Sime~Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #171: Oddball Roost (10/31/99)
Melia comes out of the kitchen carrying four pitchers of ale. Barely.
Melia winds between the tables and delivers them to a bunch of tough looking brooding guys in the corner.
Melia spots Cassandra.
Melia: Are you sure I can't get you something?
Cassandra: Do you have any wine?
Cassandra is an elegantly dressed young woman who is so low-field as to be invisible when zlinned.
Cassandra looks about 20 natal years.
Melia: Sure! Red or white?
Melia is not going to pretend that the Redroost is sophisticated enough to actually offer a selection of anything but ales.
Cassandra: Ah, white, please.
Melia: White wine it is, then. [smiles]
Cassandra: And perhaps something sweet. Cookies, maybe?
Cassandra: Or sweet rolls?
Melia: Well, we've got apple tarts, and if you've really got a sweet tooth there are caramel buns. I'll have to check about cookies.
Cassandra: Oh, apple tarts sound excellent.
Melia: Great. I'll be right out with those.
Cassandra sighs.
Cassandra settles back in her seat with an expression of great sorrow.
Riyyh walks over to the fireplace, a quiet area where there are some chairs available.
Riyyh smiles kindly at Cassandra.
Riyyh: Do you mind if I sit here?
Cassandra: Oh, no you are welcome.
Cassandra examines Riyyh's elegant clothing with its Householding colors and symbols.
Riyyh takes a seat and sighs.
Riyyh: Really, all this traveling is too much.
Riyyh wouldn't dream of actually mentioning that the reason all the traveling is too much is because he's getting old and everything aches after a day on a horse.
Cassandra: Yes, it's awful. I've been on the road for days.
Cassandra appears terribly depressed, but of course this is barely zlinnable.
Riyyh can't help but notice that Cassandra appears to be Gen but has no more field than a child - and in fact zlins exactly like a child.
Riyyh: Forgive me for asking, but... are you all right?
Riyyh appears genuinely concerned.
Cassandra: Yes, I am fine. Just tired.
Cassandra smiles bravely for company.
Cassandra: You are dressed like a Householder.
Riyyh: My name is Riyyh. I'm Sectuib in Naros.
Cassandra: Oh, really?
Cassandra perks up a bit, interested.
Riyyh is pleased by her reaction.
Riyyh perks up a bit himself, since attention will get a person just about anywhere with him.
Cassandra: Forgive me, but I am not familiar with that Householding.
Riyyh: We're not far from here, perhaps three days' ride.
Riyyh: I'm traveling with my son Nick, to visit some of my members in Omeck.
Cassandra: I have just come from visiting Householding Frihill.
Cassandra: It was a long, long way.
Cassandra: And all for nothing.
Riyyh looks sincerely sympathetic.
Riyyh: Do you have far to go yet?
Cassandra: I guess I am going to Rialite.
Melia: Rialite!
Melia: How impressive!
Melia arrives with a glass of wine and two apple tarts on a plate.
Melia of course missed the whole first half of the conversation.
Cassandra: Oh, not by invitation.
Cassandra: Though I hope they will be willing to meet with me.
Melia: Would you like anything else, dear?
Cassandra positions the food and wine.
Riyyh is naturally curious as to why Cassandra is doing all the travel, what Frihill was unable to do for her, and what she is going to Rialite to meet who about.
Cassandra: [to Melia] Thank you! Please put the charges on my room tab!
Melia: Sure thing. [smiles]
Melia turns to Riyyh.
Melia: Hello, what would you like?
Cassandra takes the wine glass and gulps.
Cassandra closes her eyes, savoring the taste.
Melia leaves after taking Riyyh's order.
Cassandra: [to Riyyh] What are the requirements to pledge in your Householding?
Riyyh: Why, we don't take pledges often anymore, I'm afraid.
Cassandra: Why is that?
Riyyh: We have always been somewhat isolated, except for our outreach programs. We were forced to take many pledges last year on an emergency basis, but now things have gone back to normal.
Riyyh: Are you interested in pledging to a Householding?
Riyyh looks at her curiously.
Cassandra: I wanted to join Frihill, but I was turned down.
Riyyh: Oh, I'm sorry.
Riyyh: And after traveling all that way.
Cassandra: I have been studying archeology, and that House is the best.
Riyyh is good at appearing -- and in fact, being -- totally sympathetic to a person.
Riyyh: Archeology, really? [impressed]
Cassandra: I don't see why scholarship should have anything to do with transfer!!!
Riyyh blinks at Cassandra's outburst.
Cassandra: They wouldn't let me pledge because I'm still a child.
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Riyyh sees what she's saying.
Riyyh wonders what the etiquette of a situation like this is.
Riyyh: I'm terribly sorry.
Cassandra: They said Householdings were meant to provide for Simes and Gens.
Cassandra: I don't see why a child can't go to school, or work.
Riyyh feels compelled to offer comfort.
Riyyh moves over to a nearer chair.
Riyyh: It must be so difficult for you.
Cassandra is insensible to the influence of his field, but calms somewhat at Riyyh's sympathetic expression.
Riyyh has a lot of questions about her condition and wonders if she is sick of hearing them.
Cassandra: Oh, it is.
Cassandra: When I was 18 they told me I would probably die.
Cassandra: But I haven't.
Cassandra: But I don't think I'm ever going to grow up.
Cassandra: I'm going to be a child for the next 50 years.
Riyyh, who is naturally a very physical person, is uncharacteristically unsure of how to get touchy feely with a person who is a 20 year old child.
Riyyh would hug a child, but woo an adult.
Riyyh sighs.
Riyyh: Are you on your own?
Riyyh thinks this is probably better than asking what her parents think of the situation. Cassandra is probably sick of people asking her about her parents.
Cassandra: Well, I am traveling alone. I have family back east.
Melia: Back east, really?
Melia: I'm from Louis, myself.
Melia bustles back over carrying a small tray for Riyyh.
Melia has missed the middle of the conversation as well, of course.
Melia, who is a Gen, just assumes Cassandra is a Gen as well and doesn't think anything of it.
Riyyh: Thank you. [to Melia, accepting the tray]
Cassandra: [to Melia] Yes, I am from Laveen, which is just south of Louis.
Melia disappears again.
Riyyh: And Rialite? Why do you travel there?
Riyyh asks because Cassandra seems to be comfortable talking about herself, and besides, seems to want somebody to talk to.
Cassandra: Well I was hoping to consult with some of the experts there about my condition.
Cassandra: No one in Laveen could help me at all.
Riyyh: Oh, I see.
Riyyh: It is rather curious... I hope you are not offended. [apologetically]
Cassandra: I have gotten over being offended...
Cassandra: I am used to being a freak.
Riyyh looks quite saddened.
Cassandra: Just don't ask me to join the circus.
Riyyh: I apologize.
Cassandra: Not your fault.
Cassandra talks another gulp of the wine. Everything is starting to fuzz nicely.
Riyyh offers her his vegetable plate.
Riyyh: Would you like some?
Cassandra examines the offerings on the plate.
Riyyh is prone to the pastry dinner thing himself, and so is very familiar with all the arguments against it.
Cassandra: Well, thank you, sir.
Cassandra is repulsed by the idea of ~~ vegetables ~~
Riyyh zlins her revulsion and hopes she won't actually accept one.
Cassandra takes a single carrot stick.
Riyyh takes the tray back in some relief.
Cassandra: You are very kind.
Riyyh has heard that a lot.
Cassandra chews on the tip of the carrot stick. For a vegetable, carrots are not too bad.
Cassandra finishes the carrot stick and washes it down with the rest of the wine.
Cassandra: What will you do in Omeck?
Riyyh nibbles on the plate's contents, but finds them lamentably lacking, like most vegetables not grown on a gourmet produce farm. Riyyh has been spoiled by many years of not leaving Naros.
Riyyh: Nick and I are checking in on various outreach programs Naros has in different towns and cities.
Riyyh: In Omeck there is a program for the rehabilitation of... [was going to say, alcoholics]... er... ill patients.
Riyyh smiles.
Cassandra: Does your Householding do any work in archeology or historical reconstruction?
Riyyh: I'm afraid not, we are mainly an agricultural Householding. We produce gourmet quality and experimental food crops and also Trin tea.
Cassandra: As Sectuib, you are a trained healer, isn't that true?
Riyyh: Why yes, I am.
Riyyh: I specialize mainly in disjunction problems and transfer pathologies.
Cassandra: Have you ever heard of a case like mine?
Riyyh considers.
Riyyh: Not from reliable sources. [admits]
Cassandra sighs.
Riyyh: Was there any indication of this condition in your parents?
Cassandra: No.
Cassandra: They are perfectly normal Simes.
Riyyh nods.
Cassandra: Our family is quite influential in Laveen.
Cassandra: We own a pottery factory.
Riyyh: I wonder if it is such a good idea for you to be traveling so far alone.
Riyyh: In the event you did start to change over, you would certainly require very good medical assistance.
Cassandra: Does your rehabilitation program have any counseling for adult children?
Riyyh: In Omeck?
Cassandra: Why not? It's not as if I have to worry about being attacked or needing transfer...
Riyyh: Well, there is counseling, although not specifically for....
Cassandra: Well everyone tells me if I change over now I won't survive it.
Cassandra shrugs.
Cassandra: Excuse me, you sounded as if you were suggesting there might be help for me there.
Riyyh: At Omeck? Well, I am not sure it is the sort of counseling you'd be interested in. [hesitantly]
Cassandra: Do you really think I could survive changeover??
Riyyh: I think there'd be more chance of survival if you had proper channel support and medical facilities around you.
Riyyh knows as well as anyone else how little chance there is of living through a preposterously late changeover at all, of course.
Riyyh also knows that some people would rather live with no hope than be tormented by tiny hopes.
Cassandra: Well, true. My folks have had a medical team on-call for the last 5 years.
Cassandra: I got tired of waiting.
Cassandra: Got to start living my life.
Cassandra: That's why I so hoped to be accepted at Frihill... I want to start doing something that matters.
Riyyh: I understand.
Riyyh pauses.
Riyyh: Have you considered Gen Territory?
Cassandra: I have begun to consider Gen Territory.
Cassandra: I've heard stories about the barbaric culture out there. The whole idea really scares me.
Riyyh nods.
Cassandra: But no one there would know I wasn't Gen.
Cassandra: They wouldn't care how I zlinned.
Riyyh: And you'd be legally adult, by virtue of being more than sixteen years of age.
Cassandra: That's what I've heard.
Riyyh: Perhaps a border town. There would be a Sime Center, and the people would be more open minded.
Cassandra: Well, I ought to give that idea some serious consideration.
Cassandra: Do they have archeologists in Gen Territory?
Riyyh: Of course.
Riyyh: Archeology is a well respected science there.
Riyyh has never been incredibly academic himself, but doesn't find archeology as threatening as, say, high order transfer math.
Cassandra: I don't know anyone from Gen Territory. It would be good to talk to someone who had lived there.
Riyyh: Yes, that would be a good idea.
Riyyh agrees.
Riyyh: Preferably somebody who still lived there, rather than somebody who chose to move here.
Cassandra: Someone who would know about educational programs and how to apply.
Cassandra: Of course, if I changed over in Gen Territory, I would have no chance at all.
Riyyh: As I say, a border town might be the best compromise. At least then there would be a Sime Center.
Cassandra starts working on her second apple tart.
Cassandra: Do you know of a border town with a Gen university?
Riyyh wishes he'd succumbed to his original temptation to order apple tarts instead of bland tasteless grade AAAA vegetables, but then if Nick had come downstairs and caught him with them, he'd have been chastised.
Riyyh sips some water in consolation.
Riyyh: I can't say myself, but I do know some people who might be able to give you more information.
Riyyh: They're not on your direct route, but I could give you names and addresses and perhaps you could find a way to work them into your travels.
Cassandra: ~ eagerly ~ Who would you suggest?
Riyyh: Allow me to fetch writing materials and give you their information. [smiles]
Riyyh: Unfortunately, most of them are back the way you came, but perhaps in the future....
Cassandra nods.
Cassandra: If Rialite doesn't work out, I will be coming back along this route.
Petitia signals at a door at the Redroost Inn.
Petitia: Housekeeping!
Ambrose does not answer.
Petitia is a bored young Gen who has her mind on the homework she has to do when she gets home.
Petitia signals again. "Houuuse keeeeeeping!!!"
Petitia picks up her broom and feather duster and fiddles for her keys.
Petitia inserts the key and hears one fall out and hit the floor on the other side.
Petitia: That's odd.
Petitia thinks there might be someone in there and pauses to see if anybody will notice the key falling and come to the door.
Petitia prepares to be totally embarrassed if that happens.
Petitia then wonders if the customer climbed out the fire escape in order to avoid paying his bill, which happens sometimes.
Petitia finally unlocks the door and pushes it open.
Ambrose is lying on the bed, semi-conscious, eyes glazed.
Petitia: Housekee... [notices Ambrose lying there and gasps]
Ambrose has a blissful smile on his face.
Petitia: Oh no. I'm terribly sorry.
Petitia: ~~ incredibly embarrassed ~~
Ambrose has fully extended tentacles and the ronaplin is pooling on the bedspread.
Petitia starts to scurry out, then slowly turns and looks at the renSime more carefully.
Petitia is young enough to be practically a kid, but something is obviously not right with this picture.
Ambrose does not respond to Petitia's movement in the room.
Petitia has no idea what to do about this, but it doesn't look good.
Petitia hurries out, closes the door, and then runs downstairs to ask somebody who'll know what to do.
Ronser is at his desk, calculating the Inn accounts.
Petitia: Tuib Ronser! Tuib Ronser! [bursting into his office]
Ronser looks up, irritated by this loud and irritating Gen.
Ronser: Yes, what is it?
Petitia tries to damp her fearful excitement in the renSime's presence.
Petitia is obviously scared and nervous.
Petitia: There's a customer upstairs who doesn't look so good.
Ronser winces and drops hypo.
Petitia falls silent, thinking she made a mistake in intruding.
Petitia: But... um... I guess I can just... deal with it....
Petitia: [timidly]
Ronser: What is the matter?
Petitia: I don't know.
Petitia: He looks like maybe he's on drugs or something.
Ronser: Huh. Well, OK, I better check it out. Don't want any client overdosing on the property.
Petitia: He has a big grin on his face and he's just laying there with his eyes open, didn't even notice my signal.
Ronser reluctantly closes his account books and gets up from the desk.
Ronser follows Petitia back to the room.
Ronser examines Ambrose.
Ronser zlins that Ambrose is close to attrition.
Ronser: Shen!
Petitia hangs back, finding Ambrose's big glassy grin disturbing.
Ronser: Petitia, run quickly and get that channel who is staying here-- Sectuib Naros!
Petitia: Er... wha.. whazza... OK!
Petitia rushes out.
Ronser zlins Ambrose and shudders.
Ronser stands at the door, ready to warn away any other Gens who might come near.
Riyyh is sitting in his room copying names and addresses from his little black book for Cassandra when the summons comes.
Riyyh hears only that there is a Sime in trouble and the Inn's owner is calling for his assistance.
Riyyh comes immediately, of course, bringing their small traveling medical kit with him.
Petitia: I found him, Tuib Ronser.
Ronser: Petitia, stay out!!
Petitia comes back up the hallway leading the aforementioned channel.
Petitia: Wh... ~ surprised ~
Petitia: OK.
Ronser: Sectuib, please come here quickly!
Riyyh: It's all right. [kindly, to Petitia] Thank you for showing me the way.
Riyyh goes to Ronser.
Ronser: This man is dying!
Ronser opens the door to Riyyh.
Ronser gestures to Petitia to leave.
Petitia creeps away, looking over her shoulder.
Riyyh slips into the room and darts over to Ambrose's still form.
Riyyh takes his arms and zlins him quickly.
Ambrose is a darkening blotch, spiraling down into attrition.
Ambrose: ~~ bliss/joy/anticipation ~~
Ambrose zlins as if he were in trautholo.
Riyyh doesn't think it zlins like Ambrose minds dying of attrition, but he is pretty sure Ronser didn't call him here to cheer the man on.
Ambrose: ~~ confident in the promise of selyn ~~
Riyyh takes Ambrose in transfer position and sees if he responds to a ~~ sweet, tempting selyn field ~~.
Ambrose responds to the temptation, drawing just a trickle of selyn.
Riyyh gives him feedback: ~~ pleasure and yearning ~~ while trying to coax a little more in.
Ambrose becomes aware of his ~~ NEED ~~
Ambrose lets his draw speed increase, sucking hungrily.
Riyyh responds with ~~ selyn freely and joyfully given, and optimism soaring along with Ambrose's draw ~~
Ambrose seems to want something a little different than what he is getting.
Riyyh can tell he's not clicking with Ambrose 100% but doesn't know why.
Ambrose attempts to manipulate Riyyh's fields, even as he draws his full.
Ambrose being only a renSime, of course cannot really affect the field of a First.
Ambrose: ~~ peaking joy and satisfaction ~~
Riyyh allows Ambrose to bring the transfer to a close.
Ambrose releases Riyyh, in ecstasy.
Ambrose: Thank you, Carvel!
Riyyh sheathes his tentacles, continuing to support the renSime nagerically.
Ambrose falls back on the bed, eyes closed, savoring his satisfaction.
Riyyh hopes he won't be too angry with him.
Ambrose is beginning to zlin post.
Ambrose begins to sob.
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Riyyh: [to himself]
Ambrose: That was just too beautiful!
Riyyh would like to take Ambrose in his arms, but he thinks he's already pushed his luck with the guy personal-space wise.
Riyyh notes with relief that Ronser had closed the door at some point, so at least Ambrose has some privacy from the rest of the Inn.
Ambrose weeps copiously, dampening with tears those portions of the bedspread not already dripping with ronaplin.
Ambrose: I don't deserve you.
Riyyh looks around and spots a stand with a wash basin and a towel.
Riyyh gets up, not disturbing the fields, and goes over to wash his forearms.
Ambrose eventually cries himself out, and the sobs turn to hiccups.
Riyyh is amazed the transfer ended as well as it did, considering how iffy it was during the middle.
Riyyh dries his hands and arms carefully, then brings the basin and towel over to the bed.
Ambrose sits up and opens his eyes, orienting himself by sight and sound.
Riyyh is still trying to decide how to break the news to Ambrose that he's still alive, has been served transfer by a complete stranger, and is a sticky mess.
Riyyh decides to start with a smile.
Ambrose sees Riyyh.
Ambrose: Oh, who are you?
Riyyh: Hello. I'm Riyyh, Sectuib in Naros.
Ambrose is somewhat disoriented.
Riyyh: Would you like to wash up? [kindly]
Riyyh offers the bowl and towel.
Ambrose: Ah, glad to meet you, Hajene Riyyh.
Ambrose takes the bowl and towel.
Ambrose: Zeor offers greetings to Naros.
Riyyh is surprised.
Ambrose: Thank you very much.
Ambrose begins to clean himself off.
Riyyh hadn't seen a ring.
Ambrose: Forgive me, I am very post and somewhat distracted.
Riyyh feels suddenly very self-conscious at having served transfer to a Zeor member, even a renSime.
Ambrose wears no ring.
Riyyh: What is your name?
Ambrose: When did you come in?
Riyyh: Just in time, I'm afraid.
Riyyh: You almost didn't make it.
Ambrose: I am Ambrose ambrov Zeor.
Ambrose: Didn't make what?
Riyyh: You were near attrition.
Riyyh hopes suddenly that this wasn't some sort of bizarre Zeor denial exercise, and that a Zeor channel wasn't expected to come in 10 minutes from now and serve Ambrose.
Ambrose: Not at all. I am just very good at denial exercises.
Riyyh stares at Ambrose.
Riyyh: Then you were expecting a channel? One of yours?
Riyyh thinks he will be very chagrined when that channel arrives.
Ambrose: No, of course not. Sosu Carvel takes care of me.
Riyyh in fact is feeling rather silly already.
Riyyh: I see.
Riyyh: Well, I'm afraid the Innkeeper and his staff were not aware that that was the case.
Riyyh: And they called me to assist, you see.
Ambrose: Oh? (puzzled)
Riyyh can't see what is so difficult to understand about that.
Riyyh: I apologize for the intrusion, but they thought they were saving your life.
Ambrose: No, I am fine. Carvel is a magnificent Companion.
Riyyh pauses for a long, long moment.
Riyyh thinks there is something he's missing.
Ambrose: Carvel says thank you for your concern!
Ambrose pulls a comb out of his pocket.
Ambrose: Shen, I'm post!
Riyyh blinks.
Ambrose starts to drag the comb through his curly black hair.
Riyyh: Oh, my.
Riyyh: Er, I hope that... Carvel... isn't offended by my interference?
Ambrose examines himself carefully in the mirror. He begins a grooming ritual not really up to Riyyh's standards.
Ambrose: Oh, not at all! Of course, we do prefer privacy for our transfers, but at Zeor we learn to accept the presence of monitors.
Riyyh sits for a moment, perplexed.
Riyyh: Well, I... that is to say....
Ambrose inspects himself.
Ambrose looks to the side of the room, by the lampshade.
Ambrose: What do you think? Good enough?
Riyyh stands and goes over to Ambrose.
Riyyh: How long have you been... associating with... Carvel?
Ambrose: Oh, we met about three years ago.
Ambrose: We are matchmates.
Ambrose: Once we had our first transfer, they had to let us stay together.
Riyyh: ~~ baffled ~~
Riyyh: But do you know that I gave you transfer just now?
Ambrose shaves and splashes some (non-Farris-safe) shaving lotion on his face.
Ambrose: No, you didn't.
Riyyh had pretty much known Ambrose wasn't a Farris, since the draw speed even from a Farris renSime would have put Riyyh in serious difficulty.
Riyyh sighs unhappily.
Ambrose: I'm a Farris channel. You couldn't possibly serve me.
Riyyh: Oh, dear.
Riyyh: Well then. Where are you traveling from?
Riyyh figures somebody somewhere must have been taking good care of this fellow for him to have lasted so long.
Ambrose: From Zeor, of course.
Riyyh: Of course.
Riyyh can't in good conscience let this fellow go on his merry way; he'll just be in trouble again next month, and possibly with no channel around to save him.
Riyyh looks troubled.
Ambrose: Carvel and I are going out to do the town... hear a little shiltpron, maybe find some attractive ladies. Would you like to join us?
Riyyh's eyes widen.
Riyyh: Perhaps you and Carvel should take a day of rest. Travel is exhausting, after all. [tentatively]
Ambrose: Rest? After such a marvelous transfer? Impossible!
Riyyh isn't sure whether to be flattered, or worried, about the transfer bit.
Riyyh: Well, I suppose when you say it that way....
Ambrose: Besides which, I have an obligation to spread the Farris genes far and wide.
Riyyh winces.
Riyyh wonders if "Carvel" is hereditary.
Ambrose zlins very, very post.
Ambrose steps away from the sink.
Ambrose: Carvel, better freshen up, you charmer!
Ambrose turns to Riyyh.
Ambrose: Do you know the town at all? Any suggestions for tracking down some good music and company, Hajene Riyyh?
Riyyh: I'm afraid I only just arrived here myself.
Riyyh also tries to find the elegant restaurants and such, not the bawdy-houses, unless he's desperate.
Ambrose: Then we will have an adventure!!
Riyyh: Tell me, is there anybody who would be... looking for you?
Riyyh: A loved one, perhaps, or a caretaker?
Ambrose: No, I'm pretty far from home. On my way to my next assignment.
Riyyh: Where is that?
Riyyh is grasping at straws.
Ambrose: In Bender Cove.
Riyyh: Ah!
Riyyh: ~~ total understanding ~~
Riyyh: The Bender Cove Lower Sime Center... I know it well.
Riyyh has been there, anyway, which is as well as any sane person will really want to know it.
Riyyh: Well, you ought to be able to reach it soon, within the next month surely.
Riyyh: I'm so pleased for you.
Riyyh really is genuinely relieved.
Riyyh knows that either somebody there will know how to deal with Ambrose, or he'll at least fit in well.
Ambrose turns towards the mirror.
Ambrose: Carvel, you look great. Ready for action?
Riyyh: Wait....
Riyyh pulls out a calling-card.
Riyyh: Would you... would you write to me when you reach Bender Cove, and let me know you arrived safely?
Riyyh: It would ease my worries considerably.
Ambrose takes card.
Ambrose: I'd be happy to keep in touch!
Riyyh hopes that if the guy runs into any serious problems, whoever finds him will at least have some kind of ID and contact information.
Ambrose: Come now, are you ready to do the town with us?
Riyyh hesitates.
Riyyh: I suppose I had better.
Riyyh had not planned on partying out the night between two long days of riding, but his willpower in that area has never been strong, and plus there is the issue of responsibility for Ambrose while they are still near by.
Riyyh: Yes. Yes, I'll go with you. [smiles]