Sime~Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #113: Not in Cago Anymore (2/7/99)
Riyyh walks across the garden, taking a break from the office.
Riyyh inhales the clean outdoor air and sighs, deliberately not thinking about any work that might or might not be waiting for him back inside.
Colleen is lost again trying to find her way to Riyyh's office.
Colleen spots Riyyh.
Colleen: Oh, Sectuib, I was just looking for your office.
Riyyh: Hello, Colleen. [smiles]
Colleen smiles back.
Riyyh: I was just trying to lose it, myself. [chuckles]
Colleen: Am I interrupting your break?
Riyyh: No, not at all.
Riyyh: What can I do for you?
Colleen: Well, I've been thinking. I was with two of your children yesterday. They were telling me about their school here. Since I teach college at home, I could teach your children.
Riyyh: Oh!
Riyyh looks surprised, then pleased.
Colleen: Well, they could use quite a bit of work in Genlan. I don't know about the science and math courses, they might be a bit advanced but I could surely help out while I'm here.
Riyyh: Of course.
Riyyh: We teach them basic Genlan so that they can communicate with the people who come here for our disjunction program [explains]
Riyyh: However, those who do not actually come into much contact with them do not progress much beyond Dennifa's own level of expertise.
Riyyh has to admit Dennifa isn't exactly an expert.
Riyyh: We would be delighted if you could teach a small group who are interested in extra sessions, while you are here.
Colleen: Well you did save my life, it's the least I can do.
Colleen likes this fatherly channel, she wishes her father were like this.
Riyyh: Saved your life? Now, now, I think you were doing quite well.
Riyyh was actually pretty impressed by her trek, at least survival-wise.
Riyyh: Perhaps you could teach some survival techniques as well?
Riyyh: If you like.
Colleen: How long do you think I was going to last in the snow and cold?
Riyyh: A lot longer than I would have. [admits]
Colleen: Errr. About teaching survival skills, you have to eat meat to live off the land in the wild. There just aren't any farms stands about.
Riyyh hides his arms in his cloak so she won't see his tentacles curl up in revulsion.
Riyyh: Perhaps it would be best to stick to the procurement of heat and shelter. [smoothly]
Riyyh: Shall we go and see if any of the teachers are available, to coordinate something?
Colleen: Let's.
Riyyh starts off in the direction of the school, in no particular hurry.
Riyyh is, after all, trying to avoid getting back to his office any time soon.
Colleen is glad she can keep up with this Sime. Her Aunt always moves so fast.
Riyyh: Have you any better idea of how long you might be staying?
Colleen: Well, I expect my Aunt in Gulf territory to send a Sime escort as soon as she can. She should know when the snow will melt, I think. She will also be attempting to beat anyone my father sends here to escort me anywhere.
Riyyh's eyebrows raise, as this is the first he had heard of possible rescue attempts.
Riyyh: A few weeks, then?
Colleen: [sighs] I suppose so.
Colleen feels sad at being here only a few more weeks.
Riyyh doesn't know what to make of the sadness but is, of course, entirely sympathetic.
Riyyh: You are perfectly welcome for as long as you require.
Colleen: Well perhaps I'll get lucky and they will be delayed.
Colleen hopes her father's guys get delayed by a rock slide.
Riyyh: And of course, our children will benefit greatly from your presence. It sounds as if rather than special sessions, you could perhaps handle regular classes. That is, if you would like to.
Colleen: I would love to.
Riyyh has been following her nageric changes and wonders about them.
Colleen: I would love to stay for quite a while, but I don't know how to pull that off with the powers that be.
Riyyh leads her up to a large, ivy-covered building that is currently leafless.
Riyyh: Oh really? For academic reasons, you mean?
Riyyh: Perhaps there is some way we could assist....
Colleen: Umm yes of course academic reason ~~not exactly~~
Riyyh holds the door for Colleen, automatically.
Colleen goes in.
Riyyh leads the way to Dennifa's office, the nearest one.
Riyyh: I don't remember Dennifa's schedule exactly, but I believe she is in prep now.
Colleen: Prep?
Dennifa is staring out the window.
Riyyh: Preparation for classes.... or not. [adds, as he notices Dennifa's posture]
Riyyh: Dennifa? [gently, from the doorway]
Riyyh: Do you have a moment?
Dennifa turns. "Yes?"
Riyyh: Dennifa, have you met Colleen? She is visiting us from Cago.
Riyyh was always the diplomat.
Dennifa: No, I haven't had the pleasure.
Riyyh: Colleen, this is Dennifa. She teaches a variety of subjects, she is very talented.
Colleen: Hello Dennifa, I'm pleased to meet you.
Dennifa smiles. "Honored to meet you."
Colleen: The honor is mine, you must have your hands full here.
Dennifa: I do my best to keep up.
Riyyh: Colleen is going to be staying with us for several weeks, and thought that perhaps she might be of some assistance in teaching, particularly Genlan.
Dennifa: Really? That would be helpful.
Dennifa sizes Colleen up through a teacher template.
Colleen: I can also teach advanced math, if I had the time.
Colleen looks at Riyyh as if expecting a solution.
Riyyh smiles benignly.
Riyyh: Well, that's wonderful. Dennifa, thank you for giving us a moment of your time. [smiles]
Riyyh ushers Colleen out of Dennifa's office.
Treesare skips down the corridor.
Treesare skids to a halt at the sight of the Sectuib and sticks her thumb in her mouth.
Riyyh: I didn't want to take up too much of her... oh, hello Treesare. [smiles at the child]
Riyyh: How are you doing?
Treesare solemnly looks up at the Sectuib and the strange lady.
Treesare: Is thsis you new wifth?
Treesare pulls her thumb out of her mouth.
Riyyh: Pardon me? [politely]
Treesare: Only my mummy said that funny man was your new...
Treesare tilts her head and thinks.
Treesare: No, that's Companion, isn't it?
Treesare smiles at the lady, showing a remarkable gap between her teeth where a few are missing.
Riyyh: You must be thinking of Rapol. [kindly] Yes, he is my Companion.
Treesare: What's your name?
Riyyh: This is Colleen, she is visiting us from far away.
Colleen: Hello.
Treesare looks at the lady to see what people from far away look like.
Treesare: You look funny!
Treesare turns and runs off as fast as her skinny legs can take her.
Colleen looks herself over and shrugs.
Riyyh: Oh dear. I'm terribly sorry.
Riyyh: Some of the youngest... well.
Riyyh knows there is no excuse for rudeness.
Colleen laughs.
Riyyh is relieved when Colleen appears not to mind.
Eliza opens the door and enters the school building.
Colleen: I guess an out-Territory Gen looks strange to everyone, but the kids are the ones who will say it.
Colleen smiles.
Eliza: Oh, Sectuib, ummm.
Eliza blushes, not being able to remember the lady's name.
Riyyh: Hello, Eliza. [smiles]
Colleen: Hello, Eliza. [smiles]
Eliza: I was just looking for Botlie, I have to tell him that he has a new baby sister.
Eliza looks frazzled.
Eliza: [mind you, that's her second most common look, the most common being confused]
Riyyh: We haven't seen him here. ~mildly concerned~
Eliza: He isn't in class? He keeps skipping out. He really needs a firm hand, and Nelly just doesn't have time, not with the other 12... and now the new one.
Riyyh: Eliza, [soothingly] we haven't seen him in the hallway here. He may be in his classroom, why don't you have a look?
Eliza: Oh! OK, Thank you Sectuib, ummmm. [nods at the "lost Gen" and wishes she could remember her name]
Colleen is shocked when she hears 12 kids.
Colleen thinks they don't have families, they have litters.
Eliza walks briskly off.
Riyyh smiles fondly after her.
Riyyh: She has been such a help.
Colleen: Bye, Eliza.
Riyyh: And the youngest, his father was so energetic....
Colleen: 12 kids?? [looking at Riyyh]
Riyyh: Her husband wanted some of his own, [explains]
Riyyh: And she does enjoy child rearing, and so do her neighbors, fortunately,
Colleen is shocked at hearing that!!!
Riyyh zlins Colleen's shock and realizes there may have been some misunderstanding.
Colleen: Wait a minute, if those kids aren't the husband's, whose are they?
Riyyh: 'She', of course, being Betty Ann, not young Eliza... ah.
Riyyh: Mostly mine. [confesses]
Colleen: I didn't think Eliza had all those kids.
Colleen: This isn't your wife, but those are mostly your kids???
Colleen both eyebrows are up.
Riyyh's tentacles flutter nervously.
Riyyh: Well, yes,
Riyyh hadn't expected that Colleen could have been at Naros for several days and not more or less known all about this already.
Colleen has never heard of such a thing.
Colleen: I see [nodding]
Colleen wonders if this is a Sime thing. Her Aunt never said anything about stuff like this.
Colleen: ~~Riyyh is getting a tentacle full as he zlins her~~
Colleen is shocked.
Colleen can't believe this wife swapping.
Riyyh: I am sorry, I didn't realize you didn't know.
Riyyh: I truly did not mean to offend you.
Colleen: I'm not offended, just shocked.
Riyyh: I didn't mean to shock you either. ~~sincere~~
Colleen: I thought Simes had marriages like we Gens, and love and fidelity and all the rest that my culture has, I thought you weren't much different than us.
Riyyh: We do.
Riyyh: Simes and Gens are very like in that respect, I assure you.
Riyyh: Loyal, and devoted, and loving.
Riyyh still has a few marks on him to prove that they can be jealous as well.
Colleen: How can you say that when you wife swap?
Riyyh: Betty Ann's husband loves her very dearly.
Riyyh: They would never part.
Riyyh is pretty sure that it isn't technically considered wife swapping since he is unmarried, but doesn't feel it would be prudent to bring that up at this juncture.
Colleen: I didn't say they would part, but you've had sex with her, while she was married to him. Is this normal?
Riyyh: Please. I realize that this is all very surprising to you.
Colleen: You could say that.
Riyyh: Perhaps we could speak of it in a slightly less... [glances about]
Colleen: Oh, sorry I was so taken aback I forgot where I was.
Riyyh is prepared to discuss it in the hallway of the children's school if it is absolutely necessary, but would prefer not to.
Riyyh: Please, let us go to my office. I would be glad to explain anything you would like to know, there.
Colleen: Lead on.
Riyyh leads the way out of the building, again holding the door, and pondering how to handle this.
Riyyh has not actually had to explain this directly to too many outsiders.
Colleen is curious to see how he explains this.
Riyyh doesn't usually get a chance to say anything until people have been well-pummeled with all the rumors.
Riyyh remains thoughtful and silent all the way across the grounds and into the administrative building.
Riyyh takes Colleen to his office.
Wolfa walks past, rubbing at her cheeks and muttering.
Colleen facial expression is usually one of mild amusement: this time, it's a bit more grave.
Wolfa: My Hero!
Riyyh casts a worried glance at Wolfa.
Riyyh decides that he is going to have a talk with her about a new Companion, or at least a new trainee to be with temporarily as SOON as he takes care of this other little fire.
Riyyh: Please, come in.
Riyyh shows Colleen into his office and immediately sets about fetching her some tea, cookies, etc. and offering her a seat.
Colleen comes in.
Colleen sits down.
Colleen will take tea, but no treats.
Riyyh pours them both some tea and then takes a seat near her, rather than across his desk.
Riyyh has closed the door to the office.
Colleen thinks if her Aunt ever finds out she was even here, she's dead.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: Naros is... was, for a long time, very isolated.
Colleen hopes this is a secret, hopes no one outside the House knows about this.
Colleen: And...
Riyyh: Certain of our cultural traditions and societal norms are admittedly different from those outside.
Colleen realizes she wrote how everyone looks alike here to her Aunt !!!! pinches her forehead and thinks, Oh no!!
Riyyh zlins that this is not going too well so far.
Riyyh's voice and body language become even more calm and soothing and reassuring to compensate.
Colleen can picture her Aunt augmenting over the snow to get to her.
Colleen: Is it well known what you do here?
Riyyh: I assure you, that the people of Naros do love each other as husb... er, pardon me?
Colleen: Do people know about this Household and what goes on here?
Riyyh: There are rumors, I suppose, but....
Riyyh is surprised by the intensity of her reaction.
Riyyh: Really, there are rumors about all Householdings. To live behind closed walls, in today's society, well, it invites....
Colleen wonders how she is going to explain this.
Riyyh edges forward and reaches for her hands, looking at her sincerely.
Colleen: Is this why so many people look alike here???
Colleen: Haven't you ever heard of genetic diversity??
Riyyh: Please. Do not be alarmed. Naros is simply, rather like a small village,
Riyyh: Yes, we have. It has been a subject of great interest, lately, actually.
Colleen: Small village... right. [long and drawn]
Riyyh: Some mistakes have been made. [admits finally]
Riyyh: However, we are working together as a Householding to correct all that.
Riyyh: We have brought in new people, and there are rules for the younger generation.
Riyyh: This is why the younger men find you so interesting. [confesses]
Colleen: 'Cause I don't look like a member of the family?
Riyyh thinks that there is some hope, since she did not pull free of his touch.
Riyyh: It isn't your looks, [gently] it is simply that you are not related.
Riyyh: Safe to marry.
Riyyh: Although you are indeed very beautiful.
Riyyh makes it sound like a genuine compliment.
Colleen: Flattery will not get you out of this.
Riyyh: Out of what? [kindly]
Colleen: Never mind, I just will never be able to condone sleeping with another man's wife.
Colleen: To me it's wrong.
Riyyh nods.
Colleen: If you agree why did you do it? And how can these husbands still accept you as a leader?
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh looks down at their hands.
Riyyh: It wasn't for myself.
Riyyh: Well, I suppose it was, in a way. I cannot bear to see a person unhappy.
Riyyh: When someone comes to me, a beautiful woman, or, or anybody, really, who is sad or afraid or alone, I cannot help but wish to comfort them.
Colleen: So you can't make them tea?
Riyyh: Yes, I can.
Riyyh: Many times I do.
Riyyh: Did.
Riyyh: I would do anything.
Riyyh looks up and meets Colleen's eyes again, trying to show her his sincerity.
Colleen: That and more. I have students that come to me when they are troubled, I don't have sex with them I talk to them.
Riyyh: Then you are stronger than I. [sadly]
Riyyh: Really, I do not wish to hurt anyone.
Riyyh: And, [trying to gather his composure] we are working on it, working on healing the House.
Riyyh: Actually, things have been very good for a couple of months now.
Colleen: Is it strength? Or a strong sense of morals and honor? How can people not get hurt? Hasn't anyone ever wanted you for what's in here [points to his heart] not what's here [points to his pant]?
Wolfa crashes through the door, looking like an inbred wild woman.
Riyyh: Yes, of course they....
Riyyh: ~~startled~~~
Wolfa: She isn't here she isn't here she isn't here she isn't here.
Colleen rests her case.
Wolfa: What am I going to do!
Wolfa: I'm going to die!!!
Riyyh jumps up and projects a soothing field.
Wolfa collapses to the floor, crying.
Riyyh: Wolfa....
Riyyh goes to her immediately.
Colleen watches this intently.
Wolfa: [sobs]
Wolfa: Riyyh, I need my Hero! Bring her back to me!
Wolfa: Please, I'll be good, I promise I'll be good!
Colleen feels compassion/pity for Wolfa.
Riyyh takes Wolfa's arms, projecting soothing and promise.
Wolfa looks madly and hopefully at the Gen.
Wolfa: Who's that? She mine?
Colleen startles at that.
Wolfa realizes what Riyyh is doing.
Wolfa pulls away quickly.
Riyyh: Shhh... Wolfa, it's all right. You're safe, you won't come to any harm.
Wolfa: I can't have channel transfer again! I can't!
Riyyh: Wolfa, you've never had channel's transfer. Please.
Wolfa: I haven't?
Riyyh: ~~reassuring calmness~~
Wolfa looks confused. On her it's unusual.
Colleen wonders what kind of perverts are they here, first wife swapping then this??
Riyyh: No, you haven't, There are plenty of Gens who would be happy, more than happy to serve you.
Riyyh: And we're looking for Hero, we really are. We know where she went, we just can't get to her, remember?
Wolfa: But none of them [sob] are [sob] Hero!
Wolfa: I was so mean to her!
Wolfa: I drove her away!
Riyyh: Do you want to talk about a temporary partner until we can get Hero back?
Riyyh: Oh dear.
Wolfa: It's all my fault!
Riyyh: Please, Wolfa, don't blame yourself.
Riyyh: ~~compassion and soothing~~
Wolfa sobs on Riyyh's shoulder.
Riyyh disentangles their arms and embraces her instead.
Wolfa: It's just that I miss her, you know?
Wolfa: Having her field around was like....
Wolfa thinks it was actually a bit like living on the edge of a storm.
Wolfa: But she was getting better!
Riyyh: Yes, yes, of course. She was improving wonderfully under your tutelage.
Wolfa: Now she is goooonnnneeee!!!!!
Tiktok peeks around the door.
Tiktok: Oh dear.
Tiktok comes in and puts an arm around Wolfa.
Tiktok: I'm sorry Riyyh, she didn't turn up for her medication.
Riyyh releases Wolfa to Tiktok.
Riyyh: I wanted to speak to her about young Risha.
Riyyh: Perhaps, when she is calmer...?
Tiktok: Come on now dear, you were suppose to come see me an hour ago. Remember?
Riyyh: ~~worried/sympathetic~~
Wolfa gives a faint nod.
Tiktok looks at Riyyh. "We'll see how she goes."
Riyyh nods.
Tiktok leads Wolfa gently out.
Riyyh looks after them.
Riyyh waits until the door is closed, and then sits down, looking pale and a bit rumpled.
Riyyh: I'm terribly sorry.
Riyyh: I didn't... she has been very ill.
Colleen: Sorry, I'm judging you by my standards and my culture, perhaps I have not right to do that.
Riyyh: It is your right. [quietly] However, there are probably many differences.
Riyyh: Naros is not such a bad place. You will see.
Colleen: Tell me something, I will be taken away from here in a few weeks. Why are you concerned with what I think?
Riyyh looks surprised by her question.
Riyyh: But of course, I would want you to be comfortable during your stay.
Colleen: Is it just for my comfort?
Riyyh: Yes, of course.
Riyyh appears perfectly sincere.
Riyyh tries to brush back a few strands of hair with a tentacle without being too obvious about it.
Riyyh is just beginning to realize what that wrestling match with the unfortunate Wolfa has done to his look.
Colleen: Well, can't argue with that.
Colleen pats him on the hand.
Riyyh is extremely pleased by the action.
Riyyh tries not to show his relief too badly.
Riyyh: If you do have any concerns, please do bring them up to me.
Colleen: Sorry for grilling you, perhaps you had your reasons for your lifestyle. Although, if you were my husband and you ran around like that there would be hell to pay.
Riyyh smiles, nervously but genuinely.
Colleen chuckles.
Colleen: Well I don't agree with it, never will, but you really should find someone who wants you for your soul, and stick with that person.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Riyyh always accepts advice gratefully, he doesn't know any other way to do it.
Riyyh: [it also causes so much less trouble than resisting]
Riyyh: You're right, of course.
Colleen gets up to leave.
Colleen: Of course I'm right, I'm Gen and I'm female, I'm always right.
Riyyh looks mildly astonished, but is somewhat put at ease by the humor.
Colleen: My Aunt told me that, and she's a Sime.
Colleen can't tell him she will be augmenting her way here when she gets the letter.
Riyyh: She sounds like a delightful lady.
Riyyh isn't sure about that at all, but finds that kindness is always the best tactic.
Colleen: I hope you say that when you meet her.
Riyyh: Then I hope I will have the pleasure. [smiles]
Colleen has an 'I know something you don't know' look to her nager.
Riyyh thinks, "Oh dear".
Colleen: By the way, how long will it take those letters to get to Gulf Territory?
Colleen is by the door asking.
Riyyh: It is difficult to say [confesses]
Riyyh: The best couriers might make it in 15 days in perfect weather, but with the passes closed and the ice and snow...
Riyyh: Three weeks? A month?
Riyyh does hate to disappoint her.
Colleen: OK, good. I'll be preparing for that class in Genlan, and I'll start it as soon as possible.
Riyyh is surprised to note she doesn't seem that disappointed at all.
Riyyh: Thank you. Do coordinate with Dennifa... can you find her office again?
Colleen going out the door wondering how the heck she is going to do damage control with her Aunt.
Riyyh watches her leave.
Riyyh: Ah, well.
Colleen: Eventually. ~~in deep thought~~
Riyyh thinks somebody can give her directions if she can't.
Riyyh waits until she is gone, and then rushes to the bathroom to check the damages to his coiffure.