about that.
Riyyh sighs and turns away from the gate.
Riyyh: Look, Nick, we have to talk.
Nick: About what?
Riyyh looks about.
Riyyh: Perhaps here isn't the best....
Nick: True.
Nick: Your office?
Riyyh: No, I think a bit more private than that.
Riyyh: Behind the workshed.
Riyyh checks to make sure Nick is dressed warmly enough for a long conversation outdoors.
Nick is wearing a heavy sweater.
Riyyh leads the way to the tiny garden (now defunct) between the buildings.
Riyyh offers Nick one of the wire chairs.
Nick sits on the chair.
Riyyh sits on the other.
Riyyh: It's about the circumstances of my being "assigned" to Bender Cove.
Nick: Oh.
Nick: ~~ control ~~
Riyyh: It's not that I don't like the two of you as people, it's just that all the evidence points to you. Snake even threatened to do that very thing.
Riyyh is trying to sound as reasonable as possible.
Nick: Ah. Well, you are back here safe and sound, and that's something, isn't it?
Riyyh: Now, I've managed to straighten out the problem enough that I at least don't have to worry about being snatched from Naros, but Nick, there are going to be further repercussions.
Nick sighs.
Nick: There always are.
Riyyh: Other people know the papers were forged and know they were forged by an expert, and that it happened here.
Riyyh: Really there aren't too many possibilities given those criteria, as I am sure you must agree.
Nick had hoped that he and Snake could have someplace relatively warm to sit out the winter, but prefers being on the road to being in Tecton custody.
Riyyh: ~apologetic~
Riyyh: I realize that Kenmore has not yet certified Wise Snake for travel, but... perhaps it would be best if you took matters into your own hands, as it were?
Nick: I'm not sure that Snake's ready to travel myself.
Nick: Surely you can see that after all we've been through in the past two months, I'd hate to see her go into a relapse.
Nick is also pretty sure that it will be easier to run if necessary if Riyyh is expecting them to stay a bit longer.
Riyyh: Well, yes, of course, but Nick,
Riyyh was not expecting Nick to be stubborn on this particular topic.
Riyyh realizes he should have known better especially after such very recent re-exposure to Prunida.
Nick: I will discuss it with Snake, when the opportunity arises.
Riyyh shrugs unhappily.
Riyyh: All right, Nick.
Nick nods.
Nick: Believe me, Riyyh, I have no desire to bring trouble on Naros.
Riyyh would like to have Snake gone a comfortable time before anybody finds that report, if at all possible.
Riyyh: Of course not, Nick, I know that.
Riyyh: You are a good Donor.
Riyyh says it as if that implies many other things about Nick.
Nick: I'm not a Donor--I'm Snake's Companion.
Nick: You know the difference.
Lisa pauses just outside the gates. "Serena, I don't think this is going to work."
Serena looks at her.
Riyyh: You are... a good Donor.
Riyyh: You're just not working as a Donor.
Serena: Whatever you say Lisa. But I'm willing to serve, and you know it.
Riyyh: It's all right, Nick, I'm not your grandmother.
Lisa: My baby's draw is getting stronger. He's going to drain me before we get back.
Riyyh: But please, get Snake out of here. For everybody's good.
Serena: I was worried about that.
Lisa sighs. "As much as I hate to, I'm going to have to beg Sectuib Naros for assistance."
Nick: As soon as it's safe for her.
Serena: Your call, Lisa.
Lisa: ~depressed gloomy~
Gatekeeper watches and listens with great avidity.
Lisa turns her horse and rides slowly back to the gate.
Gatekeeper is at a severe disadvantage in gossip-collecting stuck out here on the wall, and when he gets a chance to collect some, by gum he collects it.
Serena still with Lisa at her side, and offering support.
Riyyh: All right.
Riyyh nods unhappily and leaves Nick alone.
Lisa: Gatekeeper, would you please inform your Sectuib that we, er I, beg his assistance?
Gatekeeper: Right away.
Gatekeeper disappears from view.
Lisa sighs. "I hate this."
Serena looks to Lisa.
Serena: I wish I could do more for you than I can.
Gatekeeper spots Sectuib Riyyh coming out of the privacy garden.
Gatekeeper: Sectuib! Sectuib Riyyh! They're back.
Nick makes his way to Snake's cottage.
Lisa forces a smile. "I suspect the time will come, Serena but now I can't take the chance. My baby is getting so voracious."
Serena nods. "I know, I know."
Riyyh: They... oh, good.
Riyyh: ~utter relief~
Nick slips inside, hoping to find Snake alone.
Riyyh hurries to the gates to regreet the visitors.
Riyyh doesn't even notice the radical difference in his emotions from their previous arrival.
Lisa: ~apology~
Serena ~~continuing support~~ but trying to hide her depression at not being able to help Lisa.
Lisa slides off her horse.
Serena also dismounts, and will not leave Lisa in any event.
Lisa: Sectuib, I'm sorry, but I think it would be best if I beg assistance. My baby's draw is increasing.
Lisa drops her field.
Lisa: ~hard need baby drawing voraciously~
Wise Snake is alone, studying an empty vial.
Nick looks at the vial.
Nick: What's that?
Riyyh winces, then offers Lisa a ~~strong support~~
Riyyh is unfortunately rather over-rated by Lisa so it would be unwise to offer her transfer himself.
Lisa leans gratefully on Riyyh's field, sending apologies to Serena.
Riyyh: We can get you a transfer. ~reassuring~
Riyyh tries to think of who could possibly....
Lisa: I don't think taking Serena now would be wise.
Serena ~~understanding to Lisa~~
Lisa relaxes as her need is distanced.
Riyyh: I would have to agree with you there. [confesses]
Lisa whispers "a Sectuib is always right".
Riyyh thinks: Lisa is too much for himself or Tictoc, leaving it to one of the visitors. Dahlia is lowfield from serving Kenmore, Nick is sort of low field after serving Riyyh, and Kenmore is in the middle of saving the life of that poor junct who'd aborted three times....
Nick nudges Snake with his nager to break her contemplation of the vial.
Wise Snake jumps and the bottle flies over her shoulder.
Wise Snake: Oh, Nick. Hello.
Nick: What's that vial?
Serena ~~concern for Lisa, still supportive~~
Wise Snake: What vial? Nick, you look... what's wrong?
Nick hopes that Snake isn't getting into recreational pharmaceuticals again.
Wise Snake zlins Nick.
Nick: ~~ worry ~~
Riyyh sighs.
Lisa stands quietly caught in Riyyh's field.
Nick: Riyyh just received two visitors from Bender Cove.
Riyyh: Would you be able to accept a channel's transfer?
Wise Snake's eyebrows raise.
Wise Snake: Really? Anybody we know?
Nick: I don't think so--at least, I didn't recognize them.
Riyyh: You see, you out rate everybody here, and of our guests, most have recently taken transfer and the Gens are low field.
Lisa: Oh dear.
Riyyh: ~sincerely apologetic, yet promising there will be selyn for her~
Nick: But Snake, after they left, Riyyh told me that the news of your... er, literary efforts on his behalf, would soon be out among the Tecton authorities.
Riyyh: However, we do have two Farris channels here, either of which would be able to serve you.
Lisa: ~fear cold black fear~
Serena still offers Lisa her field and her life if necessary.
Riyyh maintains his ~~support and promise~~
Nick: He was advising a swift departure, at our earliest convenience.
Riyyh: Or I would be willing to do it myself, if your control is good.
Riyyh thinks that sounds excessively cowardly, even for him.
Riyyh: That is to say, I would short you. [explains, a bit embarrassed]
Riyyh: I am sorry.
Lisa blinks trying to focus on his words.
Riyyh realizes it's a bit cruel to get Lisa to make the decision at this point.
Riyyh: Come... come with me.
Riyyh thinks he'll lead her to Wise Snake and let her pick between himself and the Farris channel.
Riyyh: ~~promise/support~~
Serena whispers a suggestion to Lisa about a shunt from secondary system to primary.
Wise Snake: That does sound kind of good.
Lisa follows Riyyh instinctively, her mind trying to encompass his words.
Serena follows her channel.
Wise Snake: How many of the others are still with us? I've completely lost track.
Lisa whispers "A shunt. Yes, a shunt."
Riyyh stops.
Riyyh: Is that what you want? A shunt?
Serena looks to Lisa, glad she at least heard what she was saying.
Riyyh thinks four days of shunts would pretty much wreck most Firsts for work for a while.
Lisa shakes her head. "No, not really, but if I do one first it would be safer for you."
Riyyh thinks then again, Bender Cove certainly has enough other Firsts to cover Lisa's load.
Lisa begs "Sectuib, I want, I need transfer. My baby...."
Lisa: ~doesn't want to hurt anyone either~
Riyyh: Come on.
Riyyh leads her the rest of the way to Snake's cottage and signals.
Nick: Everyone but Bum Bum, I think.
Serena ~~here with you~~ then.
Lisa follows Riyyh, getting more and more absorbed in the promise of his field.
Wise Snake jumps.
Wise Snake: Shen, you've made me all paranoid. [to Nick]
Nick raises an eyebrow.
Wise Snake had thought it was Tecton goons come to march her off to prison at the door... it's probably just Kenmore come back from the infirmary.
Nick: It's too early for the Tecton marshals.
Wise Snake: I know!
Wise Snake goes and opens the door.
Nick ~~ soothes ~~ Snake.
Wise Snake beholds Riyyh and 2 Tecton people.
Nick's eyes widen as he sees the visitors.
Wise Snake: ~surprise~
Wise Snake quickly zlins the situation and realizes it's not what it looks like.
Wise Snake: [it helps that she doesn't recognize either of them]
Lisa: ~hard need focused on Riyyh~
Riyyh: Come on in.
Riyyh enters the cottage, leading Lisa.
Nick figures the best thing to do is to ~~ support ~~ his channel fully.
Lisa remains close to Riyyh.
Nick: I thought they left?
Riyyh: Snake, this is Lisa ambrov Chanel, she requires a transfer, can you handle it?
Riyyh is afraid that it may be a bit late for that but he's shenned if he isn't going to make Snake at least try.
Wise Snake zlins Lisa, then Riyyh.
Wise Snake: You don't want him.
Wise Snake: ~~Gen offering~~
Nick adjusts his nager to make Snake's Gen seem more Genlike.
Lisa goes fully hyper zlinning the new Gen field before her.
Lisa's tentacles lash the air restlessly.
Riyyh quietly lessens his support, not rejecting, but allowing Snake's to zlin better.
Serena moves aside and closes down her field completely.
Wise Snake holds out her arms.
Wise Snake: ~~enticement~~
Lisa takes a couple of steps towards Wise Snake.
Wise Snake: ~~raw bold exotic hot enticement~~
Wise Snake backs off a couple of steps, easing Lisa away from Riyyh's puny and rabbitlike field.
Wise Snake: ~~take me~~
Wise Snake: ~~urgent~~
Serena notices the change in the ambient, but does nothing to effect it.
Lisa closes the distance between herself and the other channel and pulls her roughly into transfer position.
Wise Snake entwines tentacles with Lisa.
Wise Snake: ~~ bursting with selyn ~~
Lisa leans forward and, making lip contact, begins a draw that is barely controlled.
Lisa: ~desperate hunger for life~
Wise Snake lets Lisa draw at her own pace, delivering ~~excitement/joy/eagerness~~
Wise Snake: ~~strength/power/optimism~~
Lisa draws feverishly at her top speed for a few moments grabbing at the lifegiving warmth so freely offered.
Wise Snake: ~~joy in giving~~
Nick provides ~~ steady support ~~
Lisa relaxes as the dark spectre of need retreats, banished by the warmth and joy coming from the other channel.
Lisa: ~happiness safety life~
Wise Snake matches ~~heady bliss and contentment~~ with Lisa's peak.
Riyyh is keeping his nager to himself and thinking he's glad he wasn't picked to do this.
Lisa spirals to fulfillment finding contentment in the offering, then terminates the flow.
Lisa: ~fulfillment victory happiness~
Wise Snake supports Lisa, allowing the other channel to end it and disengage at her own pace.
Nick thinks that Snake looks better for the challenging work.
Lisa comes duo and slowly retracts her tentacles.
Wise Snake zlins Lisa, then nods.
Wise Snake sheathes her own tentacles.
Lisa whispers, "thank you, Hajene."
Wise Snake: Are you all right now?
Lisa nods "Yes, I am."
Lisa: ~embarrassed~
Wise Snake zlins about to make sure everybody else is OK too.
Riyyh: Thank you for handling that, Hajene Farris. [to Snake]
Lisa: Farris!
Lisa looks questioningly at Riyyh.
Riyyh: I'm terribly sorry. Lisa, this is Hajene Wise Snake Farris.
Riyyh: And her Companion, Nick Reckage.
Nick steps closer to Snake, hoping that this doesn't mean Trouble.
Riyyh thinks if there's anybody in trouble in this room, it's himself.
Nick smiles just a tad weakly at Lisa.
Lisa nods. "An honor, Hajene, Nick."
Serena walks back to Lisa's side but says nothing, and shows no field.
Lisa smiles at Snake and her Donor.
Wise Snake thinks it's slightly amusing that the people who Riyyh presumably just spilled his guts to now owe her big time.
Wise Snake smiles.
Wise Snake's smile is a rather feral thing.
Wise Snake doesn't know about the report, of course.
Lisa: I'm in your debt, Hajene.
Nick wonders if Lisa has any idea how seriously Snake takes debts owed to her.
Wise Snake nods, thoughtfully.
Wise Snake: Give my regards to Controller Veraik when you return.
Lisa: I'll do that, Hajene, thank you.
Lisa smiles at Serena. "Think you we can still catch that train?"
Wise Snake plans to knock what's going on out of Riyyh as soon as the visitors have absented themselves.
Wise Snake shoots Riyyh a promising look.
Serena: Guess so... but I want to know why you did what you did!
Serena ~~very hurt~~
Lisa: So I can get you back to Jorgre in one piece, you silly goose. Now let's go.
Serena: I'm still angry with you... and you better believe it.
Wise Snake zlins the interaction with some amazement.
Lisa: Fine, fine, yell at me on the way home. Now let's go.
Lisa: Hajene, Sectuib.
Lisa nods to the other 2 channels and pulls Serena out of the room.
Nick blinks, looking after the visitors.
Serena follows Lisa as is expected.
Nick: Did she really think she could serve a high First?
Lisa is silent all the way into town to wait for the train.
Wise Snake: Is that what they were talking about? Transfer?
Nick looks at Riyyh, suspecting the answer is "no".
Riyyh: I think she was ready to try if she had to. [temporizes]
Riyyh isn't about to try to read minds.
Serena is just as silent, knowing 'I'm probably in more trouble than Lisa will be...second time I walked out on my channel.'
Nick remembers being ready to try to give transfer to a channel who outrated him.
Nick reflects that at least Lisa is most likely not pain-addicted.
Wise Snake grabs Riyyh firmly around the neck and starts throttling him.
Nick ~~ warns ~~ Snake firmly to keep it nonfatal.
Wise Snake has no intention of murdering him, she just wants it to be good and scary.
Riyyh: Urk! ~~panic~~
Nick sees that Snake is under control, and stands by warily.
Riyyh starts to lose consciousness and sees hallucinations of random Sime Center personnel appearing and disappearing.
Riyyh: Aaggghhh!!
Nick: Snake, I think he's intimidated enough.
Nick: ~~ mild reproof ~~
Wise Snake: What in shen did you tell those people!
Wise Snake stops throttling him so she can hear him talk.
Riyyh: I didn't tell them anything! [squeaks]
Nick doubts that, given Riyyh's earlier warning about Tecton investigations and a forgery investigation.
Nick: Then perhaps you should explain what they told you.
Wise Snake: Look. You must have told them something, or Nick here wouldn't have had a little talk with you about what's going to happen soon.
Riyyh: I didn't tell them anything, they came to... [realizes he can't let them have the faintest clue there is a report]
Riyyh: They came to get an emergency transfer.
Riyyh: [well, that's ~~true~~ for the most part]
Nick: ~~ disagreement ~~
Nick: They left, then came back for the transfer.
Wise Snake's lips twist into a sarcastic little smile as Nick and Riyyh's nagers disagree.
Nick wonders if he should lean on Riyyh a bit himself, or let it be in favor of planning how to manage damage control.
Riyyh: They were following up on the, on my assignment to the Bender Cove Sime Center.
Riyyh: Lisa was the one who released me to come back here, but it was only supposed to be 12 days, including travel.
Riyyh: ~~all true so far, but scared silly~~
Nick: So they expected you to come back?
Nick: And came looking for you when you didn't?
Riyyh: Well, apparently people were investigating my claims of falsified papers and realized that some of them were in fact forgeries, which excused me from my "assignment" there.
Riyyh: She was letting me know that.
Riyyh has a hard time feeling ~really relieved~ flat on his back with Snake sitting on his stomach, but he is somewhere deep inside.
Nick is glad that Riyyh is off the hook at Bender Cove, as he was feeling a bit bad about the extremity of having him sent there.
Riyyh reaches up tentatively to rub his neck, which between Prunida's hickees and Snake's bony fingers has really taken a beating recently.
Riyyh: I mean, I had to tell them something when I arrived there for a short visit and they insisted upon keeping me!
Nick had hoped that they wouldn't listen.
Riyyh: It is true I told them you forged the papers, but that was to save myself.
Nick: Did they believe you?
Riyyh: Not at first, [admits]
Riyyh: Lisa was the only one who believed me.
Riyyh: Well, the only one with any power. [adds]
Nick: How many others has she convinced?
Riyyh: She told me she put on the paperwork that I was "required by my Householding" and released.
Nick: So they're not currently pursuing the matter?
Riyyh: I don't know. ~honest~
Riyyh had thought he knew, but now he has no idea if Lisa will obey his request or obey her debt to Snake.
Wise Snake frowns.
Wise Snake: Do you know what the problem with you is, Riyyh? [finally]
Nick can think of several, actually.
Riyyh: No? ~trepidation~
Wise Snake: ~disgusted~
Wise Snake: You're just too pathetic to really hate.
Nick has discovered that himself.
Wise Snake: I mean, a person requires a certain amount of, of traction, [gesturing in attempt to think of the right word] or something, to really sink their cleats into.
Wise Snake: You're just a, a,
Nick winces at the graphic image.
Nick: Rabbit?
Wise Snake had been going to say "doormat" but that would confuse her lack-of-traction analogy.
Riyyh: Oh dear.
Riyyh: ~quite overwhelmed by recent events~
Wise Snake turns to Nick.
Nick raises an eyebrow in question.
Wise Snake: Do you remember when I said I wanted to sleep with him once just to see what it's like?
Wise Snake: [speaking as if Riyyh's not lying right there]
Nick nods.
Wise Snake: You got kind of upset at the time.
Wise Snake: How do you feel about it now?
Nick looks down at Riyyh.
Riyyh hopes this ends soon.
Nick: Well, if you're willing to brave Grandma Prunida's wrath, go ahead.
Wise Snake: Grandma Prunida??
Wise Snake looks at Riyyh in disbelief.
Wise Snake has been doing a lot of exercises at Kenmore's behest and hasn't exactly been keeping up on the local gossip.
Wise Snake can't even keep track of which of "her" people are still "her" people.
Nick: Yes. Hero said she's moved in with Riyyh.
Riyyh: She has not! She's only staying for a day or two. ~alarmed~
Wise Snake: Well, never mind about all that.
Wise Snake waves an impatient tentacle.
Wise Snake: I'm talking about something, here.
Nick has a nagging suspicion that she won't leave until she's taken at least a few more chances to try to convince him to go legit as a Tecton Donor.
Wise Snake: Now Nick, do you remember when you seriously considered accepting Riyyh's invitation to pledge Naros?
Wise Snake recalls Nick said it only lasted an instant or so, but maybe he'll remember it anyway.
Wise Snake: How do you feel about that now? [asks Nick, gesturing at Riyyh]
Nick: About pledging Naros?
Wise Snake: Being his Companion.
Wise Snake: Pledging Naros.
Wise Snake: The whole shebang.
Wise Snake is in a generous mood.
Nick shakes his head.
Nick: You're my channel, Snake.
Nick: ~~ firm conviction ~~
Wise Snake: Huh.
Wise Snake looks at Riyyh.
Wise Snake: You're just a nothing.
Wise Snake: I wreck your whole life and you still can't give me a decent challenge.
Wise Snake gets up off him.
Riyyh is nonplussed for a moment, then offers, "I'm sorry."
Riyyh isn't sure what he's apologizing for, except for not being what Wise Snake apparently requires.
Riyyh sits up.
Riyyh: [cautiously, when it appears the pounding and strangling are over with]
Nick makes a mental note to track down Mytag and make sure he takes care of Riyyh.
Wise Snake: How about a sandwich? [to Nick]
Wise Snake: I heard they are having the nice lettuce today.
Wise Snake: [ignoring Riyyh utterly]
Nick: Yes, the greenhouses are starting to produce.
Nick offers Snake a formal arm, and nager.
Wise Snake leaves the house, in the company of Nick.
Riyyh wonders which is worse between going the rest of the day looking like he was strangled on his tea break, or going home and cleaning up and getting harassed by Prunida again, and perhaps made very late for his afternoon work.
Riyyh thinks if Prunida finds out it was their grandson's channel that did the strangling, while the grandson stood by, there's no telling what she might say or do.
Notes:
1) This episode contains a couple of scenes involving two Bender Cove Township characters, Lisa and Serena. The scenes were later stricken from the Bender Cove logs. When discussing these events, be aware that in the context of the Bender Cove Scenario, they never occurred. However, they are considered legitimate background for both Householding Naros and Two Roads Diverged. [return]