Sime~Gen Roleplaying: Householding Naros Scenario
Episode #173: The Audience is Zlinning (11/8/99)
Nick enters the Gilded Shiltpron, hoping that their food is as good as advertised.
Ched: And another thing Kyreth, these chips are just too damn greasy.
Nick has discovered during his travels that shiltpron parlors often serve rather nice food, in order to attract Gens.
Nick selects a table and peruses the menu.
Waitress: Two more orders greasy chips, coming up!!! [shouting towards the kitchen]
Ched: You would think that after transfer I could at least expect to sit down to a decent meal without having greasy chips!
Ched eats another huge handful.
Nick has decided not to wait for Riyyh, who is currently settling in for a nice long soak in the bathtub.
Lalique sits on a rickety chair on the tiny stage, tuning her shiltpron.
Ched follows the chips with a large gulp of porstan without waiting to swallow the chips.
Waitress stops in front of Ched and Kyreth's table, chewing her cud.
Waitress: Anything else fer you two?
Waitress: More chips?
Nick suspects that the nice long soak might go rather longer than originally planned, if the hotel maids have anything to say about it.
Kyreth laughs, and nibbles a chip. "You're right, of course."
Ched belches and wipes his mouth with a paper napkin held in tentacles.
Kyreth looks up a little angrily. Yes. We'd like some more chips. And this time, please drain them.
Ched: Ummm, yes please, more chips.
Waitress: Drain them?
Ched: And could I have another serve of that chowder? And maybe just a few more slices of cheese toast?
Lalique strokes a tine of the shiltpron, eliciting a low vibration that makes the porstan in the glasses quiver slightly.
Waitress looks at Kyreth as if she's just suggested frosting them with frog eyeball pate.
Ched nods absentmindedly.
Waitress: Yeah... yeah... [writing it all down]
Kyreth smiles sweetly.
Kyreth: And a glass of white wine, please?
Waitress: White wine? Uh huh.
Waitress: That all?
Ched: I wish that musician would stop killing that cat and get on with it.
Ched: For now...
Ched: ~ post ~
Kyreth laughs and looks around the room curiously.
Waitress goes on to the next table.
Kyreth: Poor child. I suppose I was a little hard on her, wasn't I?
Ched's emotions are all in a turmoil. He is hungry, turned on, annoyed, and annoyed all at once.
Ched: Hmmm? Hard on who?
Ched's mind isn't on it.
Lalique is a Gen with an ageless face, a svelte body and long brown hair, in a slinky dress of crushed brown velvet.
Kyreth touches his hand lightly.
Nick looks up as the server arrives.
Waitress notes the new boots Riyyh made Nick buy, assumes he has money, and puts on a hopeful smile.
Ched jumps through the roof.
Waitress: Can I help you?
Kyreth: It's all right.
Ched: Holy shen! Don't sneak up on me that way when you know I can't zlin you!
Nick: I'd like the soup, a sandwich, some of those chips, and, let's see, salad with house dressing.
Waitress: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah [rhythmically to herself as she jots notes]
Nick: House porstan to wash it down with.
Waitress: OK.
Ched sort of notices Nick out of the corner of his ears. He likes a Gen with a hearty appetite.
Waitress stumps off to the next table.
Lalique touches another tine of the shiltpron and every Sime zlins a rainbow flash of brilliance.
Ched: You know Kyreth, I heard that there was good entertainment in here... oh, there it is.
Nick not only has a hearty appetite, but he's good-looking in a Narosian fashion and has one heck of a nager.
Ched: Hey! I zlinned that! Kewl, I'm zlinning again.
Lalique is finally ready to play her set. She stands and bows to the audience.
Kyreth: I noticed. [smiles.] The looks, anyway.
Ched crams the last of the cold greasy chips into his mouth and turns to look at the stage.
Nick settles back to listen to the music while he waits for his food.
Lalique: My name is Lalique. I am here to entertain you.
Kyreth relaxes, enjoying Ched's reactions, a smile flickering across her face.
Buggfa sits up and takes interest as the music gets started.
Ched resists the urge to yell "Take it off, baby!"
Buggfa has been lurking in the back trying to be incognito; his last "vacation" hadn't gone well at all and he's trying to do better at this one.
Ched sometimes feels possessed just after transfer.
Lalique brushes the tines of the shiltpron, filling the room with a powerful, sexually charged oscillation.
Kyreth finds herself keeping the rhythm with her fingertips on the not so clean table.
Ched lashes out with some augmentation and grabs Kyreth's hand.
Lalique uses very simple chording, as she has only Gen fingers to work with.
Kyreth: ~~ dreaming ~~
Ched: Don't! Sticky, zlins odd.
Buggfa is distracted from Lalique's technique by Kyreth and Ched's antics.
Kyreth jumps, then laughs a little, embarrassed.
Nick notes Ched's augmentation, and wonders if he should tone down the music a bit.
Kyreth folds her hands in her lap and sits very quietly, chastened.
Ched suddenly stands.
Lalique sings a traditional English melody "Black, black black is the color of my true love's hair...."
Ched: Oops, I'll be right back, Kyreth, too much porstan!
Buggfa studies Lalique's fingering.
Kyreth smiles, but watches him carefully.
Buggfa is not exactly a fan of this kind of music, but then again if the death and mayhem scene were relaxing, he'd have taken his vacation at work instead of far away from it.
Kyreth longs to sing too, but doesn't.
Nick waits until Ched is out of earshot, then leans closer to Kyreth.
Nick: Is everything all right?
Kyreth: Yes. [smiles] Yes. He's OK.
Ched weaves his way across the room to the bathroom, passing close to where Buggfa is seated.
Lalique uses a very simple technique to play, but her nageric accompaniment shakes the rafters.
Nick settles back into his seat, content to keep an eye on the situation.
Kyreth watches the performance carefully, thinking. dreaming. wondering. Could she?
Lalique: ~~~~ DESIRE ~~~~
Ched finishes as quickly as possible and hurries back to his table.
Ched: Kyreth! [whispers hurriedly] Do you know who is here?
Nick reflects that he's unfortunately spent too much time as a Donor to sit back and ignore a potentially nasty situation.
Nick therefore concentrates on the conversation at the next table, while keeping his nageric attention strictly on the entertainment.
Kyreth shakes her head.
Ched: It's Buggfa! Buggfa Lube! The big Lubeo himself!
Ched is beside himself with excitement.
Kyreth: Ah.
Nick's eyes widen at the name, and he looks around.
Kyreth nods and smiles.
Lalique sings "His lips are something... " and her voice trails off as reacts to the commotion in the room.
Buggfa frowns and tries to get into what Lalique is doing with her left hand. He can't see too well since he's wearing his dark sunglasses in the hopes of not being recognized or anything.
Lalique recognizes Buggfa from his publicity photographs.
Ched looks at her in disgust. "Buggfa Lube! You know, from Torn by Tentacles?"
Ched: Come on, you know Torn By Tentacles don't you?
Buggfa pushes the sunglasses up onto his head to see better, then does a double take as the music stops and he overhears a bit of Ched's last sentence.
Kyreth: Yes. I know. But I think he'd like to be not noticed.
Buggfa: Oh, shen.
Kyreth smiles.
Ched points over in Buggfa's direction.
Ched: I'm gonna get his autograph!
Nick is all too aware of the sorts of antics TBT fans get into in the presence of their hero.
Lalique's desire to go and talk with Buggfa is zlinnable.
Ched grabs Kyreth's arm and drags her across the room.
Kyreth: Ched. Dear. Let him alone, dear heart.
Nick stands up, projecting ~~ boredom/relaxation ~~
Lalique is too much of a professional to interrupt the performance.
Kyreth is angry, but doesn't show it. She extends her hand.
Buggfa realizes the gig is up (so to speak).
Buggfa: Er... check please!!
Lalique sings "The purest eyes and the gentlest hands...."
Ched has Kyreth gripped tightly in his tentacles.
Buggfa looks around for the waitress, who is nowhere to be seen.
Ched sees his prey standing up ready to make his getaway.
Kyreth extends her hands to Buggfa.
Ched speeds up, dragging Kyreth over a few tables that just happen to be in the way.
Lalique: ~~~ HONEY-DRIPPING SWEET GEN SENSUALITY ~~~
Kyreth: I'm so sorry to intrude on your privacy. But my friend ...
Buggfa figures this would have to happen just as the song was coming to the good bit, too.
Lalique sings "I love the ground whereon he stands...."
Ched finds himself thinking about Buggfa in a highly sexual context, which certainly hasn't happened before, but isn't unpleasant, considering.
Nick heads after Ched, trying to ~~ CALM ~~ his rush.
Kyreth lets her annoyance with Ched show just enough for him to notice.
Ched: Hey! Buggfa! Can I have your autograph?
Buggfa puts on his professional smile, which is carefully tailored to cover up incipient panic. Comes in handy in many professional situations.
Lalique: ~~~~ HEARTFELT YEARNING ~~~~
Buggfa: Um, ah, sure.
Lalique recognizes the signs of an audience that is getting out of control.
Kyreth smiles at Buggfa.
Buggfa: ~~some trepidation mostly covered up~~
Ched: Oh kewl!
Buggfa: Got something to write on?
Ched hands Buggfa a piece of paper he snitched while in the bathroom.
Kyreth: We truly do appreciate your kindness.
Buggfa looks at the piece of toilet paper.
Lalique takes steps to protect the safety of the establishment and its clients.
Ched: Just put on it "To my best pal Chad, thanks for the memories"
Buggfa thinks there's always a first for everything.
Buggfa: On toilet paper? Well... OK.
Lalique: Okay, here is another traditional favorite... A lullaby.
Ched bounces around in excitement.
Buggfa carefully tries to write the sentence out without ripping the TP to shreds.
Nick pauses as Buggfa seems to have things under control, contenting himself with obscuring the zlinnability of the autograph session.
Lalique sings "Rock-a-bye, don't you cry...."
Ched doesn't notice the fact that he is being shielded from the ambient by a high class Donor, thus missing the effects of most of the lullaby.
Buggfa neatly misspells "Ched" just the way had pronounced it.
Lalique sings "Go to sleep my little baby...."
Nick glances towards Lalique in approval, and starts to back her calming efforts, as discreetly as he can.
Ched: Too Kewl! What cha doing here, man?
Lalique: ~~~~ GENTLE SOOTHING ~~~
Ched: Place like this?
Buggfa: I'm on vacation.
Buggfa hands the somewhat wrinkled square of TP back to Ched.
Kyreth adds to Nick's efforts.
Buggfa: Figured I'd do the incognito thing, you know, so don't spread it around, man.
Lalique sings "When you wake, you can have...."
Ched: Wow! Like, we are too! But this dump has no action. Know what I mean?
Ched starts to notice that people are going to sleep.
Kyreth puts her hand gently but firmly on Ched's arm. and smiles at Buggfa.
Buggfa: Oh yeah, well, it's....
Ched: It's so dead end, people just lay back and kick out. You know?
Kyreth: Which is why we won't disturb you any further.
Ched: How about we go some places snazzy?
Kyreth: Come, Ched. let's enjoy the performance.
Lalique touches a few low notes on the shiltpron that have the same effect on the Sime metabolism as a dose of Valium.
Ched wishes that Kyreth would speak for herself. He defiantly wants to disturb Buggfa further.
Ched yawns.
Lalique sings "All the pretty little horses...."
Ched: Come on, we got to get out of this place, if it's the last thing we ever do.
Buggfa looks around and notices that all the Simes in the place are under the tables.
Lalique gives Buggfa a wink and a nod.
Buggfa's eyes widen as he calculates how much oomph she must be putting into the shiltpron to get that effect. Buggfa hasn't noticed Nick yet, though.
Ched grabs Buggfa with his right hand and tentacles and heads for the door.
Ched yawns again, not being able to cover his mouth as one hand is occupied with Kyreth and the other with Buggfa.
Buggfa: What....!!!
Buggfa: ~~~ help!! ~~~
Buggfa: Hey, let go of me!
Ched shakes his head and yawns again.
Buggfa: Hey! Help!!!!
Ched: Whaaaa?
Ched hurriedly lets go.
Buggfa: You forgot my hand, dude. Let go.
Lalique sings "Dapples and bays, pintos and grays...."
Ched: Hang loose, bro!
Buggfa rubs his wrist, shaking his head.
Buggfa: Yeah man, take it easy.
Kyreth: Ched. We will sit down, now.
Ched: Don't you want to shake this joint?
Lalique: ~~~ NIRVANA ~~~
Ched: Awww, Kyreth!
Buggfa wonders what it is with vacations and why his mother thinks they should be such a good thing.
Kyreth uses her nager to calm him.
Buggfa retreats to a spot nearer the stage.
Kyreth projects calm.
Buggfa steps over some sleeping Sime bodies and sits down in a newly unoccupied chair.
Kyreth: Ched, he deserves his private time. You know that.
Ched sits on a vacant chair and proceeds to sulk.
Ched: What' you go do that for? You scared him off!
Lalique looks around to see if the situation is under control.
Nick follows Buggfa, lightening up on his nageric amplification.
Kyreth: No, I did not.
Ched yawns hugely again.
Ched: Awwww, lets just go home.
Nick taps Buggfa on the shoulder.
Ched is upset now the mood is broken.
Lalique: Thank you for listening. I will take a short break and be back on-stage shortly.
Kyreth projects gentleness and acceptance with her nager.
Lalique sets aside the shiltpron.
Buggfa looks back and sees Nick.
Kyreth looks for the waitress.
Buggfa: HOLY SHEN!
Lalique scans the room and the sleeping bodies of the Sime customers.
Ched looks bored. He doesn't want gentleness right now...
Buggfa jumps backward out of his chair.
Buggfa looks wildly in both directions for Prunida and/or Snake.
Nick: It's all right.
Lalique steps off the stage and approaches Buggfa.
Lalique: Are you all right?
Kyreth withdraws her projection slightly.
Nick regrets that Buggfa's larity precludes the easiest method of reassurance.
Buggfa: It's all right. [to both of them]
Buggfa: It's just that the last time I saw him, he was with two crazy women.
Lalique nods.
Buggfa: Oh yeah, great show. [to Lalique]
Buggfa says this automatically, not having had a chance to catch most of it.
Lalique: I am pleased to meet you. Please tell me if there is anything we can do to make your visit here more pleasant.
Ched: This place just makes me sleepy. I want to go somewhere more exciting. What about you babe?
Lalique: If you need to make a discreet exit, I can help.
Buggfa smiles.
Kyreth: No, I'll stay. I like this music.
Buggfa: Thank you, maybe I should.
Kyreth waves at Ched and walks over to the group, smiling.
Lalique: There's a back exit through the basement.
Ched: Fine.... Well, I'll see you back at our room later? Better knock first, doll! You know how it is.
Lalique: The walls are pretty much zlin-proof.
Buggfa: Thanks.
Ched makes sure the precious TP is safely in his pocket and leaves.
Kyreth: Yes, I do. I'll give you plenty of time.
Buggfa: See ya, guy. [to Nick]
Lalique leads Buggfa into the back room and down the stairs.
Kyreth walks over, watching them leave.
Nick looks after Buggfa, wondering how he has been getting along with treating his donation problems, or if he's bothered to try.
Lalique leads Buggfa down a rather grimy and damp stone-lined passageway.
Lalique exits in an alley at the back of the hotel.
Lalique grins.
Kyreth smiles at Nick, then sighs.
Lalique: Drop by again when things calm down!
Buggfa: Thanks a million!
Nick returns to his table.
Buggfa hurries away, trying to look casual about it.
Nick checks it for his meal.
Lalique: You're welcome! I've got to get back to work!
Lalique returns to the stage.
Waitress walks out of the kitchen carrying three plates of extra-greasy fries, a large helping of chowder, thirteen corn muffins, a bottle of white wine, and four porstans on a huge platter.
Nick leans towards Kyreth.
Waitress: What the....
Waitress surveys the scene.
Lalique picks up the shiltpron again.
Kyreth returns to her table and sips her wine, watching the room.
Kyreth: Oh, oh... shen! He didn't!
Nick: Is he like that all the time?
Nick gestures urgently for the waitress to deliver his selections.
Nick: Didn't what?
Kyreth: No, actually. but he's post, and ... [sigh] ...on vacation.
Lalique: I'll go on with a rousing traditional song.
Kyreth: Oh, it's OK.
Waitress navigates slowly over various... obstacles.
Nick: Are you sure?
Lalique strums a powerful, pounding bass rhythm that would wake the dead.
Kyreth: Yes. Thanks.
Kyreth smiles, still a little unsure of herself and this situation.
Nick notes the waitress's difficulty, and tries a nageric ~~ wakey-wakey ~~
Lalique sings "If I had a hammer...."
Waitress doesn't get out of the way fast enough as a large male renSime springs awake between her legs, and goes flying.
Waitress's platter goes end over end towards Nick and Kyreth.
Waitress: Whooaaaaa!!!!!!
Nick winces in dismay and tries to duck.
Lalique sings "I'd hammer in the morning...."
Nick had been trying for faster service, but not that much faster.
Waitress's platter's contents fling themselves greasily all over Nick and Kyreth.
Nick: Oh, shen!
Waitress's platter itself sweeps everything off both their tables with a tremendous clang not unlike the opening chord of the song.
Lalique: ~~~ cheerful excitement ~~~
Lalique sings "I'd hammer in the evening...."
Kyreth looks down at herself in dismay, then at Nick, then she starts to laugh, and hands him a napkin.
Waitress falls flat on her face with a befuddled but very excited renSime between her knees.
Nick accepts the offering.
Lalique: ~~~ optimism and joy ~~~
Nick: Thank you.
Lalique sings "All over this land..."
Kyreth gets up quickly and goes to the waitress.
Waitress: You keep your hands to yourself. [bats him away]
Kyreth: Let me help you. Are you hurt?
Waitress climbs to her feet.
Waitress: Just my pride.
Waitress: Look at this mess!
Kyreth smiles.
Nick picks a chip out of his lap, shakes off some chowder, and munches it with a mournful expression.
Kyreth: Here. Let me help.
Waitress: How did I know he was going to stand up just then?
Lalique sings "I'd hammer out justice...."
Nick has something of Riyyh's tousled look at the moment.
Kyreth begins to mop up the mess with extra napkins from the tables, trying not to laugh.
Lalique: ~~ DETERMINATION ~~
Kyreth tries not to notice that she's dripping chowder.
Waitress looks for, and finally locates the platter wedged underneath a 3rd table.
Waitress goes over and starts tugging on it.
Waitress: What the... how is it stuck there?
Nick notes the waitresses actions with some alarm.
Nick: Watch out! There's four porstans on.....
Lalique sings "I'd hammer out freedom...."
Waitress picks up on the determination vibe and tugs as hard as she can.
Kyreth watches in helpless horror, hand over mouth.
Nick winces as the table goes over.
Waitress gives a final, mighty tug, and the tray flies free.
Waitress: Got it!
Waitress: Oh, shen. This isn't my day.
Waitress sets the tray aside and goes to tilt the table back up.
Kyreth heads for the Ladies' room.
Lalique vibrates the entire room with irrepressible joy.
Nick looks after Kyreth and shrugs, catching her amusement.
Waitress stomps off into the kitchen.
Nick would head back to the hotel for a bath, but suspects that the tub will be occupied for some time yet.
Nick is perhaps not quite aware of the extent to which Riyyh willingly shares bathing facilities.
Lalique sings "I'd hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters...."
Kyreth leans against the closed door, and laughs so hard she has to lean against it. Then begins the hopeless task of making herself presentable.
Lalique: ~~~ HARMONY AND FELLOWSHIP ~~~
Betlia is a post, female renSime.
Betlia has noticed Nick and can't help but notice the harmony and fellowship in the ambient.
Kyreth sings along, projecting her love of the music. And life.
Betlia: Why hello, handsome. [mouths silently under the music]
Betlia traces a tentacle along the nape of Nick's neck.
Lalique sings "All over this land...."
Betlia: Come on baby, let's dance.
Lalique plays instrumental section.
Nick's eyes bulge in well-controlled alarm.
Betlia begins dancing very close to Nick. Very close.
Nick: ....dance?
Lalique: ~~~ LOVE, JOY, HARMONY ~~~
Nick: You're getting chowder on yourself.
Kyreth gets herself under control, takes one last look in the mirror, sigh, shrugs, and returns to the room, looking for a cleaner table.
Betlia is really grooving on the love, joy and harmony.
Betlia: Yeah, baby.
Nick wonders if Betlia has seen the picture of his juvenile efforts in Roosle's book.
Lalique surveys the room, sees the audience seems happy and relatively under control.
Nick is well aware that Roosle emphasized the recreational uses of food in more than one chapter.
Lalique notes the amorous couple on the dance floor.
Nick shrugs, and starts to dance, sort of.
Betlia undulates like a well oiled... weasel.
Lalique completes some instrumental riffs and finishes the song.
Betlia: That was swell. Catch you later, big stuff.
Betlia winks, and slithers off.
Lalique: And now for something a bit more mellow . . .
Nick finds that Betlia's dancing reminds him of Snake, somehow, which is strange, because as far as he knows, Snake doesn't bother to dance.
Lalique strums a few traditional chords.
Lalique sings "A ship there is, and she sails the seas...."
Nick heads for the table occupied by Kyreth.
Lalique notes that the dancers have departed.
Kyreth carefully keeps her eyes on Lalique, and silently sings along, aware that her nager shows the effects of her longing to sing.
Lalique: ~~ melancholy ~~
Kyreth notices Nick, gives a quick glance of approval, then a shy, rather formal smile.
Nick: Do you mind if I share your table? I'd feel less conspicuous beside someone who's also... decorated.
Lalique sings "She's floated deep, as deep can be...."
Kyreth laughs, and her face opens.
Kyreth: Not in the least. By the way, I'm Kyreth.
Nick: Nick Reckage.
Nick: I understand you're on vacation?
Lalique sings "But not as deep as the love I'm in...."
Kyreth: You handled that situation beautifully. You and the performer. She's very good.
Kyreth: Yes. We are.
Nick: Thank you.
Lalique: ~~~ FORLORN ACHING LONGING ~~~
Kyreth: It's been um, pretty good, at least.
Nick: Until tonight?
Kyreth: But sometimes gets... um... well, frenetic.
Nick: I noticed.
Kyreth smiles and shrugs.
Lalique sings "I know not if I sink or swim...."
Nick: Where do you live when you're not on vacation?
Kyreth: Usually, I can cope--but tonight ... [sighs]
Kyreth: Oh. Up north.
Lalique sings "The water is wide; I cannot pass o'er...."
Kyreth: She really does have a lovely voice. And plays well, too. Do you know her well?
Nick: The shiltpron player? I don't know her at all, I'm afraid.
Nick: I just came in here for a meal.
Lalique sings "Neither have I the wings to fly...."
Kyreth: Ah. I had the impression ... but of course, things were a bit distorted. (smiles.)
Lalique: ~~ SORROW/ LOVE ~~
Kyreth: Ched was considering looking for a job around here. I don't know.
Nick: I'd hoped to have my meal in my stomach, not on my shirt, but...
Nick: What does he do?
Lalique sings "Give me a boat that can carry two...."
Kyreth: Oh. Well, believe it or not, he's a counselor, and a very good one.
Lalique: ~~ tremulous hope ~~
Nick: A counselor?
Nick had thought his behavior more that of a field hand on payday.
Kyreth: Yes. Marriage. [smiles] But of course, what he'd really love to do is join a band.
Kyreth winces and looks down, understanding perfectly.
Lalique sings "And both shall row, my love and I!"
Nick: Ah, so that's why he cornered Buggfa.
Nick at least assumes that Buggfa wouldn't be consulting a marriage counselor.
Kyreth: I'm afraid so. Buggfa is one of his idols. And Ched is--um--sometimes thoughtless.
Lalique: ~~ HOPE AND DESIRE ~~
Kyreth wipes aimlessly at the detritus covering her, and thinks about going back.
Nick: Well, fortunately there was no harm done.
Nick's gaze follows Kyreth's wipe.
Lalique plays an exquisite instrumental finale that zlins rather like a sunrise.
Nick: Well, or at least no major casualties.
Lalique stands.
Riyyh has been lurking in the entryway, and claps politely at the end of the song.
Kyreth: "Well, true." Kyreth looks around the room. "No blood, anyway."
Lalique: Well, thank you all for your attention. I am going to take a little break now.
Lalique I will be back to play another set in half an hour.
Lalique sets aside the shiltpron.
Nick wonders if things will calm down enough in the interlude for him to get a second meal delivered, preferably to the table top, this time.
Lalique scans the room for interesting people to converse with during her break.
Nick looks around, hoping to flag the waitress, and notices Riyyh.
Kyreth: I wonder if the management will give us a discount for wearing the food.
Nick waves Riyyh over.
Lalique notices Kyreth and Nick seem involved with each other so will not interfere.
Riyyh smiles at Lalique, but is then distracted by Nick's wave.
Nick: I doubt that--at least not the way it looks at the moment.
Riyyh gestures to Nick that he will be just a moment, and then starts toward Lalique.
Lalique slinks down from the stage and over to the bar, where she gets a glass of white wine.
Kyreth: Ah, well.
Kyreth shrugs.
Kyreth: I'll just make Ched buy me some new clothes. I figure he owes me.
Lalique relaxes on a bar stool.
Riyyh: I caught the end of your performance. It was... breathtaking.
Kyreth grins impishly.
Riyyh can appreciate nearly any level of musical skill, having been a father of some... well, let's not count, shall we?... children over several... well, years.
Lalique smiles warmly at Riyyh, making eye contact.
Nick: The Two Tulips boutique down the street has some Imil lines in, I understand.
Lalique notes Riyyh's fine attire.
Riyyh beams, stimulated by the personal attention.
Lalique: Thank you very much.
Riyyh: I would have missed it entirely, except that my friend is here. [gestures in Nick's direction] I am glad now I came.
Kyreth: Thanks. I rather think I'll pay them a visit tomorrow. Tonight, though, I would rather like another glass of wine, this time to drink, and perhaps some cheese toast.
Lalique: Ah, yes, the gentleGen with the two screaming ladies.
Riyyh's eyes widen innocently.
Riyyh hadn't been aware that Nick was capable of causing two ladies to scream in a crowded night club, but smiles fondly all the same.
Nick's stomach growls loudly at the reminder of food.
Kyreth grins, then tries to hide it.
Nick looks innocently stricken with embarrassment at the noise.
Kyreth bursts into delighted laughter. Then her stomach growls, and she tries to pretend it didn't happen, laughing harder.
Nick starts chuckling as well.
Lalique caresses Riyyh with her eyes, which are an odd shade of green-gold.
Nick: ~~ amusement ~~
Lalique: And where do you come from?
Kyreth: ~~ relaxation, ease ~~ Perhaps the waitress will hear and take pity?
Riyyh smiles in return, unconsciously easing nearer in response to her warmth. Riyyh has always been a sucker for a friendly smile.
Riyyh: Allow me to introduce myself. I am Riyyh, Sectuib in Naros.
Lalique: I am honored, Sectuib.
Kyreth brushes back her auburn hair, and studies Nick from under her lashes. Her green eyes sparkle with repressed merriment.
Lalique: Lalique Vale, from Gulf Territory, at your service.
Nick: Well, it's possible. The kitchen can't be too well soundproofed, or we couldn't hear them washing dishes back there.
Kyreth: Would you be so kind as to tell me a little about this area? it is very interesting, and I find it charming.
Riyyh: Gulf Territory? My, you're a long way from home. Do you return before snowfall, or are you here for the duration?
Riyyh: [kind interest]
Lalique: I am on tour.
Nick's gaze drifts towards Riyyh, and he frowns.
Lalique: I may return eventually.
Nick: This area? [absentmindedly] I'm just passing through, myself.
Lalique: Meanwhile, I get the chance to experience the world.
Riyyh would probably have noticed Nick's attention if Lalique's nager wasn't so unusual.
Kyreth notices, stiffens very slightly. ~ withdraws into herself ~
Riyyh smiles.
Lalique caresses Riyyh with her nager.
Riyyh: Travel is so... broadening, isn't it?
Nick: Excuse me a moment, please. I should....
Kyreth: Of course.
Lalique: Oh, yes! And I love the... stimulation of new experiences.
Nick gets up and heads to Riyyh.
Kyreth smiles formal permission.
Riyyh's eyes gaze deeply into hers, as his hand....
Riyyh turns suddenly as Nick approaches.
Riyyh: Nick!
Lalique has eyes green like the ocean, glinting with sunlit waves.
Nick lets his nager mesh with Riyyh's, blocking Lalique's nager.
Lalique looks at Nick, anger flashes and quickly vanishing.
Nick looks rather strange, between the grease, and the chowder, and all.
Riyyh looks somewhat embarrassed at having been caught zlinning another Gen so near their transfer.
Riyyh also looks somewhat taken aback by Nick's appearance, now that he finally notices it.
Lalique bows to Nick.
Nick givers Lalique a steady look, and nods in return.
Riyyh: Nick, this is Lalique. She's from Gulf Territory. [smiles]
Riyyh: What ever did you do to yourself?
Riyyh inspects Nick from head to toe.
Lalique senses Nick's control of the ambient and backs off.
Nick notes Riyyh's eyes traveling from the bit of soup in his hair to the lettuce tangled in his shoe, and grimaces.
Riyyh is not fond of interpersonal tension, but he does enjoy being at the focus of people's jealousies just a tiny bit. He is terribly vain, after all.
Nick: There was an accident when my meal was being delivered.
Riyyh: Oh, my.
Lalique smiles wickedly.
Lalique: Perhaps you need a shower. Are you a guest at the hotel?
Riyyh: Oh, dear. Don't bother, they have had a burst pipe and there is no water whatsoever.
Riyyh looks somewhat unhappy about that.
Riyyh: I stayed for nearly an hour before deciding to come here.
Nick's looks considerably more than "somewhat" unhappy at the news.
Riyyh happens to notice Kyreth, who is sitting alone at Nick's former table.
Riyyh: Oh, I've interrupted your conversation.
Kyreth's eyes meet his. She looks down, quickly. then back up, smiling. shy.
Lalique: Well at least I could bring you some towels, to wipe off.
Nick: Thank you. ~~ gratitude ~~ [to Lalique]
Riyyh smiles back, kindly.
Nick: Riyyh, this is Kyreth. Kyreth, this is Sectuib Riyyh ambrov Naros.
Lalique steps into the back room to fetch some guest towels.
Kyreth rises, bows slightly. ~~ warmth, respect, gentle neutrality ~~
Riyyh had felt very self-conscious going out without a good bath, after a day of riding horseback... but after seeing Nick and Kyreth's conditions, it doesn't seem quite so much of an emergency.
Kyreth: I am honored, Sectuib.
Riyyh: It is my pleasure.
Lalique returns and hands the towels to Nick, managing to stroke his arm as she does so.
Kyreth: I seem to have been... in the appropriate place at the wrong time.
Lalique notices Kyreth's condition and saves a few towels for her as well.
Kyreth looks at Lalique, smiling.
Nick accepts the towels and starts to attempt a clean-up.
Kyreth: Thanks you! But... one does wonder where to start. [smiles]
Kyreth begins to clean up as best she can.
Lalique: Tonight's performance was more energetic than usual, I'm afraid.
Riyyh had noticed the place looked a bit thrashed.
Nick: It wasn't your fault. Buggfa Lube has that effect on his fans.
Kyreth: But it was spectacular. Even without the um, necessity of having to cope with Ched. For whom I apologize.
Riyyh thinks of shiltpron parlors as being rather lowbrow anyway, though, so had assumed the disarranged furniture, food on the floor and occasional sodden body were par for the course.
Lalique: So he does. A most exciting performer.
Lalique: Well thank you. My style, of course, is quite traditional.
Kyreth: Actually, I find that delightful. [smiles] It is my music, although not Ched's.
Lalique: Much of my repertoire is adapted from authentic Ancient ballads.
Riyyh doesn't pretend to know much about shiltpron music, so he contents himself to listening in on their conversation and trying to seduce a tired baby on his mother's knee at the bar with little glances and smiles.
Kyreth moves closer to the group, being careful to keep Nick between herself and Riyyh.
Lalique: Of course, the shiltpron interpretations are entirely original.
Nick wonders if Lalique has ever attended a TBT concert.
Lalique studies Kyreth and Nick.
Nick: Well, of course. The Ancients didn't use shiltprons.
Kyreth studies Lalique and Riyyh. Her eyes are darker than Lalique's, more smoky but deep, deep green.
Kyreth: Have you been performing long? [trying to project only casual interest, quite unsuccessfully]
Nick looks rather like Riyyh--about 75%, in fact.
Lalique notes Nick's physique and his form-hugging pants with appreciation.
Kyreth is intensely aware of Riyyh's charisma, and forces herself not to react much.
Nick notes Lalique's assessment, and thinks "shen".
Nick has become rather familiar with such looks, since the publication of Roosle's book.
Riyyh senses Kyreth looking at him and smiles at her again, finding her a much easier target than the cranky one-year-old.
Lalique: Well, I've been performing professionally for about 6 years.
Kyreth warms naturally to Riyyh's smile, but keeps her distance out of respect for Nick.
Lalique: I'm better known down in Gulf Territory.
Kyreth: I have always admired good shiltpron performances. I can't zlin, naturally, but something fascinates. More than the music, I think, possibly.
Kyreth glances at Riyyh, finding him disconcerting, and distracts herself by examining the nearby cranky child.
Lalique: The key to playing the shiltpron is feeling, which is universal.
Infant squirms and his face wrinkles with the intensity of his scowl.
Kyreth: Even so. ~~ wistful ~~
Infant's mouth opens as his fists flail.
Kyreth bats her lashes at the baby, then winks.
Kyreth projects warm loving laughter at the baby. Cuddling with her nager.
Infant notes Kyreth's attention on him, and therefore the incipient howl is moderated to a squawk.
Lalique: You see... the universal language.
Kyreth grins.
Infant tries to decide whether to take advantage of the extra attention, or protest his soiled diaper.
Kyreth: Yes. Yes. [smiles]
Infant shrieks, waving fists.
Mother: That's it, I'm out of here.
Kyreth: Well. I think....
Mother: Stinker here is ready for bed.
Mother throws some money on the counter and departs with her kid on her hip.
Infant's full-blown howling drifts back as the door closes.
Kyreth watches them leave, sighs in relief. Squalling babies are definitely not her forte.
Lalique: Nick, are you also ambrov Naros?
Nick is also ~~ relieved ~~, as he finds babies somewhat alarming.
Nick: Umm... no.
Nick decides that the genetic connection is too complicated to explain to a casual acquaintance.
Kyreth signals the bartender for another glass of wine.
Riyyh: Nick is my son. His mother raised him outside of the Householding, however.
Riyyh is glad the conversation has turned to something he knows quite a bit about, possibly prompted by the presence of the baby.
Riyyh: He has been kind enough to travel with me while he is on leave.
Riyyh thinks that is the best way to describe Nick's situation with the Tecton.
Riyyh thinks, he left, anyway.
Lalique studies them both, considering the relationship.
Riyyh tends more toward the long-haired, pretty hedonistic type than Nick does, but otherwise the resemblance is remarkable.
Kyreth sips her wine, observing the scene before her with a painter's eye. the two men, so alike, and Lalique.
Lalique thinks "too complicated to get involved with".
Lalique is regretful, as she tends toward the long-haired pretty hedonistic type.
Kyreth thinks this is fascinating.
Lalique: And Kyreth, where are you from?
Kyreth: Oh. We're from up North. We're on vacation, but is thinking about looking for work near here.
Lalique: What kind of work are you looking for?
Kyreth blushes slightly. "Well, despite his um, performance, Ched is a very fine marriage counselor."
Nick remains a tad ~~ skeptical ~~ of that.
Lalique: Ahhh. Well, that occupation requires a capacity for chaos.
Riyyh of course has no idea what had gone before, and wonders what sort of performance they are referring to.
Kyreth: ~~ very slight loyal defensiveness ~~
Lalique: Flying frying pans, and all that.
Riyyh: My dear, I am certain that you are very proud of Ched. [smiles reassuringly]
Kyreth: Well, yes, but usually it involves coping, not creating. [sigh]
Lalique: Coping can be very creative, my dear.
Kyreth acknowledges the kindness gratefully. Disciplines herself to calmness, knowing that a bad impression is more than justified.
Kyreth: Oh, yes. And of course, we have done crisis intervention, on occasion. That can get ugly on all levels. Especially when children are involved.
Nick wonders just what Kyreth would define as "ugly", after the way she shrugged off Ched's behavior.
Riyyh: Do you know, Naros runs a program here which might be able to benefit from an additional counselor.
Nick then remembers some of the things he saw while working in the Bender Cove slums with Snake, and stops wondering.
Lalique admires Riyyh's ensemble, absentmindedly stroking the crushed velvet of her slinky gown.
Riyyh: It's meant to be a program for alcoholism, but of course there are inevitably marital issues involved.
Kyreth smiles. "I'll tell. I'd like him to speak with you. By tomorrow, he should be more balanced."
Kyreth: Actually, marriage counseling spills over into all relationship issues. And abuse issues as well. And yes [smiling at Nick] I do assist in crisis intervention. Sometimes I must.
Riyyh thinks that by tomorrow, he should be in good enough shape to help out with any... additional balance that might be required.
Lalique: We always hurt the ones we love the most.
Riyyh notices Lalique's intermittent attentions, and pushes back his hair, wishing he'd had a chance to really groom himself well before going out.
Kyreth: Sadly, that is often true. But we become too serious. Tell me, do you know the song that begins "There were 3 ravens sat on a tree...." 1
Lalique smiles warmly.
Lalique: Yes, I'll play it during my next set.
Kyreth is strongly attracted to Riyyh, but forces herself not to pursue it, recognizing the relationship between Riyyh and Nick, and Riyyh's proximity to transfer.
Kyreth: Thank you, Lalique. [smile]
Kyreth: It is one of my favorite songs--so haunting.
Riyyh wonders if it's the one he's heard, about the crows discussing what they are going to eat for dinner that day.
Riyyh has never liked the words to that one, although the melody is pretty.
Nick wonders how an allegedly haunting song is supposed to serve as an antidote to excessive solemnity.
Lalique: Yes, there is so much beauty in antiquity.
Kyreth: Yes. [smiles]
Riyyh hopes that Lalique, unlike some musicians he's known, will forbear to play "I'm my Own Grandpa" tonight.
Riyyh has gotten rather tired of that song in the last year or so, although he wouldn't dream of admitting that to anybody.
Nick wonders if they are referring to Riyyh, since they seem to be eyeing him.
Kyreth wishes she had the courage to ask to be allowed to sing just one song. But she doesn't, and wild horses couldn't drag that out of her.
Kyreth wonders if she should check on Ched, but decides he can probably take care of himself, and deserves to.
Lalique: Well, it's about time for my next set. It been good meeting all you folks.
Kyreth: My pleasure. [smiles]
Lalique: I hope we will have the chance to chat again sometime.
Lalique smiles back warmly.
Nick looks at Riyyh.
Lalique goes back up on the stage.
Kyreth: One never knows. Perhaps I'll come back--and try for a meal on a plate, this time.
Nick: Did they say when there will be water at the hotel again?
Nick: ~~ hope ~~
Riyyh: They said as soon as possible.
Riyyh of course couldn't begin to guess when that might be.
Riyyh: Shall we go investigate?
Kyreth: Oh dear. ~~ some distress ~~
Lalique opens her set with the song about the three ravens.
Nick: Yes, please.
Kyreth listens, rapt, subvocalizing the words.
Lalique notes that the part about the ravens pecking out the hanged man's eyes puts some of the customers off their food.
Riyyh looks at Kyreth.
Nick follows Riyyh's gaze.
Nick: It looks likes she's well occupied.
Kyreth brings her attention outward.
Nick: ~~ amusement ~~
Riyyh, while very pleased that it isn't the song about the two corbies making their nest out of a dead knight's hair and plucking out his two blue eyes for their children to eat, fears it is a very similar song anyway.
Kyreth: I must go, also. Gentlemen, an honor and a pleasure.
Kyreth: [smiles] It's the tune I like, not the words.
Riyyh almost encourages her to go to the stage, if she wants to so badly, but stops when she speaks.
Nick finds Kyreth's statement reassuring, after his grandmother Prunida.
Riyyh: I look forward to seeing you again, and meeting.
Lalique notes that the depressing subject is increasing the bar business.
Lalique completes the raven song and swings into the true nadir of angst, the Ballad of Reading Gaol.
Riyyh: Oh, dear. Let us be on our way, then.
Kyreth: Indeed. I, also. [smiles at Nick] And no, I'm not particularly morbid. Actually, that song contains a great deal of symbolism and is said to be about something else entirely.
Kyreth: Good night, and thank you for a lovely evening.
Nick: Good night.
Riyyh leaves ahead of Nick, fleeing the depressing ambient.
Kyreth: Kyreth nods and smiles at Lalique, and leaves the parlor.
Nick follows on Riyyh's heels, eager to be clean again, but making a mental note to order room service.
Kyreth stands in the entry way, giving them plenty of time to get ahead of her, not wanting to crowd them.
Lalique nods, using one fragment of her attention, while keeping the rest of the customer's wailing into their hard liquor.
Kyreth stands outside, hearing the music in the background, and lifts her face to the night air. It feels good after the heat. She looks for stars, sees none, sighs, and begins to walk slowly toward the hotel.
Notes:
1) As all of Lalique's songs were of Ancient origin, the song about the 3 ravens may have been one of these:
THREE RAVENSTraditional
There were three ravens sat on a tree,
Down-a-down, hey down-a-down
And they were as black as they might be;
With a Down-a-down, hey down-a-down
One of them said to his mate,
"What shall we for our breakfast take?"
With a down, derry, derry, derry down down....Down in yonder green field,
Down-a-down, hey down-a-down.....
There lies a knight slain under his shield;
With a Down-a-down, hey down-a-down.....
Down there comes a fallow doe,
As great with young as she might go.
With a down, derry, derry, derry down down....She lifted up his bloody head,
Down-a-down, hey down-a-down.....
And kissed his wounds that were so red,
With a Down-a-down, hey down-a-down.....
She got him up across her back,
And carried him to the earthen rack,
With a down, derry, derry, derry down down....She buried him before his pride,
Down-a-down, hey down-a-down
She was dead herself, 'ere eveningtide,
With a Down-a-down, hey down-a-down.....
God send every gentleman fine hawks, fine hounds,
And such a loved one!
With a down, derry, derry, derry down down....
TWA CORBIES
As I cam' by yon auld house end
I saw twa corbies sittin thereon,
The tane unto the t'other did say,
"O whare sall we gae dine the day?" (repeat last line)"Whare but by yon new fa'en birk,
There, there lies a new slain knight;
Nae mortal kens that he lies there
But his hawks and hounds, and his ladye fair."We'll sit upon his bonny breast bane,
And we'll pick out his bonny gray een;
We'll set our claws intil' his yallow hair
And big our bow'r, it's a' blawn bare.My mother clekit me o' an egg,
And brought me up i' the feathers gray,
And bade me flee where'er I wad,
For winter wad be my dying day.Now winter it is come and past,
And a' the birds are biggin' their nests,
But I'll flee high aboon them a'
And sing a sang for summer's sake.Child #26
From Singing Tradition of Child's Popular Ballads, Bronson
Collected from Thomas Shortreed, Jedburgh