Sime~Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #130: (3/12/99)
see note 1
Tiarala urges her weary horse up to the gate.
Tiarala: That's right, dear. Just a bit more, and you'll be all snug in a warm stable.
Lucia: Hello! [calls down]
Tiarala: Oh, hel-lo, dear!
Lucia zlins rather surprised... the hour is very early, and no guests were expected.
Lucia: May I help you?
Tiarala: Do come and let me in, there's a sweet. My poor horse is just exhausted.
Lucia wants to demand to know her business, but politeness gets the better of common sense and she runs down the stairs.
Tiarala is a bit on the tired side herself, but her clothes are in the very latest of House fashion, with prominent green accents.
Lucia opens the gate and takes the horse's reins to help lead it inside.
Lucia: Have you traveled far?
Tiarala: Oh, my, yes. Not all the way from Imil, thank goodness, but Capitol's far enough.
Lucia: You're here from Capitol?
Tiarala: Yes, dear, but I hope you won't hold that against me.
Tiarala: Someone has to look after the Tecton, after all.
Lucia's eyes widen and she wonders if this has anything to do with... well, actually, there are a number of alarming things it could have something to do with.
Lucia: Um, no, I won't.
Lucia: Are you just stopping over, or do you have business here?
Tiarala: Well, there are a few things I wanted to discuss with dear Riyyh.
Lucia holds the horse still so Tiarala can dismount.
Lucia beckons a kid whose face is showing in a gap between buildings, to come and take the horse to the stable.
Tiarala dismounts in a swoosh of Imil green, and takes a packet from the saddlebags.
Lucia: I think he's in his office. I can show you there.
Lucia lets the kid have the horse, and hurries to close and lock the gates.
Tiarala: Do give him a good rub-down and a hot mash, honey. He's worked hard for me. And send the bags over to Riyyh's house.
Tiarala: [called after kid departing with horse]
Kid: Okay!
Tiarala: Such a clever child. I expect she leads her parents on a merry chase.
Lucia returns to Tiarala's side.
Lucia: Sometimes. [laughs]
Lucia: This way.
Tiarala smiles, and follows Lucia.
Lucia leads Tiarala in the direction of the administrative building.
Lucia: Did you want to speak to Riyyh right away, or did you want to stay over...?
Lucia thinks the horse, at least, could use an overnight rest.
Tiarala: Tsk, tsk, don't tell me Riyyh's hard at work already?
Lucia: Well, I wouldn't say, well, yes.
Tiarala: Oh, I'm sure my business with Riyyh will take a day or two.
Lucia: A day or two? Really?
Lucia: ~~curious~~
Tiarala shakes her head sadly.
Tiarala: His wardrobe must be in a state.
Tiarala thinks that should be easy enough to fix.
Tiarala is always out to promote her House's interests, as well as the Tecton's. In that order.
Lucia is beginning to get the impression that this lady knows an awful lot about Riyyh, which bothers Lucia since she doesn't know her from Adam.
Lucia leads her into the Admin building and up the stairs to Riyyh's office.
Lucia is now madly curious about Tiarala's identity and intentions.
Lucia: May I tell him who is calling, and what in regards to?
Tiarala can zlin just enough through the door to tell that Riyyh is currently alone in the office.
Tiarala: Oh, don't bother, dear. I can announce myself.
Tiarala: Thanks for showing me the way.
Lucia: Oh.
Lucia looks a bit lost.
Lucia: Er, if you think... OK.
Tiarala opens the door and goes through.
Tiarala: Why, Riyyh, darling!
Riyyh looks up in surprise.
Tiarala firmly shuts the door behind her.
Riyyh is a bit hazed from having stayed up 24 hours writing letters to farmers and poring over farm implement catalogs.
Tiarala: How many years has it been?
Riyyh: ~~astonishment~~
Riyyh: Tiarala?
Tiarala: Of course, dear. When was the last time you slept? And your clothes!
Lucia pouts at the closed door, then goes off to tell everybody the little bit she did learn.
Riyyh is mortally embarrassed by his appearance, since she noticed.
Tiarala looks in open dismay at Riyyh's current outfit, which is a full two years out of fashion and rumpled as well.
Riyyh: Why, what brings you to Naros, Tiarala? Please, sit down, Allow me to fetch you some tea?
Riyyh starts to unbury his lap from a pile of catalogs, putting them on his desk on top of the correspondence and ledger sheets.
Tiarala: Of course, love. That spicy blend you had at the conference... can it really be five years ago?
Riyyh: The Dark Delight, yes, I believe I have some up here.
Tiarala: How simply splendid!
Riyyh finally gets free of the cultivator problem (physically, at least) and hurries to prepare two cups.
Riyyh: Are you traveling? Where are you bound?
Tiarala settles onto the couch, ignoring the guest chairs at the desk.
Tiarala: Well, you'll never believe, but young Controller Arat sent me.
Tiarala: He seemed to think I was too old to fall under your nefarious influence.
Tiarala: ~~ amusement ~~
Riyyh nearly chokes.
Tiarala: I didn't have the heart to tell him that there's a dance in the old girl yet.
Tiarala: ~~ coy ~~
Riyyh knocks a spoon to the floor nervously, bends to pick it up, then turns to face Tiarala looking simultaneously nervous and interested.
Riyyh: Controller Arat sent you?
Riyyh: I do hope he wasn't upset over the problem of Hajene Darrel.
Tiarala: Oh, yes, some Tecton business that... yes, Darrel was the name.
Riyyh turns back to the tea cups and carefully measures the leaves in.
Tiarala: Something about some staff member making unsuitable arrangements without authorization.
Riyyh: I was afraid that might happen.
Tiarala waves a dismissive tentacle.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh had known it was way too good to be true.
Riyyh pours boiling water into the cups.
Tiarala: I'm sure it won't take long to deal with it, and then we can sneak off and enjoy ourselves.
Tiarala: I brought Imil's Spring catalog, with all the latest fashions.
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Riyyh: Do you still take it with honey?
Tiarala: Of course, dear. It brings out the spice, you know.
Riyyh doesn't know why Tiarala is worrying him so much, since everything she has mentioned so far (aside from the bit about Darrel) sounds perfectly delightful.
Riyyh adds honey.
Tiarala: I must say, you have such a cozy little enclave here. No wonder you're so hard to pry out of it.
Riyyh: I get out now and then. [mildly]
Riyyh passes outside of Naros' walls maybe 2 or 3 times a year.
Riyyh takes the two cups of tea over to the couch where Tiarala is waiting.
Riyyh hands her one, and then sits down beside her on the couch.
Tiarala reaches for her cup, letting her tentacle caress one of Riyyh's.
Tiarala: Now, do tell me what's been happening with you since the last time we saw each other.
Riyyh smiles at the touch, shifting visibly into his less-than-attentive to business mode.
Riyyh: Well, overall things have gone well, although I think I could have done without this last year.
Tiarala: Really? Do tell.
Riyyh: Oh, I'm sure it must be well known already. [dismissively]
Riyyh: I think we're over the worst of it now, though.
Tiarala: I'm so glad to hear that.
Tiarala sips her tea.
Riyyh: And you?
Tiarala: Well enough. Arat can be as arrogant as any other Farris, but he's reasonably fair. Capitol could do worse.
Riyyh nods.
Tiarala: And has. Do you remember when Usmug was Controller?
Riyyh: Oh, dear, that was an unfortunate year, wasn't it?
Tiarala: The schedules were always in a shambles, and it's a wonder some poor channel didn't die of attrition waiting for a Donor to be assigned.
Tiarala: There's much to be said for someone who can keep order.
Riyyh remembers it mainly for the sheer number of citations and warnings Naros received for various programs it was running in Capitol.
Riyyh still has a box of some 3200 sidewalk vagrancy tickets issued to Narosian channel/donor teams attempting to help the homeless.
Riyyh: Yes. [agrees]
Tiarala: Still, he has his little idiosyncrasies, just like the rest of us.
Riyyh: Of course. [understandingly]
Riyyh actually is given to understand that Arat has far more idiosyncrasies than most, and is said by some to be downright neurotic.
Tiarala: He didn't approve of poor Sosu Mulla's handling of her errand--what did you do to her? Or was it with her?
Tiarala looks at Riyyh knowingly.
Riyyh looks very surprised and innocent.
Tiarala: Really, Riyyh, a child like that.... Where's the challenge?
Riyyh: ~~lack of comprehension~~
Riyyh: I did nothing to her, Tiarala, what do you mean?
Riyyh: I was extremely cooperative.
Tiarala: I'm sure you were.
Tiarala winks in a bawdy fashion.
Tiarala: Oh, I know it's part of a Sectuib's job to sidetrack the Tecton when it comes sniffing around, but really, was it truly worth antagonizing Arat over this matter?
Riyyh looks nonplused.
Riyyh: Arat was offended over... that?
Tiarala: This Hajene Darrel isn't even a Householder.
Riyyh looks horrified as he wonders if this Mulla was Arat's lover or something and he has made a colossal social blunder.
Riyyh: I had no idea.
Tiarala: Yes, he always takes it so personally when you seduce his representatives. He won't say exactly why, but Hajene Jeniard always looks a bit sheepish when the topic comes up.
Riyyh pauses.
Riyyh: Oh, is that all it is?
Riyyh zlins genuinely relieved.
Riyyh: I didn't seduce her, though.
Riyyh: Honestly, she approached me.
Riyyh imagines Mulla wouldn't have told Arat that, though.
Riyyh: And I was perfectly willing to hand over Darrel to her.
Tiarala: Oh, come now, don't tell me that you weren't flirting with her.
Riyyh: She told me he should stay here... well, I may have. [admits]
Tiarala smiles.
Riyyh has been told that his normal manner is considered extremely flirtatious by most.
Tiarala: And with you winking those gray eyes of yours....
Tiarala traces them with a tentacle.
Tiarala: And smiling with those kissable lips....
Riyyh melts at the touch.
Tiarala leans over and kisses Riyyh lightly.
Riyyh: ~~pleasure~~
Tiarala: You can hardly blame the girl for deciding to try you out.
Tiarala sits back and takes another sip of the tea.
Riyyh: ~~flattered~~
Riyyh tries to collect his wits in the wake of the sensual sortie.
Riyyh is not having much luck.
Riyyh: She was very nice.
Tiarala: A pretty enough child, but lazy.
Tiarala is getting gray enough to find the younger generation both uninteresting and prone to engender prospective rivals.
Tiarala: She didn't take Hajene Darrel with her when you offered?
Tiarala tuts admonishingly.
Riyyh tries to think back to how it happened, despite the distinct logical handicap he is now operating under (in addition to his usual one)
Tiarala: What was the girl thinking of?
Tiarala looks at Riyyh speculatively.
Riyyh: I assumed that's why she had arrived, to take him with her.
Riyyh: Really, I tried to be as cooperative as possible. She said he'd be better off here, and that she'd make Arat understand her position.
Tiarala: On second thought, I think I know what she was thinking of.
Riyyh is again ~flattered~ by her words.
Tiarala: Was there some difficulty that hasn't made it into the record?
Riyyh: Not that I know of.
Riyyh's sphere of remembered knowledge is decreasing by the moment, however.
Riyyh edges nearer to her.
Tiarala: Well, I'm sure the channel collection team will deal with it, if there is one.
Tiarala: More Dark Delight?
Riyyh: Channel collection team?
Riyyh pauses, disoriented by a sudden feeling of foreboding.
Tiarala: Yes, they're a day or so behind me.
Tiarala holds up her teacup.
Riyyh takes Tiarala's cup numbly.
Tiarala: I'm dying of thirst, my dear.
Riyyh: Oh... my apologies.
Riyyh gets up to go fetch her some more.
Tiarala: That's a dear.
Riyyh puts more leaves in the cup, then stops for a moment, leaning against the tea table and massaging his forehead, trying to think what to do.
Riyyh had told Darrel that there was a chance the Tecton would reverse its decision to leave him at Naros, but he'd had no idea it could happen as soon as this morning.
Riyyh looks at the cup, then sets it aside and picks up a clean one, and prepares a new cup of tea.
Tiarala: You know, love, I really do think you'd look spiffy in Ifad's new line of shirts.
Tiarala: They have a bit of puff at the shoulders--makes you look larger, and the nicest trims.
Riyyh adds boiling water, then honey.
Tiarala: And the colors are perfect for spring.
Riyyh: Really?
Riyyh brings her the cup of tea, still zlinning ~~disquieted and distracted~~
Tiarala: Yes. Soft greens and yellows, like a meadow in bloom.
Riyyh: It sounds very pleasant.
Tiarala: There's a picture in the catalog.
Riyyh would be easier to interest in extravagantly expensive new clothing if he hadn't just spend the last 24 hours becoming intimately aware of how little spare cash was in Naros' coffers.
Riyyh might as well consider his life forfeit if he were seen in the latest thing after these budget cuts.
Riyyh: Oh, dear. It sounds lovely.
Riyyh: Might I see the catalog?
Tiarala: It's in my folder here.
Tiarala pats the couch beside her.
Tiarala: Come sit down, and I'll show you the shirt.
Riyyh rejoins her on the couch.
Tiarala opens up the folder to search for the catalog, which not by accident is underneath a great deal of other paper.
Tiarala: Hmm, since I was coming here anyway, they gave me some reports for you.
Tiarala passes over two.
Riyyh tries to hide his dismay.
Riyyh: Oh... how... efficient?
Tiarala: And there are a few things which require your signature.
Riyyh: ~~sinking feeling~~
Riyyh looks at the papers.
Tiarala lifts the papers for a moment, letting Riyyh catch a glimpse of the cover of the catalog.
Tiarala looks at it critically, but still thinks that its one of the more spectacular covers that Imil has published.
Riyyh sets the reports she'd handed him on a side table.
Riyyh feels this situation, which appeared to be going well, has gotten badly out of hand and tries to think how to salvage it.
Riyyh: Tiarala, really, you've only just arrived.
Riyyh: Perhaps we could save the administrative things until after you've been rested?
Riyyh finds that thoroughly relaxed Tecton minions are so much more reasonable than the other kind.
Tiarala: Oh, I promised to give these to you first thing, unto Imil, and you know I can't go back on my pledge.
Tiarala: Now, then, just sign at the bottom or those, and we can spend as much time examining the catalog as you like.
Riyyh: But Tiarala.
Tiarala makes a pen magically appear in her hand, and holds it out to Riyyh.
Riyyh: ~~unhappy~~
Riyyh looks wounded.
Tiarala: While you look at the catalog, I'll tell you all about the outfits worn at the big fashion show at Arensti.
Tiarala: Some of the Halikit line was quite unusual.
Riyyh: Perhaps we could do that now?
Tiarala: Oh, get the work done first, my mother taught me, and it makes relaxing afterward so much more... relaxing.
Tiarala lets her tentacles caress gently down Riyyh's arm to his hand.
Riyyh trembles at the touch, and closes his eyes to fully savor the sensation.
Tiarala slips the pen into his hand.
Tiarala: Come now, it'll only take a moment.
Riyyh's tentacles go limp.
Riyyh: Oh. [it comes out as a groan of protest]
Riyyh reaches for one of the reports and tries to make himself look at the title.
Tiarala settles back primly to let him read.
Riyyh never signs anything without reading it extremely thoroughly - and as Wolfa can readily attest, sometimes reads it 2 or 3 times thoroughly without ever managing to sign.
Tiarala knows the annual "State of the Tecton" and "State of the District" reports are a bore, particularly when you don't know the stories behind the official version.
Riyyh laboriously reads through both reports.
Tiarala points to the place where he's supposed to initial them to certify that he's familiar with the drivel contained therein.
Riyyh initials his way laboriously through both reports.
Riyyh finally signs both of them.
Riyyh zlins depressed and lethargic.
Tiarala shuffles the forms on her lap, once again revealing that very interesting cover on the catalog.
Tiarala: Now then, there's just the selyn accounting forms, the reports on Naros members currently working for the Tecton, and of course the release forms for Hajene Darrel--they'll want a copy of your file on him as well.
Riyyh can scarcely summon up what it takes to look dismayed.
Riyyh just looks like he can't believe this is happening to him.
Riyyh: Please, let this wait until later.
Tiarala smiles.
Tiarala: Oh, I'm sure we'll be even busier later.
Tiarala licks her lips suggestively.
Riyyh: ~~unhappy~~
Tiarala: Better get the work out of the way now.
Tiarala reaches out to run a hand down Riyyh's thigh.
Riyyh thinks of the cultivator problem and wonders w.... wow, that feels pretty good.
Tiarala: You know, that style of pant leg does well for your physique.
Riyyh's downtrodden nager perks up a little bit.
Riyyh: Do you think so?
Tiarala: But perhaps something a little more form-fitting would be even more flattering.
Riyyh: ~increasing interest~
Tiarala: There was something, I think it was around page 30.....
Tiarala: Do remind me to show you when we're done.
Tiarala: There was a bit of embroidery around the waist, I believe....
Tiarala traces the alleged path of the decoration, although somewhat lower than would be realistic, perhaps.
Riyyh's nager becomes noticeably less concerned with everyday problems and worries.
Riyyh's passivity quotient rises.
Riyyh: [nothing else does though, alas... too close to need]
Tiarala: Just as soon as you've finished with these, I'll show you... everything.
Tiarala winks bawdily, and hands Riyyh the forms.
Riyyh sadly begins reading once again.
Tiarala smiles warmly.
Tiarala: ~~ approval ~~
Riyyh reads, and then signs, each one, except for the selyn accounting one.
Riyyh: I will have to look up a few numbers for this one.
Riyyh: Surely it can wait.
Riyyh would hate to have to fudge selyn figures on official forms.
Tiarala: Tut, tut. Don't tell me that you haven't been keeping up on your bookkeeping?
Riyyh: It's not that, it's just that I'm in the middle of a budget reappraisal right at the moment.
Riyyh: Please, I'm not being evasive, but I would like to wait a week or so to return this.
Tiarala: Oh, my dear Riyyh, I would dearly love to be able to stay a week in your charming company.
Tiarala: However, I have to be back in Capitol in four days.
Riyyh sets the paper aside and moves a little nearer to her.
Tiarala: And you know how the roads are this time of year.
Riyyh: I don't want to fight about it, Tiarala, I've filled out all the others, please, be reasonable about this. [more than a bit of a whine]
Tiarala picks up the form and holds it out firmly--with her other hand resting on the catalog.
Tiarala: Do be a dear. It's only a few numbers.
Riyyh's unhappiness becomes regret.
Riyyh: I... I apologize, but I just can't.
Riyyh: Not today.
Riyyh is more afraid of failing to afford a replacement cultivator in time for spring plowing due to putting in the wrong numbers now, than he is of incurring Tiarala's displeasure.
Riyyh: [that isn't to say that he isn't afraid of Tiarala's displeasure, not at all]
Riyyh: Perhaps I could simply send it on by courier, as I usually do?
Riyyh: [eventually... after many outraged letters of protest have come his way from Capitol]
Tiarala pouts.
Tiarala: Now, Riyyh, surely it won't take any more time to fill out the form today than it would six months from now?
Tiarala: Come, I'll help you, and we'll be done before you know it.
Riyyh pushes himself up, hoping to avoid actually being made to do it.
Tiarala's glance promises that what will happen afterwards will take a delightfully long time to be completed.
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Riyyh: Look, your tea is cold.
Riyyh snatches up the cup and hurries away to the other side of the room.
Tiarala sets the catalog down on the couch and follows, with the dreaded form.
Tiarala: Now, then, where are your records?
Riyyh: ~nervous fear, badly concealed~
Tiarala: These things aren't as bad as they seem at first glance; the trick is to fill them in one line at a time.
Riyyh: Please, that is not necessary. I will be able to complete the form myself next week.
Tiarala: ~~ reassurance ~
Tiarala: Nonsense, it's no trouble at all.
Riyyh: But I don't want... Tiarala, I understand that you have responsibilities, but I have also.
Tiarala: Now, then. The first line is just your name, as local Controller for Naros and the town.
Tiarala: That's not hard, is it?
Riyyh shudders.
Riyyh has such a terribly hard time "just saying No".
Tiarala fills in Riyyh's name and goes on to the next line.
Tiarala: So, how many Gen members does Naros have at present?
Riyyh: Please, give me that.
Riyyh reaches for the form.
Riyyh: I'll do it, I'll fill it out.
Tiarala smiles and steps back--at least a foot or two.
Riyyh takes the form and goes over to his desk, where he opens a file drawer.
Riyyh: But I can't do it today, Tiarala, I'm sorry, but I just can't.
Riyyh slips it into a file folder and then locks the drawer.
Tiarala: Nonsense. It's still early.
Riyyh hides the keys behind his back, defensively.
Riyyh hopes she'd stop sort of physical assault.
Riyyh: [at least, the violent kind]
Tiarala: It's just a matter of documenting the approximate number of transfers you're handling.
Riyyh: Yes, I understand.
Tiarala: In this weather, that's Naros and the town. What's so time-consuming about that?
Riyyh wonders if, should she actually resort to physical violence, he'd be capable of screaming loudly enough to attract the attentions of Turros and Vaspacho and Nubby.
Riyyh is pretty sure that, whatever they think of him, they wouldn't let anything stand in the way of the new cultivator.
Riyyh: It shouldn't be any problem, [agrees]
Riyyh: I'll be sure to have it off by courier by the first day of next week. [nods]
Tiarala: Oh, but I promised I'd bring the report back personally. You know how slow and unreliable the couriers are on such matters.
Riyyh: I am sure Arat will be understanding. You are bringing back all these others, after all.
Tiarala is well aware that Riyyh habitually blames the lack of reports received in Capitol on the mails.
Riyyh attempts a gentle ~~reassurance~~
Tiarala makes a dismissive gesture.
Tiarala: So, what's one more? It's only a few numbers.
Riyyh: Yes, I know.
Tiarala: All the Houses have to report... a few numbers.
Riyyh: We will. [promises]
Tiarala winks, well aware that Naros isn't the only House with dealings that couldn't stand a full Tecton audit.
Tiarala is quite prepared to go along with such schemes, as she's pretty sure Naros will put extra selyn to use in a good cause.
Riyyh: It's just that the current situation has left our... numbers... in a difficult to ascertain state.
Tiarala: Oh, dear, has it really been that bad?
Tiarala: ~~ sympathy ~~
Riyyh winces, having not wanted to spread muck all over Naros' credit rating which this will surely cause.
Riyyh: We had a failure-to-deliver on an expensive piece of farm equipment that has already been paid for.
Riyyh: It will be cleared up shortly, but I only found out about it yesterday and there simply hasn't been time for these other details, I'm sorry.
Riyyh: ~~honest~~
Tiarala: My goodness! Farm equipment, you say?
Riyyh: I am not prepared to guess at these numbers, I just wouldn't feel comfortable doing so.
Riyyh: Surely you understand?
Riyyh: ~~pleading stripped of hope or pride~~
Tiarala: Well, if you could have the completed form for me tomorrow? Surely there is someone on your staff who could look up the numbers?
Riyyh sinks down into his chair and rubs his eyes.
Riyyh: Not before I know where the replacement equipment is going to come from.
Tiarala: Just what is this piece of missing equipment, anyway?
Riyyh: Tiarala. Please.
Tiarala: No, tell me. I might be able to help.
Riyyh: I wish you would just....
Riyyh stops himself.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: I'm sorry.
Tiarala: That's all right.
Riyyh: I've been under a lot of stress lately, do you think we could continue this at another time?
Riyyh: I think I need to go lie down for a while.
Tiarala moves over to rub his shoulders.
Tiarala: Of course you're under pressure.
Riyyh closes his eyes, silently begging fate to not let her start talking about the selyn accounting forms again, or the cultivator, or anything else.
Tiarala: Oh, your hair is so silky.
Tiarala runs a tentacle or three through it.
Riyyh's tense nager loosens a little at the caress.
Tiarala tickles the back of his neck.
Riyyh reaches up to capture the tickling tentacles in his.
Tiarala kisses the top of Riyyh's head.
Tiarala: Tomorrow?
Riyyh doesn't answer, clinging to the quiet moment.
Riyyh: [and her hand]
Tiarala: ~~ sweet on Riyyh ~~
Riyyh turns her hand over and kisses it softly.
Riyyh: Yes, we can talk about it tomorrow.
Tiarala notes the qualification, and is glad that she brought some back-up bribes--she has a feeling she's going to require them.
Riyyh: Have you been given somewhere to stay?
Tiarala: I told the child who took my horse to take my bags to your house. Was that wrong?
Tiarala: ~~ wistful ~~
Riyyh: ~surprise~
Riyyh: No, that's....
Riyyh wonders if this will get back to Arat, too.
Riyyh: ~uncertain~
Riyyh: If you think it's all right...?
Tiarala: Oh, my dear. You don't think I let Arat dictate who I enjoy, do you?
Tiarala: He's not even a Householder.
Tiarala: And he's certainly not my Sectuib, thank goodness.
Riyyh grips her hand, then gets up from the chair.
Riyyh looks rumpled and tired.
Riyyh looks down at the pile all over his desk.
Riyyh considers the situation of himself entertaining a salesperson ambrov Imil in 2 year old weeds and with scarcely enough money in pocket to buy a candy bar, much less the latest fashion, and could about weep.
Riyyh is, fortunately, too close to need for that.
Riyyh: Well then, I suppose this can wait for a few hours. I require a rest, and you do also.
Riyyh turns and smiles regretfully at her.
Tiarala: Of course, dear. We can examine the spring catalog together, and perhaps find some other ways to pass the time.
Riyyh: That sounds pleasant.
Riyyh sincerely hopes it will be without any strings attached, this time.
Riyyh isn't up to dealing with any more bureaucratic pressure right at the moment.
Riyyh: That sounds very pleasant.
Tiarala fetches the catalog and returns to take Riyyh's hand.
Riyyh smiles at her, gratefully.
Tiarala: How about a shower first, and a change of clothes? Then we can look through your wardrobe and find an interesting combination or two.
Riyyh's spirits start to take a turn for the better.
Riyyh: All right.
Riyyh follows her from the office.
Notes:
1) To see why Tiarala is here, see the beginning of DCO #4. [return]