Sime~Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #81: Refuge (12/16/98)
Plig is sitting in the common room, shuffling a deck of cards.
Plig looks around to see if there's anybody to fetch him a cup of tea.
Amia is sitting just outside the kitchen door, within the common room, with a bowl of peas in her lap, shelling them for the meal.
Amia is watching what is going on around her, concentrating mostly on her work.
Plig smiles winningly at Amia.
Plig: I don't suppose a lovely lass like you could be convinced to fetch me some tea?
Plig smiles with the charm of an experienced con man.
Amia: I suppose I could, but I do have work to do.
Amia puts down her bowl and gets up.
Amia returns with a pot of tea, cups and the honey pot on a tray and sets them before Plig.
Plig is a bit taken aback by this, and tries again.
Plig: Thank you, sweet. Do you know where I might find that channel who was supposed to be taking donations?
Amia: I don't know. She's probably in her room. She frightens me.
Plig: Frightens you? Why would a channel frighten you?
Plig: ~~ curiosity ~~
Amia backs slowly towards her chair and bowl, keeping an eye on the stranger.
Amia: All Simes frighten me, ~~controlled fear~~ and I don't like strangers either.
Plig shakes his head.
Plig: Now, that's a pity.
Amia picks up her bowl and returns to her work. "Why should that concern you?"
Plig: Why, because you're a person. How could I not be concerned?
Plig might have added "a young, reasonably decent looking female person", but experience suggests that this would not be effective.
Amia: ~~confused~~ I don't understand.
Plig: No, I can see you don't. Probably because you've been shutting yourself away from other people for so long.
Amia: My father has been worried about me. I only do what he tells me because he says it the right thing for me.
Plig deals cards absently, watching Amia out of the corner of his eye.
Riyyh emerges into the common room for the first time in many hours.
Amia sees Riyyh enter and warily watches him. ~~very worried~~
Riyyh turns toward the worry automatically.
Riyyh: ~concerned~
Plig looks at Riyyh.
Plig: My goodness, man, what happened to you?
Plig: ~~ astonishment ~~
Riyyh appears to have been dragged backward through a hedge... and forward, and over and under the hedge, and on top of the hedge, and then the hedge was dragged through him backward just to see what it's like.
Riyyh is, however, clothed and groomed once again. More or less.
Riyyh: Oh dear... I'm terribly sorry. [kindly, to Plig and Amia]
Riyyh: My... friend... had a rough night and I was up all night helping her. [explains]
Riyyh doesn't realize yet that Amia's worry isn't for him.
Plig: Perhaps you'd like some tea?
Plig has experienced a few nights like that.
Riyyh thinks Plig and Amia are awfully nice people to be so concerned for a stranger.
Amia continues shelling the peas, but knows this is the channel Wise Snake mentioned. He doesn't seem as threatening as Snake made him out to be.
Plig pours some of his pot into a fresh cup and holds it out.
Riyyh: Oh... yes, thank you. ~gratefully~
Riyyh has had a bit of a revelation about bad tea in the past few days: The secret to truly enjoying bad tea is to have such a terrible life that any kind of tea becomes treasure.
Riyyh accepts the tea.
Riyyh smiles at Plig, and then at Amia even though she isn't looking.
Riyyh sinks into a chair near them.
Plig: I hope your... friend... is feeling better.
Amia ~~controlled fear~~ watches the two guests cautiously while working.
Riyyh: She fell asleep. [confesses] She'd been up for several days.
Plig: Ah. Even a Sime's stamina runs out, eventually.
Riyyh had been more obsessed about the bags under his eyes than about Nick and Snake's whereabouts, so he'd caught more catnaps than Prunida had.
Riyyh: Yes. [in same tone of voice as "amen"]
Riyyh studies what Plig is doing, curiously.
Amia goes into the kitchen to leave the peas, and bring out some potatoes to peel, returning to her seat by the kitchen door.
Riyyh studies Amia more covertly, surprised by the fear in her.
Plig: Care for a game?
Plig smiles slyly.
Plig scoops the cards together and starts shuffling as only a pro can manage.
Riyyh turns to Plig and looks up at him with the innocence of 55 years of determined practice.
Riyyh: Me? Oh, I couldn't.
Riyyh: ~touch of helpless chagrin~
Plig shrugs.
Plig: As you wish.
Nick comes wandering in, hoping to find some breakfast.
Riyyh: Hello, Nick.
Riyyh: Perhaps Nick would play with you.
Riyyh: [helpfully]
Nick: Hello, Riyyh.
Nick inspects Riyyh for damage.
Nick looks at Plig.
Nick: I know better.
Plig smiles at Nick.
Plig: Sosu, so nice to see you again.
Plig: How is your lovely channel?
Plig turns back to Riyyh.
Plig: You have met Hajene Snake, have you not?
Riyyh, troubled by Amia's nager, tries to catch her eye and smile at her.
Riyyh looks up.
Riyyh: Oh... yes, I have.
Riyyh smiles and nods.
Riyyh contrives to appear kind and harmless.
Riyyh: [this is so that nobody knows just how much Snake scares the shen out of him]
Amia continues to concentrate on her work, occasionally glancing at the guests.
Nick wanders over to sit at the table next to Riyyh and Plig.
Nick: Is there any breakfast available?
Nick: ~~ hungry Gen ~~
Amia makes no attempt to move, but heard what Nick said. "There are some muffins in the warmer, and tea on the stove."
Amia: ~~not getting closer to that Sime~~
Nick raises an eyebrow at this dereliction of duty, and wanders towards the kitchen.
Amia follows him into the kitchen in case he needs something else.
Plig looks at Riyyh.
Plig: That's a seriously troubled young lady, I think.
Nick looks around for edibles.
Riyyh looks troubled himself.
Riyyh: She seems to have taken a dislike to me. [admits]
Amia turns to Nick. "If there is something special you would like, let me know. I can cook."
Riyyh's natural reaction is to want to try to win her over.
Riyyh: Perhaps if I spoke to her....
Riyyh: Perhaps all she requires is comforting.
Riyyh: ~optimism/compassion~
Nick: Cereal would be nice. And is there any fruit to go with the muffins?
Riyyh: [OK, optimism is normally difficult to achieve for a Sime 2 days from hard need, but this is Riyyh we're talking about: the king of denial]
Amia: I'll make the cereal right away, and there is some dried fruit in that cupboard (points).
Plig of course does not suspect Riyyh's preferred method of comforting troubled females.
Amia sets about to making the cereal.
Nick scrounges the fruit and muffins, and some tea, and returns to the common room to wait for his cereal.
Riyyh actually has no intention of "comforting" Amia in that particular way, at least until he's had time to recover.
Nick sips his tea and starts on the muffins.
Nick: ~~ satisfaction of Gen-sized hunger ~~
Riyyh glances furtively at Nick's muffins.
Riyyh: [and his breakfast, also]
Nick: Care for a muffin?
Riyyh finally asks, hopefully, "Nick, could I have one of your muffins?"
Riyyh: Oh yes... thank you. [slightly embarrassed, but pleased]
Amia brings out the cereal in a large tureen, with extra bowls and spoons. She takes the furthest route away from the Sime to serve those at the table.
Amia: ~~controlled yet rising fear~~
Nick hands Riyyh a muffin, his attention resting briefly on the channel.
Riyyh looks up at Amia, looking like a sad, harmless and rather cute puppydog.
Riyyh is thoroughly distracted by Nick's nager.
Riyyh: Oh... thank you, Nick.
Riyyh reaches for the muffin, managing to move his chair about 2 feet closer to Nick's in the process.
Amia places the food on the table, and once again backs towards her seat at the door.
Amia: If you want anything else, let me know.
Nick looks at Amia.
Nick: Riyyh doesn't bite, you know.
Nick: No more than Snake.
Amia: We discussed this last night, didn't we?
Amia picks up her bowl and starts peeling the remaining potatoes.
Riyyh's eyes widen.
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Nick shrugs and digs into his cereal.
Riyyh: ~utter embarrassment~
Riyyh can't know what was discussed regarding him and biting, while he was trapped with Prunida last night, but if it made this poor young thing this afraid of him, it must have been fairly awful.
Riyyh: ~humiliation~
Nick sees Riyyh's humiliation and mistakes its cause.
Riyyh wonders in what context a conversation could cover both him and Snake, and biting.
Riyyh winces.
Nick: Don't take it so hard, Riyyh. It's natural enough to have such problems, in your situation.
Riyyh: It is? [confused]
Riyyh: Oh... er... that is very kind of you to say.
Riyyh wonders if Nick means it's natural to have a crazed pentagenarian demanding that he whinny like a horse and nibble on the nape of her neck, or natural to have young girls cringing from his presence as he eats his breakfast.
Amia continues to watch them while working ~~lessened fear~~ (since no one is coming after her)
Nick: We're working on a solution, though it may not be optimal.
Riyyh: Oh... really? [cautiously]
Riyyh: That is very... very thoughtful of you. [weakly]
Nick feels ~~ slightly apologetic ~~ at possibly not being able to offer the best possible Snake transfer.
Riyyh now has no idea what Nick means.
Riyyh: ~nervous~
Riyyh edges closer to Nick's seemingly sympathetic nager.
Riyyh: Nick, I do hope you... forgive your grandmother.
Nick offers just a taste of ~~ comfort ~~, while refusing full support so Snake won't go ballistic if she walks in.
Riyyh is lured in by the comfort.
Riyyh: ~hope~
Riyyh: She does love you very much.
Nick: I just wish she had a better way of showing it.
Riyyh: And... she would like you to come back to Naros with us.
Riyyh: And Snake also, of course.
Riyyh obviously wouldn't be saying this unless Prunida had put him up to it, but having been browbeaten into it, he'll of course do his best to appear sincere.
Nick is a bit taken aback at the offer.
Riyyh looks anxiously, and sincerely, at Nick from a distance of about 6 inches.
Nick: I don't think Snake has any intention of returning to Naros.
Amia has finished peeling the potatoes, and goes back into the kitchen to find further work to do. She occasionally sticks her head out of the door to keep an eye on the visitors.
Nick's eyes cross as he tries to look Riyyh in the eyes.
Riyyh: But Nick,
Riyyh touches Nick's hand softly.
Riyyh: You can influence her, can't you?
Riyyh is certainly influenced by Nick, particularly at the moment.
Riyyh's ronaplin glands, ignoring the utter lack of support from Nick, enthusiastically remember the month before.
Riyyh: ~need/yearning~
Nick sees the swelling ronaplin glands and allows a careful ~~ not now ~~ to show in his nager.
Riyyh sighs internally as his head clears a little.
Riyyh prudently removes his fingers from Nick's hand to Nick's knee.
Riyyh: Can't you?
Riyyh: ~earnest~
Nick: I'm not really sure I want to return to Naros right now.
Nick: ~~ apologetic ~~
Riyyh: Then would you consider your grandmother's home?
Riyyh hopes the grandmother still considers it the grandmother's home.
Riyyh thinks Prunida is a lovely lady, but each encounter with her takes a year off his lifespan.
Amia brings them out a fresh pot of tea because it is the polite thing to do.
Nick: No, I don't think either of us would be happy there.
Nick: ~~ firm ~~
Nick sees Amia with the tea.
Amia: ~~very wary~~
Nick: Ah, Amia, we could use refills over here.
Nick holds out his cup for more tea.
Amia fills his cup quickly but smiles at him in the process.
Riyyh smiles at Amia.
Nick nods approvingly, since that required her coming within two feet of Riyyh.
Nick: Riyyh could use some more, as well.
Riyyh, now that he is aware of the extent of Amia's feelings about him, tries to put as much harmless handsomeness as possible into his smile.
Riyyh also appears slightly apologetic that she has to come near him.
Riyyh can't imagine what she must think about him, but he can guess.
Amia considers that the Sime hasn't yet tried to harm her, and quickly fills Riyyh's cup.
Riyyh is glad not everybody meets him for the first time having first been primed with stories of Prunida.
Riyyh: Thank you. [kindly]
Amia: You're welcome.
Amia looks to Plig to see if he wants a refill as well.
Plig: Thank you, my girl.
Plig holds out his cup.
Amia fills the cup and then sets the pot down near him.
Amia: You're welcome ~~relief~~
Amia backs up a few steps waiting to see if anything else is required.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh finds one of the hardest things about travelling is all the unfriendly people one meets.
Riyyh isn't sure if unfriendly is the right word - maybe reserved, or uncaring.
Riyyh nibbles on his muffin and wonders if he should go back and sit with Prunida.
Sethan comes into the common room.
Amia neither gets closer or retreats.
Riyyh: Hello, Sethan! ~brightens~
Sethan zlins around.
Riyyh is relieved to see a friendly, that is to say Narosian, face.
Sethan tentacle gestures politely to everyone.
Nick finishes his breakfast, but lingers over his tea.
Amia seeing the gestures becomes more fearful once again ~~controlled fear~~
Sethan: Is there any tea?
Sethan stops moving.
Sethan makes a careful effort to not zlin Amia.
Riyyh stares at Amia in surprise as he realizes she is scared of Sethan as well.
Riyyh: Sethan, it's on the table here. [gestures absently, still looking at Amia]
Riyyh: Are you all right? [softly, to Amia]
Sethan moves around the room, to get Riyyh between him and Amia.
Sethan looks over at Plig as someone neutral to pay attention to.
Amia ~~ growing fear~~ (chokes out a strangled) "Yes," and quickly backs away.
Nick pours another cup of tea for Snake, tops off his own, and leaves for their room.
Amia returns to the chair by the door.
Plig sees a renSime zlinning him, and discreetly collects his cards and leaves.
Amia remains rooted to the spot, now that she's left in a room with only Simes present.
Sethan watches the two leave.
Sethan reaches for a mug and the teapot.
Sethan says casually, "any sign the weather is letting up?"
Riyyh reluctantly drags his attention away from the tormented Amia.
Riyyh: Not that I have heard, [admits]
Riyyh has been tied up - at some times rather literally - for the past 24 hours, however.
Sethan has been wearing one set of clothes since he left Naros, which are getting a bit smelly now.
Sethan doesn't notice since he is one week into need.
Riyyh is still wearing the same set of clothes, too, however he has gone to great pains to hand wash them every night.
Sethan sips at his tea.
Sethan realizes he is probably getting in the way of Riyyh's play for this little girl.
Sethan smirks into his mug.
Riyyh looks puzzled, but says nothing.
Riyyh: How are you today, Sethan? Feet all healed?
Sethan: Not entirely, but much better.
Sethan: My fingers are back to normal, though.
Sethan puts down his mug and waggles them to prove it.
Riyyh: That is good. ~sincere~
Riyyh remains aware of Amia's presence, and tries to decide what to do about it.
Riyyh of course would never dream of not trying to do something.
Sethan: I think I'm down to a week, though.
Riyyh: Oh, I am sure the weather will be improved before then.
Riyyh: ~supportive assurance~
Riyyh is less sure of whether it will have let up in time for his own transfer, however.
Riyyh has done the math and it doesn't look good for him, assuming that Snake doesn't plan to get shorted this month.
Sethan relaxes against the support despite himself.
Sethan: So, who is going where when it does?
Riyyh: Prunida and I are going to go back to Naros.
Riyyh: Snake and Nick... well, they will probably continue in the direction they were going.
Riyyh does plan on doing his damnedest to seduce Nick into returning with them, though, in the next couple of days.
Sethan: Weren't you coming to get them back?
Riyyh: That was what Prunida wanted, yes, [admits]. However, they are not willing.
Riyyh hopes Prunida will eventually be able to take no for an answer.
Riyyh thinks, between Prunida's inability to take no for an answer, and Riyyh's own inability to give no for an answer, it's amazing Nick can function at all.
Sethan sighs. "A wild goose chase, and we don't even get a goose."
Riyyh smiles sympathetically.
Sethan stands up.
Riyyh: It is a shame. [agrees]
Sethan: OK. You know where I am if you require me.
Riyyh: Thank you, Sethan.
Riyyh: ~gratitude~
Sethan refills his mug before going back towards his room.
Riyyh looks after Sethan for a moment, and then turns slowly around toward Amia again.
Riyyh studies her for a time, not saying anything, ready to offer a smile if she looks up.
Riyyh: ~curious/puzzled/concerned~
Amia sees she is alone with this one Sime, but again doesn't move.
Riyyh finally asks, gently, "What's your name?"
Riyyh: Mine's Riyyh. Riyyh ambrov Naros.
Amia: (softly) My name is Amia.
Riyyh: Amia... a beautiful name. [smiles]
Amia unconsciously smiles back at him.
Riyyh is an older Sime, about 40 years past changeover, but remarkably well preserved.
Riyyh is wearing a plain cloak, and few ornaments, but he and his clothing are clean and his long silver hair is brushed.
Riyyh looks slightly beaten up, mostly due to being afraid to spend too much selyn on healing when he doesn't know where his next transfer will be coming from.
Riyyh: And you have a beautiful smile. ~sincere~
Amia: Thank you.
Riyyh: I'm sorry about... [hesitates]
Amia looks at Riyyh.
Riyyh realizes he has no idea what he did to offend and/or terrify Amia, if Sethan did whatever-it-is too.
Riyyh is pretty sure Sethan did not bite Prunida, anyway.
Riyyh: Well, I apologize if I have offended you in any way.
Amia: No. It's not you personally.
Riyyh is very relieved, since he goes far out of his way to be as pleasing to the eye and nager as humanly possible.
Riyyh: I am relieved to hear you say that. But if there is anything... anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask me. I am at your service.
Amia realises this Sime is not out to hurt her at the moment. ~~fear lessened somewhat~~
Riyyh tries to appear as sincere, harmless and kind as possible.
Riyyh has many years of experience at it so he can look pretty shenned sincere, harmless and kind.
Amia: Thank you very much.
Riyyh can also look sweet, innocent and gullible, as well as very available, but he senses this isn't the moment for that particular message.
Riyyh smiles.
Amia again smiles at him.
Riyyh sips his tea.
Riyyh: Do you live here?
Riyyh: At the Inn?
Riyyh gestures at their surroundings.
Amia: Yes. My father is Mogan.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: That is good. You got snowed in at home instead of miles away from home.
Riyyh smiles wistfully.
Amia: You must miss your home.
Riyyh: I do wish I was there for my - my children.
Amia nods.
Riyyh wishes they at least knew where he is.
Riyyh: Mogan is a very kind and generous man.
Riyyh: You must be proud to have him as a father.
Amia: He loves me very much. Keeps me safe.
Riyyh zlins Amia surreptitiously.
Riyyh is curious about her mention of safety.
Riyyh: Do you have any brothers and sisters? [kindly]
Amia: No. My mother died when I was young. [shudders at the memory]
Riyyh: I am terribly sorry. [sympathetic]
Riyyh is surprised by how powerful the emotions still are, after apparently years.
Riyyh is sad for a child, now a woman, who has to live through years of such feelings.
Riyyh: Where I come from, there are a lot of young people who have lost parents. Some times I think it is the worst thing that can ever happen.
Riyyh: My heart breaks, it really does.
Amia smiles at Riyyh ~~calmer~~
Mogan finishes tending to the animals.
Riyyh: But yet, I also see them find lives in Sime Territory, and marry, and have children of their own. I can't describe the happiness they find... well, of course, you'll know that too, some day. When you are a little older.
Riyyh smiles.
Amia listens.
Mogan remembers that the wood is getting a bit low in the kitchen.
Riyyh: Do you think you will take over the Inn from your father, Amia? Some day? Or are you going to learn a different trade? [curious]
Amia: I never gave it any thought.
Riyyh: You are young yet. [admits] There is plenty of time.
Amia: I suppose so.
Riyyh: Did you know, I am 42 years past changeover and I have never once been married?
Amia: Oh? That seems odd.
Riyyh: It's not odd at all, or at least, [amends] it seems perfectly natural to me.
Riyyh: But then, everybody must do what he or she finds gives them the most personal freedom.
Riyyh: For some, it's being not tied down. For others, it's being... sheltered.
Amia nods, although she isn't quite sure what he means.
Riyyh zlins Amia's uncertainty.
Riyyh: You see, each and every person's heart is unique. Individual.
Riyyh: For me, I get my greatest joy from helping others, from sharing, from giving of myself.
Amia: Yes.
Riyyh: I would never want to, to limit myself in such a way that I could no longer give of myself to another person.
Riyyh: But for some people, it is different. They feel that the world is too big a place, and they close up, like flowers in the dark.
Riyyh: In the presence of another person, though - the right other person - they bloom.
Amia says simply "My work is here. I've never been away from here."
Riyyh pauses.
Riyyh realizes they are not at all on the same wavelength.
Riyyh tries to decide if he should go for more "mechanical and direct", which he's never been good at, or "seductively curious", which might not go over well.
Riyyh usually falls back on "obedient, caring and agreeable" but that doesn't work well with tight-lipped people.
Riyyh sighs internally. ~oh dear~
Riyyh get up and goes down on one knee in front of Amia.
Riyyh bows his head.
Riyyh: Then the world has suffered a terrible loss, without ever even knowing it.
Mogan finishes loading the wood box.
Amia: ~~confused, not as fearful~~ I don't understand?
Mogan comes into the kitchen.
Riyyh looks up at her, his gray eyes admiring and kind.
Mogan rubs at his neck. Figures they are probably out of tea in the common room by now.
Mogan makes another of the endless pots of trin that are part of this business.
Riyyh: Because you are precious and unique, Amia.
Riyyh touches her hand, very gently.
Amia: ~~puzzled~~ You don't even know me [eyes widen, but she doesn't move away]
Mogan fills the pot over full by accident, and so walks slowly and carefully to avoid spilling it.
Amia hears her father in the kitchen, and hopes he'll come in, but doesn't call out to him.
Riyyh: Perhaps it is you, who don't know yourself. [softly]
Riyyh removes his touch, lingeringly.
Mogan carefully pushes the door open slowly as he backs into the room.
Amia doesn't know what to say to Riyyh in reply.
Mogan turns around to zlin the room.
Riyyh zlins the father coming in and jumps up hastily.
Mogan zlins Riyyh jumping up from in front of Amia.
Mogan: ~~ fear/anger ~~
Amia smiles at her father, but doesn't say anything.
Mogan: What are you doing?
Riyyh takes one zlin of that and turns and bolts like a rabbit.
Riyyh: ~fear~
Amia: We were just talking, Father.
Mogan: Talking? About what?
Amia: A lot of things. He didn't hurt me.
Mogan has tried to keep all Simes away from Amia, and doesn't think she should start with ones in need.
Amia is puzzled why Riyyh ran.
Mogan walks over, forgetting the overfull pot and sloshing hot tea on his hand.
Mogan: SHUVEN!
Mogan drops the pot which shatters, splashing more hot tea.
Amia: Are you all right?
Amia takes her apron to clean up his hand ~~caring, love~~
Amia: Oh dear!
Mogan waves his hand frantically to cool it.
Mogan lets Amia take it.
Mogan: Sorry, Amia. Clumsy of me.
Amia: It's all right. But why are you so worried? Riyyh didn't do anything to hurt me. ~~confused~~
Amia bends down to clean up the pot shards.
Mogan: I, I was, surprised, that's all.
Amia stands.
Amia: I'll go get a mop.
Mogan: Yes, all right.
Amia takes the broken crockery and returns with the mop.
Amia: You take care of your hand. And maybe you should tell Riyyh why you were so upset. You frightened him, I think.
Mogan desperately wants to grill Amia to find out if Riyyh tried anything, but doesn't want to give her a negative take on what may have been a good encounter with a Sime.
Amia starts mopping up the mess.
Amia: I've got to clear the table and finish making dinner too.
Sethan has to pace, and goes out into the hall.
Riyyh has his back pressed against the wall and is panting.
Riyyh: ~~receding waves of adrenaline~~
Riyyh of course can't go into the room he's sharing with Prunida.
Amia looks to her father.
Mogan: Of course. Did you require anything? I filled up the woodbox.
Amia: I don't think so. I cleaned the peas and the potatoes. What else do you think they want?
Sethan zlins Riyyh looking like someone who just fled a mugging.
Mogan: I think they'll like that.
Riyyh: Oh... hello, Sethan. ~faintly sheepish~
Riyyh massages his chest with a nervous hand.
Amia nods and returns to the kitchen to put the mop back.
Mogan: And Hajene Snake does like her apples.
Sethan: What is it?
Amia: Then maybe I should bake some.
Riyyh: Oh... oh, it's nothing. I just... Mogan walked in, and I was a bit startled, is all.
Mogan follows her into the kitchen. "That does sound like a good idea."
Mogan: But remember to leave the spices off hers.
Mogan zlins Amia to see how she reacts to mention of Snake.
Amia puts the potatoes and peas up to cook, then starts on the apples.
Sethan: Startled? Why should you be startled?
Riyyh: Well, I was talking to his daughter, and I'd become, well, rather focused on her, and her problems, and I didn't even notice him walk in.
Riyyh: The next moment I look up and - well, he was rather angry. [admits]
Amia: ~~ calm ~~ I also have to clean up the morning dishes. Can you get them for me?
Sethan: ~~ repulsed ~~
Sethan: I'd be too.
Sethan: Don't you think she's a bit young for you?
Mogan: I'll get them.
Amia thinks her father will be upset that she neglected her work to talk with Riyyh.
Mogan goes over to the sink.
Riyyh looks momentarily confused.
Amia: Thank you, Father.
Riyyh: Sethan, what -
Riyyh's tentacles shrink from Sethan's revulsion.
Riyyh: I intended no harm to her. I was simply talking to her.
Mogan: You're welcome, Amia. I know we've had a lot of work taking care of all these people the last few days.
Riyyh: She is a very troubled person.
Sethan: And you can help her with that? ~~ dubious ~~
Amia: It's all right, Father. I've not minded the work.
Riyyh: How could I zlin her torment and not at least try?
Riyyh: ~compassion~
Sethan must admit that Riyyh is not known for not trying.
Amia is sure to keep Wise Snake's apples separated from the others in a different pan while preparing them.
Mogan: Well we'll be making a lot of money off of them. Do you want me to bring you something nice from town?
Amia: You don't have to. We'll need the money for supplies, I'm sure.
Sethan: So what, specifically were you helping her with?
Riyyh: I confess that I do not know the precise nature of the problem, yet... I could tell that she was afraid, and wary, and I helped her be less afraid of me, be more trusting.
Mogan is disappointed by Amia undercutting his idea to suggest that she come with him to town this time.
Sethan: Well, she was scared when I came in before.
Amia turns to Mogan ~~concern~~ "How's your hand?"
Riyyh: Yes. [thoughtfully] She was scared of both you and I.
Mogan: True. Especially tea, we are running low.
Riyyh: It's tragic, it really is. Such an innocent young thing.
Riyyh: ~~additional compassion~~
Mogan holds it out. "Still hurts a bit."
Amia: Then get some tea. Maybe some really special tea....
Amia looks at his hand.
Riyyh: I do feel a strong desire, no, an obligation, to help if I can.
Amia: Maybe one of the channels can help it heal. I read they can do that.
Riyyh: They are, after all, our hosts, and not so far from Naros as all that.
Mogan's hand is a reddened along the web of thumb and forefinger.
Riyyh: ~sincere~
Sethan is ~~ surprised ~~ to hear that Riyyh may value innocence.
Amia finishes the food preparation, and turns to help with the morning dishes.
Riyyh of course is speaking of innocence in the general, rather than the physical, sense.
Riyyh: Why so surprised? Is it not the duty of Naros to reach out, to be concerned for the wellbeing of others?
Riyyh: [gentle chiding]
Mogan goes back to washing the dishes, wincing a bit at putting his hand into the hot water.
Amia notices Mogan's discomfort.
Amia: ~~loving concern~~ Then maybe you should have one of the channels look at you.
Amia: I can finish these.
Sethan: I don't think I'd ever come out this direction from Naros before.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: If you rode hard enough to catch up with us, you must not have had much chance to see the countryside.
Riyyh: ~apologetic~
Sethan: Is Naros concerned for others? Or do we just take care of our relatives?
Mogan: All Right 'Mia.
Riyyh: Sethan, "Do unto others" is our motto. It has been since our founding. Of course we care for all people, all people within our realm.
Mogan wipes his hands dry carefully.
Amia smiles at him.
Riyyh is aware, of course, that there are various interpretations of the founding members' actual intent with regards to the phrase "Do unto others" but since he's Sectuib at the moment, his interpretation goes.
Riyyh smiles at Sethan.
Sethan: ~~ sardonic ~~ "Who are all relatives. Near enough."
Riyyh's smile falters.
Amia turns back to the dishes.
Riyyh: So bitter, Sethan. ~regret~
Riyyh: I never meant to hurt you.
Mogan goes out to the common room.
Riyyh: Or anyone.
Sethan shrugs. "Where I grew up, I'd be expected to have murdered you by now."
Sethan: Or died trying.
Sethan: I think I'm showing great restraint.
Riyyh's shoulders droop.
Mogan doesn't see anyone in the common room, and goes to the front door.
Riyyh: ~unhappy~
Sethan: ~~ bitter pride ~~
Mogan scoops up a handful of snow and holds it against his scald.
Riyyh: Sethan....
Riyyh: Just, just could you tell me....
Riyyh: Why?
Sethan looks steadily at Riyyh, waiting for the rest of the question.
Riyyh: Why would you want to, to murder? Would you?
Riyyh finds the idea of murdering another person completely shocking and absolutely unthinkable.
Sethan: I already did that once.
Sethan: But I promised not to do it again.
Sethan: ~~ guilt and old pain ~~
Riyyh: Would you really... I mean, I took you in, gave you a home, helped you disjunct. Am I not a father to you?
Sethan: No, just everyone else.
Sethan: I'm not going to hurt you.
Sethan: But back home they'd lose all respect for me if they knew.
Sethan: But I don't expect they'll find out.
Riyyh considers the lack-of-respect-due-to-failure-to-murder-the-father-of-your-children dynamic.
Riyyh: Sethan, your home is Naros now and we all love and respect you just as much as we did before.
Riyyh: ~sincere~
Riyyh: Perhaps even more so, since you went into Gen Territory.
Riyyh: That was very noble of you.
Riyyh certainly couldn't have done it.
Sethan: Family and Tradition run deep in small towns out-T. They have to.
Riyyh knows that, of course.
Sethan quotes "A Man's Gotta Do what a Man's Gotta Do."
Riyyh winces.
Sethan: That's what my father always said.
Riyyh thinks Naros isn't the only community with a motto of dubious meaning.
Sethan: I had an older brother.
Sethan: Father did what he Had To.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: ~sympathy~
Amia starts preparing the common room for the main meal.
Sethan: Sometimes I think he actually wanted me to.
Riyyh: Wanted you to...?
Mogan is sitting there with the melting snow dripping off his hand.
Sethan looks over at Riyyh with eyes totally flat.
Riyyh offers a tentative ~soothing~
Sethan: You always told me not to talk about my Kill.
Sethan: Said it only stirred up feelings that could disrupt resolution to disjunct.
Riyyh: I'm sorry.
Mogan tosses the rest of the snow into the fire.
Riyyh: You don't have to. I didn't know that is what you were talking about.
Riyyh: ~contrite~
Mogan: [ Ksshhh!! ]
Sethan: What else is there?
Riyyh looks up at Sethan.
Mogan moves the chairs back into place around the big table.
Riyyh: Sethan... ~caring~
Riyyh: There is so much more.
Riyyh: Your daughter is still as much your daughter as she ever was before. So are your grandchildren.
Riyyh: You have a home, and a beautiful wife.
Riyyh: People love you.
Amia: I better go check on the food.
Riyyh: Can you really believe that all of that is, is lost, just because of some technicality of, of genetics?
Mogan: I'll get things set out.
Amia: I already started to do it.
Sethan looks away. "I don't know."
Mogan: Oh. So you did.
Mogan: Don't know why I'm so distracted today.
Amia smiles at Mogan.
Riyyh: I mean, your Kill, it was decades ago, man. I remember when you came, I was barely changed over myself.
Riyyh: If anything is gone, lost forever, it is that.
Riyyh reaches out hesitantly.
Amia: I told you that nothing happened to me. But you don't believe me, so you're worried. ~~sincere~~
Sethan does not pull away.
Riyyh curls his tentacles around Sethan's wrists, encouraged.
Sethan wonders why every time he is angry with Riyyh, Riyyh always ends up deflecting it into something else.
Riyyh: Please believe me, you are as much a part of Naros as I am, and it is a great part of you. You will never have nothing, not ever.
Mogan sighs. "I never could fool you, could I?"
Riyyh: ~~protective/giving/very sincere~~
Amia laughs "No. I don't think so."
Sethan sighs. "Yeah. OK."
Riyyh smiles kindly at Sethan.
Mogan: My little girl is growing up.
Riyyh releases him, a bit reluctantly but not prepared to push his luck this time around.
Mogan: Had I told you how proud I am of you today?
Sethan: Anyway. Are you OK now?
Riyyh looks surprised, then touched.
Riyyh: Oh... yes, I am, thank you.
Riyyh: Having somebody to talk to helped.
Sethan: Ah. Good.
Amia looks at her father "I thought you'd be upset that I wasn't doing my work and talking to Riyyh instead."
Sethan: I'll talk to you later then.
Riyyh: Yes. [smiles] Thank you again.
Mogan waves it off. "The work isn't important."
Sethan half waves as he goes back to his room.
Amia: ~~puzzled~~ You never said that before.
Riyyh looks at the door Prunida is sleeping behind, shivers, then turns and mooches off in another direction.
Mogan: The Inn business is about people.
Mogan: You have to get along with people. Simes and Gens.
Mogan: I'm glad you are learning to.
Amia listens.
Amia: I told you before I would try.
Mogan goes over to Amia and hugs her.
Mogan: That's all anyone can ever do. Try.
Amia smiles "Then you aren't upset with me. I'm glad."
Amia returns his hug.
Mogan: Of course not.
Amia: ~~relieved~~
Mogan squeezes her again. "But we'd better check dinner, or it will burn."
Amia nods and follows him into the kitchen.
see note 1
Recors bangs on the door of the inn.
Wise Snake opens the door.
Recors falls into Snake's arms.
Wise Snake: Ucch!
Recors: Ahhh, succor at last! [mumbles through chattering teeth]
Wise Snake lurches back as a bunch of snow touches her (that's just water, frozen, you know)
Wise Snake: All right... OK.
Recors: Thanks you kind, errr, lady. You have rescued this humble Gen from a frozen fate!
Wise Snake notes that a frozen face, however, appears to have been unavoidable.
Recors tries to get his frozen legs under him.
Wise Snake guides Recors over to a couch.
Wise Snake: Don't mention it. Hey, how long have you been out in this weather?
Recors: My legs, they don't seem to appear to want to work. Ah thank you again! The strength and kindness of Simes is an unboundless spring!
Wise Snake: Ummmh.
Recors shakes his head, causing a flurry of snow.
Wise Snake leaves Recors on the couch and goes to close the door before there is more snow inside than outside.
Recors: I know not. We left our last performance, rather suddenly, after sundown the night before last. We have been travelling ever since.
Wise Snake: Who's "we"?
Wise Snake returns to Recors and zlins him critically.
Recors: I was separated from my troupe when the storm was at its worst and now find myself in your tender care.
Wise Snake: Yeah OK it looks like you've got some frostbite here.
Recors: We, my troupe, I am, as you no doubt will be able to tell once I am again myself, the Great Recors, Master of a troupe of actors renounce throughout the land!
Recors tries a humble bow and ends up on the carpet.
Wise Snake: Renounced or reknowned?
Recors mumbles something into the carpet.
Wise Snake picks up Recors and puts him back on the couch.
Wise Snake begins to peel off clothing from the afflicted areas.
Recors: Thank you again, kind lady. I don't suppose that your kindness would extend to something to drink?
Recors: Hot, or alcoholic, or perhaps both? ~hopeful ~
Wise Snake: Ummmmmh.
Recors: For purely medicinal reasons of course.
Wise Snake picks up the couch and drags it over closer to the fire, pushing some other couches out of the way in the process.
Wise Snake: I'll check when I get the water.
Wise Snake: Sit still so I can get these clothes off you.
Recors tries to hang on and enjoy the ride with frost bitten fingers.
Recors: Oh madam! I had no idea! I'm afraid that I'm much too cold, however, in terms of public relations I will, of course, try my best!
Recors tries to help remove his clothing.
Recors: To come upon, as it were, a post Sime, alone and abandoned in these conditions!
Recors: It behooves one to live up to his reputation of course.
Wise Snake, who is about a week from hard need, rolls her eyes.
Wise Snake: Of course.
Wise Snake: Remind me to introduce you to a friend of mine.
Wise Snake: Perfectly insatiable.
Wise Snake: I'll be right back.
Wise Snake leaves the room to go fetch some lukewarm water, and something to drink.
Recors: Ah, I see. I shall, of course, stay here....
Recors edges closer to the fire.
Recors holds his hands out to the flames.
Recors: Ah... the fire of life, shining as a sun, trapped within the stone confines of the hearth!
Recors rubs his hands together.
Wise Snake returns a short time later with some lukewarm water in pans, and some hot cocoa which she'd found on the stove.
Wise Snake: No alcohol, sorry... not for a frostbite victim. Try this instead.
Wise Snake hands the cocoa to Recors, then puts his feet in two pans of warmish water.
Recors sniffs at the cocoa and decides that he had best drink it if that's all that is to be offered.
Recors: Thank you thank you.
Recors sips the cocoa and then gasps as feeling starts to return to his finger tips.
Wise Snake adjusts her nager to try to block as much of his pain as possible.
Recors looks up at her in surprise.
Wise Snake fetches some blankets, previously used by Riyyh to warm up Sethan, and covers Recors with them.
Recors: Did you do that?
Wise Snake: Yes, I did.
Wise Snake: I'm a channel. Hadn't I mentioned that? Sorry.
Wise Snake has never been big on formalities.
Recors: A channel? Oh it is indeed my fortunate day!
Wise Snake: Don't itch your hands or feet, you don't want to break those blisters.
Wise Snake sits down near Recors so her need will help him.
Wise Snake: And keep that cocoa away from me.
Recors: I wonder, could I impose...? My back, when I stand like this [staggers to his feet] and bend like this: ~ ouch ~
Wise Snake: Egads!
Recors: As you can tell - it causes pain.
Wise Snake grabs him.
Wise Snake: Sit down you fool!
Recors sits down suddenly, on top of Snake.
Wise Snake: You're going to ruin your f---OOF.
Recors: Why yes indeed, dear lady, I mean Hajene.
Recors struggles to remove his person from on top of Snake's person.
Wise Snake squirms out from under him.
Wise Snake looks more irate, but sadly, no less mussed, than before.
Recors sits again on the couch.
Recors: Ah well, no matter. I'm sure that there will be time, later.
Recors picks up his cocoa again.
Recors: Are you the owner of this establishment?
Wise Snake: No!
Wise Snake: I'm just a guest. I'm not sure where the owner is.
Recors: I had thought that your youth probably excluded that possibility.
Wise Snake: Ummh.
Wise Snake is not impressed by Recors' deductive reasoning.
Wise Snake rearranges the blankets so they are warming Recors once again.
Wise Snake: I'll see what I can do about your back.
Wise Snake zlins him carefully.
Recors: I should make my presence known perhaps, or have they settled down for the night?
Recors: ~ cold, sore, cold ~
Wise Snake: Beats me. OK, you've got a pulled muscle here, it's no big deal, I can work on that for you.
Wise Snake: Not right now, though. You sit here and get warmed up.
Wise Snake gets under the blanket with Recors to help get him warm.
Wise Snake: [and the better to block his pain, which would become quite hideous as his frozen limbs rethawed]
Recors snuggles under the blankets until he shows only from the eyes up.
Recors: I regret that I am in no condition to enjoy this close association more.
Wise Snake is actually kind of glad.
Grego staggers up to the door of the inn and pounds weakly upon it.
Wise Snake: Shen it. Hold on a minute.
Recors: Hark! another innocent passerby in need of help and assistance!
Wise Snake climbs out from under the blanket.
Wise Snake: You stay put!
Wise Snake: I mean it.
Grego shivers violently.
Wise Snake goes to the door trying to keep Recors' pain blocked as much as possible.
Recors nods, unwilling to even consider giving up his preferred favored spot with the blankets and the fire.
Wise Snake opens the door.
Grego falls into her arms.
Wise Snake is astonished to see another pedestrian.
Grego: Help....
Recors: It's Grego!
Wise Snake drags Grego in and closes the door with her back.
Recors sits up slightly.
Wise Snake: You know this guy?
Wise Snake pulls Grego over to the couch also.
Recors: Grego old bean! Why, he is one of my troupe.
Wise Snake: Great, great.
Recors lifts a corner of the blanket.
Grego: Erk....
Wise Snake inserts Grego.
Recors: Grego, what has happened? Where are the others?
Wise Snake kneels and starts getting Grego's boots off.
Grego: Stuck... gone... to get... help....
Grego: [chatter of teeth]
Wise Snake feels like a body servant or something.
Grego: No! No! must get help...
Wise Snake: We'll get help, Grego, but you're going to die if you don't get warmed up. [patiently]
Recors: Oh dear! Mara and Kimit and Trist. They are stuck in this storm?
Grego: Cart... stuck in snow... mule, down....
Wise Snake manages to get the boots off.
Recors turns to Snake.
Recors: We must mount a rescue party at once!
Wise Snake: OK, you two are not going anywhere. I'll see what I can do about finding your friends just as soon as I get done helping Grego, here.
Recors: Please, let me help Grego, you must find my troupe!
Recors starts to pull off the wetter parts of Grego's clothing.
Wise Snake can tell these aren't the type of people who should be left alone.
Wise Snake: Ucch... fine, let me find the other channel, he can help you while I go look.
Grego: Co... ooo... ooold... dddd.
Recors: There there, dear friend. We are safe in the arms of the Tecton.
Wise Snake grimaces, then goes to locate Riyyh.
Wise Snake instructs him to take care of the two frostbitten men in the common room, and informs him that she is going to go out and locate their fellows.
Grego: Tecton?
Recors: The place is simply swarming with channels!
Wise Snake collects Nick and a medical satchel and heads to the stables.
Riyyh hurries in, not sure what to expect.
Recors makes Grego comfortable and shares his cocoa with him.
Riyyh zlins Recors and Grego.
Recors: ~ frost bitten ~
Grego: ~ frost bitten ~
Riyyh: Hello, [apologetically] I'm terribly sorry, my... associate... was anxious to rescue your friends, and....
Riyyh checks the temperature of Recors' water and zlins Grego's feet.
Riyyh: I'll be right back.
Recors: Ah the caring tentacles of the Tecton.
Riyyh rushes into the kitchen.
Recors: Errr yes...
Riyyh returns a short time later with more warm water, more pans, more hot cocoa, and more blankets.
Riyyh: [hey, he's a talented guy]
Grego has fallen into a deep sleep.
Recors: Poor Grego, he is exhausted!
Recors pats Grego's arm reassuringly.
Recors: He is a good man, and a damn fine tenor!
Riyyh sets about to warm them up.
Recors rubs Grego's hands together.
Recors: ~ sudden concern ~
Recors: This cold won't affect his voice will it?
Riyyh: No, no! Don't rub.
Riyyh gently removes Recors' hands from Grego's.
Recors stops rubbing.
Riyyh: Don't rub his flesh, it might damage it.
Riyyh makes sure Grego and Recors' feet are in warm water and they are both covered with blankets, then zlins Grego carefully.
Grego: ~ snore ~
Riyyh: I don't think it will affect his voice [adds kindly, as an afterthought]
Recors: ~ relief ~
Recors: That is good, I would hate to have to lose him!
Recors drinks the fresh cocoa.
Riyyh climbs in between the two of them, the better to affect them with his field, and contribute his Sime body heat.
Recors: Oh my, you certainly are warm!
Recors: ~ clingy ~
Riyyh smiles, enjoying both the chance to exercise his systems and the physical contact.
Riyyh allows his need to help both of them, particularly Grego.
Recors: ~ clingy Gen ~
Recors: ~ clingy asleep Gen ~
Riyyh is not exactly not enjoying Recors' nice Gen field also.
Riyyh settles in for a very pleasant evening.
Riyyh: [of looking at the fire and sitting between two high field Gens]
Notes:
1) Some time passes between these two scenes, perhaps a few hours. [return]