Sime~Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #170: Centerfold (10/27/99)
Dr. Roosle sits at a table in a bookstore, beside a pyramid of his masterpiece: "Tentacle Magic".
Booky walks up to the table, fingers in mouth.
Booky is about 3 years old.
Dr. Roosle thinks that the gaudy cover with the naked, mixed-larity couples on it is a bit less dignified than such an important academic contribution deserves, but his editor said the publisher insisted.
Booky gawks at the cover.
Dr. Roosle smiles paternally down at the future scholar.
Dr. Roosle: Interested in magic, are you?
Dr. Roosle: It's a very interesting study.
Booky smiles tentatively at Dr. Roosle.
Booky: Why's she got no clothes on?
Booky points a sticky finger at the offending cover model.
Dr. Roosle: She's doing magic, son. Clothes get in the way of some rituals.
Booky: Magic.
Booky tries the word out.
Booky: I can do that.
Booky runs off to show his mother he knows how to do magic.
Dr. Roosle thinks that the artist was a bit confused, and obviously didn't spend enough time studying the material, but beggars can't be choosers.
Dr. Roosle thinks he may have to start begging soon; for some reason, rather few people seem to want to actually buy his masterpiece.
Dr. Roosle settles back patiently, trying to look wise and all-knowing.
Riyyh and Nick ride through a small town, studying the small shops and such.
Dr. Roosle rehearses his autograph-blurb yet again, on a piece of scrap paper.
Riyyh does a double take as he sees a banner advertising a book signing by the "World Renowned Dr. Roosle, Doctor of Psychology".
Nick has by now mastered the art of staying on board Rhonda's Rose during a rack, at least for short periods of time.
Riyyh: Why, there's that Dr. Roosle. I didn't realize he'd already had one published or I would have said something to him.
Nick notes Riyyh's reaction to the sign.
Nick: What is it?
Riyyh doesn't realize this is the same book that Dr. Roosle was working on only a few months ago.
Riyyh: What? Oh, I know that author.
Riyyh: I had no idea he'd already been published.
Dr. Roosle starts to draw a doodle or two beside his signature.
Riyyh: See, he's doing a book signing.
Nick: You know him?
Riyyh for some reason isn't feeling much of an urge to go in.
Dr. Roosle looks towards the window, and notes a familiar face.
Riyyh: Not very well. [admits]
Dr. Roosle runs for the door, wreathed in smiles.
Dr. Roosle: Sectuib Riyyh! It's so good to see you again!
Riyyh: In fact, you could say we were the most remote of acqu... Dr. Roosle! How good to see you. [smiles]
Dr. Roosle is ~~ very pleased indeed ~~ to see Riyyh, or indeed, any friendly face.
Dr. Roosle: I am honored to meet such a distinguished practitioner as yourself once more.
Riyyh fights his horse, which thought Dr. Roosle's rushing approach was a fine excuse to freak out.
Riyyh sighs and figures he can't possibly get away with not stopping now.
Riyyh: I see you have a book out.
Dr. Roosle: Yes, the publisher was so impressed with my notes that it was rushed to publication.
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Dr. Roosle fails to mention the trio of ghost writers who did the actual writing, or the unevenness and occasional inconsistencies which resulted.
Riyyh: Has it done well, then?
Dr. Roosle: You really must see it. I'm afraid I'm terribly proud.
Riyyh hesitates due to an internal struggle between his desire to please others and his exquisite taste.
Riyyh: Of course. I wouldn't dream of missing it.
Riyyh: Nick?
Riyyh guides his horse over to the rail and dismounts.
Dr. Roosle: Well, my tour has been arousing a degree of interest in the book, if I do say so myself.
Dr. Roosle: ~~ pride ~~
Riyyh: Really?
Riyyh is rather surprised he hasn't heard of it by now, particularly if Naros was talked about in it.
Riyyh: How nice for you.
Nick is quite glad to accept any diversion which allows him to dismount.
Riyyh ties up his horse and loosens its girth.
Dr. Roosle: Yes. Of course, this is only my second stop.
Riyyh: Where are you going to go with it?
Riyyh: Certainly some of Gen Territory will be covered?
Riyyh imagines Dr. Roosle's theories would gain more acceptance among those who don't understand the concept of zlinning... if anywhere.
Dr. Roosle: Oh, yes, eventually.
Dr. Roosle: But my publisher felt the tour should start closer to its roots, as it were.
Riyyh finishes up with his horse and turns to Dr. Roosle.
Riyyh: Well, let us have a look at it then. [kindly]
Dr. Roosle's publisher was actually trying to rescue some profit from an in-T tour already planned for the author of another book which has been delayed in publication.
Dr. Roosle leads the way, strutting with pride.
Nick follows Riyyh, dubiously.
Nick thinks he's heard the name "Roosle" before, but can't quite place it.
Dr. Roosle leads the way to the table, takes a book from the pyramid, and places it reverently in Riyyh's hands.
Riyyh strives for the sort of attentive generosity he usually reserves only for anybody who bothers to ask for it.
Riyyh looks at the cover in amazement.
Riyyh: This is your book?
Dr. Roosle: Yes.
Dr. Roosle notes Riyyh's interest in the cover.
Riyyh: Why, it's... it's... definitely geared for popular appeal.
Riyyh thinks, at least packaging-wise.
Dr. Roosle: It's such a universal subject, you know.
Riyyh opens it and pages through to the table of contents.
Dr. Roosle: Most people are astonished to learn what they can accomplish, if they're only willing to open their minds and learn.
Dr. Roosle: I do think that education is the key to advancement, don't you?
Riyyh: Well, it's certainly, that is to say,
Nick peers over Riyyh's shoulder at the contents.
Nick: ~~ disbelief ~~
Riyyh finds it difficult to wring his hands together in embarrassment while simultaneously paging through the photos section of a book, so he doesn't. Barely.
Nick now remembers where he's heard the name.
Nick hastily grabs a copy and turns to the index, looking under "F" and "W".
Nick checks "S", "N", and "R" as well.
Riyyh: Well, I'm... I'm so happy for you, of course. [pressing the book back into Roosle's hands]
Riyyh: I do hope you have an excellent tour, and very profitable, perhaps enhancing your academic career...
Dr. Roosle: You really must have a copy. You and your House were so instrumental in giving me the background information that makes it what it is.
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Dr. Roosle: Come, I would be proud to autograph it for you.
Dr. Roosle picks up his new gold fountain pen.
Riyyh: Very well.
Nick rolls his eyes in semi-affectionate exasperation at Riyyh's inability to say "no" and make it stick.
Dr. Roosle touches the fountain pen to the scrap paper, to make sure it is working properly, leaving a spot of violet ink.
Dr. Roosle opens the book to the title page.
Dr. Roosle writes in ornate script: To Sectuib Riyyh, a most advanced practitioner, from his grateful student in the Art.
Dr. Roosle signs his full name with a flourish, and adds "PhD" below.
Dr. Roosle presents the book to Riyyh.
Dr. Roosle: There. Take it as a tribute to your learning.
Riyyh looks dreadfully embarrassed, but also touched.
Riyyh: Thank you. [kindly]
Dr. Roosle: You are most welcome.
Riyyh wonders what Nick was looking for so desperately.
Riyyh doesn't know about Roosle's interview of Wise Snake, of course.
Nick edges towards the door, eager to be gone before Roosle notices him and starts to ask questions.
Nick: ~~ restless wish to be elsewhere ~~
Riyyh: And now, we must be on our way. [apologetically]
Nick: ~~ relief ~~
Riyyh: You see, we are only passing through on our way elsewhere and do have more riding yet to do today.
Dr. Roosle: Of course, a man like you has many tasks.
Riyyh is glad to report that performing miracles, or doing any other kind of magic, is not among them, thank goodness.
Dr. Roosle: And at such an auspicious season, too.
Riyyh: Good day. [smiles]
Dr. Roosle: Farewell, until our paths cross again.
Riyyh turns and hurries out after Nick, both to escape Roosle and to not be too far away when Nick tries to remount.
Dr. Roosle is already planning a slight alteration of his tour to work in another visit to Naros, just in case he can talk his editor into a sequel.
Nick is waiting by Rhonda's Rose.
Nick: That was the crazy doctor from Gen Territory, wasn't it?
Riyyh looks at the book, sighs, and then goes to one of the packhorses to find somewhere to insert it.
Nick: The one who couldn't seem to understand zlinning?
Riyyh glances over his shoulder to make sure the Gen is out of hearing range.
Riyyh: Yes, I'm afraid so.
Nick winces.
Riyyh: A very dear man, but just a little bit confused. It's rather distressful actually.
Riyyh: Some people just don't react to that kind of thing well.
Nick: From what I'd heard of him, I'd assumed that no publisher would touch his material.
Riyyh: I do hope his tour goes as well as he wants it to.
Nick: I'm more concerned with what he wrote--or didn't write.
Nick: He interviewed Snake, you see.
Nick: She, um, wasn't very impressed by him.
Riyyh looks very surprised, then thoughtful.
Riyyh: Oh, my.
Riyyh: I didn't realize he was that courageous.
Riyyh knew Roosle was fairly courageous - he had, after all, interviewed Prunida and Turros as well - but Snake is rather in a category of her own.
Nick: Well, I gather her Donor at the time, Beni, thought Roosle might amuse her.
Nick: Being locked up hasn't improved her temper, you know.
Nick: But she didn't approve of the personal nature of some of his questions.
Riyyh: Would you like to eat here, since we have already stopped?
Nick: She made some rather specific statements as to what she would do if her name--or mine--appeared in the book.
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Riyyh's own appetite disappears.
Nick: Ah, well, with any luck, he remembered.
Nick: And in any case, Snake isn't likely to see a copy of the book any time soon.
Nick is easily distracted by the offer of food, particularly if it also postpones getting on board Rhonda's Rose.
Nick: Lunch sound very good, actually.
Riyyh looks around for a likely eating establishment. He can see nearly the entire town from right there.
Riyyh: [except for the bit hidden behind his luggage on the pack horse's back]
Riyyh: There seem to be three or four choices. Any preference between them?
Nick: What about that omelet place?
Nick knows better than to opt for the greasy spoon, in Riyyh's company.
Riyyh smiles.
Riyyh unties Vanity and leads him and the pack horse over to the omelet house.
Nick follows with Rhonda's Rose and the other packhorse.
Nick reflects on the advantages to traveling with a channel who believes in regular stops for food and rest.
Riyyh ties up the horses and makes sure they are comfortable, then pops into the omelet house with his day pack and promptly disappears into the facilities. [his usual habit]
Nick rolls his eyes and stakes out a table.
Metricia comes to Nick's table carrying a handful of menus.
Metricia starts to place one in front of Nick, and then gapes.
Nick looks up at her.
Nick: Is something wrong?
Metricia: You're that guy.
Metricia blushes bright red, but looks interested at the same time.
Nick: I am?
Metricia: The guy in that naughty book!
Metricia: Oh my god, I have to tell my friend Poonilia.
Nick: Wait a minute. What book?
Metricia: I am so embarrassed. Here I am just staring.
Metricia puts a menu down in front of Nick.
Metricia: Can I get you anything?
Nick: Err....
Nick glances quickly at the menu.
Metricia fans herself.
Metricia sneaks a glance or two at Nick's profile.
Nick: The brioche and cheese appetizer to start with, along with, hmm, the olive plate.
Metricia writes it down.
Metricia: And to drink?
Nick: Trin; just bring the pot and two glasses.
Metricia's eyes widen when Nick says two glasses.
Nick: Now, what book is this?
Nick: ~~ uneasy ~~
Metricia smiles again, a bit more shyly.
Nick has a sinking suspicion that he knows.
Metricia: You know, the book about "magic".
Metricia says "magic" as if she knows fully well it's really something else, and not zlinning either.
Metricia: The one everybody is talking about.
Metricia could have also said, "the one nobody is buying, because nobody will be caught dead buying it in public, but one or two trouble makers bought it and now everybody in town is sharing the copies".
Nick groans.
Nick: Shen, is the man suicidal, or what?
Metricia disappears into the kitchen.
Nick looks around at the other customers uneasily, hoping that they didn't notice the conversation.
Riyyh reappears after a, for him, super super quick wash-up.
Riyyh didn't have time for but 1/10 the cleanup a normal person would do in 2 weeks.
Nick has by now finished his first cup of tea and most of his appetizer plate.
Riyyh slides into the chair across from Nick and starts to smile, then notices he is upset.
Riyyh: Nick, what's wrong? [concerned]
Nick: According to the waitress, she recognizes me from "that book".
Nick: Which is apparently causing quite a stir, despite the disappointing sales.
Riyyh looks sympathetic, even though it's hard for him to personally imagine existing in a state where one's reputation could be damaged by rumors of a sexual nature.
Riyyh wonders where Roosle obtained a photo of Nick, and of what sort.
Nick: I hope for Roosle's sake that he's back in Gen Territory before Snake finds out.
Nick: At least, I don't think she'd go into Gen Territory after him.
Riyyh nods.
Riyyh: She is somewhat insulated from the news, at this point, isn't she?
Nick: Somewhat. But bad news travels.
Riyyh: Perhaps we should read the book tonight.
Riyyh had scanned enough of it in the bookstore to see that it was about 80% fluff and a quick read even without resorting to augmenting.
Nick: Perhaps we should.
Nick: I don't suppose we could find a way to send Roosle packing, while we're at it?
Nick wonders if there is an arsonist in town.
Nick wonders whether, if there is, he or she would be willing to do some intimidation on the side.
Riyyh's eyes widen.
Riyyh, though old and wise in many ways, is far too sweet and innocent to 100% know what Nick is getting at.
Riyyh: I beg your pardon?
Nick: Persuade him to leave town, cancel his tour.
Riyyh: But it means so much to him.
Riyyh: And what of his publishing company?
Nick: I doubt they want Snake after them, either.
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Riyyh remembers what that entails rather clearly.
Riyyh still occasionally gets teased, albeit in a good-natured way, about having hidden behind Wolfa and 12 year old Hero during Snake's attack.
Nick: It's for his own safety.
Nick: Snake warned him, after all.
Riyyh tries to hide his distress by pouring himself some of the tea.
Nick: And he said he wouldn't use either of our names.
Nick then recalls that the waiter recognized his face, not his name.
Nick: Wait a moment, let me see that book.
Riyyh opens his day pack and withdraws the book.
Riyyh hands it to Nick.
Nick flips through, looking for pictures now, not names in the index.
Nick's eyes widen.
Nick looks at Riyyh, comparing it to a page.
Nick: Did you really...?
Riyyh looks questioningly at Nick.
Nick turns the book so Riyyh can see the illustration in question.
Riyyh smiles fondly in remembrance as he sees it.
Riyyh: Some of his experiments were quite entertaining.
Riyyh: I'm so glad he managed to get some use out of them.
Nick looks at Riyyh with ~~ disbelief ~~
Nick: Riyyh, he's put a photo of you, doing that, in a book which he is trying to sell all over two Territories.
Riyyh: I realize that, Nick, but in this day and age a Householding simply cannot overlook a source of revenue, particularly one so harmless.
Nick: He's paying you royalties?
Riyyh: Well, I should hope so, that is what the contract said.
Nick: Contract?
Riyyh smiles kindly at Nick.
Riyyh: It seemed the best way to handle it.
Riyyh: He was, after all, using Naros as his primary source of material.
Riyyh suspects Roosle had a limited academic circulation in mind when he signed it, though, not a major commercial release.
Riyyh double-checks the publisher and alters his estimation to "major independent release".
Nick shakes his head, reminding himself that he is only Narosian by virtue of blood, and that being the Sectuib's temporary traveling Companion doesn't mean that the House's business reflects on him--or not much.
Nick continues to flip pages.
Riyyh zlins Nick's disapproval and becomes somewhat let down.
Riyyh sips the tea, and considers getting out some of his own as a substitute.
Nick: Grandmother??
Nick is shocked at the combination of whips and whipped cream.
Nick was sheltered from the worst of Prunida's entertainments as a child.
Riyyh: He was very interested in her, [recalls]
Riyyh: It was most exhausting.
Riyyh was more used to occasional busts of activity from Prunida, not the sustained ten days it took Roosle to complete his "investigations".
Nick: I suppose she's getting royalties, too?
Nick realizes that this sounds a little grouchy.
Nick: Never mind, I don't want to know.
Nick continues flipping pages.
Riyyh's shoulders wilt.
Riyyh looks into his tea.
Nick turns one more page and pauses in ~~ shock ~~
Riyyh looks up quickly.
Nick: She didn't!
Riyyh: Nick, what's....
Nick turns the book around, and shoves it towards Riyyh.
Nick: Grandmother went too far on this one.
Riyyh has found, generally, that there is no "too far" where Prunida is concerned, at least not in her own mind.
Riyyh looks to see what has upset Nick so.
Nick is scarlet.
Nick thought that it was bad enough when his grandmother took a clandestine photo of him "exploring" himself shortly after his Establishment, and showed it to him.
Nick had not, at the time, been aware of the true possibilities of embarrassment that the photo presented.
Riyyh zlins of Nick's embarrassment and sighs.
Riyyh: I'm sorry, Nick.
Riyyh: I did not know anything of this. She must have arranged this with him on her own.
Nick notes that there is a more current portrait, face only, on the opposing page, thus ensuring that everyone will make the connection.
Riyyh wonders how Roosle could have been so foolish to have accepted photographs without the consent of the person depicted... or had Prunida gone straight to the publishers with it?
Riyyh closes the book.
Nick: It's outrageous.
Nick: How could she do that to me?
Riyyh leaves his chair and goes to Nick.
Riyyh: I don't know, Nick. I really don't.
Riyyh has a pretty good idea it involved a temporary or permanent short-circuiting of her ambition to win Nick over as a friend, though.
Nick tries to keep the worst of his upset out of his nager.
Riyyh sits by Nick and touches his wrist.
Riyyh: Nick, this does sometimes happen when you become famous. [quietly]
Riyyh: People become so interested in your story that the publishers will do anything to get material.
Nick: Me?
Riyyh: That doesn't excuse Prunida's having gone against your wishes, though.
Nick: It's Snake who's famous, not me.
Riyyh smiles.
Nick: I'm just her Companion.
Riyyh: You're famous enough, now. Look at what you've done to Arat.
Nick: You mean, run off and left him to deal with Neptude and Seruffin?
Nick: ~~ mild guilt ~~
Riyyh: Before that, you won him over. That made the news.
Riyyh has to admit that the legitimate newspapers had more of a field day with Nick's leaving than with that, but he won't go out of his way to mention that to Nick.
Nick: I just did what any Companion would do.
Nick knows that he gave Arat far less than Snake.
Riyyh: Of course you did.
Nick is struck by an awful thought.
Nick: Shen, did he put a photo of Snake in there?
Nick tries to remember what opportunities there might have been to create embarrassing Snake photos.
Nick looks at the book apprehensively, afraid to reopen it.
Riyyh takes the opportunity to rub Nick's shoulders.
Riyyh: Perhaps it's best not to be too worried about it. [kindly]
Riyyh: After all, there is nothing to be done about it now, and this is supposed to be your relaxation time.
Nick: How can I relax with a thing like this hanging over my head?
Nick is exaggerating just a bit: The book is hanging out on the other side of the table.
Nick: Usually, when Snake gives someone a warning, it sticks a bit better than this.
Riyyh: I'm sure there is some reasonable explanation.
Riyyh's skillful fingers and tentacles try to work the knots out of Nick's Gen shoulders.
Riyyh is, of course, more or less ignoring the stares from others in the restaurant - and enjoying what he can't ignore.
Nick: I doubt Snake will be reasonable enough to listen to it.
Nick: ~~ glum ~~
Riyyh: She may not hear about it for a long time.
Riyyh: And even when she does, she is still locked up. She may forget about it by the time she is released.
Riyyh: Especially if she thinks you do not mind so much.
Nick: Not mind? Who could not mind something like that?
Riyyh switches from his persuasive "Nick, be reasonable" voice to the whining version, as a natural response to Nick raising his own voice.
Riyyh: Of course it's simply unacceptable. But until something can be done about it....
Riyyh: Surely, for the sake of avoiding bloodshed....
Nick remembers with some nostalgia having to hold Snake back from being the agent of bloodshed, on more than one occasion.
Nick: Frankly, I'm half inclined to let Roosle run afoul of Snake.
Riyyh finds this marginally less alarming than the anger.
Nick: He was warned, after all.
Riyyh puts his arm comfortingly around Nick's shoulders.
Riyyh: Perhaps it will all work itself out, in the end.
Riyyh: His book may not even sell. [points out]
Riyyh: It may go over publicly as a farce.
Riyyh would rather not, actually, but his own opinions rarely take a front seat to those of others.
Nick: I suppose it's just coincidence that the waitress recognized me and hurried off to tell her friends?
Riyyh has to admit Nick has a point there.
Riyyh winces.
Nick thinks through some further repercussions of that.
Nick: Perhaps we should arrange to be elsewhere when they arrive?
Riyyh: Of course, if you like.
Nick looks nervously around.
Riyyh: Are you finished eating?
Nick: I'm not really very hungry any more.
Riyyh had rather been looking forward to being cooed over by some nice people after a hard half-day of the loathsome task of riding, but he will defer to Nick's wishes.
Nick does pop the last two olives in his mouth, though, and drains his tea.
Riyyh places some coins on the table, and rises.
Riyyh replaces the book in his bag after a brief hesitation.
Riyyh: Come on. [smiles] You'll feel better when we've reached our destination.
Nick follows Riyyh out to the horses, thinking that even Rhonda's Rose is better than facing people who have seen that photo.