Sime~Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #85: Ronapl Tea Party (12/20/98)
Riyyh pokes his head out of the storeroom door.
Riyyh looks both ways, then steps out, followed by the wife of a businessman staying at the Inn.
Riyyh and the wife hurry off in two different directions.
Riyyh hadn't meant to be so delayed on his errand to the kitchen, but the businessman's wife seemed so lonely....
Riyyh of course wouldn't dream of allowing the poor woman to remain in such a dolorous state.
Prunida waits ~~ impatiently ~~ for her tea.
Riyyh had been a touch caught by surprise when she enticed him into the store room, but had thought, whatever makes her happy must be good.
Riyyh goes to the kitchen, fetches the tea, then hurries back to the room he and Prunida have been sharing... repeatedly.
Riyyh slips inside.
Riyyh: I'm terribly sorry it took so long.
Riyyh: Here you are, my dear.
Prunida: There you are. What took you so long?
Riyyh pours her a cup.
Prunida takes the cup and sips at it delicately.
Riyyh: Oh, you know, it is so difficult to pass down the hall without somebody or other stopping to say hello, and what with everybody's cabin fever and all,
Riyyh smoothes back his hair.
Prunida: There's illness about?
Prunida: ~~ worry ~~
Riyyh looks at her oddly.
Prunida: Oh, I knew these public houses were unhealthy.
Riyyh: No, not at all. [soothes]
Riyyh: It's a figure of speech.
Prunida: Oh.
Prunida has some more tea.
Riyyh looks at her fondly.
Prunida: You really have been... invigorated.
Riyyh: A good transfer is such a joy, don't you agree?
Riyyh: I had so dreaded this month's, too.
Riyyh: Because of having had Nick last time. [explains]
Prunida: What??
Prunida: ~~ astonishment ~~
Riyyh looks confused by her reaction.
Prunida: You had Nick for transfer?
Riyyh: But you knew that... didn't you?
Riyyh starts to look slightly worried as well.
Riyyh: ~uh-oh~
Prunida: No, I didn't.
Prunida's thin lips purse in disapproval.
Riyyh's body language alters into a tail-between-legs cringe.
Riyyh: Oh.
Prunida: So his street child isn't as possessive of him as they pretend.
Riyyh: Wise Snake had a therapist Donor from Zeor last month, and Kenmore wanted Nick to have transfer with another First.
Riyyh: Oh, I think she is. [rubbing his throat worriedly]
Riyyh: I wouldn't approach her about it again if I were you.
Prunida: I understand the Zeor delegation had several Firsts among it. Why didn't they take care of the matter?
Prunida is a bit offended that her carefully bred grandson was apparently not considered good enough for a (legal) Zeor channel.
Riyyh: The only channel up to Nick was Kenmore himself, but they'd had each other the month before, and... [hesitates, then ends the sentence there].
Riyyh nods.
Prunida: What? He didn't think my Nick was good enough for him?
Riyyh zlins Prunida's offense and tries to decide whether that bodes ill, or good, for himself.
Riyyh: I think he just wanted his own Donor again, Prunida. ~~appeasing~~
Riyyh: Actually, Nick didn't want to serve me at first. [adds]
Prunida: And I suppose you jumped at the chance.
Riyyh: Well, I, actually I had rather mixed feelings on the subject. [admits]
Prunida: If neither of you wanted it, why did you do it?
Prunida is now confused.
Riyyh: Nick evidently changed his mind.
Riyyh: He came to me, and....
Riyyh's eyes grow faraway at the memory.
Riyyh: ~~slow wash of quivering nageric pleasure~~
Prunida blinks as the pleasure creeps over her.
Prunida: Nick's that good?
Prunida: ~~ proprietary pride ~~
Riyyh: He was a bit rough, but, I confess I rather enjoyed that part of it once I got over my surprise.
Prunida: Rough?
Riyyh: He... forced me.
Prunida: ...what?
Riyyh: So did that cook. [adds, thoughtfully]
Prunida: The cook? You mean she made you eat?
Prunida can't imagine either Mogan or Amia doing so.
Riyyh: No, in transfer.
Riyyh: Both of them.
Riyyh: And Mytag. [adds, sounding somewhat surprised at making the connection]
Riyyh: Of course, I over-rate him, so technically I was allowing him to do it, but....
Prunida: Mogan and Amia forced you to take transfer?
Prunida: ~~ totally bewildered ~~
Riyyh wonders if that is why he has been enjoying his transfers so much more lately.
Riyyh: ~revelation~
Riyyh: No, there was another man. A cook, or at least they called him 'cook'.
Prunida: And he made you eat?
Riyyh: Prunida, [kindly] I already answered that. Are you sure you're feeling all right?
Prunida: I thought I was.
Prunida: But I don't seem to be hearing correctly. I thought you said you took transfer from the inn's cook, instead of from Wise Snake?
Prunida would hate to think that she's already losing her hearing.
Riyyh: Yes, I did.
Prunida: They have a Donor doing their cooking here?
Riyyh: Well, I... yes, apparently they do.
Riyyh: He was obviously very... experienced.
Riyyh's eyes go cloudy and his nager goes tingly.
Prunida: Then why doesn't he work for the Tecton, or at least have a rogue channel?
Riyyh: I don't know, I haven't been able to talk to him yet.
Prunida: I suppose I should be glad that Nick isn't working as a cook somewhere.
Prunida: ~~ grudging ~~
Prunida of course has no idea that Nick spent most of the ten odd years since he ran away doing odd jobs of one sort or another, before he signed on with Snake.
Amia is sitting in the common room before the fire, reading, there in case any of the guests needs anything.
Riyyh: There is that.
Prunida takes another sip of tea.
Prunida: Oh, Riyyh....
Prunida: ~~ coy ~~
Riyyh is pleased by any hint, no matter how small, that Prunida accepts Nick's situation.
Riyyh: Yes? [smiles pleasantly]
Prunida: Do you think you could go see if they have any of those little scones left?
Prunida: The ones with raisins?
Riyyh: Yes, of course.
Riyyh's smile broadens.
Riyyh: I'll be back shortly.
Riyyh slips out the door.
Riyyh enters the common room of the Inn and spots Amia.
Riyyh: Hello. [smiles]
Prunida smiles like a smug cat and eyes the bridle hanging on the coat rack lovingly.
Amia smiles "Hello."
Riyyh looks about 20 years younger and quite a bit more energetic than he had before his transfer.
Riyyh pauses, not wanting to rush off rudely.
Amia: You're looking a lot better than the last time I saw you. [closes her book] Can I get you anything?
Riyyh is ~pleased~ by the compliment and smiles more.
Riyyh: Thank you, you are so kind.
Riyyh: You don't happen to have any more of those, those little raisin scones, do you?
Riyyh comes nearer her.
Amia smiles "I think I can find some."
Amia: ~~not afraid, low field~~
Riyyh notices how beautiful Amia is, not for the first time, although this is the first time since he had his transfer.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Riyyh: You donated! [surprised and pleased]
Amia: Well, you started me thinking, and I discussed it with my father. So it's done for now.
Amia: Excuse me. I'll go get those scones for you.
Riyyh: Allow me to accompany you?
Amia: If you like, but it's no trouble.
Amia heads for the kitchen.
Riyyh follows.
Riyyh: ~~interest~~
Riyyh: You seem so much... happier now, then you did a few days ago.
Amia gets out a plate and walks over to the warming drawer.
Riyyh: I am glad for you.
Riyyh tries to show with his eyes and voice just how sincerely he cares for Amia.
Amia: ~~pleased~~ I finally figured out that every time a Sime comes into the inn, I'm not going to die like my Mother did.
Amia: How many scones would you like?
Riyyh: Three, perhaps?
Riyyh comes over by Amia.
Amia reaches for the three. "Would you like some jam, butter, honey too?"
Riyyh: Yes... thank you.
Riyyh finds Amia's new openness alluring.
Amia smiles at him.
Amia: Yes what?
Riyyh reaches out and touches her cheek gently.
Riyyh: Just... yes.
Amia: ~~puzzled~~
Amia: You didn't answer my question.
Amia: Is something wrong? ~~concerned~~
Riyyh: I... I'm overcome by you.
Riyyh: [confesses]
Riyyh: Your beauty, your innocence, your kindness.
Riyyh: Will you allow me to kiss your hand?
Amia: ~~confused~~ I don't understand.
Riyyh reaches out and gently gathers her hands in his.
Amia: I'm just me.
Riyyh bows his head to kiss her fingers, softly.
Amia smiles at him, not understanding exactly why he's acting like this.
Riyyh, encouraged by the smile, takes her in his arms and kisses her on the lips.
Amia: ~~surprised, confused~
Amia senses this is definitely different than her father and family act with her "Oh! What?"
Riyyh: Amia, you are a very... beautiful, and special, woman.
Riyyh: But you are so sheltered... perhaps I move too quickly for you.
Riyyh: ~~regret~~
Amia, ~~embarrassed~~ by the flattery, doesn't know what to make of this.
Amia: You look upset.
Riyyh: I... I was clumsy.
Riyyh: I should have remembered that to your father, you are a child, and that you wouldn't know of the world of men and women.
Amia looks at him more puzzled than before at his remark.
Riyyh: And truly it is best that your father has explained to you the ways of the world before another man touches you.
Amia listens.
Riyyh: You see, you are a woman now.
Riyyh: Men from far and wide will travel here, and they'll see you and fall in love with you.
Riyyh smoothes back her hair, with a gentle hand.
Amia shakes her head "No. Not me."
Riyyh: Yes... you. [smiles]
Riyyh: You are beautiful... don't you believe me when I say it?
Amia: ~~disbelief~~
Riyyh: Look... [pulls a little mirror out of his pocket and gives it to her]
Riyyh: Look. See?
Amia looks but she doesn't see any difference than she was a week or so ago.
Amia: I haven't changed.
Riyyh: Then you were also a beautiful child.
Riyyh: Tell me... do you think I'm handsome?
Prunida finishes her tea, shooting annoyed looks at the door at intervals.
Amia: I don't know. You've been kind to me though. ~~puzzled~~
Prunida finally gets annoyed enough to go searching for Riyyh.
Riyyh has never met anybody who didn't find him devastatingly handsome, (sometimes despite themselves) and it's kind of a novelty for him.
Riyyh: You are young yet.
Riyyh: But in time, you'll see men who interest you, who you'd like to become close to. Your father will perhaps tell you all of this one day.
Riyyh would have told her before she grew up, but then every parent must make these decisions on their own.
Amia: He doesn't talk much about anything.
Amia: He was scared when he couldn't be with me for my donation.
Riyyh listens sympathetically.
Amia sighs and becomes quiet.
Riyyh decides a change of tack is in order.
Riyyh goes around behind Amia and begins to rub her shoulders.
Riyyh: Your father cares for you a great deal.
Riyyh: He is a good, kind man.
Amia tries to look at Riyyh.
Amia: Yes. He cares a lot.
Riyyh keeps massaging her shoulders, and leans forward to kiss her ear softly.
Prunida arrives in the kitchen just in time to see the kiss.
Prunida: Riyyh!
Prunida: ~~ shock ~~
Amia jumps~confused~~
Riyyh jumps also.
Prunida glares at Amia, tentacles lashing.
Prunida: If you want a man, find your own.
Riyyh: ~~fear~~
Riyyh hides behind Amia.
Amia: ~~fear of Prunida~~ What? I don't understand.
Prunida: Hussy!
Prunida turns her glare on Riyyh.
Prunida: Get over here.
Amia: I didn't do anything.
Riyyh keeps Amia between them.
Prunida: I don't suppose you remembered to get the scones before you started playing the loving swain?
Amia prays he doesn't leave. This woman frightens her.
Riyyh: Prunida, please, don't be so upset. ~~pleads~~
Amia: [scones forgotten on the counter beside them]
Riyyh: I was just talking to her.
Prunida is ~~ furious ~~, and Sime enough to be attracted to the fear.
Prunida: You were doing a bit more than "just talking" when I came in, don't deny it.
Prunida's arms extend towards Amia, laterals peeking out under the fear-stimulus, even carried on a low field.
Amia tries to melt closer to Riyyh because this new Sime is scary. ~~less fear~~
Amia holds her ground.
Riyyh sticks close to Amia, behind her.
Prunida sees Amia moving towards Riyyh, and her ~~ fury ~~ grows at this conflicting claim on him.
Riyyh: I was... I was only... Prunida, please, be reasonable.
Riyyh: [begs]
Prunida: I saw what you were "only" doing.
Prunida stalks closer to Riyyh, and thus Amia.
Amia thinks of what she's learned in the past few days.
Prunida: And I zlinned that she didn't exactly object, either.
Amia tries to get a grip on her feelings ~~no fear~~
Riyyh: She is but a child.
Riyyh: Please, don't...
Riyyh struggles between conflicting desires to protect Amia and hide behind her.
Prunida's eyes rest coldly on Amia's developing bosom.
Prunida: She's not a child at all.
Amia can't figure out why Prunida is so upset at Riyyh because they are sharing the same room.
Prunida puts her hands on her hips, tentacles still lashing wildly.
Prunida: You wouldn't have been kissing her like that if she were just as child, now, would you?
Riyyh: Oh dear. [to himself]
Amia: ~~annoyed~~ Take your scones, and go away!
Riyyh: Oh dear!
Prunida looks at Amia much as she would view a roach, and sniffs.
Riyyh's own tentacles wave in consternation.
Amia: ~~anger~~ My kitchen. Out!
Amia sees no reason for this argument, and can't understand why it's going on.
Prunida: So! The kitten hisses.
Riyyh thinks he'd better go sit down for a few moments.
Riyyh feels his way over to a chair and sits, looking pale.
Amia smiles.
Amia: You don't scare me any more.
Amia figures if Wise Snake didn't scare her, nothing will.
Prunida snorts contemptuously,
Amia reaches for the broom, and points the handle at her. "I said out!" ~~fury~~
Riyyh gets up and scurries out of the room.
Riyyh has had as much as his nerves are going to take.
Prunida augments, snatching the broom from Amia's grasp.
Prunida: Don't you know better than to try that with a Sime?
Prunida throws the broom into a corner, turns, and stalks off after Riyyh.
Amia sees Riyyh hurry out, but she holds her ground.
Amia straightens up the kitchen and heads back out into the common room, completely puzzled.
Amia once again picks up the forgotten book.
Riyyh has gone to their room to cry on the bed.
Prunida stalks back to their room, hears Riyyh crying, and keeps going, in search of some more amiable company, like that nice man with the cards.
Aughress stumps up to the Inn-type building on foot.
Aughress: Come on, Barrin, you're falling behind! Again!
Barrin makes it inside, then stops to cough.
Amia turns to see the newcomers.
Barrin wants only to find someplace warm to lie down.
Aughress: Hello, dear girl, I'm Baroness Aughress and this is Baron Barrin. Of the Lakes.
Aughress sweeps off her ostrich-feather bedecked turban.
Aughress: Stand up straight!
Aughress smacks Barrin in the stomach.
Barrin: Ooof.
Aughress: And we are pleased to make use of your Most Joyously Warm and Welcoming Establishment.
Barrin: Of course (cough, cough) my (hack) dear.
Amia extends her hand. "Hello. But you don't look well, Sir."
Barrin's face is indeed flushed, despite the cold.
Barrin looks at the hand, wondering why the inn servant is holding it out.
Amia: Let me get you something to hot to drink.
Barrin: Something with a bit more kick to it than tea, eh?
Barrin stumbles a bit closer to the fire.
Amia drops her hand.
Aughress: Whiskey.
Amia: You need more than just soup or whiskey I'm sure.
Aughress: Whiskey and coffee.
Aughress: That'll perk him right up!
Barrin goes into a fit of coughing.
Aughress is of the opinion that whiskey, or coffee, or a combination of thereof, can cure any known ailment.
Amia nods, but thinks Riyyh might be of better help to them.
Amia: Let me get it then.
Barrin: Oh, why did that stupid horse have to throw its shoe like that?
Aughress: Oh be reasonable dear, would you want to wear a shoe that rusty?
Aughress: That horse dealer ought to be taken out and shot for glue.
Aughress: ~self-righteous~
Barrin: No, if they did that, the glue wouldn't stick.
Amia goes into the kitchen and returns with a tray with the whiskey and coffee, setting it on the common room table.
Barrin: ~~ aggravation ~~
Barrin: Oh, shen this cough.
Barrin: ~~ misery ~
Amia: Here's your coffee and whiskey. I think I'll go get you some soup and bread too.
Aughress: Thank you, honey. [to Amia]
Aughress: Do take off those soaking clothes, dear, you'll catch your death.
Aughress: And do sit up straight! What will people think?
Amia: ~~concern~~ There's a channel here. Maybe he can help you.
Aughress starts removing Barrin's coat.
Barrin looks around for suitable alternative clothing.
Amia returns to the kitchen to bring out the soup and bread.
Barrin is shivering intensely, despite being next to the fire.
Aughress gets off Barrin's coat, hat, muffler, scarf, ear muffs, snow pants, and boots, before stopping for a breather.
Aughress: Really, you do look a bit green about the gills.
Barrin coughs again, and winces as it cuts through his lungs like a knife.
Barrin: Where's that whiskey?
Amia returns with the soup and bread.
Aughress: Right here.
Aughress hands it to him.
Barrin knocks it back and holds out his glass for a refill.
Aughress obliges.
Barrin: Put just a splash of coffee in it this time, there's a dear.
Aughress does so solicitously.
Amia places the soup and bread on the table. "This might also help."
Aughress: Thank you, [to Amia] You've been most helpful.
Barrin consumes the second glass at a slightly more decorous pace.
Barrin is still having a difficult time breathing, however.
Barrin: [wheeze, wheeze]
Aughress: Oh dear, if it only hadn't been for that ditch, and the lake, and....
Amia: You're welcome. I think the channel who is staying here should look at your friend. He is so ill, maybe it will help.
Aughress: Well, and the horse's shoe after jumping that terrible fence, and....
Barrin: And the shoe, dear, we musn't forget the shoe.
Aughress: Yes, yes, of course.
Aughress: [to Amia] A channel, you say? It might help?
Amia nods.
Barrin: Oh, dear, I can't seem to get warm. More coffee?
Amia: I've been told channels help heal people.
Aughress: What do you think, dear? Oh, of course.
Aughress fills Barrin's cup.
Aughress: You know, I think I've heard something of that sort too.
Aughress: Doesn't it have to do with the, the, [flutters hand in lieu of adequate verbal descriptive] difference in their field?
Aughress: These modern terms, I have never been able to keep up with them. Mercy!
Amia decides they are too involved in discussion to really care what she said, so she goes in search of Riyyh to help them.
Aughress: Oh! How rude.
Aughress: Well, she'll be back soon I expect.
Aughress: Here, why don't you try some of this soup?
Barrin looks at the soup.
Barrin: I'm not really hungry.
Barrin is in fact feeling a bit queasy.
Barrin should have considered the consequences on his digestion, perhaps, before gulping down two strong shots of whiskey and some coffee on an empty, and feverish, stomach.
Aughress: All right, dear. Then do you mind if I have it? I'm famished.
Barrin: Go ahead, my pet.
Amia signals at Riyyh's door.
Barrin tries to sit properly straight, as his eyes start to glaze over and his shivers increase.
Riyyh: Come in.
Riyyh realizes who is there only after automatically answering.
Riyyh: ~startled~
Amia opens the door.
Riyyh pushes himself up and wipes his eyes, tries to smooth back his hair.
Riyyh: Oh, I'm terribly sorry, I....
Amia smiles.
Riyyh: ~~embarrassed and nervous~~
Amia: There is a sick traveller downstairs. I understand channels can help heal. Do you want to see him? ~~concern~~
Riyyh also feels guilty for getting Amia into trouble with Prunida.
Riyyh wouldn't wish that on anybody.
Riyyh: Oh, of course.
Riyyh: Yes, I can do that... how bad is it?
Amia: He's coughing a lot, and looks terrible.
Riyyh: I will be out in just a moment.
Amia: Then I'll go back to see if I can get them anything else.
Amia notices that Riyyh doesn't look too well either.
Riyyh: I'm sorry about... about what happened. [gently]
Amia smiles at him. "Don't worry about me. She didn't scare me that much."
Riyyh zlins her, then smiles weakly.
Riyyh: Well, that makes one of us then.
Riyyh: Go on, I'll be out shortly. Thank you for calling me.
Amia: ~~caring and concern for Riyyh~~
Riyyh smiles more genuinely at her ~~caring and concern~~.
Amia smiles at him again and heads out the door.
Aughress is shaking Barrin.
Aughress: Wake up! Wake up you're not dead!!!
Aughress: ~~hysterical~~
Barrin blinks vaguely.
Barrin: Yesh, my dear?
Barrin: ~~ dizzy ~~
Barrin isn't so sure about the dead business.
Aughress: Oh thank goodness!
Aughress tends to go just a little too far on everything.
Barrin starts hacking again.
Aughress: Oh, do cover your mouth when you do that dear, you're making a mes.
Aughress hands him a hanky.
Barrin's nager flares ~~ pain ~~ at each cough.
Barrin: Hurts.
Barrin wheezes into the hanky, then starts shivering again.
Barrin: Cold.
Barrin sounds plaintive and fretful.
Aughress: Now now, I'm sure what's her name will be back any minute now with... whoever that was.
Aughress has never had a head for details.
Amia returns to the common room "The channel said he would be down soon."
Aughress: Oh wonderful!
Aughress: Did you hear that dear? [despite the fact that Barrin is right there]
Barrin: Whash?
Amia: ~~concern~~ Can I get you anything else?
Barrin is swaying visibly as he tries to sit straight.
Barrin's face is bright red with fever.
Barrin blinks at Amia.
Barrin: Ulla, is that you?
Riyyh heads directly to the common room, that is, after first quickly getting his hair in order and washing his face and, well, lamenting over his appearance in general and hoping that he will be able to return to Naros soon.
Aughress: Oh no! He's halluci-nem-ating!
Aughress: Darling! Darling! It's me! [grabs him by the shoulders, shouting in his face urgently]
Barrin had thought his mistress was safely installed in his private "hunting cabin", where Aughress never goes.
Aughress pauses.
Amia is glad to see Riyyh and gestures to the new travellers.
Aughress: Who's Ulla?
Riyyh takes one zlin of the ambient in there and stops in the door way.
Riyyh: Oh dear.
Riyyh hurries over to them.
Barrin: Come here, my pretty.
Barrin coughs in Aughress's face.
Aughress: Ugck!
Aughress drops him and grabs for a fresh hanky.
Barrin: ~~ pain ~~ [wheeze]
Riyyh zlins a very drunk Gen with a caffeine rush and a case of pneumonia.
Amia looks to Riyyh.
Riyyh: Pneumonia. Do you have a spare room I can put him to bed in?
Riyyh kneels down by the couch and takes Barrin's arms.
Amia: Yes. I can find a room.
Amia: We've got a lot of spare rooms now. ~~concern~~
Aughress finishes wiping her face and jumps about a foot when she sees Riyyh about 2 inches away from her upon removing the cloth from her eyes.
Barrin: Pnee- nothing. It's jusht a cough.
Aughress: What are you doing to my husband!!!
Barrin wonders that too, vaguely.
Amia goes to find a room key.
Aughress is exaggerating a bit; the "baron" and her met about 4 months ago at a wayside in Outer Nivet.
Riyyh tries to influence Barrin's field while being jostled by Aughress, and without a Donor.
Riyyh is reminded of the Wars, which was the last time he had to work under these conditions.
Barrin is more concerned about getting a full breath, however.
Riyyh then realizes that Bender Cove was not unlike this....
Barrin: [wheeze] ~~ slow strangulation ~~
Amia returns with a key and offers it to Riyyh. She stays close to him because she's still not that fond of strangers.
Riyyh works to widen the air passages and increase the elimination of liquids from the lungs, while controlling the fever.
Riyyh for some reason doesn't notice Amia at all.
Barrin blinks, almost able to focus again.
Barrin: Who are you?
Aughress: What's he doing to my husband????
Aughress: Who am I??? I'm Aughress! Your one true lovey dovey!
Amia: He's not going to hurt him. He's going to make him well.
Barrin looks at Riyyh.
Barrin: No, Aughress is heavier. Ulla?
Aughress stutters in ~~indignation!~~
Aughress: Who in shen is Ulla???
Barrin is discovering that "almost" focused is still not "focused".
Amia puts the key in a pocket thinking that eventually someone's going to want rooms.
Riyyh, who is hyperconscious in the effort to concentrate in all the ruckus, leans forward and takes a 5th contact to get a better zlin of what he's doing, as well as more control.
Amia watches intently because this is all new to her.
Barrin tries to cough despite the fifth contact.
Aughress: Is your name Ulla? [demands of Amia] It had better be!
Amia has no idea what she's talking about.
Amia: No. I live here. My name is Amia.
Riyyh finds this a bit rough going and moves his fifth contact to Barrin's neck.
Aughress: Then who is this Ulla!
Barrin appreciates the greater ventilation and coughs three times, although the wheezing between is a bit less noticeable.
Aughress realizes she is getting overwrought and what is required is a bit of a calm-me-down.
Aughress pours herself a shot of whiskey.
Barrin sees Aughress with the whiskey.
Barrin: Another glass for me, pet?
Aughress: Right away, dear!
Aughress pours one for him.
Barrin reaches for the glass with an unsteady hand.
Barrin: Good Shtuff.
Riyyh finally feels like he's making some progress, and goes to work on tackling the effects of all the alcohol and caffeine in the man's system.
Amia moves away from them back to the fire and her book.
Riyyh is surprised when the effects only increase.
Aughress: How are you feeling dear, better?
Barrin finds himself more sober than he'd planned.
Barrin: This stuff doesn't have the kick you'd think.
Barrin indicates the whiskey.
Amia glances up occasionally to watch ~~curiosity~~
Aughress picks up the bottle and examines the label.
Barrin is, however, still feeling relatively little pain, due to Riyyh's work on his lungs.
Aughress: 100 proof it says.
Barrin: Couldn't be.
Barrin looks at Amia.
Barrin: Girl, has this whiskey been watered?
Amia: What would make you think that?
Riyyh clings to Barrin, for some reason (well OK, let's admit it: Entran) struggling to complete his task despite all the squirming around, talking, and ingesting of various liquids.
Riyyh really wishes Barrin wouldn't move his arms around so much, though.
Amia turns back to her book.
Barrin: I've had three large glasses in less than an hour, after nothing to eat today, and I'm stone cold sober.
Barrin: ~~ suspicion ~~
Barrin: We're not paying whiskey prices for watered down rotgut.
Amia looks up again. "No. It's a new bottle." [~~indignant~~ at the accusation]
Barrin: If it was a newly opened bottle, I'd be dead drunk by now. You think I don't know the difference?
Amia closes the book.
Barrin has failed to consider what that admission will do to his baronial persona, but hey, he's sick.
Amia: ~~honesty~~ Then I don't know the answer to your problem.
Amia puts the book down knowing no reading now.
Riyyh finally releases Barrin.
Riyyh comes duoconscious.
Aughress: Well? Is he well now?
Aughress: Honey, are you well?
Barrin takes an experimental breath.
Barrin: Much better, dear.
Barrin: If unaccountably sober.
Amia walks back over to them.
Aughress: Oh dear, well, maybe more...?
Aughress reaches for the bottle again.
Riyyh starts to get up, then decides the floor will be just fine for a bit longer.
Amia: When that bottle is gone, there is no more.
Amia thinks there's lots more, but they aren't going to get it.
Barrin: Oh, all right, dear. It certainly tastes authentic enough, even if it lacks a kick.
Aughress pours Barrin another glass and hands it to him.
Riyyh looks up, and his eyes widen.
Riyyh: Oh... don't...
Amia looks to Riyyh on the floor ~~care and concern for Riyyh~~ "Are you all right?"
Riyyh tries to intercept the glass.
Barrin looks at Riyyh.
Barrin: Don't what?
Riyyh: You shouldn't drink now, you require good rest in a bed.
Riyyh: [apologetically]
Riyyh: And maybe some hot soup.
Barrin: It'll help me to sleep.
Riyyh: I can help you sleep without that.
Riyyh: Please? It's for your own good. [pleading]
Barrin: Help me sleep?
Barrin really hasn't heard of such a thing.
Riyyh casts a quick look of reassurance at Amia, then turns back to Barrin.
Riyyh: Yes, how about if you get a room and rest a while?
Amia silently offers the room key again.
Riyyh takes it and hands it to Barrin.
Barrin: Rest sounds good.
Barrin takes the key.
Riyyh pries the shot glass out of Barrin's fingers and sets it next to the bottle.
Barrin struggles to his feet, and starts to wobble across the common room.
Aughress hastens to help him.
Aughress: Give me the key, dear. Which room is it?
Barrin: ~~ dizzy ~~
Barrin lets the key fall from his hand.
Barrin: I'm tired, Ulla.
Aughress catches it and peers at the lettering.
Aughress: Come on, lean on m... Grrrrr!
Aughress vows to get to the bottom of this Ulla matter just as soon as Barrin is well.
Aughress leads him from the common room.
Riyyh: I'll be along in... just a moment.
Riyyh sags back down onto the couch.
Amia is ~~relieved~~ that they're gone, and sits herself in the nearest chair.
Riyyh isn't used to all this carrying on and so forth and certainly isn't used to working without a Companion.
Prunida comes into the common room.
Prunida: Riyyh! Why are you sleeping on the couch?
Riyyh kind of wishes he had a Companion to soothe him and fuss over him and help him through his recovery (which is mostly over now, but that is not the point!)
Amia blinks at the voice.
Riyyh jumps up.
Riyyh: ~~contrite~~
Riyyh: ~~dizzy~~
Prunida: Have you been drinking, Riyyh?
Amia wishes the day was over, and that her father was back in charge.
Prunida has noticed the whiskey bottle on the table.
Riyyh ignores the sensation as best as he can, despite the fact that he is more used to being cosseted and petted and sympathized over for it.
Amia: He helped a sick traveller.
Riyyh: No, not at all. I can explain.
Riyyh: You see... yes, this belonged to somebody else.
Prunida steps closer to Riyyh and sniffs his breath.
Riyyh: They just left.
Prunida: ~~ satisfied ~~
Prunida: A sick traveller, you say?
Riyyh: Yes.
Amia nods and walks closer to them "Yes." ~~truth~~
Riyyh is glad no whiskey residue remained on his lips from the initial 5th contact.
Prunida: Well, I suppose you have to be a channel when there's need.
Prunida: ~~ grudging ~~
Riyyh: I was just about to go in and help them go to sleep. [adds]
Amia goes to the table to clear it.
Prunida: How sick are they, anyway?
Riyyh is glad Prunida isn't making a big deal out of Amia's presence.
Riyyh: Well, the woman is OK, the man has pneumonia.
Prunida considers.
Prunida: Well, all right, go put him to sleep if you want.
Prunida: But be back in five minutes. I'll be waiting.
Riyyh: Five... well, all right Prunida.
Riyyh doesn't even think to wonder why he is taking orders from her regarding channeling.
Riyyh hurries out.
Amia returns from the kitchen and takes up the forgotten book, ignoring Prunida.
Prunida has never considered that she has absolutely no authority over Riyyh.
Prunida looks at Amia and sniffs..
Prunida: Fine inn worker you are, ignoring the customers.
Prunida: I'll have tea.
Amia looks up at her "The kitchen is closed."
Amia returns to the book.
Prunida: ~~ outrage ~~
Prunida: We'll see about "closed"!
Amia: What. Yes. Closed. Unless you get it yourself.
Amia: ~~annoyance~~ I've had a long day. Enough of you and enough of the new travellers.
Amia picks up her book once more.
Prunida makes a mental note to subtract 50% from her bill for poor service.
Prunida stalks off to the kitchen, and starts looking around for the most expensive tea.
Prunida makes no effort to be neat about it.
Amia gets up and goes after her, watching at the door.
Riyyh returns from putting Barrin asleep exactly 4.99999 minutes after leaving, and is surprised to find nobody in the common room.
Prunida manages to empty and disarrange most of the contents of the cupboards in the course of getting her tea.
Prunida then stalks out, brushing past Amia.
Prunida: Ah, Riyyh, there you are.
Prunida hands Riyyh a cup of the tea.
Amia is too tired to clean the kitchen tonight ~~exasperated~~
Prunida: Come, it's getting late. We may as well retire.
Prunida thinks she might as well get some decent entertainment out of the day.
Riyyh: What happened?
Riyyh zlins Amia's exasperation coming from the kitchen.
Riyyh: ~~worry~~
Riyyh was touched by Amia's concern for him earlier, and frustrated when circumstances had not permitted him to answer her properly.
Prunida: Oh, the girl refused to get our tea, so I had to fetch it myself.
Amia slowly walks out of the messy kitchen and plops herself back next to her book.
Riyyh looks at Amia in concern.
Amia just looks at Riyyh, since explaining will only cause more problems.
Riyyh zlins Amia.
Amia: ~~annoyed, tired~~
Riyyh's shoulders droop as he realizes he is going to have a tough time speaking to her with Prunida standing right there.
Riyyh casts an apologetic look at her, then goes with Prunida.
Prunida pauses halfway down the hall.
Riyyh looks up at her.
Prunida: Oh, Riyyh, we never did get those raisin scones....
Riyyh winces.
Riyyh: I'm sorry.
Riyyh: Shall I go fetch them, then?
Riyyh: ~eager to please~
Amia picks up the book but doesn't open it. [lost in thought]
Prunida's annoyance at Amia softens a bit.
Prunida: That would be sweet of you.
Riyyh turns back.
Riyyh gets to the common room and sees Amia is still there, hesitates.
Riyyh zlins back to determine whether Prunida has gone into their room yet, or not.
Amia opens the book again, but doesn't see Riyyh.
Riyyh slips into the kitchen.
Prunida is safely in their room, rearranging her curtain-straps.
Riyyh sees the mess and stops, shocked.
Riyyh hurries back out into the common room.
Riyyh: Amia, are you all right? ~very concerned~
Riyyh goes to her side.
Amia looks up at him.
Riyyh kneels down beside her chair.
Riyyh: The kitchen....
Amia: Because of her [points the way he came] I've got a kitchen to clean in the morning.
Riyyh: I'm so sorry.
Riyyh: How can I ever repay you?
Amia is trying hard to control the tiredness and tears she feels.
Amia: It's my fault anyway. I wouldn't make her any tea.
Riyyh zlins her and feels an uncontrollable urge to take her in his arms and comfort her.
Amia closes the book.
Riyyh: No... no, it's not your fault. You didn't make her wreck the kitchen.
Amia: I made her angry, so she wrecked the kitchen. ~~sad~~
Amia: I don't even want to think about it.
Riyyh: May I... may I touch you?
Amia smiles. "I'm all right. Really."
Riyyh: You don't zlin like you are all right.
Riyyh: You zlin very sad, and close to tears.
Amia: You'll only make her mad. Don't worry about me.
Riyyh: I yearn to comfort you.
Amia nods.
Riyyh: I can't bear to see unhappiness, in any person, but most especially in the young, in the innocent.
Amia smiles.
Amia: You worry too much about me.
Riyyh: I care about you.
Riyyh: [earnestly]
Riyyh: I do not wish to see you hurt.
Riyyh: But yet, I will not add to your unhappiness by pushing myself on you, if you would rather be alone.
Amia: I'm glad to see a friendly face, rather than everyone so upset with me.
Riyyh takes this as encouragement, and eases closer.
Amia: But you came in here for something? What did you want?
Riyyh: I came to see if you are all right. [truthfully]
Amia: Nice to know you care. Tired. Upset. But I think I'll be fine.
Riyyh hesitates for a long moment, and then sighs.
Riyyh: Very well then.
Riyyh: I just had to make sure.
Riyyh touches her hand, and then turns and goes back into the kitchen.
Amia smiles and watches him go back into the kitchen.
Riyyh briefly considers cleaning the kitchen himself.
Riyyh comes to his senses, gets the scones, and returns to Prunida's room.