Sime~Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #116: Dennifa (2/14/99)
Riyyh pokes his head in Dennifa's schoolroom, hoping she will be available for lunch and a chat.
Riyyh: Hello... am I disturbing you?
Dennifa looks up. "Yes?"
Dennifa: No, Nothing important.
Riyyh: I was wondering if you might like to take a break and have lunch with me. [smiles kindly]
Riyyh: If you're not busy, of course.
Dennifa: Of course!
Rapol waits out in the hall.
Riyyh has been concerned about Dennifa's emotional health since the sad results of her latest examination.
Riyyh just wants to make sure she is OK, and knows she can come to him if she has to talk to somebody.
Dennifa flips over some papers and get to her feet.
Riyyh: Splendid.
Dennifa grabs her coat.
Dennifa: Do you know what they are serving today?
Riyyh: I did hear that there were some delightful lemon cookies in the desserts section.
Riyyh maybe did more than "hear" about them.
Dennifa ~~ likes ~~ the sound of that. "Mmmm."
Dennifa: Ready to go.
Riyyh rejoins Rapol out in the hallway.
Riyyh: Shall we? [smiles]
Dennifa: Of course.
Riyyh leads the way to Naros' famous dining hall.
Vissera is just setting a tray of said delightful lemon cookies out in the desserts section.
Dennifa sticks her hands in her pockets despite the mildness of the cold today.
Rapol walks on the other side of Riyyh to let him zlin Dennifa freely.
Dennifa tries to think of what to say. "How are things going for us all, Sectuib?"
Riyyh: Oh, well, things have been going fairly well, I mean, aside from the budget cuts and everything. ~apology~
Rapol nods. "Yes, I heard that there was some problem with the plows?"
Riyyh really worries about Rapol's lack of notice of what goes on around him.
Riyyh: Yes, I'm afraid so, but the new cultivator should be delivered on time, thank goodness, at least that is what the manufacturer tells me.
Dennifa: It is having to be replaced, then?
Riyyh: Yes, and on such short notice, it isn't easy.
Dennifa: They charge extra for that?
Riyyh: But we've managed, and now if we can only manage on less until next harvest....
Riyyh: No, but if we'd waited any longer we'd have had even less chance of receiving it on time.
Riyyh enters the dining hall and holds the door open for Dennifa.
Dennifa follows.
Rapol brings up the rear.
Dennifa: I'm sure we'll pull through somehow.
Riyyh: Yes, I hope so [smiles].
Dennifa has a ~~ pang ~~ of memory as she says, "We always take care of each other."
Dennifa: Not like those people outside. ~~ slight bitterness ~~
Riyyh squeezes Dennifa's shoulder reassuringly as they enter the food line.
Riyyh: Yes, we do.
Rapol looks over the food with ~~ pleasant anticipation ~~.
Riyyh would really like to ask Dennifa how she is doing, but waits for a slightly better location.
Dennifa selects a few items without much interest.
Riyyh watches her carefully, concerned.
Riyyh assembles a plate he believes Rapol would approve of.
Rapol piles his tray with a number of items.
Dennifa looks around the room.
Dennifa: "Where shall we sit?"
Riyyh: How about... [gestures at one of the private booths]
Riyyh isn't sure whether Dennifa will balk at entering one and causing rumors about what they might be talking about in there.
Dennifa goes over towards the nearest booth.
Dennifa takes the items off her tray and puts them on the table before sitting down.
Rapol follows, looking over at ~~ approvingly ~~ at Riyyh's tray.
Riyyh sits down where he can be near Dennifa without Rapol having to sit too far away.
Riyyh motions to Rapol to get the door.
Rapol sits down across the table.
Rapol leans over to pull it closed.
Dennifa ~~ wonders ~~ why Riyyh wanted to sit here. Will he require Rapol to do some Companion thing?
Riyyh smiles at Dennifa.
Riyyh: I wanted to ask you how you've been doing, Dennifa.
Riyyh: I worry about you, you're so sad all the time. ~kindness~
Dennifa: No, I'm not.
Dennifa: Well.... I suppose I am.
Rapol sighs.
Dennifa sighs.
Riyyh listens attentively.
Dennifa: I've just been thinking a lot lately. about the past.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: Is there anything I can do to help?
Riyyh: [softly]
Dennifa: I haven't done very well with my life, have I?
Riyyh reaches out and touches her hand.
Riyyh: No, no, don't say that.
Riyyh: You've done fine.
Riyyh has been rather afraid for Dennifa recently, but never considered any of what happened to her to be her own fault.
Dennifa: I tried to help people out-T and probably did more harm than good.
Dennifa: I came back here and messed up Darlen's life.
Riyyh is distressed by her self-flagellation, but knows she has to talk about this.
Riyyh's tentacle traces the back of her hand.
Riyyh: Surely, though, that is all over? You have begun anew?
Dennifa: And Linn was very nice, but it seems I've been teaching Genlan all wrong.
Riyyh: They only require a little training from you, only enough to make them able to start learning from the renSimes. [kindly]
Riyyh: After all, that is the whole point of the Genlan program here.
Dennifa: Of course, my bad Genlan would explain why I did so badly out-T.
Riyyh: It would? ~surprised~
Riyyh: Dennifa, that was years ago, and your Genlan isn't that bad.
Riyyh: Please, don't do yourself a disservice.
Riyyh: ~~worried~~
Dennifa: Well I wasn't making myself clear, I'm sure. And I just sounded like a fool, I'm sure.
Riyyh squeezes her hand.
Dennifa wallows in ~~ self-pity ~~.
Rapol keeps ~~ calm attention ~~ on Riyyh, but his eyes on his food, trying not to intrude more than unavoidable.
Riyyh: Dennifa, if you want more time to spend with the juncts to improve your Genlan, I am more than willing to arrange for it.
Riyyh: ~~~kindness~~~
Riyyh is aware that this isn't the root of the problem, but he also knows he can't do anything about that.
Dennifa: No, I'd just disturb them, I'm sure.
Riyyh: No, no, I am sure they'd appreciate the chance to be the teachers rather than the taught, for a change. [smiles, his voice encouraging]
Riyyh: You shouldn't have to go through your days this depressed.
Dennifa: Well, if you really think so....
Dennifa doesn't really believe there is an alternative.
Riyyh: Why don't you just give it a try?
Dennifa considers it.
Riyyh: Colleen can teach the Genlan for a while, and you can put more energy into the other classes, and learn some new Genlan from the out-T teens.
Dennifa: All right, Sectuib. If you really think it's a good idea.
Dennifa finishes her food.
Riyyh: Yes. [gently but firmly]
Riyyh: Yes, I do.
Dennifa: Who will I need to see about that?
Riyyh: I have talked to Jemissa about it already, and she said she would be glad to help coordinate something.
Riyyh smiles.
Dennifa: ~~ mildly surprised ~~
Riyyh appears caring and sincere.
Dennifa smiles slightly. "You do know us all, don't you, Riyyh?"
Riyyh's smile increases at the praise.
Riyyh: You'll be all right.
Riyyh gives her hand a final squeeze, and releases her.
Rapol: Thank you, Riyyh. For talking to me.
Riyyh remains seated, as his food has been utterly ignored in favor of Dennifa.
Riyyh: It was my pleasure. Don't hesitate to come to me if you have to talk to somebody.
Riyyh: OK?
Rapol: I will.
Dennifa: I will.
Dennifa: Well, I'd better get back to the school and let you eat your food.
Rapol looks up at the mention of food.
Riyyh picks up his fork obediently.
Riyyh: Thank you.
Dennifa goes to pat Riyyh on the shoulder, but remembers not to touch.
Dennifa goes out.