Sime~Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #108: Gulf Bound (2/2/99)
Eliza rolls another big ball of snow.
Eliza plonks it on top of the first one.
Botlie industriously makes small snowballs behind his snow fort.
Eliza pulls the carrot out of her pocket and sticks it in the middle of the ball of snow.
Botlie is a 4 year old child.
Botlie looks up.
Botlie: Eliza!!! [scandalized]
Botlie: It's supposed to be in the top one.
Eliza thinks snow would be more fun if it wasn't so cold!
Eliza: Ummm?
Eliza: Oh....
Botlie, like many small children, thinks everything has to be done a certain way.
Eliza removes the carrot from its original suggestive position and puts it in the top ball of snow.
Botlie jumps up and runs over to supervise.
Eliza rubs her arms. "Have you had enough for now, Botlie?"
Botlie: Nooooo!!!!!
Botlie starts to wail, on general principle.
Botlie: I don't wanna go in!
Eliza: Well OK then! Don't wail!
Botlie stops crying suspiciously suddenly.
Botlie: I'm hungry.
Eliza: We can stay a little longer.
Colleen a horse is coming up with rider.
Eliza pulls the carrot out of the snow man and hands it to Botlie.
Botlie bites off the end of the nose.
Botlie: It's frozen.
Botlie: ~~amazed~~
Colleen: Hi kids.
Botlie stares up at the stranger.
Eliza jumps and has a minor heart attack.
Botlie: Who's that!! [whispers loudly to Eliza]
Colleen: Can you tell me how far Gulf Territory is from here?
Botlie is too little to always remember you're not supposed to show your ignorance.
Botlie: Hi! I'm Botlie!!!
Eliza grabs Botlie and pulls him behind her.
Botlie: Oof!!
Botlie disappears behind Eliza abruptly.
Eliza has no idea. "I have no idea."
Colleen: Hello, I'm Colleen. [with a thick accent]
Eliza: We are from the Householding near here, really near here, just over there actually.
Botlie: Liiiiza, I can't seeeeee. [mournfully]
Eliza decides that this person probably isn't tooo dangerous and lets Botlie loose.
Colleen: Is there a town nearby?
Botlie peeps out cautiously.
Eliza: Naros, our Household, is just over there [points over a rise]
Eliza: Are you lost?
Colleen: I think so.
Colleen: Can you give me directions?
Eliza: We can show you if you like.
Botlie gapes.
Eliza was cold and wanted to go back inside anyway.
Botlie: Who's that lady, Liza?? [stage whisper]
Eliza: Botlie, weren't you hungry?
Colleen is a Gen in her 30's bundled up against the cold.
Botlie hears his name and hides behind Eliza again.
Eliza: She is lost, Botlie, we will take her in to see Sectuib Riyyh, OK?
Botlie peeks out again, clutching the back of Eliza's coat, and the carrot.
Botlie 's eyes widen as the horse's nose looms toward the carrot.
Colleen: Honey I'm not going to hurt anyone you don't have to be afraid.
Colleen pulls up on the reins.
Eliza absentmindedly slaps the horse's nose away from the carrot.
Eliza: Well, come with us. I'm sure that our Sectuib, Riyyh, will be able to help you.
Botlie feeling a bit more bold, steps out a little bit and chews on the carrot himself.
Colleen: Thank you. Lead on.
Eliza checks around to make sure nothing has been left behind and grabs Botlie's hand [the one not holding the carrot] and heads off.
Eliza: Where are you from?
Colleen: Chicago
Eliza: Chicargo. Never heard of it. Is it far away?
Colleen: Judging by how long I've been riding, I'd say yes.
Eliza: Where are you heading for?
Colleen: Gulf Territory.
Colleen: Is this Gulf Territory?
Eliza: I have no idea. Never been there.
Eliza: I'm sure the Sectuib will know.
Botlie stumps along in Eliza's wake, round eyed at all the adult talk going over his head.
Eliza knows that Riyyh is reallly old and reallly old people seem to know stuff like that.
Colleen hopes to get a better map soon.
Botlie: Eliza, why's she going there?
Eliza clumps to the top of the hill and points. "That's Naros."
Botlie: ~~childish curiosity~~
Eliza is surprised that she feels a certain fondness for the place.
Eliza: She is lost, Botlie. You know, Gens get lost.
Eliza: Well, some Gens get lost. The ones who don't know where they are.
Botlie giggles.
Eliza manages to give the impression that she has, or course, never been lost.
Colleen smirks
Eliza: There is a path, somewhere here [moves over to the right]. The snow has it all covered.
Colleen: I hope you know the way to your house. It would be quite a pickle if we were all lost.
Botlie falls into a snowdrift and briefly disappears from sight except for his bright red cap.
Eliza heads down the slope towards Naros.
Colleen following behind
Botlie jumps up and runs after Eliza.
Botlie: Whee!!
Botlie: I fell down, Eliza did you see me fall down?
Eliza: Well, it's a bit hard to miss really.... You just have to keep going until you find the wall. Unless it was blizzarding you would be right.
Botlie is covered head to toe in powder.
Botlie: Eliza, did you see me fall down?
Eliza stops to give Botlie a quick brush down.
Botlie glows with excitement.
Colleen: You have a wall around your house?
Eliza: Yes dear. Now run ahead of me so I can keep an eye on you.
Colleen is thinking of a farm house
Eliza: It's not a house, it's a Household. You know, lots of people live there.
Botlie bounces ahead.
Colleen: OK.
Colleen: Is is much further?
Eliza: Nope.
Eliza watches Botlie bounce out of sight.
Eliza: Botlie!
Eliza sees a red cap bouncing ahead.
Eliza: You should be able to see the gates in a moment - see there they are.
Colleen raises an eyebrow.
Colleen: Impressive.
Botlie comes into view lounging on a snow drift.
Botlie waves his hand over his mouth, trying to look like he's been waiting bored for them.
Eliza: Botlie, you run home and get out of those clothing and into something else and I'll see you later. I'm going to take... I didn't get your name?
Eliza looks at the woman on the horse expectantly.
Colleen: Colleen.
Colleen: Colleen VonRyan.
Eliza: Colleen, that's right, I'm going to take Colleen to see the Sectuib.
Eliza gives Botlie a pat on the tush to get him started.
Botlie runs off.
Eliza: This way Colleen. We can leave your horse tied up outside. Once I have introduced you to the Sectuib, I'll take him to a nice warm barn and look after him for you, all right?
Colleen: That's very kind of you thank you.
Eliza: No problem.
Eliza smiles up at her.
Colleen smiles back
Eliza leads the horse over to a low spread building and holds its head.
Eliza: This is where the offices are.
Colleen: Do I just go in?
Eliza waits for Colleen to dismount.
Eliza: I'll come with you.
Colleen: Oh, sorry.
Colleen jumps off the horse
Eliza ties up the reins and heads for the door.
Colleen follows.
Eliza: The Sectuib will be pleased to see you.
Eliza hopes so anyway.
Riyyh is in his office on the 2nd floor, supposedly doing paperwork.
Eliza holds the door open for Colleen the follows her into the lobby.
Riyyh has already heard 6 rumors that somebody was brought in by Eliza, and is expecting the pair.
Eliza: Hmmm, Wolfa isn't around. Well, we will just see if he is in his office.
Eliza heads up the stairs.
Colleen follows
Riyyh adjusts a couple of pieces of paper.
Eliza signals at the door.
Riyyh: Come!
Colleen will let the kid open the door.
Eliza opens the door and walks in. "Sectuib, this is Colleen, errr Colleen. She is lost and looking for somewhere called Gulf Territory or something. Colleen, this is Sectuib Riyyh."
Eliza hopes that she did that right
Riyyh stands to greet them, smiling kindly.
Colleen: I'm pleased to meet you.
Riyyh: Hello.
Riyyh is a preposterously handsome channel looking about 10 years younger than his 55, wearing a silver and gold cape.
Riyyh: Please, come in.
Colleen: I'm professor Colleen VonRyan and I seem to have been sold an inaccurate map by a Sime I met a week ago.
Eliza fidgets at the doorway.
Eliza: I'll just go see to her horse then.
Riyyh: Would you like some tea? Please... do have a seat, you must be exhausted.
Colleen enters
Colleen: Thank you.
Riyyh looks up at Eliza's words.
Riyyh: Yes, yes, of course, do as you like.
Riyyh goes over to pour some tea.
Colleen turning to Eliza.
Colleen: Honey, don't take the bags off I'll do that in a bit.
Colleen don't want the kid to shoot herself accidentally.
Eliza: OK.
Eliza leaves to look after the horse.
Colleen pulls a map out of her coat.
Riyyh pours two cups of one of Naros' finest blends.
Colleen: This map is all wrong.
Colleen pulls off her hat and long brown hair with a few silver streaks falls out.
Colleen: Can you tell me where Gulf Territory is from here?
Riyyh waits until Colleen is seated and then offers her one of the cups of tea.
Colleen removes her drover coat and sits down still holding the map.
Colleen: Thank you.
Riyyh returns to his seat behind the desk.
Riyyh: Let us have a look.
Colleen hands the map over; it was done by a Sime with a sick sense of humor.
Riyyh studies it carefully.
Riyyh's eyebrows raise.
Riyyh: Oh dear.
Colleen [the map has references to things in Simelan that are a bit "adult"]
Riyyh squints at one particularly lewd "city" name.
Colleen: How bad is is?
Riyyh: It's not very... geographically.... correct. [admits apologetically]
Colleen: I should have known, that Sime seemed a bit seedy.
Riyyh: Where are you headed?
Riyyh hopes he didn't hear right when Eliza said "Gulf Territory".
Colleen: Well I did want to get to Gulf Territory by spring.
Colleen: How far am I from there?
Riyyh: A pity the passes are snowed in now.
Colleen: Oh? That Sime said I should have no... I'll bet he is laughing his head off right now.
Riyyh selects a book from his bookshelf, and opens it on the desk.
Colleen: I suppose getting back to Chicago is out of the question also.
Riyyh: [it is a book of maps]
Riyyh: This is a little bit out of date, but it does show the major...
Riyyh points out Cago.
Colleen stretches the neck to look.
Riyyh: Here is where you came from.
Riyyh uses a dorsal to trace a southeastern route down into Gulf.
Riyyh: Here's where you want to be.
Colleen: Oh, my.
Riyyh: And this, I'm afraid, [uses the other dorsal to trace due West from Cago, about 600 miles] is where you are now.
Riyyh 's tentacle tip stops on a tiny dot labelled Naros.
Riyyh: [Naros is located somewhere between the hearts of Nivet and Norwest]
Colleen: Are all the passes snowed in?
Riyyh: You might be able to make it there via an extreme southern route.
Riyyh: I wouldn't try going straight back East.
Colleen: How long by horseback?
Riyyh looks at the map.
Riyyh: Which part of Gulf?
Colleen: I wanted to go to its largest city or town.
Riyyh taps the dot with his tentacle, then withdraws his hand.
Riyyh: Long distance travel isn't my area of expertise, [confesses] but I think you are looking at at least a month and a half.
Colleen raises both eyebrows
Riyyh: Unless you abandon your horse and use the trains. And even those are not always reliable in the winter.
Riyyh: I am sorry.
Riyyh appears sincerely apologetic.
Riyyh: This must be a terrible setback.
Colleen: It really isn't your fault, honest.
Colleen smiles
Riyyh smiles back at her, a bit sheepishly.
Colleen: Well some of my colleagues at the university will gloat when they hear about this.
Colleen: I take it the train is out of the question?
Riyyh: Not necessarily, but there may be some outages you'd have to find a way around.
Riyyh: It would almost certainly be faster than riding the entire way.
Riyyh thinks, and warmer!
Riyyh was never fond of horseback travel.
Colleen: You mean I could be stranded without my horse somewhere if I take the train?
Riyyh: I'm afraid so.
Riyyh gets the idea Colleen hasn't travelled long distance in winter much.
Riyyh: ~~sympathetic~~
Colleen can hear her colleagues now.
Colleen: I don't suppose there's a train back to Chicago?
Riyyh: I believe I have... somewhere....
Riyyh opens a desk drawer and searches for the train book.
Riyyh: I'm not too familiar with the routes that don't come here. [confesses]
Riyyh: I am sure there would be at least one switch of trains....
Colleen stretches her neck to look.
Riyyh locates the book and starts to open it, then just hands it to Colleen.
Colleen she reads Simelan badly. She has a thick accent.
Riyyh is afraid Colleen has a long stint of difficult travel before her no matter what.
Colleen: This doesn't look good.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: Of course, you are welcome to stay here until you feel up to starting off.
Riyyh: We have a guest cabin you could use for a few days.
Riyyh: Your animal would be well cared for.
Colleen: That's very generous of you.
Riyyh smiles, the very picture of the gentle and fatherly Sectuib.
Colleen: I'm on sabbatical from the University. They will be very worried if I don't send word.
Colleen: It was like pulling teeth to get approval for this.
Colleen looks worried
Colleen sips her tea and wishes it was something stronger
Riyyh looks appropriately concerned.
Riyyh: You are, of course, welcome to send a letter by post from here.
Riyyh: It ought to arrive eventually.
Riyyh: Surely that would be better than nothing?
Riyyh is not about to suggest that Colleen herself travel by mail coach.
Riyyh wouldn't wish that fate on anybody.
Colleen: Yes that would be OK, I would hope they would get the letter.
Riyyh: Well then, it will be arranged. [kindly]
Colleen: Thank you very much, you have been most kind.
Riyyh: At Naros, the traveller is always welcome. [smiles]
Riyyh: Would you like me to show you to that guest cabin?
Riyyh: Or, [zlins her] not the Dining Hall.
Colleen: [She is quite full]
Colleen: Thank you, the cabin will be fine for now,
Riyyh nods graciously and gets up.
Colleen gets up
Riyyh notices she has no baggage with her.
Riyyh does remember saying something about saddlebags to Eliza, though.
Colleen: All of my possessions that I am traveling with are on my horse.
Colleen puts on her coat and hat.
Riyyh: I see.
Riyyh: Shall we stop by the stables first, then?
Riyyh will be the first to admit that the stables aren't exactly his scene, but one must be gracious to one's guests.
Colleen: Lead on
Riyyh smiles, and leads the way out of the office.
Colleen asks, while walking, "Is there something in particular that is produced here?"
Riyyh: Yes, Naros is an agricultural Householding primarily. [explains]
Riyyh: We produce many varieties of gourmet and rare varieties of fruits and vegetables, as well as trinroses.
Colleen: It's impressive, a cross between a fortress and an industrial complex.
Riyyh: We also have a millinery, and a perfumery, on the grounds.
Riyyh smiles.
Riyyh: Ah, yes, the walls are a holdover from pre-Unity, of course.
Riyyh leads her out of the administrative building by a different door, and through a snowbound garden.
Colleen: How long has the Household been here?
Riyyh: About three hundred years.
Eliza sits and watches the horse eat.
Riyyh feels a certain amount of ~~pride~~ for his Householding.
Riyyh: It was founded originally as an agricultural cooperative.
Colleen: Long before Unity? I did not think Sime in those days did much agriculture.
Riyyh smiles apologetically.
Riyyh: The food wasn't being raised for Simes.
Colleen: It's OK, neither of us were alive then. I can't hold you accountable for actions before you were born.
Riyyh thinks that's just as well, since there are plenty of other actions people hold him accountable for that happened since then.
Riyyh: Of course. Thank you.
Riyyh leads her between the work sheds to the stables.
Colleen follows closely.
Riyyh enters the stables, and notes Eliza there.
Riyyh: Hello, Eliza. [smiles]
Eliza spits the straw out of her mouth and jumps up.
Colleen: Hello, Eliza.
Eliza: Hello. I watered him and fed him and loosened the girth. I didn't take it off though, like you said.
Colleen: Thank you.
Colleen removes the horse bags and saddle.
Eliza: Did you find out where you wanted to go?
Colleen: Oh yeah, I sure did [smiling].
Colleen: You have any rules about firearms?
Eliza wonders if Riyyh finds this lady attractive 'cause she is almost as old as he is.
Riyyh looks rather alarmed.
Eliza: Firearms?!
Eliza hasn't seen a gun since she left home.
Riyyh's tentacles flutter nervously.
Riyyh hasn't seen a gun since the Unity wars.
Colleen: Well, yes I lived mostly off the land. I'm quite a sharp shooter back home, won 3 awards.
Riyyh: My, how impressive. [faintly]
Eliza: My cousin taught me to shoot when I was a kid.
Eliza doesn't think she should say much more about it considering what she ended up shooting.
Colleen: Some people are nervous and prefer to lock them up. If you want, you can lock up my rifle while I'm here.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Riyyh: [relieved]
Riyyh: I'm afraid we haven't much use for weapons at Naros, we are a peaceful Householding.
Riyyh also thinks there would be a riot if anybody tried to cook meat here.
Colleen raises an eyebrow
Colleen: I'm not a serial killer, I never shot a human.
Riyyh turns absolutely white at the very suggestion.
Riyyh: Oh, my, that is good to know.
Colleen: Honest, I'm not violent. Just good with a rifle.
Riyyh wishes she wouldn't keep mentioning how good a shot she is.
Riyyh: Thank you for your reassurance.
Colleen will hide the deer meat carefully.
Riyyh smiles nervously.
Colleen: OK, all ready.
Riyyh: Do you have everything? I could show you to...?
Riyyh nods and leads the way out of the stable.
Colleen follows.
Colleen: [If there is a trash can along the way Colleen will dump the frozen meat into is when Riyyh is not looking]
Colleen: Is there something I could help your household out with?
Riyyh zlins her dump it, and also zlins a bunch of curious Narosians flocking to the can to see what it was.
Riyyh smiles at Colleen and brings her to a small row of cabins.
Riyyh: These are for guests. Only some are being used now. How about this one right here?
Colleen: It will do just fine thank you.
Riyyh opens the door for Colleen, then checks the place out to make sure it is ready.
Colleen: I'd like to pull my weight while I'm here. Is there anything you need help with?
Riyyh: Well, there is always help required with snow removal and such, although of course you wouldn't be expected to....
Riyyh knows there are plenty of Narosians eager to give up their share of snow duty, including himself.
Colleen: Excellent, why don't I get cleaned up, and go see someone about pitching in?
Riyyh: Certainly.
Riyyh: Do you remember how to get back to my office?
Riyyh: Wolfa's office is right down the hall from mine, and she is the one you want to talk to.
Colleen: If I can't find it I will ask someone for directions.
Riyyh hesitates.
Colleen laughs
Riyyh: Oh dear. [to himself]
Riyyh smiles.
Colleen: I should be fine. How lost can I get in this compound?
Riyyh is more worried about Colleen being smothered in a curious mob of Narosians, and whisked off to somebody's crowded living room to tell stories before the fireplace.
Riyyh doesn't think that would be such a bad thing, though.
Riyyh: Not very. [confesses]
Riyyh: Please, let me know, or let Wolfa or Eliza know, if there is anything else you require.
Riyyh: I must get back to the office now. Paperwork, you know.
Riyyh looks suitably apologetic. [he really is sorry he has to do paperwork]
Colleen: All right then. Thank you. I'll see you later [broad warm smile]
Riyyh returns the smile, and then leaves the cabin.
Eliza heads towards the canteen.
Eliza: ~ hungry ~
Eliza has found that being cold usually makes her hungry
Eliza is really just usually hungry but won't admit that.
Riyyh makes a small detour to pick up a pastry at the Dining Hall.
Eliza grabs a bread roll and some cheese and finds a seat.
Eliza starts taking serious bites.
Eliza looks up to see who else is there.
Riyyh has arrived and is looking over the pastries thoughtfully.
Riyyh used to have quite the pastry addiction, although lately he's been treated to Rapol's cooking instead.
Eliza cuts off some cheese and pops it into her mouth.
Eliza watches Riyyh picking over the sweets.
Riyyh selects a fruit filled, sugar drizzled thing a lot of people wouldn't let their channel eat.
Eliza considers a pastry, then considers her waistline (which is there somewhere under her winter clothing) then considers the pastry again, and goes to get one.
Eliza: 'Scuse me Sectuib.
Riyyh: Oh, hello, Eliza. [smiles]
Eliza reaches past him and selects something creamy.
Eliza: Is that lady going to be staying here long?
Riyyh tries to hide the pastry.
Riyyh: Perhaps a few days.
Riyyh: She has a very long trip ahead of her, I'm afraid.
Eliza: ~ yumm yum ~
Riyyh: It would be good to rest up before hand.
Eliza nods.
Riyyh is affected by Eliza's hunger.
Eliza: Would you like to come sit with me while you eat that?
Riyyh had actually planned on going back to his office with it, but....
Riyyh: Yes, thank you. [smiles]
Riyyh: Let me just go fetch some tea as well.
Riyyh: Would you like any?
Eliza: Yes please, I would. Thanks.
Eliza wishes she had tentacles so she could juggle plates and mugs and spoons and napkins like that
Riyyh gets two teas and brings them along.
Eliza follows ahead of him and sits back down.
Riyyh sits down near her, and gives her her tea.
Eliza is constantly amazed how this man, the Sectuib of his Household, does things for people, like carrying cups of tea.
Eliza: My dad would never do that.
Riyyh: Pardon me?
Eliza: Fetch tea for people and stuff like that.
Eliza smiles at him.
Eliza: He would have said "get your own".
Riyyh smiles.
Eliza thinks he would have actually said other things too, but she can't tell Sectuib Riyyh those words!
Riyyh: I enjoy being kind to others.
Eliza: Yes, that's what I mean, you are the Sectuib here, you don't have to be nice to others.
Eliza: But you are anyway. That's really nice.
Riyyh glows at the compliment.
Riyyh: Why thank you, Eliza, what a sweet thing to say.
Eliza just glows 'cause she is Gen and can't help it.
Eliza: ~ blushes with pleasure ~
Riyyh tastes his pastry.
Eliza eats her sweet.
Eliza: Mmmmm this is good!
Riyyh puts it down and looks at Eliza thoughtfully.
Eliza: I probably shouldn't be eating it.
Riyyh: I am sure that one wouldn't be any harm.
Eliza: I eat too much, and there isn't much exercise to be had when it's snowing. It never snowed like this where I came from.
Riyyh: You could help with the snow removal. [points out]
Riyyh: Colleen asked to volunteer with that.
Riyyh: All Naros members share in the work.
Eliza: but it just keeps falling.
Eliza: ~ sigh ~
Eliza: I've been shovelling.
Riyyh: Well, yes, it does, but the removal is great exer... I see.
Eliza: And helping with looking after the animals.
Riyyh nods sympathetically.
Riyyh has personally never actually done one of his own shares of shovelling, as he favors talking other people into doing them for him.
Riyyh: We have greatly appreciated your help, of course.
Eliza: This morning I took Botlie out for a walk. I was going stir crazy in here.
Eliza feels uncomfortable. She doesn't like it when people talk as if she doesn't belong here.
Riyyh: I see.
Eliza: Well, I mean, I'm living here... It's only right to help with the work, isn't it?
Riyyh: Is there anything that I could do, to help you feel more comfortable? Less... stir crazy?
Riyyh's gaze is gentle and sincere and open.
Eliza: I guess it will be different when the weather warms up. How much longer will it be this cold?
Riyyh: It will cycle through freezing and melting for another two months, I'm afraid.
Eliza: ~ sigh ~
Riyyh: But there will be some sunny days, some warm ones. There are, even now.
Riyyh tries to cheer her up.
Eliza: I guess you get use to it, year after year.
Riyyh looks at her for a moment.
Riyyh: I think that the key is to find ways to distract yourself. [softly]
Riyyh: Find things that can be done indoors that you enjoy.
Riyyh: Find people you enjoy being with.
see note 1
Notes:
1) No ending is available for this episode. [return]