Sime~Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #125: A Few Bricks Shy of a Road (3/5/99)
Riyyh surveys his perfectly clean desk.
Riyyh smiles.
Riyyh spots a cat hair on his sleeve and fastidiously removes it, before looking at the one, lone, slip of paper in his in basket.
Riyyh picks up the piece of paper and reads it again, although he knows perfectly well what's on it.
Riyyh: Oh dear. I must speak to Darrel about his plans.
Riyyh does dislike playing the 'heavy', but he has Naros' safety to think about.
Anmyn signals at Riyyh's door.
Riyyh: Ah! Come in. ~relieved by the distraction~
Anmyn enters.
Anmyn: Sectuib, I came to tell you that.... Is something wrong?
Anmyn: ~~ concern ~~
Riyyh: Hello, Anmyn... no, not at all. [smiles weakly]
Riyyh: I was going to - well. What can I do for you?
Anmyn: You zlin worried.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: Perhaps I am, a little bit.
Riyyh: I hope it will come to nothing, though. Perhaps it will.
Riyyh attempts to sound and zlin reassuring.
Anmyn: Is there trouble?
Riyyh: No, not yet.
Riyyh can sound much more confident about that.
Riyyh: Everything is fine.
Riyyh: I must speak to Hajene Darrel about his travel plans, however.
Anmyn: Travel plans?
Anmyn: Is he planning to leave?
Riyyh: Heavens, yes. This was only to be a temporary stopover.
Riyyh: If the Tecton knew we are harboring him....
Riyyh opens a drawer and pulls out an opened letter bearing a Tecton seal.
Riyyh: This arrived today.
Riyyh shows it to her.
Riyyh: It's from the Bender Cove Sime Center.
Riyyh: They evidently knew he'd written to us. This letter appears to have been sent shortly after Darrel disappeared from there.
Anmyn takes the letter.
Riyyh: Granted, they are only inquiring as to whether we know anything, but now that there is some connection in their minds....
Anmyn: Well, at least they don't know he's here.
Riyyh: Not yet.
Riyyh: But it will only be a matter of time before the Tecton sends Carmikel or one of the others by to find out for sure.
Riyyh: Oh dear.
Riyyh gets rabbit-hearted just thinking about it.
Anmyn: Perhaps if you sent a letter back, telling them you will be sure to let them know if you discover anything, they would leave Naros alone for a while?
Riyyh: It may be too late. This letter was sent weeks ago.
Riyyh sighs.
Anmyn: Do you think someone will be coming soon?
Riyyh: I don't know. But Naros can't afford to be seen to flaunt the Tecton unnecessarily. Protecting our own people is one thing.
Riyyh: ~~unhappy~~
Anmyn: It seems cruel to turn even a non-Narosian over to the Tecton.
Riyyh is actually very inclined to protect Darrel, but is more afraid of the trouble it might bring.
Riyyh: Oh, I know it.
Anmyn: ~~ sorrow ~~
Riyyh struggles to feel even remotely optimistic.
Riyyh: Perhaps he already does have plans. That is why I must speak with him.
Riyyh: He's had a few days to think about his situation, after all.
Anmyn: He usually stops by the cafeteria for a cup of tea about now. Should I send him to you?
Anmyn is always eager to be helpful.
Riyyh: Yes, thank you, that would be very kind of you.
Riyyh smiles.
Riyyh does enjoy her eagerness to please.
Anmyn smiles broadly at this chance to help Riyyh, then hurries off to find Darrel.
Riyyh decides to go freshen up, since he wants to look his best for the important appointment.
Riyyh disappears into the executive washroom.
see note 1
Darrel approaches Riyyh's office, torn between apprehension and hope.
Riyyh is in a deep consultation with the mirror.
Riyyh stirs from his contemplative position to use a special brush to tease one particular lock if his hair a little.
Darrel takes a moment to smooth back his flyaway hair, then signals.
Riyyh decides he looks perfectly magnificent, and it's just a shame there is nobody around to tell him so.
Riyyh: ~regret~
Riyyh puts the brush down and goes out into the office to answer the door.
Riyyh: Hello, Darrel. [smiles]
Riyyh: Thank you for coming.
Darrel: You're welcome.
Darrel wonders how best to ingratiate himself with what he hopes will soon be his Sectuib.
Darrel: You are looking particularly fine today, Sectuib Riyyh. Is that a new shirt you're wearing?
Riyyh looks surprised.
Riyyh: Why yes, it is. Thank you. ~~preening~~
Riyyh: Please, come in, sit down. You have tea with you?
Darrel holds up the cup.
Riyyh: Good.
Riyyh smiles and returns to his desk.
Darrel: Anmyn gave me your message just as I finished serving it, and it seemed a shame to waste it.
Riyyh's nager is noticeably more relaxed now.
Riyyh: Of course. ~~ reassurance ~~
Darrel cautiously dares to hope that Riyyh has good news for him--maybe some Narosian woman has asked him about pledging Darrel already so she can marry him?
Riyyh: Have you had any more thoughts about your next step? [gently]
Darrel considers the best answer to such a delicate question.
Darrel: I had hoped to find some time to rest and recover.
Riyyh: Yes, yes, of course.
Riyyh nods.
Darrel is glad that this was apparently the right answer.
Riyyh looks more nervous than he zlins.
Darrel once again curses his inability to zlin past a First Order channel's showfield.
Riyyh: I had been considering what your best move might be, after that.
Darrel: ...after that?
Darrel tries to maintain hope--surely, with all the women who have been chasing after him the past week, there is one who isn't married and would like to be?
Riyyh: We are not so far from Capital, after all. Perhaps if you were able to travel there, you might find legal representation for your negotiation with the Tecton?
Darrel's stomach decides that it is on an express elevator going down.
Riyyh is finding remaining optimistic increasingly difficult, especially in the face of Darrel's obvious disappointment.
Darrel: Tecton Controllers don't pay much attention to lawyers, not when it's time to discipline an inconvenient Second.
Darrel: They don't want me, really. They just want to make sure I don't become a rogue.
Riyyh: Darrel, surely the Tecton wants you. ~~sincere~~
Riyyh: Channels are badly required as the population increases and the borders change.
Riyyh: Bender Cove may have not been the right city for you, but....
Darrel: They wouldn't let me leave it, and I'd die if I had to go back there. Please, Sectuib Riyyh, can't I stay here? I'm sure you could satisfy them that I'm no danger to anyone.
Riyyh looks a bit panicky at the mention of staying.
Riyyh controls his showfield.
Darrel somehow manages to grovel while seated.
Riyyh: I'm really not in that good a position myself, with the Tecton. [nervously]
Riyyh: To be harboring fugitives....
Darrel: Surely you could convince them? I'm not anybody important, and I'm not a danger to anyone.
Riyyh: I... please Darrel, this is as difficult for me as it is for you.
Darrel: Can't you at least try?
Darrel: ~~ desperate pleading ~~
Riyyh: Oh dear.
Riyyh realizes this was definitely one of those cases where he should have let somebody else handle this.
Darrel: Please, you can't just hand me over to be dragged back to Bender Cove.
Darrel: I couldn't go back there. I'd die first.
Riyyh: I wouldn't hand you over, Darrel, I just hoped that you could find another... oh, dear.
Riyyh: ~~ nervous ~~
Riyyh finds that the denial method is not working on keeping him uninvolved.
Riyyh is of course by nature extremely sympathetic about Darrel's situation.
Darrel: Couldn't you ask them if I could stay here a while?
Darrel: ~~ pleading ~~
Riyyh tries to resist, but Darrel's heart rending emotions reach every nerve ending in his body, including his well developed pushover center.
Riyyh: I don't think that would work out very well, but, but Darrel, why here? Are you sure you would be happy staying here long term?
Darrel is quite willing to be happy anywhere disasters aren't part of the daily workload.
Darrel: Naros is the sort of place I used to dream about, back in Bender Cove.
Riyyh studies Darrel, visually and nagerically.
Darrel is ~~ utterly sincere~~, as well as ~~ desperate ~~
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Riyyh is aware that he's been repeating that.
Riyyh: Well, if that is how you feel....
Darrel genuinely, emphatically feels that way.
Riyyh: ~~extreme reluctance mixed with compassion~~
Darrel lets himself feel the first touch of ~~ hope pulled from the brink of despair ~~
Riyyh: Perhaps if you took some time to think about what sort of post you would find acceptable in the Tecton....
Riyyh: And if I were to contact them and tell them that you are here, and willing to be cooperative....
Darrel: ~~ apprehension ~~
Riyyh grimaces internally as he envisions himself put into the position of mediator, but realizes there are some things a person just has to do. Or, more to the point, some things a Sectuib has to do.
Darrel: Couldn't you put them off, at least for a while?
Riyyh: Probably, but I'll have to let them know you are here eventually.
Riyyh: Before they find out on their own.
Riyyh: Do you see why? [gently]
Darrel: I suppose they would be angry if they found that you'd given me a refuge. It might give someone else ideas.
Riyyh's eyes widen.
Darrel: I wouldn't want them to take it out on Naros.
Riyyh pales, and he tries to think of some way to get out of letting Darrel stay at all.
Riyyh: Perhaps it would be better, then, if....
Darrel: I'm so glad that you are willing to let me stay.
Darrel: ~~ immense gratitude ~~
Riyyh looks nearly in physical pain, but manages to smile.
Riyyh: I... we will do our best to help you, Darrel.
Darrel: Believe me, I will try to be as little trouble to you as possible.
Darrel: However, if I'm to stay another week or more, there is one thing...
Darrel: ~~ reluctant to impose ~~
Riyyh: Yes? [kindly]
Darrel: Well, I am past turnover, and this isn't likely to be resolved before, well....
Riyyh nods in comprehension.
Darrel tries to convince himself that he can stand taking channel's transfer if it means not being immediately sent back to the Tecton's tender mercies.
Riyyh: Of course, we will provide you a transfer should you still be here when you are due. Do not fear on that account.
Riyyh smiles.
Darrel: Err... thank you.
Riyyh is concerned by Darrel's less than enthusiastic response.
Riyyh: ~concern~
Darrel is well aware that a Donor on the assignment card is worth ten on other channel's assignment cards.
Darrel: I suppose all your Donors are already working with channels?
Darrel attempts to be brave, which doesn't come naturally to him.
Riyyh: Not at all.
Riyyh: There should be no problem.
Riyyh: ~~ reassurance ~~
Darrel perks up considerably.
Darrel: Thank you!
Riyyh smiles, relieved by the response.
Riyyh: Do think about what your position will be with regards to rejoining the Tecton workforce, and under what conditions you'd be willing to do so.
Riyyh: I will hold off on writing for a few days, and when I do it will be to our District Controller's office, not Bender Cove's District's Controller's office.
Darrel: Who is your District Controller?
Riyyh: Arat Farris. He's... well, I have worked with him for many years.
Riyyh has been a thorn in the side of the District Office for 40 years, and a personal headache of Arat Farris' for the last two or three.
Darrel: Is he a reasonable person?
Riyyh: He's... [hesitates]
Riyyh: Not particularly, [confesses]
Riyyh: But he won't let an injustice occur, not if it's brought to his attention in the proper way.
Darrel: Oh.
Darrel tries to figure out if this is good or bad news.
Riyyh had in mind a large amount of groveling and fawning, and a concession or two in certain areas.
Darrel: So he's fair?
Riyyh: And, I am afraid I am not on good terms with the Controller's office in your District... fair? [hesitates again]
Riyyh: I think so, although that isn't the characteristic he is most remembered for.
Darrel: What is?
Darrel: ~~ apprehension ~~
Riyyh: An inability to suffer fools gladly. [confesses]
Riyyh has never had much luck with people like that.
Darrel thinks that this doesn't sound hopeful.
Darrel: Does Controller Arat get along well with Bender Cove's District Controller?
Riyyh: Well enough.
Riyyh: Tecton inner politics being what they are, that changes on a week to week basis, but generally speaking....
Darrel's stomach is dancing the fandango again.
Darrel: But you think he might be inclined to listen to my side of the story?
Riyyh applies a ~~soothing~~ nager.
Riyyh: Yes, I think so.
Rapol dashes across towards the Administrative building.
Darrel is able to force a bit of ~~ hope ~~ into his nager, thanks to Riyyh's soothing.
Riyyh thinks that if Naros finally gives in on the road repair issue it would make the Controller's Office a lot more friendly, at least for a while.
Rapol didn't want to wait for his hair to dry, but it isn't quite spring yet.
Darrel is mostly hopeful that it will be a while before Arat gets around to dealing with the matter.
Darrel is now even more determined to find an amicable, unmarried woman who would like to alter that status.
Riyyh isn't sure how the rest of Naros would feel about Darrel if they ever found out they were carrying rocks all summer because of him, though.
Riyyh supposes Darrel will be gone by then anyway.
Rapol pauses inside the main door.
Rapol goes down the hall.
Riyyh: Is it arranged, then? [softly]
Rapol comes down the hall.
Darrel squares his shoulders, which would be a much more impressive sight if he were a Gen.
Darrel: Yes, Sectuib Riyyh.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: Very well, then.
Riyyh: I will speak to you again about it in a couple of days.
Rapol signals at Riyyh's door.
Riyyh: Enter!
Rapol opens the door an comes in.
Riyyh: Ah, Rapol, hello. ~~~relief and warm welcome~~
Rapol's hair is wet and has made his hair a bit ~~ chilled ~~.
Rapol: Sorry. Late.
Riyyh represses his natural desire to immediately go to Rapol and try to help him warm up.
Riyyh: It's all right, Rapol. I was just finishing up talking to Darrel, here. [smiles]
Darrel gives a placating smile and starts edging away from Rapol.
Darrel: ~~ nervous ~~
Rapol: Certainly.
Riyyh hopes that Rapol won't think him a wimp for having given in so easily on the staying-or-leaving issue.
Rapol nods to Darrel.
Riyyh will have to tell him about it later.
Darrel zlins Rapol apprehensively, trying to determine if he's likely to be into slams, allergy attacks, forcible seduction, or other abuses of Gen power over Simes.
Rapol walks over to Riyyh, aiming his nager that way.
Darrel skitters out of Rapol's way.
Riyyh smiles at Rapol, grateful for the attention.
Riyyh is glad Rapol has become more calm about Simes since arriving at Naros, or he and Darrel in the same room together would have been quite a handful.
Darrel's tentacles flutter nervously.
Rapol cocks an eye at Darrel, without the usual nager following his attention.
Riyyh: Darrel? ~concerned~
Darrel freezes.
Riyyh zlins Darrel's reaction, then stands up and walks cautiously around the desk.
Riyyh: Are you all right?
Darrel shoots a glance at Rapol.
Darrel: I'm fine, really.
Rapol sits down. ~~ mildly curious ~~
Darrel tries to give a reasonable imitation of a channel who isn't scared silly.
Riyyh: ~~soothing~~
Darrel tries to edge closer to Riyyh's soothing nager without placing himself at the mercy of Rapol's.
Riyyh: You seem very distressed, if the truth be told. Whatever is the matter? [kindly]
Darrel: It's, well....
Darrel: ~~ embarrassed/scared ~~
Riyyh: Yes? ~~encouraging/mild~~
Rapol tries to decide if he should be doing something right now.
Darrel wonders if he's about to ruin his chances of beating the Tecton rap forever.
Darrel: Well, he's a Donor, a First.
Riyyh: Yes, he is.
Rapol sticks a finger in his ear, trying to get the water in there to come out.
Riyyh: And a very good one.
Riyyh smiles.
Darrel doesn't find that particularly reassuring.
Rapol suppresses his irk at being called a Donor rather than a Companion.
Riyyh could have done without the ear-full-of-water sensation, but he wouldn't dream of raising a fuss about it.
Darrel zlins a hint of irk, and his eyes widen with alarm.
Riyyh sighs, and strengthens his showfield to block Darrel from being able to zlin Rapol, to the best of his ability.
Riyyh: What is it, Darrel? If there is a problem, it would best if you could tell me what it is. Don't you think so?
Darrel relaxes just a bit as Riyyh blocks Rapol's nager.
Darrel shuffles his feet, but finally makes himself come clean.
Darrel: I'm afraid of them. [mumbled]
Rapol tries to decide what Darrel said, not hearing clearly through the water.
Riyyh glances back at Rapol.
Riyyh: Afraid of... what?
Darrel: Firsts. Donors, that is.
Darrel shoots a glance at Rapol, to see how mad he is, since Riyyh is blocking his ability to zlin.
Riyyh's eyebrows raise in honest surprise.
Riyyh: You are afraid of First Order Donors?
Rapol is trying to get his hair straightened out.
Darrel: Ummm....yes.
Darrel: ~~ shame ~~
Riyyh: I think you'd better sit down again.
Riyyh urges Darrel toward a chair, and pulls up another for himself.
Darrel notes the chair is a bit closer to Rapol, but obeys.
Darrel is rather glad to be sitting, actually, if running screaming from the room isn't going to be permitted.
Riyyh seats himself, forming a triangle, maintaining his firm control of the ambient.
Riyyh: Why is it that you are afraid of them? [kindly]
Darrel: It's, well...
Darrel shoots Rapol an apologetic, if terrified, glance.
Rapol closes his eyes and pictures a calm pond on a windless hot summer day.
Darrel: Their nagers.
Riyyh finds Rapol's nager extremely pleasant.
Riyyh edges a little nearer to him.
Darrel: And what they can do to you.
Darrel: Well, not you--you're a First, too.
Riyyh: Have you been injured by a First Order Donor?
Darrel nods jerkily.
Riyyh: You have?
Riyyh: Can you talk about it?
Darrel: Well, I don't think she meant to hurt me. Or the other one, either.
Riyyh puts on his best wise, Sectuibly and infinitely attentive look.
Darrel: There was a Farris Donor back in Bender Cove who kept getting into things she shouldn't have.
Darrel: Have you ever tried to treat a Gen with a really bad allergy attack? And ten times the field strength you could ever muster, all of it fluctuating wildly?
Darrel shudders violently.
Darrel: The second time it happened, I just stayed hypoconscious, and ended up with a reprimand because of it.
Darrel still feels that this was a bit unfair, under the circumstances.
Riyyh: Really, I think there is little chance that Rapol, being in perfect health, will lose control to that extent.
Riyyh: ~~reassuring~~
Riyyh: He has been perfectly controlled, and a perfect gentleman, for as long as I have known him.
Riyyh has only known Rapol for a few weeks, but....
Darrel tries to find this reassuring.
Riyyh: Surely you would trust a Donor who is in good health, and well-trained, to be able to control his nager? [attempts again]
Rapol tries to looks small and harmless.
Darrel: Well, yes, if he wants to. I've... met a few who didn't.
Riyyh: A few?
Riyyh finds this extremely difficult to believe.
Riyyh has a certain amount of faith that most people will try to do their jobs to the best of their ability.
Darrel gives Rapol another apologetic look.
Riyyh still feels sympathetic for Darrel, however.
Darrel: Well, Alea wasn't only unstable during her allergy attacks, and then there was the way Galinda sort of... overwhelmed me at that party.
Riyyh: It sounds as if you will have a lot of issues to work out, stemming from your Bender Cove assignment.
Riyyh quoth the understatement of the century.
Darrel nerves himself to address Rapol directly.
Rapol: Alea! ~~ shock ~~
Darrel yelps and cringes away.
Darrel: ~~ terror ~~
Rapol realizes that Darrel must mean the Sorceress of Bender Cove.
Rapol: Lucky to have escaped.
Rapol: ~~ sympathy ~~
Riyyh looks at Darrel oddly.
Darrel's nerves are still quivering from zlinning Rapol's momentary shock.
Riyyh realizes that his field is completely useless as a barrier between them, and drops it.
Riyyh: Darrel, this is a serious problem, you realize? [gently]
Darrel nods reluctantly.
Darrel: Controller Veraik was going to have one of the First Order Donors at Bender Cove work with me a bit, but then she had to be reassigned, and he never pursued the matter.
Darrel is just as glad; he hadn't been looking forward to the therapy.
Riyyh thinks at least now he has his reason for harboring Darrel; Arat Farris would thank him for not letting Darrel run loose in his condition.
Riyyh zlins him.
Riyyh: Darrel, it is just as much your responsibility to control your nager and behave in a professional fashion, as it is the responsibilities of those around you to do so. [seriously]
Darrel makes an effort to force his nager into some semblance of order.
Riyyh: You do, of course, have to undergo therapy for this problem.
Riyyh: There simply isn't any way around it.
Riyyh sincerely hopes Darrel didn't actually leave Bender Cove to avoid it.
Darrel tries to muster a bit of courage, which is not exactly his best skill.
Riyyh: For your own safety, and for that of those around you. What would happen if you displayed such fear around a young, out-Territory changeover victim?
Riyyh: Or worse yet, a young junct?
Riyyh realizes he is coming off a bit sharper than he normally would; he had been caught by surprise by Darrel's behavior, and a little unnerved by it.
Darrel: Changeover victims don't bother me. I haven't worked as much with juncts, but I've never had any particular problems there.
Riyyh: I realize that, [gently] but you cannot count on a high order Gen not being present at the same time.
Darrel: Oh.
Riyyh: Look at Rapol... he has never harmed you in any way. Yet, you respond to his subtlest movements with stark terror.
Riyyh: That is not healthy. [softly]
Darrel's semi-courage starts to crumble at the reminder.
Riyyh: It is not even workable in today's society.
Rapol: ~~ calm and friendly ~~
Riyyh thinks stark terror should be reserved for more appropriate conditions... such as the approach of Prunida.
Darrel's shoulders slump.
Darrel: Perhaps not.
Riyyh: And... it could seriously damage your career. I do think you must receive therapy for this, and begin as soon as possible.
Darrel: There hasn't been anything much I could do about it, though.
Riyyh: Darrel, you said your former Controller offered you some help.
Riyyh had zlinned rather clearly Darrel's relief at that not working out.
Riyyh is already outlining his letter to the District Office in his head.
Darrel: That didn't work out, though.
Riyyh finds the prospect of a fear-bomb like Darrel wandering through the Householding rather nervewracking.
Darrel is rather glad, after the way Galinda had demonstrated her ability to completely control him.
Riyyh zlins the gladness and sighs.
Riyyh: Darrel... you must take responsibility for this.
Darrel nods reluctantly.
Riyyh: Please listen to me. Today, every human being must be responsible for his or her effect upon the ambient. We cannot afford, as a society, the luxury of panicking around other people, particularly when there isn't actually any potential for harm.
Riyyh glances at Rapol again.
Riyyh: Whatever you encountered in Bender Cove, it is not normal.
Riyyh: And you cannot go through life fearing that a perfectly healthy First will undergo the same fluctuations as one who is hallucinating, convulsing, or what have you.
Darrel wishes he didn't know quite so intimately exactly what potential for harm a First Order Gen poses to a Second Order channel.
Riyyh zlins Darrel's doubt.
Darrel: I guess I just haven't met a healthy First lately.
Darrel: Present company excepted.
Darrel gives Rapol a nervously appeasing smile.
Riyyh: I will see what I can do about getting you into a good retraining facility as soon as possible.
Riyyh: I am sure Controller Farris will be reasonable about it.
Rapol smiles back.
Riyyh: In the meantime, perhaps you can work with Rapol a little....
Darrel: ...retraining facility?
Darrel gulps.
Riyyh studies Darrel.
Riyyh: Do you think you don't require it?
Darrel: It's just that... one hears such stories about those places.
Riyyh: Do you see some alternative?
Darrel: ~~ apprehension ~~
Riyyh wouldn't mind if, for example, Darrel wanted to attack the problem himself, or accept help from others.
Darrel: Couldn't you... we....
Darrel: Ummm....
Darrel: Arrange something here?
Riyyh: Perhaps.
Riyyh considers.
Riyyh: Do you have any history of transfer difficulties?
Darrel: Not really.
Riyyh scratches the idea of talking the Tecton into assigning Darrel into Naros' transfer pathology program.
Riyyh: Well, there is certainly no reason we couldn't work with you while you are here.
Riyyh: In fact, I really must insist. ~~apologetic~~
Darrel nods, noting the renewed emphasis on the tentative nature of the commitment to shelter him.
Riyyh: I will talk to Tictoc about who'd be most suitable. I think it'd be better for you to work with a number of different Gens.
Darrel gulps.
Darrel: Firsts?
Riyyh: ~~ reassurance ~~
Riyyh: This is an ordinary Householding, with ordinary people.
Riyyh: The things you experienced were extraordinary to say the least.
Riyyh: Things won't be so exciting here. You'll see.
Darrel tries to muster some hope.
Riyyh rather nervously hopes Darrel doesn't have any other personality bombs to drop on them... after all, it had taken more than a week for this particular problem to emerge.
Riyyh remembers Mytag's warning about Bender Cove people, which he'd ignored back when Wise Snake and her crew had arrived, and now wonders if he should just take that as a permanent warning for all Bender Cove travelers.
Riyyh tries to hide his ~unhappiness~
Darrel sees from Riyyh's expression that his Sectuib-elect is not happy with him.
Darrel wishes a bit forlornly that he could find a group of people who actually viewed him as an asset, not an annoyance.
Riyyh softens a bit at the zlin of Darrel's forlorn nager.
Riyyh was always pretty darn soft anyway.
Riyyh: You are willing to try, aren't you? Because if you are, we'll support and help you in every way.
Riyyh: ~kindness~
Darrel: Truly?
Riyyh: To the extent which we are able to, yes. ~~truth~~
Darrel wishes this statement wasn't so deftly qualified, but will take what he can get.
Riyyh: I will talk to Tictoc and the others this afternoon, and probably arrange for a meeting with the three of us.
Riyyh: It will work out well, you will see. ~encouraging~
Darrel tries to smile in an appeasing fashion, but it comes out more of a grimace.
Riyyh: Let me assign somebody to spend time with you in the meantime.
Riyyh gets up and moves back to his desk, where he picks up his basic-scheduling book.
Darrel tries not to let his apprehension at this whole therapy business get beyond his control.
Riyyh tries to decide who, a young channel preferably, would be most suitable.
Riyyh: Do you know Mostan?
Darrel: I believe we met in the cafeteria the other day, yes.
Riyyh: I'm going to see if he'd be willing to take you under his wing for the duration. I think it would help a good deal.
Riyyh may not have thought it was such a good idea if he'd realized how interested Darrel was in forsaking the Tecton to pledge Naros, something Mostan himself did recently.
Darrel is a bit ~~ relieved ~~ at Riyyh's choice of mentor.
Darrel would be relieved at anyone who wasn't a First Order Gen.
Riyyh checks Mostan's office hours, then replaces the book.
Riyyh: In fact, let us go and see him right now. [smiles kindly]
Riyyh doesn't want Darrel running around loose any more, not after what he saw today.
Darrel gets to his feet.
Darrel wishes his phobia hadn't come out until after he was safely pledged and out of the Tecton's clutches.
Notes:
1) Some minutes pass between these two scenes. [return]