Sime~Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #111: In the Rabbit-Warren (2/5/99)
Anmyn signals politely by Riyyh's office door.
Riyyh: Come in!
Anmyn enters, zlinning.
Riyyh sets aside a bundle of bills and requisitions with great relief.
Anmyn: Am I interrupting you?
Anmyn: ~~ apology ~~
Riyyh: Ah! Anmyn. How good to see you. No, no, not at all.
Anmyn: I know you're busy.
Riyyh: Well... yes, actually, [admits] but I would much rather speak to you than do this.
Riyyh: Would you like some tea? A cookie? I have these sugary ones.
Anmyn: Thank you.
Anmyn: ~~ gratitude ~~
Anmyn: I'm afraid I've come to add to your burden.
Anmyn holds out a stack of forms.
Anmyn: Wolfa would normally have taken care of these, but under the circumstances, I thought it kinder not to bother her.
Anmyn feels ~~ guilty ~~ at adding to Riyyh's overflowing inbox.
Anmyn: Has there been any word of Hero?
Riyyh takes the forms regretfully.
Riyyh: No, I'm afraid not.
Anmyn: ~~ disappointment ~~
Riyyh: She and Prunida appear to have gone west over the ridge and are now on the other side of it until spring.
Riyyh: Unless, by some chance, our information is bad, and they turn up nearer....
Riyyh thinks it would be easier to hold onto some hope if both of the women weren't so amazingly describable.
Anmyn: Wolfa is trying to be brave, but she's close to panic.
Riyyh: Yes, it is a shame. I do what I can for her, [like some of his own work], but still....
Anmyn: Who will you find for Wolfa, if Hero doesn't return in time?
Riyyh: I had thought perhaps Risha.
Anmyn: Risha?
Anmyn considers.
Anmyn: I suspect she would be glad for the chance.
Anmyn: It will certainly be a challenge for her.
Riyyh: And less traumatic than the Tecton.
Riyyh really doesn't want to send anyone to the Tecton if he can find a way to satisfy them at home.
Anmyn: Do you think she's ready for Wolfa?
Riyyh: Physically, yes. She will require more training, of course, but that was true of Hero as well.
Riyyh: I also considered.... [hesitates]
Anmyn looks at Riyyh questioningly.
Riyyh fiddles nervously with a curl of his long silver hair.
Riyyh: Oh dear. This sounds even more ridiculous now than it did when I first considered it. [confesses]
Anmyn looks at Riyyh with innocent trust in his infallible judgment.
Anmyn: What did you consider?
Riyyh: But I had thought, that perhaps because there is such a great chance of Hero returning, that we might give Wolfa somebody to train temporarily, just until the spring. With her permission, of course.
Riyyh: You see, I had thought that perhaps if he had received a little more training, I might be able to interest the Tecton in Griff Gussleson.
Riyyh: And after Wolfa did so well with Hero, and we had really thought that she would be all but impossible....
Anmyn: Griff?
Anmyn's delicate nose wrinkles just a bit, as if exposed to an unpleasant odor.
Anmyn: I didn't think he had enough Donor potential for a channel like Wolfa.
Anmyn: Or would you have Risha give Wolfa transfer, while Gruff worked with her?
Anmyn finds her head spinning at the complications inherent in the Sectuib's job.
Riyyh: Something more like the latter, I think.
Riyyh: You see, I had hoped that Risha... and you....
Riyyh: Well, there is time yet.
Anmyn nods.
Anmyn looks at the stack of papers in the inbox again.
Anmyn: I hadn't realized how much there is to the job of Sectuib, at the administrative end.
Riyyh: I have been trying to forget, myself, for years, to tell you the truth.
Riyyh in fact sort of envisions foisting more and more of it off onto Anmyn as the years progress.
Anmyn: I used to think as a child that a Sectuib's position meant being around to greet guests and talk to people, and officiate at House ceremonies and meetings and things.
Riyyh: Oh yes, that is a good part of it, of course.
Riyyh means it's the part he personally enjoys.
Anmyn: Then I changed over, and thought that a Sectuib must spend a lot of time on channel's duties.
Riyyh: In some Householdings, the Sectuib does.
Anmyn: But you actually spend a lot of time doing this sort of thing, don't you?
Riyyh: I do now. [admits]
Anmyn: I don't know anything about administration.
Anmyn feels the lack sorely, since she wants to be a proper heir to Riyyh and Naros.
Riyyh: Anmyn, you've been here for more than two months. [gently] You've been learning all the time, and you'll keep learning.
Riyyh: You don't have to become Sectuib until I'm old and gray, after all. You'll be very knowledgeable by the time that happens.
Riyyh blithely ignores the fact that he's already gray.
Riyyh in fact would curl up into a ball if anybody drew that to his attention.
Anmyn: But I could be so much more help to you if I knew how to do this sort of thing.
Riyyh: But Anmyn, precious, I've been teaching you all along, haven't I?
Riyyh: You see, you couldn't have done this two months ago. [indicates the paperwork she'd handled for him]
Anmyn nods solemnly.
Riyyh: Come here. [holds out his hands to her]
Anmyn goes around the desk and puts her hands in Riyyh's.
Riyyh wraps his tentacles around their fingers in a reassuring grip.
Riyyh: You are ever so much a help to me. Just your being here helps immensely.
Riyyh: I no longer have to fear for the future, for Naros' future.
Riyyh: Don't worry about being young, about not knowing everything yet.
Riyyh: I'll train you, I'll help you. You trust me to do that, don't you?
Riyyh looks up at her.
Anmyn nods.
Anmyn: ~~ trust ~~
Anmyn: You're the Sectuib.
Riyyh's nager is ~~encouraging/soothing/kind~~
Riyyh smiles.
Anmyn: It's such a big responsibility.
Riyyh: It is. But I know you can do it. That's why I picked you.
Anmyn feels more ~~ confident ~~ for the pep talk.
Riyyh picked Anmyn because she was a willing, available 1st Order channel of reasonably fashionable breeding and upbringing, timid enough that she wouldn't walk all over him, and nice enough that people would listen to her when shouting wouldn't have been enough anyway.
Anmyn: Is there anything I can help you with, while I'm here?
Riyyh looks pleased.
Riyyh: Could you? There are some things here....
Anmyn follows his attention eagerly.
Riyyh picks up a stack of unanswered love letters.
Riyyh: Wolfa usually answers these for me. She does have the perfect touch at it, it's really quite remarkable.
Anmyn takes the letters.
Anmyn: How do you want me to answer them?
Anmyn is feeling the weight of new ~~ responsibility ~~
Riyyh: Now you see, if I were to answer these myself, I would find it simply impossible to be anything other than myself, which Wolfa assures me is not entirely what one wants in these situations.
Anmyn nods, concentrating hard on her instructions.
Anmyn: So you want them to be answered as someone else?
Riyyh: That is not precisely it, Anmyn, but they might be answered slightly differently than I would.
Anmyn: Like you would if you were to turn them down, which you wouldn't really?
Riyyh: It is important that the senders are not led into believing that some relationship exists which perhaps doesn't, or at least not in any real or physical sense...
Riyyh: Ah! Yes, precisely. [relieved]
Riyyh finds it so difficult to turn people down he has a hard time even talking about it.
Riyyh: Yet, it is important to be kind, and gentle, and above all to not discourage them from seeking out Naros in their times of travail or requirement.
Riyyh: After all, some of these people have been writing for years.
Anmyn understood that part of Riyyh's current difficulty stems from far too many relationships that did become "real or physical".
Anmyn nods.
Anmyn: I think I know the tone you are seeking.
Riyyh: And then when you are done, I will read them and sign them. You may stand by, if you wish, to make sure I do not rewrite any of them.
Riyyh says the last a bit sheepishly.
Anmyn takes that as an instruction, not an offer.
Anmyn: All right. Do you want me to do it here?
Riyyh is actually far more likely to hide some the letters with the intention of responding personally at some later date, but then forget to do so, and then be obliged to console the lady who wrote it personally when she arrives on his doorstep in tears wondering if he's forsaken her.
Anmyn looks around for writing space.
Riyyh: Yes, if you like.
Riyyh moves the In-basket to clear an end of the desk.
Riyyh: [augmenting slightly to do so]
Anmyn finds stationary, and a fountain pen.
Anmyn pulls a chair over and settles down to read the first letter.
Riyyh smiles at her industriousness, and then picks up a requisition for a new plowing rig.
Riyyh winces at the bottom line.
Anmyn looks up.
Anmyn: Is something wrong?
Riyyh: Oh, no, it's just... the price of equipment these days.
Anmyn: Oh.
Riyyh pushes back his curly mane and looks out the window, thoughtfully fingering the requisition.
Anmyn returns to work.
Anmyn's forehead scrunches in concentration as she puts pen to paper, searching for just the right tone.
Riyyh: ~~denial daydream~~
Anmyn hands the letter, and her reply, back to Riyyh.
Anmyn: Is this the sort of reply you had in mind?
Riyyh's reverie is broken.
Riyyh: Pardon me? [sees the letter] Oh, excuse me, I must have been....
Riyyh takes the letter and reads it.
Anmyn realizes that she interrupted.
Anmyn: I'm sorry. I should have waited until you were finished thinking.
Riyyh: It's all right, Anmyn, really it is. [kindly]
Anmyn's reply is impeccably polite, inoffensive, and promises exactly nothing.
Riyyh reads Anmyn's reply.
Riyyh: Well, Anmyn, this is certainly very nice. I wouldn't have been able to do as well myself.
Anmyn: ~~ gratified ~~
Riyyh: Although....
Riyyh looks somewhat embarrassed.
Riyyh: Perhaps it should be a little bit... warmer.
Anmyn is struck by sudden fear that she got it wrong.
Anmyn: Warmer?
Riyyh: More like the letter of a friend to a friend.
Anmyn: Ah.
Riyyh: Oh, your letter was perfect in almost every way.
Riyyh wants to make sure Anmyn understands that.
Anmyn: Should I do it over?
Riyyh: Just, perhaps, more businesslike than... well, perhaps just this once.
Anmyn earnestly bends over the stationary again.
Riyyh hopes Anmyn is not too frustrated by this.
Riyyh: ~apologetic~
Riyyh thinks that Anmyn is really a very good writer and will surely learn the subtleties on her own as she reads enough of the letters.
Anmyn writes a warmer letter, implying eternal fraternal devotion, but again promising nothing.
Riyyh stares at the requisition for the very expensive piece of shiny new farm equipment.
Anmyn finishes with a flourish, and this time, checks to see if Riyyh is at a convenient stopping point.
Riyyh seems to have encountered a sum of money which is not diminutive and inoffensive enough for his delicate nature.
Anmyn: Oh, dear, you shouldn't be bothered with this now.
Anmyn holds out the second draft apologetically.
Riyyh: No, no, it's... it's quite all right.
Riyyh drops the requisition jerkily, as if it were a dead thing lying in his hand, and picks up Anmyn's second draft instead.
Anmyn waits with baited breath for the verdict.
Riyyh: This is very good. [smiles]
Riyyh: I knew you could do it.
Anmyn: ~~ pleasure ~~
Anmyn: Let me try another.
Riyyh signs the letter for Anmyn.
Riyyh: Of course.
Anmyn picks up the next letter in the stack, and frowns thoughtfully at the gushing, schoolgirl essay.
Anmyn's eyes widen as she reads the name at the bottom, and realizes that it isn't a schoolgirl at all.
Anmyn: Oh, dear.
Anmyn considers the problem.
Riyyh looks up from where he was digging through a filing cabinet for a farm implements catalog.
Riyyh: Difficulties?
Anmyn: Perhaps not.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: Very well, then.
Anmyn picks up the pen and writes.
Riyyh thumbs through the well-worried catalog until he finds the section on complex-and-very-expensive-metal-and-wood-objects-to-be-pulled-behind-expensive-animals.
Riyyh compares the pictures and wonders why Item B, which is about 1/10 the price of Item E, wouldn't be suitable instead.
Anmyn is actually a bit better acquainted with the protocol for handling adolescent crushes than that for middle-aged widows, if from the opposite side of her current task.
Riyyh sighs as he looks ahead to having to go down and speak to the crop manager about this, which inevitably involves being treated to the various farmers' attempts to hide pity for his ignorance and pampered office life, while respectfully correcting him (and in some cases trying to pull the wool over his eyes) with regards to why Item E is the only one that could possibly serve Naros' requirements.
Anmyn chews her lip, as she tries to strike the right balance: Friendly in a personal but fatherly sort of way, confidence in the receiver's personal worth, and expectations of a brilliant future not involving Riyyh.
Riyyh's brow furrows as he struggles to be very logical and check every detail in full so he will be prepared for....
Anmyn clears her throat.
Riyyh: Yes, Anmyn?
Riyyh looks up.
Anmyn hands the letter and her reply to Riyyh.
Anmyn: How is this?
Riyyh reads the letter first.
Riyyh smiles fondly at the letter.
Riyyh then reads Anmyn's reply.
Riyyh: Very good. Perfect.
Riyyh: Thank you. [smiles]
Anmyn beams.
Riyyh's own version of the reply would have been friendly, personal, fatherly/brotherly/intimate, and left the details of the brilliant future far too open-ended.
Anmyn waits for Riyyh to affix his signature.
Riyyh signs it.
Anmyn puts the letter in the stack with the other.
Anmyn starts reading letter number three.
Turros is grumbling to himself as he signals at Riyyh's office door.
Riyyh: Come in!
Turros opens the door and steps through with the brisk manner of one who is used to walking long distances on foot.
Turros: Riyyh, have you lost that requisition for the new cultivator?
Turros remembers Riyyh in his pre-changeover days, and has never quite learned to think of him as the Sectuib.
Turros: It's got to go out in today's mail, or we can't be sure of getting it in time for the spring plowing.
Riyyh looks up at Turros with his usual expression of surprised, cute harmlessness, which never cut any ice with Turros either before changeover or since.
Riyyh has the requisition and the catalog in his hands.
Riyyh: Why hello, Turros. [smiles]
Turros frowns accusingly at Riyyh.
Turros: You've been holding that for a week now.
Turros: ~~ reproach ~~
Riyyh: I'm terribly sorry, things have been swamped.
Riyyh: I am looking at it now, though.
Riyyh tries to appear encouraging and friendly.
Riyyh: Perhaps you could answer a question for me?
Turros: Of course.
Riyyh shows Turros the page the catalog is open to.
Turros can't help feeling a bit ~~ patronizing ~~ that Riyyh would have to ask questions about such a straightforward and necessary purchase as a cultivator.
Turros supposes it comes from being penned up in an office with nothing to do all day.
Riyyh: I was looking at the catalog, which I happen to have a copy of here in my office, and I was wondering about the choice of, of equipment.
Turros: What's to wonder?
Riyyh: You see, this one here also says "rotary cultivator" and it lists all the same features except "bright red anodized finish".
Riyyh: Might we be able to get by with this other model? It is much more affordable, you see.
Turros snorts contemptuously.
Turros: That's because it doesn't have that shiny red paint to keep it from rusting away in six months.
Riyyh: But perhaps we could paint it ourselves, or have it done in the town? ~anxiously~
Turros: And it's not as easy to handle, either.
Riyyh always has to struggle not to feel completely inadequate around Turros.
Riyyh: Oh... I see.
Riyyh looks at the pictures again.
Riyyh: I confess I am not 100% sure why we require a cultivator now, this year. You see, it wasn't budgeted for last fall. Was there an equipment breakage, or...?
Turros leans over to point at the picture of his preferred model.
Riyyh follows Turros' pointing finger.
Turros: You see how the join here is missing in the other picture?
Turros: You can get a much tighter turn with this one, which means more of the field actually ends up being cultivated.
Riyyh seems to recall that by planning one's towing pattern carefully, one can get around these sorts of problems.
Riyyh sighs unhappily.
Riyyh: I see.
Riyyh: But isn't it true that....
Riyyh is finding this very difficult.
Riyyh: Oh dear.
Riyyh pushes back his hair.
Riyyh: All right, so you are absolutely certain that this is the best solution, both financially and practically, for Naros at this time?
Turros: You can't grow first-rate crops with second-rate equipment.
Riyyh is pretty sure that the turning angle doesn't much affect the crops themselves.
Riyyh: Yes, yes, I see.
Riyyh: Please, have a seat then. I will require your help in something else, now.
Riyyh remembers what happened last time he offered Turros some tea, and wisely doesn't do it again.
Turros plops down, always ready to help out the boy, who does the best he can, it's true.
Riyyh fetches the ledger.
Riyyh: Now, which equipment was it that has broken down?
Riyyh: Didn't we have two cultivators?
Riyyh is a little bit fuzzy on the different farm equipment, but does remember purchases of this eye-popping extravagance with reasonable accuracy within the span of a couple of decades at any rate.
Turros: We did, and we were hard put to till our current acreage with only two, and the one bought in your grandfather's day.
Riyyh: Oh, I see.
Riyyh: Well, I trust you to know when the time to purchase a piece of equipment is right.
Turros: But the old one didn't pass my winter inspection, and they don't make parts for it any more.
Turros: It's not safe to use, and can't be made safe, either.
Riyyh wonders whatever happened to getting the parts made for barter, like they used to.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: Very well, then.
Riyyh: The only question remaining, then, is where the money will come from.
Riyyh: I understand that it is difficult to predict breakdowns of this magnitude in advance..
Turros shrugs; it's not his problem to find money, he just grows the crops.
Riyyh: But practically speaking, this is far outside of your budget and... [realizes he's heading down the wrong path]
Riyyh reconsiders.
Turros: If you want the fields planted, I have to have that machine.
Rapol comes down the hall with a tray.
Riyyh: Yes, yes, I'm not arguing that. [gently]
Riyyh: We just have to figure out what you can do without.
Rapol signals at the door.
Riyyh pages through to the correct budget page.
Riyyh: Come!
Rapol comes in. ~~ happy to see everyone ~~
Riyyh: Hello, Rapol. [smiles]
Riyyh feels better immediately, and looks it.
Rapol goes over to put the tray down.
Turros leans forward, the better to argue.
Riyyh: [to Turros] Now, here you have budgeted this much for new hand tools this year. Could you possibly halve that, which would cover about 5% of the cultivator's expense?
Rapol brings a teacup and small plate of cookies over to Riyyh.
Riyyh accepts them with a grateful smile up at Rapol.
Rapol smiles.
Rapol: Tea, Anmyn?
Turros: Well, yes, if you could ensure that all of the people who only work in the fields at planting and harvest actually return their tools this year.
Turros: However, that's never happened before, so I like to make sure there are extras.
Anmyn looks up from the latest letter.
Anmyn: Thank you.
Turros eyes the teapot.
Riyyh: Remember, Turros, we're trying to find ways to cut back on extras, so you can have the cultivator you want.
Turros: Don't mind if I do.
Rapol: Certainly.
Rapol goes over to the tray and fiddles with stuff.
Turros appreciates the fortification of caffeine when he's buckling down for a good debate.
Riyyh sighs inwardly.
Turros reaches over for the budget.
Turros turns the page.
Riyyh's tentacle finds a bit of his hair and nervously twirls it.
Riyyh watches Turros.
Turros: Hmm. Narosians are generally a healthy lot. Why so much for the infirmary? Surely some of those expenses could be cut.
Turros: And this entry for paper--how could we possibly require so much stationary?
Turros: And specially printed with the Naros letterhead, at that!
Anmyn is discreet enough not to draw attention to her current task.
Riyyh: Perhaps we could consider those sort of cuts later, but it would be more appropriate to fund your big-budget purchases from your own department's budget if at all possible. [gently]
Rapol brings two cups of tea over to Anmyn and Turros, though without saucers.
Turros takes a gulp of his tea.
Riyyh thinks it would have been even more ideal if they'd foreseen this expense and put it into the budget in the first place, ideally spread out over five or ten years' time, but....
Turros: Kind of hard to do, when the derned thing costs almost as much as the rest of the farm budget.
Riyyh: Well yes, of course. I'm not asking you to find all the money, just as much as possible.
Riyyh does dislike having to be the bad guy.
Riyyh: ~apologetic~
Turros's eyes begin to gleam as the caffeine rush begins.
Riyyh thinks of all the other requisitions in his bin - like the order for math books - and thinks it's all very disheartening.
Turros: I told you what I require to grow the crops that give Naros its income.
Turros: Now if you want the fields to lie fallow, go ahead and skimp on the equipment.
Riyyh: Now, Turros, please, calm down.
Riyyh's tentacles flutter.
Turros: But don't blame me at harvest, when you can't fill the silos and root cellars.
Turros brings his fist down hard on Riyyh's desk.
Riyyh flinches back.
Turros: ~~ bashed Gen fist ~~
Riyyh looks pained.
Rapol restrains himself from reacting.
Riyyh: Please, let us speak of this reasonably.
Riyyh: I'm on your side, but we have to work this out in a realistic fashion.
Turros: I write up a lean budget. Not any flab.
Rapol pulls out an handkerchief and wipes at the sloshed out tea.
Riyyh: Of course.
Riyyh: [soothing]
Turros: If I don't require it, I don't ask for it.
Riyyh: Of course not, I understand.
Riyyh tries to appear completely agreeable and non-threatening, which after all hardly requires much effort, particularly the latter.
Turros: If you want waste, young fellow, look elsewhere, because Turros has been farming on a shoestring since before you were born.
Turros's boots are held on by rather stout laces, somewhat spoiling the metaphor.
Riyyh nods, helplessly.
Riyyh: Well, yes, Turros, would you consider an alternative?
Turros: An alternative what?
Riyyh: Perhaps we could get Seoh and Nadie to redo the field layout to accommodate a new cultivator with less, less, angle, efficiently, and we could take it in to town for a good coat of paint?
Riyyh: ~coaxing~
Riyyh: Surely that would be almost as good as having the expensive one?
Turros: You want to be buying a new cultivator in five years, go ahead and do just that.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: Are you sure? Even with a decent paint job?
Turros is never even remotely reasonable when under the influence of caffeine.
Riyyh wishes people wouldn't add extra arguments in the middle of arguments, he already has enough trouble with logic as it is.
Riyyh wishes he knew whether it was true about the 5 years or not, because if it wasn't, he'd just go ahead and buy the cheaper cultivator and get it painted.
Turros: Bad workmanship is bad workmanship. Quality pays for itself in the long run, mark my words.
Riyyh: I see. Well, what about leasing another cultivator from somebody local, and saving for five or ten years to buy the one you want?
Turros shakes his head in ~~ disgust ~~
Turros: Who'd rent us their cultivator at the very time they most require it for their own farm?
Turros: We have to start cultivating at first thaw, or we can't plant on schedule.
Riyyh: We could offer the lend of some of our horses in trade. We do have extra horses.
Riyyh thinks they should sell the extra horses, but he rather thoroughly lost that argument with Rachel, mostly because she seemed so sincere and he didn't want to put too much stress on a new immigrant.
Riyyh: Please, Turros, I'm trying to make it so that you can get the equipment you want, but could you meet me halfway here?
Rapol represses the part of his mind that whispers about Snake never having to mess with budgeting.
Turros: If you can get a cultivator--a good one, mind you, and in working order--for the entire season, from first thaw on...
Riyyh listens seriously.
Riyyh: Yes?
Turros: Well, we might be able to make do for this year.
Riyyh pauses.
Riyyh realizes that what Turros has offered is basically no concession whatsoever.
Riyyh: Er... I see.
Riyyh: Could I just ask you one thing, Turros?
Turros: What?
Turros does not appear open to further questioning of the virtues of, or his requirement of, his cultivator of choice.
Riyyh: How did it happen, that there was no warning whatsoever that this cultivator, which has been in use and good repair since my grandfather's era, would suddenly and irreparably break down?
Riyyh: It isn't like you to fail to plan ahead like this.
Riyyh: I confess I am a little bit concerned.
Riyyh appears sincere enough.
Riyyh: We can manage the replacement somehow, I mean we'll have to, but...
Riyyh: How could this happen?
Turros: It was that extra rainfall last fall.
Turros: The heavy mud added an extra strain, and so the plowman didn't notice when it hit some big rocks in that new field.
Riyyh studies Turros nagerically and visually, looking sincerely into his eyes.
Riyyh: This will put a strain on the Householding, of course, you realize.
Riyyh thinks it will put a strain on him, at any rate.
Riyyh sighs and retrieves the ledger.
Rapol moves his chair to sit close to Riyyh.
Riyyh places a hand on Rapol's arm, reassured by his nearness.
Riyyh: But, I will find a way to do it.
Turros is ~~ satisfied ~~ at the capitulation.
Riyyh is worried that Turros might have to be replaced soon, and hopes that he will be up to handling that in a way people will accept.
Riyyh tries to keep the worry and concern off his face and out of his nager.
Turros figures getting his cultivator taken care of is worth not having the pleasure of a full-blown screaming match.
Riyyh: Thank you for coming by and checking up on your order.
Turros misses fights; today's youngsters are too polite for them, following the example of their Sectuib.
Riyyh: I am certain it will go out in time to be delivered properly.
Riyyh: [politely]
Turros gets to his feet.
Turros: Good. Spring's coming faster than you think.
Riyyh has been around for 55 years and thinks he knows how fast spring comes, but simply nods and smiles.
Riyyh: Please don't hesitate to stop by if you have any more concerns.
Riyyh: [smiles]
Turros gives a caffeinated harumpf, and strides out of the office.
Riyyh's tentacles droop as Turros leaves.
Riyyh: Well. That was....
Riyyh frankly thinks that was a disaster.
Rapol: ~~ support ~~
Riyyh locates a clean handkerchief which he keeps in his desk for blotting his palms in scary meetings.
Riyyh: Thank you, Rapol. I don't know what I'd do without you. ~sincerely~
Anmyn watches the blotting with wide eyes.
Rapol smiles. "Manage somehow."
Riyyh: Oh, I don't think so.
Anmyn: He got so excited!
Riyyh traces a tentacle briefly along Rapol's hand in thanks.
Riyyh looks at Anmyn.
Riyyh: Are you all right? I didn't realize he'd come visit.
Anmyn: I'm fine. It was you he was angry at.
Riyyh still thinks of Anmyn as having to be shielded from certain kinds of less than cheerful meetings.
Riyyh: He wasn't angry, Anmyn, he was... just excited about his new equipment. [gently]
Riyyh: Sometimes Turros becomes just a little bit forceful when he gets excited.
Anmyn: It was more than just the equipment getting him excited.
Riyyh: Well, that and the tea. [adds regretfully]
Anmyn: Tea?
Riyyh: There was no way to warn you, Rapol, but I'm afraid Turros is very sensitive to caffeine.
Rapol: Thought tea would calm him.
Riyyh: It tends to make him somewhat... firm-minded.
Riyyh means belligerent, recalcitrant, and repetitive.
Rapol: Oh dear.
Riyyh: Fortunately, his wife's children didn't inherit the condition.
Anmyn assumes from the phrasing that the caffeine intolerance met a genetic dead end.
Riyyh is about 13 years too young to have been blamed for that particular dead end.
Riyyh: [not directly, anyway]
Anmyn: Oh. It wouldn't be at all... restful, to have a House full of people who get... firm-minded under the influence of tea.
Riyyh: No, it certainly wouldn't. [smiles]
Rapol: No.
Anmyn: It must be a terrible inconvenience to poor Turros.
Rapol: Life without tea?
Rapol: ~~ disturbing prospect ~~
Riyyh had never particularly considered the inconvenience to Turros, since Turros' attitude generally has forced Riyyh into a defensive mode whenever they are in the same room.
Riyyh is at least glad Turros didn't bring a crowd of his friends with him, since that is when it is the absolute worst.
Riyyh: To tell you the truth, I think he rather likes the effect. [confesses]
Rapol: Good farmer?
Riyyh: He was. For many decades.
Riyyh's expression makes his worries clear.
Riyyh frankly finds the idea of replacing somebody that rose to position in his father's time terrifying.
Riyyh has perhaps been procrastinating on it for a few years for that very reason.
Riyyh: Well, and he still is.
Riyyh nods.
Rapol nods.
Rapol: Could tell from the food.
Riyyh smiles.
Rapol is reminded and looks at the cookie plate he left for Riyyh.
Anmyn nods in agreement.
Riyyh takes one of the cookies.
Riyyh: Please, both of you. There are plenty.
Rapol picks up one and bites into it.
Anmyn obediently takes a cookie.
Rapol: ~~ enjoys sweet taste ~~
Riyyh nibbles at his own, ~~pleased~~ to be back in calm and contented company.
Anmyn finds herself taking the second bite with more enthusiasm than the first, due to Rapol's influence.
Rapol: When is spring here?
Riyyh: The first planting is often in early May. In some years, earlier.
Riyyh: Depending on how wet the fields are.
Rapol: Not irrigated?
Riyyh: Yes, they are, to some extent, although usually in the spring it's drainage that's the issue.
Rapol: Ah.
Anmyn contemplates weeks of mud, and her delicate features scrunch up in distaste.
Anmyn then cheers up at the thought of warmer weather.
Riyyh's favorite thing about spring has always been how... full of experimental energy everybody is then.
Rapol: Roads bad then?
Riyyh: Often, yes, [confesses]
Riyyh: And the one into town was not good last summer. I expect they will be asking for contributions to repairing it again.
Rapol: Work or money?
Riyyh: They usually prefer money, so the renSimes in town can get the work.
Anmyn is struck by a thought.
Anmyn: Do you think Naros could pay in selyn, instead?
Riyyh: And we are usually very busy during the summer, although sometimes the juncts are put to patching the section nearest us....
Riyyh: We don't draw attention to our surplus, Anmyn. [gently]
Riyyh: The Tecton would take people away if we did that.
Riyyh thinks they'd take people away no matter what, actually, if they could figure out how to get at them.
Anmyn: Oh. I hadn't thought of it that way.
Rapol: Take people away? Who?
Anmyn despairs at ever mastering the complexity of the Sectuib business.
Rapol doesn't like that idea at all.
Riyyh: Membership in the Tecton usually entails contributing channels and Donors to the cause, [explains]
Riyyh: Naros has been... rather lax in that area, of late, I'm afraid.
Riyyh: [basically ever since Riyyh became Sectuib, or even before]
Riyyh: I have found it is best not to draw attention, especially given recent events.
Rapol wonders if Hero counts as a contribution, but doubts it.
Riyyh assumes that both Anmyn and Rapol understand perfectly which events he's referring to, and all attendant complications.
Rapol decides he really doesn't like that idea.
Riyyh zlins Rapol.
Riyyh: Rapol, don't worry. [soothingly] It's not you they'd want.
Riyyh: Young people, trainable people.
Riyyh: People who are enthusiastic about the Tecton.
Riyyh: And besides, you're mine. I'd never, ever give you up.
Riyyh: [smiles]
Riyyh: OK?
Rapol is ~~ reassured ~~, mostly.
Rapol: Okay.
Anmyn looks at Rapol with childish sincerity.
Anmyn: You're Sectuib's Companion, Rapol. They'd never take you.
Rapol: Can't trust the future. ~~ bitter ~~
Anmyn: But we live in the present, not the future.
Riyyh smiles at Anmyn.
Riyyh: ~~subtle run-along-now~~
Anmyn obediently gets to her feet.
Anmyn: You must want time with your Companion. Shall I take the letters down to the gate?
Riyyh: Thank you for your help. I will see you later? For dinner?
Anmyn: Of course.
Anmyn smiles charmingly.
Riyyh: Leave them, somebody else will pick them up.
Riyyh glows in response to the smile.
Anmyn nods, smiles at Rapol as well, and leaves.
Rapol is lost in his own thoughts and doesn't respond.
Riyyh waits until the door is closed and then turns to Rapol, touching his hand.
Riyyh: Rapol....
Riyyh curls a tentacle around his fingertips.
Rapol looks up.
Rapol holds the tentacle gently.
Riyyh: You can trust in the future. You can.
Riyyh tries to make Rapol believe him with his eyes.
Rapol looks into Riyyh's eyes.
Rapol: Can I?
Riyyh: Yes.
Rapol: I thought so once.
Rapol: Before....
Riyyh searches Rapol's eyes and nager.
Rapol shies off from going in that direction.
Riyyh: Whatever it was, it cannot happen here. Has never happened here.
Riyyh: I promise you.
Rapol's eyes are full of haunted memory.
Rapol: ~~ recalled pain and fear ~~
Riyyh reaches for Rapol's other hand, trying to reassure him.
Rapol: I - I'm afraid.
Rapol is ~~ ashamed ~~ because fear is one of the worst things to do to your Sime.
Riyyh: I'm here. [softly] For you.
Riyyh zlins the shame.
Riyyh: And nobody else... knows... can zlin... anything.
Rapol: Everyone knows. It's obvious.
Riyyh: Do you want to talk about what happened?
Riyyh squeezes Rapol's hands.
Riyyh: I'm sorry.
Riyyh: I just wish I could help you feel better.
Rapol puts his head on Riyyh's shoulder and starts to sob.
Riyyh: It's all right [whispers, half to himself]
Rapol's tears flow faster.
Rapol starts to bawl openly.
Riyyh laces his tentacles around Rapol's wrists, anchoring his hands' hold, letting Rapol know he is there.
Rapol holds onto Riyyh.
Riyyh: I wish that I could show you how I feel about Naros, about the future here. [softly, not sure if Rapol hears him]
Rapol's sobbing recedes.
Riyyh: My parents were born here, and their parents before them, all the way back to the founding of it.
Riyyh: There was never a time I considered, even once, leaving here.
Rapol tugs Riyyh over to sit down on the couch with him.
Riyyh: To me, the future seems... it seems a clear path.
Riyyh sinks down next to Rapol.
Riyyh: Naros's path.
Rapol: I ... have no family. No history.
Riyyh's hands and tentacles trace Rapol's arms, a graceful caressing.
Riyyh: Tell me what I must do to heal your heart.
Riyyh: I wish to, I feel I must.
Rapol: I, I don't know.
Rapol: I left home, I couldn't live there.
Riyyh: Why not?
Riyyh: What is it you sought?
Rapol: I'm not sure I remember anymore.
Rapol: But everything was so limited. No choices. No thought.
Riyyh lets his hands go still and snuggles against Rapol, seeking his nager.
Riyyh: And did you find it? Your freedom?
Rapol wraps his nager around Riyyh.
Rapol: I found a place, and it... she went away.
Riyyh: Snake Farris. [to himself]
Rapol: And then I was somewhere worse than home.
Riyyh listens.
Rapol: They wanted me to tell them where she was. What she was doing.
Rapol: I would have told them. ~~ deep shame and guilt ~~
Rapol: But I didn't know. But they wouldn't believe me.
Riyyh's heart goes out to Rapol.
Rapol: And they... they....
Rapol can't bear to go there.
Rapol: When they stopped asking, I thought that meant she was dead.
Riyyh shifts so he can look at Rapol earnestly.
Rapol looks at Riyyh.
Riyyh: Perhaps... perhaps I might make a confession?
Rapol: Certainly.
Rapol can't imagine that Riyyh could confess anything like what he has had to.
Riyyh: I have zlinned her, and I know I am no match for her. Not in any way.
Riyyh: I feel that... at any moment you could be torn from me, not because I do not want you enough but because I do not deserve you.
Riyyh: When you speak of her, when you speak of what you endured for her, I have nothing to compare it to.
Riyyh: I've never known... hardship, or loss of such magnitude, or deprivation of any true kind.
Riyyh: I feel as if, compared to your past and your dreams and even your hardships, what I can offer is next to nothing in comparison.
Riyyh: I am truly humbled.
Riyyh looks down.
Rapol: You've offered... you've given me a home here.
Riyyh: Do you believe... do you trust in me that it will be your home for always? For as long as we both live?
Riyyh looks up at Rapol again.
Rapol: I... I want to believe that.
Rapol: ~~ shame ~~ But I don't know if I can.
Riyyh starts to look uncharacteristically upset at those words.
Riyyh: But if you want it to be true, then if anything or anyone tries to keep it from being true, I will do anything in my power to stop it.
Riyyh: You are my Companion, and I need you, and I will always need you, and I am Sectuib in Naros and we are in Naros.
Riyyh's words have the sound of a personal vow.
Rapol: I...
Rapol: I want it to be true. ~~ very much ~~
Riyyh studies Rapol's face and nager for a moment, and then lets himself fall back down against Rapol's side again.
Riyyh picks up one of Rapol's hands and grips it.
Riyyh: Then we will say that it is true.
Riyyh: You and I.
Rapol has trouble believing it could be so simple.
Rapol: Oh... Ok. I'll try.
Riyyh might have cried a little bit himself, except that he is past turnover, and even Riyyh has his limits.
Riyyh smiles instead.