Sime~Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #137: Cinder-Reckage at the Ball (5/28/99)
see note 1
Nick looks around at the crowd, trying to get oriented.
Nick thinks he spies someone familiar.
Nick: Arat, is that...?
Nick's nager indicates the individual in question.
Arat stiffens.
Arat: Yes. [tightly]
Nick: What is he doing here?
Arat: No doubt he's here to see you. It wasn't exactly made a secret you'd be here.
Arat tries to decide if he can get away with abandoning Nick at this point, which is what he'd rather do than come face to face with Riyyh ambrov Naros again.
Nick: I suppose I ought to say hello, then.
Arat: I will meet you in a little while, then.
Nick hesitates at the thought of being on his own in this crowd.
Nick does, however, have the sense to know that clinging to Arat would not be the best thing he could do, so he sets bravely out across the room.
Arat heads in the opposite direction.
Riyyh is chatting with a group of people he hasn't seen in ages, but turns as he zlins Nick coming.
Nick pastes a nervous smile on his face.
Riyyh is done up in full regalia, a rather stunning sight. [he enjoys being stunning]
Riyyh: Nick!
Nick: Riyyh. I hadn't expected to see you here.
Riyyh: I had to come, when I heard you'd be here. How have you been? You zlin well.
Riyyh can't claim to be able to zlin that efficiently in this environment, but....
Nick looks far more like Riyyh than he used to, thanks to the haircut and clothes.
Riyyh: And you look very well.
Nick: Thank you.
Riyyh is clearly impressed by the makeover, even if no embroidery or jewelry is involved.
Riyyh of course demonstrates no such lack.
Nick inspects the display.
Nick: Is that a new outfit?
Riyyh: Why yes, it is, from Imil. [beams]
Riyyh thinks he deserves to show it off, after the hell he went through justifying its purchase to his members.
Nick: Naros must be doing well, then.
Riyyh: Oh dear, well, things have been better, but with the spring plantings finished and everything going smoothly, things have been much more settled.
Riyyh: But tell me, how did you come to be here? I heard Prunida's version of the story, but honestly, I never would have thought....
Riyyh for one thing never would have thought Snake would have allowed Prunida to live after being approached for Nick a 2nd time.
Nick: I was brought here after the avalanche got Snake.
Nick: It didn't entirely miss me.
Nick indicates the cast.
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Riyyh's hands and tentacles flutter about characteristically.
Riyyh: I'm terribly sorry.
Riyyh means about Snake, not about the cast.
Riyyh wonders if Nick has heard the rumors that Snake still lives, then decides it wouldn't be prudent to mention them at this time.
Riyyh: But are you happy here?
Riyyh looks at Nick anxiously.
Riyyh: It's so different....
Nick: I'm... adjusting.
Nick: The work is easy enough, although I don't know if I can adjust to occasions like this.
Nick has no idea that he is the only known Donor who would consider working to Arat's exacting standards "easy enough".
Nick: [well, there might be a few in Zeor]
Riyyh nods sympathetically.
Riyyh thinks this is what happens when Narosians are raised outside Naros.
Riyyh: Do you want anything, can I send you anything? Tea? Naros-made clothing? Strawberries?
Riyyh: The strawberries won't be in season yet for another month, but....
Riyyh: It just seems so odd to find a son of mine here, working for Arat Farris. [confesses] Although I am very proud of you.
Nick: I have found it a bit difficult to get Narosian blends.
Nick would just as soon not have to consider himself Riyyh's son. Or grandson, as the case may be.
Nick: Could you send me some of the Dancer's Delight?
Riyyh zlins a bit of Nick's reaction, and looks somewhat troubled, but can't bring himself to make this anything but a happy reunion.
Riyyh: Of course.
Riyyh: [kindly]
Nick: You said that Grandmother has been to Naros?
Riyyh: She came immediately after she left you here. She showed me the money. Oh, Nick, I've been worried about you. [seems genuinely distraught]
Riyyh: You are all right, aren't you? You're happy here?
Riyyh seems to find it impossible that anyone of his blood could really be happiest with the Tecton.
Riyyh: Controller Farris isn't mistreating you, is he?
Riyyh clings to Nick's arm in typical Riyyh fashion as he asks this.
Nick shakes his head.
Nick: I get along with Arat well enough.
Nick: And I think he's trying to be kind.
Riyyh seems bewildered, but glad for Nick, all at once.
Nick: You two don't get along, do you?
Nick: He was avoiding you, earlier.
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Riyyh is one of the few people on the planet who can manage to look amazingly cute while appearing bewildered, glad and apologetic.
Riyyh: We haven't actually met more than once or twice, you see, but politically, and then there is the issue of Jeniard... well, that was a long time ago, but...
Nick: Jeniard?
Riyyh: Arat has been ever so cold to me since Jeniard visited. I had hoped he had forgotten, and it was really nothing, and so many years ago, but....
Riyyh: I'm afraid I may have given him cause to be jealous.
Riyyh: [in a confiding tone]
Nick: He's rather... protective, where Jeniard is concerned.
Nick wonders if Jeniard happened along when Riyyh was between Companions.
Riyyh: At any rate, I have asked many times that Arat come to Naros so that matters could be laid to rest.
Riyyh: I do wish he'd accept, one of these times. It is so difficult to truly understand a person through intermediaries, don't you think?
Riyyh: I am certain our differences could be resolved if we were to meet face to face, unencumbered by these elaborate social situations.
Riyyh enjoys Nick's nager, since he is practically glued to Nick physically.
Nick: Well, perhaps.
Riyyh arrived sans Donor, mainly because it was decided it would be a bad idea for Rapol and Nick to meet at this juncture.
Riyyh: And I am sure he is really a very personable fellow, once one gets to know him...?
Nick suspects that differences with Arat are resolved only if and when Arat is good and ready to resolve them.
Nick: Well... he has a temper, I'm told, but he's certainly fair.
Riyyh is hampered in this long distance enmity by the fact that all his friend-making skills work most well when up close and personal. Like, within arm's reach.
Riyyh looks hopeful.
Riyyh: Perhaps you could speak to him, encourage him? Surely it would be better for Naros and the Tecton alike if we got along. And I personally cannot bear the thought of being at odds.
Nick: Well, if the time seems right, I will bring the subject up.
Riyyh: Thank you, Nick. [pats his arm]
Riyyh: I do appreciate it.
Riyyh: Are you sure there isn't anything else I can do for you, send you? I care about you, Nick, I want to help you.
Nick notes Arat, temporarily unencumbered as he stares moodily into space.
Nick: That's very kind of you.... ~~ distracted ~~
Nick: Actually, Arat seems to be free just now. Would you like to meet him now?
Arat is lurking near the windows, looking out at the crowded front lawn, pretending he doesn't notice his Donor being climbed all over (literally) by a channel he despises.
Nick thinks this is a great way to ensure that he ends up close enough to Arat to be rescued if any more lustful actresses seem inclined to assault him.
Riyyh: Right now? But... well yes, Nick, of course.
Riyyh had thought Arat was trying to avoid him.
Nick: Come, then.
Nick makes for Arat.
Riyyh decides it's early enough in the evening that he can take the challenge, though.
Riyyh follows, already feeling the adrenaline pumping.
Arat stiffens as he zlins them both coming in his direction.
Arat works to keep the murderous expression off his nager and, with more difficulty, out of his eyes.
Arat waits until he is fully composed to turn away from the window.
Arat: ~~calm nager with 1st-zlinnable undertones of loathing~~
Nick notes the tension in Arat's shoulders, and lets his nager ~~ welcome ~~ Arat as they approach.
Nick: Arat, I believe you are acquainted with Sectuib Riyyh?
Nick leaves out the familial relationship.
Riyyh: Hajene Farris.
Riyyh smiles kindly, his nager suffused with friendliness and guilelessness.
Arat looks down at Riyyh with seeming dispassion, his nager perfectly controlled now.
Arat: Sectuib.
Riyyh: Thank you for taking in my son, Controller. He seems content and healthy in your service.
Nick is aware that this fence-mending meeting is not getting off to an overly cordial start.
Arat clamps down on a number of unsuitable variations on resentment and annoyance, and simply nods.
Nick tries to guide the ambient towards ~~ calm/friendship/happiness ~~
Riyyh, encouraged by Nick's projection, continues.
Nick is starting to wonder if this was such a good idea.
Riyyh: Perhaps your working together can be a bridge, of sorts, between you and I. I know that relations between us haven't been the best, but surely it is in both our interests that we get along?
Arat glances at Nick.
Nick is zlinning rather uncomfortable at the hostility between the two channels, under the projection of calm.
Arat: It is true, I had considered the same thing recently.
Arat hadn't thought of it in quite the same terms, though.
Arat had thought that Nick might be an ideal spy into Naros' works, since he'd be welcome anywhere, there, and possibly traveling by there regularly due to the relative locations of Naros, Capitol, and New Othwol.
Nick is, as usual, unable to feel animosity towards Riyyh while in his physical presence, much as he would like to.
Riyyh: Really? ~~intrigued despite his better judgment which tells him that Arat zlins more hostile than friendly~~
Nick has also unconsciously downgraded the possibility of joining Naros as an alternative to the Tecton life, if necessary. 2
Arat: I had thought Nick might visit Naros on his way to and from New Othwol each second month.
Arat had not mentioned the idea to Nick until now.
Arat had, in fact, still been trying to decide whether it'd be a good idea.
Riyyh: Oh? But that's... well, that's wonderful. Nick?
Riyyh can only see one possible way this would constitute a bridge between them, which is that Nick would be informing for Arat.
Riyyh thinks that's sad, but he wouldn't dream of preventing Nick from visiting if Nick truly desired it.
Nick: Umm... You said Grandmother was visiting you? Is she still at Naros?
Riyyh in fact would love for Nick to demonstrate more closeness to his family - he hasn't been blind to Nick's ambivalence and/or negativity on the subject.
Riyyh: No. [hastens to reassure Nick] She was only with us for a week.
Nick: ~~ relief ~~
Nick: Well, then, I'd be happy to drop by when I'm in the area.
Riyyh looks pathetically anticipatory.
Arat moves forward and blocks Riyyh from an intended hands-on demonstration of gratefulness.
Arat: Yes, it will be arranged. Nick, I must introduce you to Assistant World Controller Ipmas.
Arat: She's right over there, by the punch bowl.
Nick: Of course.
Nick looks at Riyyh.
Arat makes sure Riyyh knows he is ~~utterly cold and disinterested~~
Nick: I will probably be seeing you in a week or so, then.
Riyyh flinches back from Arat's physical block, then backs off farther with the unpleasant nageric message.
Riyyh looks like he'd like to go to Nick, but stands back looking unhappy.
Riyyh: Of course... very well, (oh dear).
Nick follows Arat towards the Assistant World Controller.
Riyyh's tentacles dither about for a moment before he turns and wanders off in the direction of a clump of people.
Notes:
1) This is an excerpt of just the Naros related part of a larger DCO/HHN crossover episode. For the full story, see DCO #31. [return]
2) Nick's unconscious decision was based upon his field's different reactions to Riyyh, who despite being a low First is Naros' highest channel, and Arat Farris. [return]
Go on to Episode #138: The International Language of Being Scared Silly